Dad is really tall.

When he lifted me to place me in the chair, his arms were strong and warm, and I felt safe, wrapped up in that feeling like it was a blanket.

I hadn’t felt like this in a long time. I liked having a father. I liked being held like this. I just hoped, more than anything, that he really loved me.

Ricardo walked in next, carrying plates. He set one down in front of me, and I stared at it. Spaghetti. I hadn’t had spaghetti in a long, long time.

It smelled so good, and my stomach gave a small rumble just from looking at it.

But I didn’t touch it. I just stared at the plate, unsure.

Everyone was sitting at the table now. Dad was at the head, and all of my brothers were here, except Marco , ofcourse.

I glanced around, feeling like I was waiting for some kind of signal to start.

No one had begun eating yet, so I didn’t either.

I didn’t want to do anything wrong.

Ricardo had already disappeared into the kitchen again, and I could feel the nervousness growing in my chest.

Moments later, Ricardo came back, this time with another plate. He set it in front of me, and I blinked in surprise. “These are chicken nuggets, Lukey,” he said, smiling down at me. “I made them just for you.”I looked down at the plate, then back at Ricardo.

Just for me?

The nuggets were shaped like dinosaurs. I hadn’t seen anything like that in so long. My stepdad never made things like this for me.

But Ricardo said he made them just for me.

I looked up at him, and he was smiling, the kind of smile that made me feel like maybe he really meant it.

They all seemed so kind. So... different. My chest felt tight, but not in the bad way, like when I was scared. It felt warm, kind of like when Dad and Massimo pull me up.

I wanted to say thank you, but talking was too hard right now. So I smiled instead. Just a little one.

But as I smiled, a, familiar voice crept into my head. My stepdad’s voice.

"You’re weak. You can’t do anything on your own. You’re just a burden. I wish I could leave you in the streets, but I’m forced to keep someone as pathetic as you."

I felt my stomach twist, my small smile fading.

What if Dad and my brothers felt the same way? What if they were only being nice because they had to be? What if they were forced to keep me, just like my stepdad had always said?

But… Dad told me he loved me. Ricardo told me he made these nuggets just for me.

They’d said they loved me.

Right?

“Hey, Luca, why don’t you start eating your dinner, bambino?”Dad’s voice cut through my thoughts, pulling me back to the present.

His voice was soft, gentle in a way that made me feel like everything would be okay.

I looked up at him, his smile kind and warm. He wasn’t like my stepdad. He’d never talked to me like that. He’d never called me a burden.

I nodded at him and gave him another small smile.

I trusted him , He made me feel safe.

I picked up a chicken nugget and took a small bite. It was warm and tasted really good. I took another bite, then tried the spaghetti. It was just as good, but I was already starting to feel full. There was so much food on my plate, and my stomach began to ache a little, like I couldn’t eat any more. I tried to keep going, but I just couldn’t finish it. I hadn’t even eaten half.

I looked down at the nuggets shaped like dinosaurs, feeling a little sad that I couldn’t eat all of them. They were funny and cute, and I liked them, but my stomach hurt too much now.

I pushed them around my plate, hoping no one would notice how little I’d eaten.

I didn’t want anyone to think I didn’t like it.

Massimo said something to Dad then, but I couldn’t understand him. It was in Italian, a language I didn’t know very well.

Dad just nodded at whatever Massimo said, and I felt a small pang of worry.

I wanted to know what they were talking about. I wanted to be able to understand.

The longer I sat there, the more my back started to hurt. Sitting like this for so long wasn’t easy. I couldn’t lean back in the chair because of my leg. If I bent my knee even a little, the pain would shoot through it, so I had to keep it straight. It made sitting still uncomfortable. My back ached, and I shifted a little, trying to find a position that didn’t hurt as much.

After what felt like forever, Massimo turned to me. “Hey, piccolo,” he said softly, “did you finish eating?”I nodded, even though there was still food left on my plate.

I didn’t want him to think I wasn’t trying.

“Okay,” he said with a smile. “Now, do you want to go to sleep, or do you want to watch some cartoons?”

The knot in my stomach tightened. Sleeping meant dreams, and I didn’t like my dreams. My stepdad and him were always there, saying things, doing things that I didn’t want to remember.

