THIRD PERSON

Zeus noticed how the human beside him began to squirm again. Gently, he nudged her with his cold nose, pressing himself closer as if to cocoon her in warmth. The rhythmic rise and fall of her breathing calmed, and he settled back, content to close his eyes once more, the soft sound of the wind whispering through the open window lulling him into a peaceful slumber.

Outside, Domenico sat on the snow-covered terrace, bundled in a thick winter jacket that smelled faintly of Josephine, mixed with the earthy scent of the cold night air. The moonlight bathed the world in silver, casting long shadows across the glistening snow. He stretched out his legs, taking a deep drag from his cigarette. The smoke curled upward, merging with the crisp night air, swirling like ethereal wisps before disappearing into the vastness above. His gaze fell on the branch he and Riccardo had dragged in that morning-a ridiculous, oversized gift for the dogs. If they didn't appreciate the effort, they certainly wouldn't be getting any more antlers. What a silly present. Well, it would have been less silly if he hadn't been the one to carry it. "Hey, brother."

"Are you smoking?" Matteo asked, hesitantly sliding into the space beside him. The chill of the night clung to him, and Domenico scooted over to make room. "Since when?"

"Oh, for quite a while," Domenico replied, exhaling a cloud of smoke that hung momentarily before dissipating.

"I've never noticed," Matteo murmured, his gaze drifting to the snow-draped garden, a pensive look settling on his face. "A lot of things seem to escape my notice."

"That's how it should be. And if I ever catch you doing it, we'll have a problem, understand?" Domenico's tone shifted, serious yet protective. Matteo nodded quickly, the weight of the moment sinking in. "Good. Why aren't you in bed? Tomorrow is the big day."

If anyone in the family anticipated Christmas, it was Matteo. But this year felt different, a shadow lingering in the air. "Can I ask you something?" he ventured, his voice barely above a whisper.

Domenico took another drag, watching the smoke spiral upward. "Of course."

"Have you-have you ever wished things were different? That you didn't have us?"

Wrapping an arm around his younger brother, Domenico spoke softly, "No. Sure, there are moments when I wish you were on an other planet, and I won't lie, I have a folder of boarding schools I glance at when you all are particularly-let's use Vito's words here-challenging. But you and your brothers are the most important thing to me."

"And Josephine?" Matteo asked, the burden of his worries lightening.

"And Josephine, of course." Domenico chuckled, a genuine warmth in his voice. "You know I'm very proud of you?" Matteo looked at him, wide-eyed. "Unfortunately, you had the least time with Mum and Dad. You know them mostly through our memories, yet you've grown into a good man. You take what comes your way and make the best of it. That impresses me."

Matteo shook his head, as if trying to comprehend. "I just try not to disappoint you."

Domenico smiled, his expression softening. "You can't disappoint me. Still, I'd appreciate it if you stopped getting Riccardo into trouble. If this keeps up, Vito will be in a real bind."

"But Valen-"

"If you even think about following his example, you'll be on the next flight to India. Or Italy; then the rest of the family can deal with you." He stubbed the cigarette out in the snow, the ember sizzling against the cold. "So, what brings you out here so late?"

"I couldn't sleep," Matteo admitted, and although Domenico had already figured as much, he allowed the statement to linger in the chilly air.

"Want to do something?" he proposed, surprising Matteo. As Domenico stood up, the snow crunched underfoot, and Matteo watched in awe. "Come on." Domenico led the way through the house to the garage, retrieving the key for his car from the hook, his expression expectant. "How about a little drive?"

Matteo's heart raced. No one ever let him drive! "Are you sure?" he asked, his excitement tempered with caution.

Domenico paused, considering. "You know what? You're right." He hung his key back up and took Valentino's instead, offering it to Matteo. "Here."

Nervousness surged within Matteo. "What if I make a mistake?" he murmured, settling into the driver's seat, feeling the smooth leather beneath him.

"Don't worry," Domenico reassured, buckling his seatbelt. "It's just Valentinos car. It'll be fine."

Matteo started the engine, the car rumbling to life, a low growl that echoed in the stillness of the night. The headlights sliced through the darkness, illuminating the snow-covered path ahead. "Okay, I'm ready."

"You can do this," Domenico encouraged, his tone steady. "Just drive slowly and focus."

With a deep breath, Matteo shifted into gear, cautiously rolling out of the driveway. The weight of responsibility pressed on his shoulders as he navigated the quiet road, the world outside a tranquil, snowy landscape. "It feels strange to drive myself," he remarked, glancing at Domenico.

"Feels strange sitting next to you," Domenico quipped, an eyebrow raised. "I would appreciate it if you don't kill us at the first chance."

As they turned onto the main road, Matteo marveled at the serene beauty surrounding them. The soft crunch of tires on snow mixed with the gentle rustling of branches in the cold breeze. "It's so still out here. I like it."

"Yeah." Domenico agreed, nodding. "And you're doing great. Just keep your eyes on the road."

Matteo felt a surge of confidence, a smile tugging at his lips. "I'll try. What if I mess up?"

"If you make a mistake, just stay calm and keep going. And if you're headed toward a tree, please miss it." He paused, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "How about a small trip to a diner?"

Matteo's excitement ignited. "That sounds good! I've always wanted to check out that diner with the neon sign on the highway."

"Perfect choice," Domenico replied, a hint of approval in his voice. "They have the best milkshakes."

