AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You were a good sport.”
“Well, I didn’t mind saying it if it made Clara happy.”
“It definitely made her happy,” I said, resting my head on his shoulder, with a sigh of contentment.
“You’ve worked wonders with the children…and with me. When I first got engaged to you, I was worried that you were going to be too wild to settle down and that I was going to end up with someone else to look after. But I’ve come to realize that you were actually an angel coming into our lives, rescuing us from our grief and allowing us to become a family again—a family that wouldn’t be complete without you in it.”
His words made my heart clench. I loved him and the children so much and would do everything in my power to protect and care for them—and to know that he felt the same about me meant that I had everything I needed to be happy.
***
That night, Lorenzo gathered me in his arms after making love to me.
We were still using birth control because I didn’t feel ready to have another child yet. We had talked about it, and although we both wanted more children, I was happy having my hands full with Clara and Clemente for now. I was only twenty, and I wanted to have enough time to be able both to complete my college degree and to take care of the two children I already had.
And that was how I truly felt—that Clara and Clemente weremychildren, just as much as if I’d given birth to them myself.
“Thank you,” Lorenzo said in a low voice, “for everything you do for me and our children.” Lorenzo always said ‘our’ children now, and I knew that he really meant it. Every time he said it, my heart would beat faster.
“You just being here more for mealtimes and stuff has really helped the kids too,” I replied.
“The kids are definitely happier.” He paused. “Clemente has always dealt with Rita’s death better, but I reckon that’s because he’s too young to remember her really.”
I was thoughtful as I pondered what he’d just said.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked.
“Sometimes I think that Clemente has coped better because of the way Clara is toward him. She’s really protective of her little brother. If he takes a fall, or if he’s grumpy and having a bad day, she’s instantly at his side, playing with him and reassuring him. I think that’s helped Clemente so much more than we could ever know.”
“I’ve noticed how Clara is with Clemente,” remarked Lorenzo, “but I’ve never thought about how that could have helped him in the aftermath of Rita’s death.”
“Your daughter is strong in her own way.”
I felt him nod his head in agreement. “Anni, I don’t ever want either you or kids to feel that you’re not strong, or that talking about your problems is a weakness.” His voice was serious. “I wish Rita had been able to talk to me more. I wish I could have talked to you more about my problems when we first married. Instead, you were thrust into being a wife and mom, and I didn’t make things any easier for you.”
“I’m just happy that you’re listening to my opinions now.”
“Well, you were right about having pictures of Rita up around the house. Having photos of her with the kids during happier times is good for the kids. It gives them something to focus on instead of just their grief.”
“You know, Lorenzo, as long as we all keep talking to each other, then I have the feeling that we’re going to be okay.”
“We’re going to be more than okay, Mrs. Marchiano,” Lorenzo replied. “Because if I have anything to do with it, then we’re going to live happily ever after.”