I wanted to stay awake, to watch cartoons instead. But what if I asked, and Massimo got mad? What if I was supposed to go to bed and not ask for anything else?

But… he had asked me, hadn’t he? He gave me a choice. That meant it was okay to choose, right?

I looked up at him nervously, my fingers twisting together in my lap.

“C-can I w-watch a l-little th-then sleep?”

I asked, my voice small and shaky.Massimo smiled at me, and I felt the knot in my stomach loosen just a little.

“Sure,” he said, his voice still as soft and gentle as ever. “Just go wash your hands, and then we’ll watch some cartoons before bed.”

I nodded quickly, feeling a small spark of excitement.

I got to stay up a little longer. I didn’t have to go to sleep right away.

Carefully, I pushed back from the table and reached for my crutch, using it to steady myself as I stood up.

My leg felt stiff, like it always did, but I didn’t mind as much.

I made my way to the bathroom, moving as carefully as I could, the excitement buzzing in my chest.As I washed my hands, I couldn’t help but smile a little to myself.

Maybe things really would be okay here.

Maybe they really did love me.



After Massimo led Luca to the bathroom, I sat on the couch in the living room, waiting for them to come back. It was strange, sitting here like this, knowing that Luca was finally home after all these years. The house felt different, quieter, like we were all holding our breath, waiting for things to fall into place. I could still hear the faint murmur of conversation in the kitchen as Papa talked with Ricardo, but it felt distant.

My mind was focused on Luca.

When I closed my eyes, I could remember how things used to be, how Luca used to waddle around, barely able to keep up with us, always reaching out for one of us . He was so small back then, and it felt like a lifetime ago. Now he was home, but so much had changed. He had changed.

I opened my eyes and leaned forward, my elbows resting on my knees as I listened for any sound from the hallway. I wanted to make up for all the time I’d lost, all the time I wasn’t there to protect him.

I heard Massimo’s voice as they approached. “Here, buddy, here we are,” Massimo said softly as he guided Luca into the living room. I watched as he carefully helped Luca sit down on the armchair, his movements slow and gentle, like he was handling something fragile. And in a way, he was.

Massimo crouched beside the chair, looking up at Luca. “Look, Luca,” he said, his voice as soft as I’d ever heard it, “I’m going to put a pillow under your knee so you can keep it straight while you sit, okay?”

Luca nodded, his small hands fidgeting in his lap. He didn’t say anything, but the way he looked at Massimo made my chest tighten. There was trust in his eyes, but right alongside it, there was fear. The kind of fear that only comes from having been hurt by someone who was supposed to protect you.

That thought made my stomach twist, a sharp pang of guilt running through me. I should’ve been there. I should’ve protected him.

Massimo gave Luca’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze before standing up. “I’ll be back in a bit,” he said, glancing over at me. “ Make sure he’s comfortable.”

I rolled my eyes and nodded at Massimo as he walked out of the room, but my focus was on Luca. His eyes were wide, filled with curiosity, but there was still a layer of worry in them. When he noticed I was watching him, his expression changed, and he looked down quickly, like he was afraid he’d done something wrong.

But then, after a few seconds, he looked back up at me and gave me a small, shy smile. It was so faint, but it was there, and it made something warm bloom in my chest. I grinned at him, trying to show him there was nothing to be afraid of, that he was safe here, with me.

“Hey, Luca,” I said softly, “let’s watch something fun, okay?”

I grabbed the remote and put on the same cartoon that Massimo had played for him on the plane. His face lit up just a little, enough to tell me that I’d made the right choice.

For the next fifteen minutes, we sat in comfortable silence. Luca’s attention was on the screen, his body relaxing bit by bit. His small fingers clutched the edge of the pillow Massimo had placed under his leg, but I could see the tension starting to leave him. Every now and then, I’d glance over at him, just to make sure he was okay, and each time, he looked a little more at ease.

But then, I noticed his eyes getting heavy. He blinked a few times, trying to stay awake, but I could tell he was fighting a losing battle. It had been such a long day for him—too long, really. Between the trip and all the emotions of coming home, it was no surprise that he was exhausted.

