“Yes, ma’am, I will. I was just about to cook some here, but I love your kitchen more,” she giggles.
“Thanks, Brina. It means the world.”
“Okay, let me call Mattia and let him know, and then I’ll be on the way.”
She doesn’t call her husband “Bones” like the rest of us. Sometimes it catches me off guard when I hear her use his real name.
I climb out of bed cautiously, careful not to wake Aris. No sooner than Alessandro left this morning, I grabbed my little one out of the nursery and kept him close to me.
Heading into Bianca’s room, I find her lying on her belly watching TV.
I sit beside her on the bed, and she beams at me. I’m thankful we’ve been given a second chance to be together. It’s not been an easy road for either of us. We both still miss Carlo, but in time our wounds will heal.
I’m certain my daughter will always miss her father, but I have hope that one day the hole in my heart will be completely covered. Being Alessandro’s wife has helped me go a long way towards that healing. I don’t think of Carlo the way I used to every day anymore. Now it’s only when Bianca makes certain expressions or specifically says something about him.
Alessandro has been an excellent father to her, and she loves him dearly, but I know she still holds a special place in her heart for Carlo.
“Good morning, sweetie,” I say, kissing her forehead.
“Buongiorno,” she greets.
My spunky little daughter speaks mostly Italian but switches off and on. Her speaking Italian with Alessandro has taught me the language better, but I still have a long way to go.
“How about you come into my room and watch TV while I shower.”
She slants a curious glance up at me.
“Your brother is still asleep in my bed, and Papà has gone to work,” I explain.
Bouncing off her bed, she turns off the television.
“Okay.”
“Mrs. Sabrina’s on her way over, and we’re cooking a big breakfast.”
“Can I help?”
“Sure, baby,” I say, taking her hand and leading her back to my bedroom.
****
After Bianca, Ari, and I are dressed, we go downstairs to where Sabrina’s sitting with Bones in the kitchen.
They break off their conversation when they see me, and Bones becomes guarded again. He steps out of the kitchen. She oohs and aahs over the baby for a while, cuddling him while Bianca and I remove items to prepare for breakfast.
“He’s so amazing. So tiny and small,” Sabrina says, stroking his little cheek.
Sabrina places him in his carrier and turns her attention to making brioche while I work on the frittata.
“So, what was said?”
“What’re you talking about?” she asks, glancing up at me.
“The two of you were talking when I came into the room. Did he happen to mention anything about the early morning call?” I ask.
Her jaw clenches, and I know that she knows something. Her gaze flits over to Bianca, stirring the eggs for the crespelle.
I nod, knowing this conversation will have to hold until later. My nerves are getting the best of me, and I wish I had heard something by now. Alessandro still hasn’t texted me back, and I’m going out of my mind with worry.