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“Mattie told me,” Mom says, getting to her feet. “Those kids need some love and cuddles. I told the boys I’d make pancakes for breakfast tomorrow. Guillaume told me he wants to learn to play the piano.”
“His music teacher really inspired him.”
“We should find him a piano teacher.” Mom straightens her shoulders. “I’m going to look into it today. All the more reason for shipping your piano over.”
Mattie gathers our cups and the tray. “Do you want me to walk you down, Bella?”
“I’ll shout if I need you.”
They leave the room with Mom chatting animatedly about piano lessons. It hurts when I get to my feet, but the pain isn’t the constant blunt ache stabbing into my gut of when I regained consciousness. It’s more of a sharp needling in my ribs that fades when I don’t put strain on my muscles.
In the dressing room, I open the drawer in which Heidi packed my jewelry. Angelo gave me the code of the safe, but I’m yet to put the precious diamonds and rubies away. I take out the flat blue box with the Italian jewelry store logo before making my way downstairs.
The boys are having cookies and milk in the kitchen. They run up to hug me, taking care not to squeeze too hard.
“Sabella,” Guillaume exclaims. “Angelo told us a secret.”
Johan gives him a slap upside the head. “Which means you have to keep your mouth shut.”
“Ouch,” Guillaume cries out with an indignant expression, rubbing his skull.
“Don’t hit your brother,” I say in a stern voice.
Johan shoots Guillaume an accusing look. “He was going to shoot his mouth off and spoil everything.”
Crossing his arms, Guillaume says with a sulking face, “I was not.”
“That’s enough.” Heidi wipes crumbs from the table. “We’re not going to get into a fight. The doctor said Sabella needs peace and quiet.”
Guillaume pouts. “He started it.”
Étienne says with one of Doris’s famous oatmeal cookies stuffed into his mouth, “You’re not supposed to say there’s a secret, dumbass.”
“We don’t speak with a full mouth,” I chide. “And no swearing.”
“Sorry, Sabella,” Étienne mumbles around the cookie.
I catch Johan’s gaze. “You’re the big brother. You should always protect your younger brothers. Hitting them is not only wrong but it also sets a bad example.”
“Sorry,” Johan grumbles.
“I’ll be honest,” I say. “I’m not very good with surprises. Is it a good one?”
“Oh yes,” Étienne says, nodding enthusiastically.
“You’re going to love it,” Guillaume agrees, putting emphasis on love.
“In that case, I can’t wait.”
“See?” Johan says, disgruntled. “Now it’s no longer a surprise.”
“It is if I don’t know what it is. Plus, now I have something to look forward to.”
Johan shoots Guillaume a look that says,Now, look what you’ve done.
“Where’s Sophie?” I ask.
“Dunno,” Étienne and Guillaume say in unison.