Finally, after a few more minutes, Luca’s head tilted to the side, his breathing deepening as he drifted off to sleep. I smiled softly to myself, watching the way his small body seemed to sink further into the chair, like all the weight he’d been carrying had finally been lifted.

Carefully, I stood up and made my way over to him. I didn’t want to wake him, but I also didn’t want him to sleep in the chair. He needed to be comfortable, especially with his leg the way it was. I knelt down beside him,

Gently, I slid one arm under his legs, the other around his back, making sure to keep his knee straight as I lifted him into my arms. He didn’t stir, just curled closer to me instinctively, his head resting against my shoulder. My chest tightened at the feeling of holding him again, the way I used to when he was small. It felt like I had my little brother back, the way things used to be. And for a moment, everything felt right again.

I carried him up to his room, moving as carefully as I could. His soft breaths were warm against my neck, and I could feel the rise and fall of his chest as he slept, peaceful in my arms. I missed this so much. I missed him.

When I reached his room, I pushed the door open quietly with my foot and stepped inside. The room was dim, lit only by the soft glow of the lamp on his bedside table. I walked over to the bed and gently laid him down, making sure his leg stayed straight as I arranged him on the pillows. He looked so small, so vulnerable lying there, and I felt that familiar surge of protectiveness wash over me.

I sat down on the edge of the bed and brushed his hair back from his forehead, my fingers threading through the soft curls. He looked peaceful, his face relaxed in sleep, and for the first time in a long time, I saw a glimpse of the Luca I remembered—the Luca who used to giggle and chase after us, the Luca who wasn’t afraid.

I leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead, my lips lingering there for a moment. “I missed you so much, piccolo,” I whispered, though I knew he couldn’t hear me.

I pulled the blanket up over him, tucking it around his small body, making sure he was warm and comfortable. I finally stood up and quietly left the room.

As I closed the door behind me, I took a deep breath, trying to shake the heaviness in my chest. Luca was home now. He was safe. And no matter what, I was going to make sure he stayed that way.



I was sitting at papa's office, as he was talking on the phone, papa was pacing around the room.

I sighed deeply while closing my eyes.

I haven't went to the clinic nor the hospital in 3 days or more, I must go tommorow even though, I don't want to. I need to stay with Luca.

Luca was struggling with his crutches, his leg stiff and unbending. As an orthopedic doctor, I’d seen cases like his before, but this was different. This was my little brother. No medical training could prepare me for how much it hurt to see him like this, knowing I couldn’t fix it with surgery or a simple cast.

I’d been preparing for years to become an orthopedic srgeon, studying late into the night and pushing myself through the toughest parts of med school. But now, watching Luca struggling to walk, none of that training felt like enough. Being a doctor wasn’t enough when it was my little brother in pain.

I had a Memory while i was studying for my finals Luca came to my room , It was in the last few days before he was taken from us.

_______________________

I was sitting at my desk, surrounded by textbooks and notes, trying to focus on my studies. The finals was just a few days away, and I had to make sure I was prepared. The house was quiet, and I could hear the faint ticking of the clock on the wall, marking the time as it slipped away. The stack of papers in front of me was a reminder of how much I still had to do, and the thought of leaving for school was starting to sink in.

But then, just as I began underlining another passge in my textbook, I heard the soft shuffle of tiny feet in the hallway. The sound was unmistakable—it was Luca. I smiled to myself, setting my pen down. Even though I was busy, I could never say no to my little brother.

Sure enough, Luca appeared in the doorway, clutching his stuffed bear, Orso, as he peered into my room with wide eyes. His curls were a mess, and his small face looked confused and a little worried. He didn't say anything at first, just stood there, watching me like he was afraid to come in.

I turned in my chair and smiled at him, my heart softening instantly. "Hey, cucciolo," I called gently. "What’s going on?"

Luca hesitated for a moment, glancing between me and the textbooks scattered across my desk. It was like he wasn’t sure if he should come in or leave me alone. But then, without a word, he toddled toward me, his small legs moving a little faster, determined to reach me.

I pushed my chair back and bent down to meet him, scooping him up into my arms the second he was close enough. "There you are," I said, hugging him close as he buried his face into my chest. "What’s the matter, huh?"

