Wearing a white tee and getting down of my room, I went to the living room where Luca and Marco where already there eating and watching a cartoon show, They were sitting on the couch Luca to the couch's arm so he could stretch his leg and Marco sitting regularly far from him, I just sat on the armchair next to them. Honestly seeing both of them sitting with each other was a very good thing to see even after a not so good first impression from Marco.

"Papa, you won't eat?" Marco asked and I shrugged "you guys eat I will eat later, I will wait for your brothers" he nodded and pulled out his phone. And I pulled out mine, and Luca was just watching t.v.

———

" I am going to my room, I have some assignments to do" Marco said and I nod answering a message on my phone while he got up to his room.

"Luca, buddy. Can I set next to you" I really want to make a bond with him without making his anxious he hesitated for a second then beamed at me and nodded.

God, I missed my bambino so much. His smile made me grin while I sat next to him on the couch, not to close and not to far.

"I wanna talk to you a little buddy" I said slowly and calmly he looked anxious fiddling with his fingers that were holding the bowl and the fork, but he nodded either way.

"Massimo said that you were very brave today, piccolo I am so proud of you" I said slowly and calmly and he nodded and smiled a little "w-was s-s-scary" He stuttered and my heart ached "Yeah I know but he told me you were the bravest little boy" I replied trying to make him feel better "I promise you Luca that I will try everything I can so you can walk without using your crutches again" His eyes widened and he stared at me "I c-can w-wal-lk n-nor-rmally a-again?" His speech worsened and I just nodded "I promise" he grinned and ate a little from his food that was nearly untouched and went back to watching tv.

Well that was a little progress.

"And for you being so brave today, I got you a gift" I said and he immediately looked at me . I walked to the TV table and opened the drawer, pulling out the large cardboard box I had placed there earlier. Its lid was bright and colorful, with cartoon animals and playful letters decorating the surface.

Carrying the box, I returned to the couch and sat down, a little closer to Luca this time but not enough to crowd him. His gaze flicked to the box, his eyes curious but uncertain.

"Luca," I said softly, keeping my voice calm and gentle.

He turned toward me slightly, his small hands tightening around the fabric of his pants. "F-for m-me?" he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper.

"For you," I confirmed with a warm smile. "Because you were so brave today."

I set the box next to him on the couch, nudging it closer to him. "Go on," I encouraged. "Open it."

Luca hesitated, his eyes darting between me and the box. Slowly, he leaned forward and lifted the lid, his small hands trembling slightly. His eyes widened as he took in the contents: colorful books of all shapes and sizes, some with flaps to lift, others with textures to touch, and even a few with buttons that played sounds.

"B-b-books?" he asked, looking up at me with a mix of awe and confusion.

"Not just any books," I said gently. "These are special books. You can touch them, press the buttons, and even peek behind flaps to see what's hiding. And I thought..." I paused, keeping my tone light.

"That we could read it to you every night before bed, buddy"

Luca's gaze dropped back to the box, his small fingers brushing over the cover of a book with a lion on it. He picked it up slowly, his movements careful. "C-c-can we... n-now?" he asked hesitantly, clutching the book to his chest.

"Of course," I said, smiling. "But first, may I sit next to you?"

He nodded shyly, scooting over slightly to make space. I moved closer, sitting beside him and giving him enough room to feel comfortable.

"Alright, let's see what we've got here," I said,

Sitting beside him on the couch , I glanced over at Luca, who was putting his bowl on the table. He seemed calmer now, but his small frame still radiated that careful hesitance, and he wasn't relaxed.

Reaching into the box that was now at my feet, I pulled out a book, this one smaller with a bright blue cover and a goofy-looking pigeon on the front. The title, Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, caught my eye. I remembered Alessio laughing uncontrollably over this one when he was little.

"Luca," I said softly, drawing his attention. "How about this one?" I held the book up, showing him the cover.

His eyes flicked to the pigeon, curiosity lighting up his face. "W-what's i-it a-about?"

I smiled, flipping it open. "It's about a pigeon who really, really wants to drive a bus, but you have to tell him no."

"W-we t-tell him n-no?" he repeated, tilting his head slightly.

"Exactly," I said. "Want to try?"

After a moment's hesitation, he nodded.

I opened the book and began to read, doing my best to make my voice match the pigeon's dramatic and desperate tone.

"'Hi, I'm the bus driver,'" I started, pointing at the illustration of the cheerful bus driver on the first page. "'I have to leave for a little while, but don't let the pigeon drive the bus!'"

I turned the page, revealing the pigeon, who was already scheming. "'I thought he'd never leave,'" I read in the pigeon's exaggerated voice, adding a mischievous chuckle.

Luca giggled softly, his fingers clutching the lion book in his lap.

"Now, here's the important part," I said, glancing at him. "Whenever the pigeon asks to drive the bus, you have to tell him no. Can you do that?"

He nodded, his smile shy but eager.

As the pigeon began his increasingly desperate attempts to drive the bus, I leaned into the dramatics.

"'Please! I'll be careful!'" I read in the pigeon's whiny voice, shaking the book slightly for emphasis.

"N-n-no!" Luca said, his voice quiet but firm.

"'I'll pay you five bucks!'" I continued, pointing to the illustration of the pigeon holding a dollar bill.

"No!" Luca said again, his giggles growing louder.

"'C'mon, just a little drive! What's the big deal?'" I pleaded as the pigeon, throwing in a dramatic sigh.

Luca pressed a hand to his mouth, trying to stifle his laughter. "No!" he said, his voice a little stronger this time.

By the time we reached the page where the pigeon threw a full-blown tantrum, Luca was giggling uncontrollably.

"'LET ME DRIVE THE BUS!!!'" I yelled as the pigeon, shaking the book like the illustration was coming to life.

Luca doubled over, his tiny shoulders shaking as he laughed. His giggles were soft and light, the kind that made my chest feel warm.

"You're doing a great job keeping him off that bus," I said, smiling down at him.

He looked up at me, his face lit with pure joy. "H-he's s-so s-silly!" he said between giggles.

"That's the point," I replied, ruffling his hair.

When we finally reached the end, with the pigeon sulking and the bus safely out of reach, I closed the book and set it on the coffee table.

"You were an excellent bus guard, piccolo," I said. "The pigeon didn't stand a chance with you here."

Luca beamed at the praise, his cheeks pink from laughing so much. He leaned back against the couch, his small frame sinking into the cushions.

"D-do we h-have a-another one?" he asked, pointing to the box.

"We do," I said gently. "But how about we save it for tomorrow? It's getting late."

He nodded, his eyelids already drooping.

As he settled back, he hesitated for a moment before leaning his head against my arm. I froze, not wanting to startle him, but when I looked down, he had already closed his eyes, his breathing slow and even.

The room fell quiet except for the soft hum of the TV in the background. I stayed perfectly still, watching him sleep.

"Goodnight, piccolo," I whispered, leaning down to press a gentle kiss to the top of his head.

For a while, I just sat there, letting him rest against me. The warmth of his small body, the peace on his face—it was a reminder of why every bit of effort, patience, and love was worth it.

And in that moment, nothing else mattered.

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Didn't feel writing at all but I hope you guys liked it because i did anyway next chapter after 25 comments very low but anyway i wanna read your opinions 🙃 byeeeeee>>>>>