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“Let’s go!” she jumped, put her hand back in Tony’s, and the two kids left the room together. Thankfully it was so easy for kids to make friends. Elsie was going to be happy, surrounded by all of her cousins.
As they disappeared into the garden, Luce gave me a worried look. “She left with the dog.”
I threw my head back and laughed, earning a slap on the arm. My kitty was really scared of dogs.
“Apollo is great with kids,” Priscilla assured her. “He loves playing with Tony and Rosetta, and he only attacks if someone tries to hurt them.”
“That’s good,” Luce nodded, but she didn’t look fully convinced. Maybe she was past the point of changing her mind about the dogs, but I was sure Elsie was going to grow to love them. Others would help her.
I wrapped an arm around my wife and whispered into her ear. “She is going to be safe here.”
She looked up at me with utter trust in her eyes. “And happy?”
I nodded with a smile and kissed her head before replying, “And happy.”
Chapter 37
Luciana
Last night was one of the best nights of my life. Even Priscilla’s scary dogs couldn’t ruin my mood. There was great food, great company, and, most importantly, Elsie was with me. She was also very happy. I was worried the sudden change was going to make her anxious, but she seemed far from it. Having a big party from the start was probably a good idea. It would make me more nervous, but Elsie was a small kid, so it made sense. I was still grateful Valerio thought of that.
I was grateful for Valerio.
We stayed there until Elsie got sleepy, and she did hold out for long, considering how much she ran up and down with the other kids. At one point, I asked Valerio if there was any news from my father, but he kissed me and told me it was a problem for tomorrow. He was not going to find out until morning. So I decided to postpone my worry until then.
When we came home, Elsie looked like she got some energy on the way. I let her pet the cats a bit and gave her a small tour of the house. Valerio and I decided it was not a good idea for her to sleep with us because we wanted her to get used to her room. It was not the best room, but I did my best in the small amount of time we had by decorating the guest room next to ours in a way I thought Elsie would like. Of course, it needed some additions, but we could choose them with Elsie present.
However, I couldn’t stop myself from lying down next to her after I tucked her into bed. Elsie never had a problem with sleeping alone, and she was exhausted at that point. I knew she wouldn’t have had a problem falling asleep, but I still stayed there until she did and a while after. At one point, Valerio woke me with kisses and whispered into my ear, “Are you coming to bed, or do you want to stay here?”
I loved sleeping on Valerio’s side every night, but I didn’t want to leave Elsie. I was going to tell him I wanted to stay, but I got scared. I didn’t want him to think I was going to make this a habit and leave his bed for good. I didn’t want him to regret bringing Elsie here.
I knew he didn’t do it expecting anything in return, but we were equals. I had to give back to him. I had to consider his needs too. He gave me my dream, after all. I could make some sacrifices too.
So I eventually left Elsie’s side and came back to my bed. I slept with Valerio’s arms wrapped around me. It was amazing, but a little part of me still wished I was by Elsie’s side. Despite it, that was a peaceful night. Peaceful and happy.
I was not sure if this morning was going to be like that because we woke up to Valerio’s phone ringing. As we tried to open our eyes, it kept ringing and ringing. When Valerio reached and looked at the screen, his face sobered. “Your father,” he said, but I already knew.
Valerio sat up in bed and gave me a confident look. “I got this, baby.”
“Can you put it on speakerphone?” I knew the suspense would only make me more anxious. Whatever he was going to say, I just had to know.
“Of course,” Valerio said and accepted the call just before he put it on speaker.
The second he answered, his expression changed into his care-free smile. He was ready to play his role.
“Vasile,” my father’s angry tone came immediately.
“Borelli,” Valerio said mockingly. “What is it so early in the morning? Did you have a dream about me? Was it dirty?”
“Stop acting stupid, Vasile.”
“I am getting the feeling this isn’t about a dirty dream.”
My father almost growled on the other side. “Where. Is. My. Daughter?”
“Your daughter?” he looked at me. “Are you talking about my wife? Well, she is right here in my bed, where she belongs.”
“You know I am not talking about that whore.”