Luca didn’t say anything at first, just clung to me, his little arms wrapped around my neck like he was holding on for dear life. I could feel the way his tiny fingers gripped the fabric of my shirt, and that’s when I knew something was bothering him.

I sat back down on my chair, settling Luca on my lap. His head rested against my chest, his soft curls tickling my chin. “You okay, buddy?” I asked softly, rubbing his back gently. "What’s on your mind?"

He shifted a little, still quiet, and then finally, in a small, unsure voice, he said, “You leavin’, Massy?”

My heart clenched at his words, and I suddenly realized why he’d come to find me. He must’ve seen heard someone talking about me going away. “Oh, Luca,” I sighed, pulling him a little closer. “I’m going to college soon, remember? But I’m not leaving forever.It is just like las time buddy, and I will come back again”

Luca sniffled, rubbing his nose against my shirt. “I don’t want you to go.” His voice was small, and it broke something inside me. He was too little to understand what college really meant, and hearing him say those words made leaving so much harder.

I lifted his chin gently so that he was looking at me. His big brown eyes were filled with worry, and it was the kind of look that made me want to protect him from everything. “I know you don’t, cucciolo,” I said softly, brushing his curls back from his forehead. “But I’m not going for too long. I’ll still come home, and we can talk every day, okay? I’ll never be gone for long.”

Luca shook his head, his lip quivering as he clutched Orso tighter. “But… but I want you to stay. I don’t want you to go, Massy.” His words came out in a rush, like he was trying to get them out before he cried.

I sighed, resting my chin on the top of his head, holding him close. It was moments like these that made leaving home feel like a punch in the gut. How was I supposed to explain it to him? He was just two, too little to understand that I wasn’t leaving him, that I’d still be around.

“Luca,” I whispered into his hair, “I’m going to come back. I promise. I’ll be here for you whenever you need me.”

He didn’t say anything, just kept sniffling against my chest, his tiny body warm and fragile in my arms. “You promise?” he asked after a moment, his voice barely above a whisper.

I pulled back just enough to look at him, wiping away the little tear that had slipped down his cheek. “I promise, piccolo,” I said, my voice steady. “I’ll always come back for you. You’re my little brother, and I’ll never leave you for good. I’ll be right here when you need me.”

Luca looked up at me, searching my face like he was trying to make sure I wasn’t lying. His big eyes blinked up at me, and after a moment, he gave a small nod. “Okay,” he whispered, though I could tell he still didn’t like the idea of me leaving.

I shifted him a bit in my lap, pulling him even closer as I leaned back in the chair. “You’re going to be okay, Luca,” I said softly, my hand resting on his back as I rocked him gently. “You’ve got Papa and Leonardo, and all our brothers. They’ll take care of you, and I’ll come back every weekend. You won’t even have time to miss me.”

He sniffled again, resting his head against my chest. “Love you, Massy,” he murmured, his voice a little sleepier now, like talking had taken all the energy out of him.

“I love you too, cucciolo,” I whispered, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead. “Always.”

_________________________

"Massimo , Massimo !!"

My dad snapped me out of my thoughts, I looked up at him ,He seemed worried.

"Are you okay?"

I blinked at him and nodded.

"I will take Luca in 2 days to see a friend of mine , he is a doctor and he can help me to know about Luca’s injury and how we can treat it " I said and sighed deeply after it ."But we also need to go with him shopping because he barely have clothes "

He nodded at me.

"Okay you can take him but , Tell me before you go , And Massimo you need to rest , It was a long day for all of us, Mass"

"Yeah you are right , But where is Marco didn't you say that he will come after dinner?" I asked

"Don't worry he texted me and told me that he is about to come any minute now" he answered

I nodded while standing up , running a hand through my hair

"I better go now , I don't want to see him and have an argument "

He just laughed softly at me

"Goodnight Massimo "

"Night papa" I said while openning the door to leave.

But before I could take another step, Papa’s voice stopped me.

“Massimo,” he said quietly, his voice filled with a depth of emotion . “I’m proud of you. You are taking care of Luca better than anyone could have asked. And no matter how hard this gets, I know you’ll be there for him. Just… don’t forget to take care of yourself too.”

I looked back at him, surprised by his words. For a moment, I didn’t know what to say.

“Thanks, Papa,” I said softly, feeling a warmth spread through my chest. “That means a lot.”