As Matteo navigated the winding road, the scenery transformed into a winter wonderland. Trees heavy with snow lined the streets, their branches bowing gracefully under the weight. The moon hung high, casting a silvery glow over everything, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.

"Remember when we used to go to the diner downtown with everyone?" Matteo asked, nostalgia creeping into his tone. "Sometimes, I miss those days."

Domenico's smile softened, reflecting his own memories. "I do too. It's been a while since we did that, hasn't it?"

"Yeah, I guess so," Matteo replied, inhaling deeply. "It feels good to be out here, just driving." As they drove the main road for a while, the diner emerged, its neon lights flickering like a beacon against the night sky. Matteo felt a rush of adrenaline as he pulled into the parking lot, the thrill of driving there himself swelling in his chest.

"See? You did it, and no one died!" Domenico teased as they stepped out into the chilly air. "Now let's grab something warm to drink." Inside, the diner welcomed them with a cozy warmth, the rich aroma of coffee and fried food enveloping them like a hug. The soft chatter of late-night patrons and the clinking of dishes created a comforting atmosphere. They slid into a booth by the window, and Domenico picked up a menu. "Let's just order hot chocolate," he suggested, scanning the options. "It's late, and no one wants to see you on a sugar high."

Matteo's excitement reignited. "Hot chocolate it is!"

As they placed their orders with the waitress, Matteo felt a wave of warmth wash over him, a sense of belonging that he hadn't felt in a while. Their conversation flowed easily, laughter bubbling up as they shared stories. Domenico even teased Matteo about the time he accidentally spilled soda all over himself during a family outing. "Hey, I was only seven!" Matteo protested, laughing. "That was ages ago! And I only did it because of Xander!"

"But it was a memorable moment," Domenico replied, grinning. Their drinks arrived, steaming mugs filled with rich chocolate. Matteo took a sip, the warmth spreading through him like a cozy blanket. The diner felt slow, a peaceful oasis amidst the winter night.

"Thanks for tonight," Matteo said, looking earnestly at his brother. "I really needed this."

"Sometimes it's good to break away from everything, even just for a little while," Domenico replied, his gaze steady. As they sipped their hot chocolate, Matteo's worries faded into the background. They spoke about dreams, future plans, and the little things that made life interesting, the conversation flowing as easily as the steam rising from their mugs.

After finishing their drinks, they stepped back outside, the cold air hitting them like a refreshing splash. The snow crunched beneath their boots as they walked to the car. Once they were back on the road, Matteo drove slowly, the headlights cutting through the darkness. Domenico leaned back in his seat, watching the snowflakes dance in the beams of light. As they pulled out of the diner's parking lot, the warmth of the hot chocolate lingered, but the chill of the night air quickly reminded them of the season. Matteo gripped the steering wheel, nerves and excitement intertwining as he navigated the quiet road. "Want to take a different route back?" Domenico suggested, glancing at the darkened streets ahead. "Let's see where it leads us."

"Sure!" Matteo replied, his enthusiasm shining through. He turned the car onto a less familiar road, the headlights illuminating the path as they ventured deeper into the night. The landscape transformed into a winter wonderland, the moonlight casting a silver glow over snow-covered trees and fields. A rabbit darted across the road, its white fur almost blending into the snow. "Look at that!" Matteo exclaimed, spotting a deer stepping out from the shadows, its eyes reflecting the headlights. "It's so beautiful."

"Yeah, it is," Domenico agreed, his gaze focused ahead. They drove in comfortable silence, the hum of the engine and the crunch of snow beneath the tires filling the air.

"Do you ever think about what we'll do in the future?" Matteo asked, breaking the quiet. "Where we'll be in ten years?"

"Sometimes," Domenico replied, glancing at his brother. "It'll be strange without you guys."

Matteo nodded, his thoughts lingering on the idea. "I can't imagine not having you and Vito around."

Domenico smiled slightly, a mixture of pride and warmth in his expression. "We won't go anywhere. We'll be right here when you need us."

As they rounded a bend, a small clearing appeared, revealing a frozen lake shimmering under the moonlight. "Wow," Matteo breathed, captivated. "Can we stop?"

"Sure," Domenico said, pointing to a small parking area. They parked and stepped outside, the cold air wrapping around them like a chilling embrace. The lake stretched out before them, its surface glistening like a thousand diamonds under the moonlight. Stars twinkled overhead, creating a scene that felt almost magical. "Remember when we used to come here as kids?" Domenico asked, his eyes scanning the horizon. "You and Riccardo would race each other on the ice, and Vito would be the one telling you to be careful."

Matteo laughed, the memory igniting a spark of joy within him. "Yeah, and you'd end up skating after us to make sure we didn't fall through."

Domenico chuckled, shaking his head. "Well, someone had to keep you out of trouble. And I still remember how mad Vito got when Valentino fell in that one time."

Matteo leaned back, arms crossed against the cold, savoring the moment. The bracing air felt refreshing, sharpening his senses as he took in the beauty around him. "We should do that again sometime," he mused, a hint of longing in his voice. "Bringing Josie with us."

Domenico nodded, his gaze lingering on the lake's sparkling surface, lost in thought. "Yeah, we should. Although I'm not sure if she'd like the icy water much," he added with a smirk, imagining Josephine's reaction to the frigid lake.

"Probably not," Matteo agreed, laughter bubbling up. "But I bet she'd love the beautiful chocolate afterwards."

"Now that sounds like a plan," Domenico said, a grin breaking across his face.