He smiled at me, his eyes soft with love. “Goodnight , Massimo.”

I smiled at him . And with that, I left the office, feeling just a little lighter than before.



I woke up early today. Well, I usually do. The mornings were always quiet, and I liked it better that way. But something was different this time—I didn’t have a bad dream. No nightmares about him, my stepdad. I didn’t wake up scared or with my heart pounding in my chest like I usually did. For the first time in a while, I felt... okay.

That was good. I could feel the soft mattress beneath me as I stretched a little, still lying in bed. This bed was so much softer than the one I had before, and the blanket was warm and light. I leaned back against the headboard, feeling the smooth fabric of the pillow behind me. It was so soft here.

I glanced down at the floor, looking for my crutch. My heart jumped a little when I realized I couldn’t see it anywhere. Oh no, where is it?

Sometimes, if it’s just a short distance, I can walk without it, but now I’d need to go all the way downstairs. There’s no way I can manage that without my crutch. How am I going to get down the stairs? What if I fall?

I took a deep breath and slid out of bed, careful not to bend my knee. It hurt too much when I tried, so I just kept it straight. I could lean against the walls for support, using them to steady myself as I made my way toward the bathroom. The cool tiles felt smooth under my feet as I washed my face and brushed my teeth, trying not to think about how I was going to get downstairs.

When I looked up at the mirror, my hair was all messy, sticking up in different directions. It looked funny, and I almost smiled, but the worry was still there. What was I going to do without my crutch?

I walked back into the room, using the walls again, and stood at the doorway. The hallway stretched out in front of me, with so many doors leading to different rooms. I couldn’t remember which room belonged to who. What if I knocked on the wrong door? What if I woke someone up and they got angry with me? My stepdad hated it when I woke him up too early—he would always yell.

I bit my lip, feeling a knot tighten in my stomach. I didn’t want to make anyone angry. I didn’t want to be a bother. But what else could I do? I needed my crutch.

Just as I was about to step into the hallway, a door on my right opened. I pressed myself against the wall on my left, my heart skipping a beat. What if I was in trouble for being up so early?

But then I saw Massimo. His hair was a little messy, like he had just woken up too. He was rubbing his eyes, looking sleepy, but when he saw me, his face softened.

"Luca, why are you up so early?" he asked, his voice gentle and calm.

My stomach twisted. Was it bad that I woke up early? Was he mad? I lowered my head, feeling my throat tighten. I didn’t mean to get up too early.

"A-am s-sor-ry," I stuttered, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. My stepdad always hated it when I woke up before he wanted me to, and I was afraid Massimo would be angry too.

Massimo’s eyes widened, his expression softening even more. "No, no, Luca," he said quickly, crouching down to look at me on eye level. "It’s okay. You didn’t do anything wrong. I just thought maybe you’d like to sleep in a bit more."

I shook my head, feeling a little relief wash over me. "I w-wake u-up at th-this t-time," I explained quietly. I didn’t want him to be upset with me for waking up early. It was just how things were for me.

Massimo smiled, a warm smile that made the knot in my stomach loosen a bit more. "Oh, then we’re the same, Lukey. I wake up around six too." He chuckled softly, like it was something special that we both woke up at the same time.

I looked up at him, feeling a little better. He wasn’t mad. He was just talking to me, like it was no big deal. Should I ask him about my crutch now?

"M-my c-crut-ch is d-downstairs," I stammered, looking at the floor. "I c-can’t c-limb d-down th-the s-stairs w-ithout it."

For a moment, his eyes flickered with something—was it worry?—but then he smiled again, just as kind as before. "Oh, I think Leonardo must have forgotten to bring it up for you," he said softly, and then he crouched down in front of me again, his eyes meeting mine. "Luca, can I carry you downstairs so you can get your crutch? I promise I won’t hurt you, piccolo. I would never, ever hurt you."

He looked so sincere, and his voice was so gentle. I believed him. My stepdad always made me feel scared when he picked me up, but Massimo... he didn’t feel like that. He felt safe. He wouldn’t hurt me.

I nodded, feeling a little nervous but trusting him. "O-okay," I whispered.

He smiled even bigger and gently reached out, picking me up from under my arms, lifting me with ease. As soon as I was in his arms, I wrapped my hands around his neck, holding on tight. His arms were strong, but he was careful, making sure my knee stayed straight as he carried me. I could feel how gentle he was, like he was holding something fragile.

He held me close, his warmth wrapping around me like a blanket. I pressed my cheek against his shoulder, feeling safe, feeling warm. He smelled like soap and the soft cotton of his shirt. It was such a simple thing, but it was something I’d never felt before—not like this. I’d never felt so protected, so secure.

He walked carefully down the hallway and then toward the stairs, moving slowly to make sure I was comfortable. My heart, which had been beating fast earlier, now felt steady, calm. I wasn’t scared. I wasn’t nervous anymore.

Massimo wouldn’t hurt me. I trusted him. I closed my eyes for a moment, feeling his steady footsteps beneath us. I felt like I could stay like this forever, safe in his arms.

When we reached the bottom of the stairs, Massimo lowered me gently onto the couch, making sure I was seated comfortably before retrieving my crutch from where it had been left.

"Here you go, cucciolo," he said softly, handing me the crutch. He sat down beside me, still smiling that same warm smile.

"Th-thank y-you," I whispered, holding the crutch close. I didn’t feel scared anymore. I felt... safe. And for the first time in a long time, I believed that everything would be okay.

Massimo reached over and ruffled my hair gently, his hand warm and reassuring. "Anytime, buddy," he said softly. "I’ll always be here to help you."

And for the first time in a long time, I felt something I hadn’t felt in years.

I felt loved.

"Now, how about I make you some breakfast?" Massimo’s voice was warm, his smile big and reassuring. "Would you like some pancakes with fruit?"

My heart did a little flutter at the mention of fruit. I loved fruit, especially the sweet ones like bananas and mangoes. But... pancakes? I hadn’t had those before. I didn’t know what they were like. My stepdad never made pancakes, and the thought of trying something new made me feel a little nervous. But if Massimo was making it, it would be okay. I trusted him.

I just nodded at him quietly, and when I did, Massimo’s smile grew even bigger, like I’d made him really happy with that simple answer.

"Okay, would you like to watch some cartoons while I cook," he asked gently, "or would you like to stay with me in the kitchen?"

Watching cartoons was fun. I liked cartoons a lot, but being with Massimo... being with him made me feel safe. When he was close, it felt like nothing could hurt me. He wouldn’t leave me alone. He wouldn’t yell at me. I knew that, deep down, even if I still felt scared sometimes. I trusted Massimo. I trusted him not to hurt me.

"W-with y-ou," I said softly, my voice barely a whisper, but enough for him to hear.

His smile grew wider at my answer, and he looked so happy, so kind. I didn’t think anyone had ever looked at me that way before.

I reached my arms up toward him, For a moment, I wondered if he would hesitate, but he didn’t. He bent down and picked me up with ease, holding me close to his chest, and I immediately wrapped my arms around his neck. As we moved toward the kitchen, I laid my head on his shoulder, breathing in the soft, clean smell of his shirt. My hands found the back of his neck, and I started playing with his hair without even thinking about it. It felt soft between my fingers, and for some reason, it made me feel even safer.

We reached the kitchen, but Massimo didn’t put me down right away. He kept holding me, his arms steady and warm, and I felt like I could stay there forever. My heart felt full, and for the first time in a long time, I wasn’t worried about anything.

"I love you, Luca," he said suddenly, his voice gentle and full of emotion. He shifted me in his arms so he could look at me directly, his eyes soft and warm. "I missed you so much."

The words hit me in a way I didn’t expect. No one had ever said that to me. I love you. Could I say it back? Did I even know how?

My heart started to beat faster, but this time, it wasn’t from fear. I wanted to say it. I wanted to tell him I loved him too, because I did. He made me feel safe, and for the first time, I felt like I belonged somewhere. I swallowed hard, and before I could stop myself, the words came out.

"I-I l-love y-you too, M-Mass-sy," I stuttered, the words catching in my throat, but I managed to say them. My voice was small, but it was enough.

Massimo stopped walking for a moment, and I saw his eyes grow a little watery, like he was going to cry. I frowned, worried. Was he sad? Did I say something wrong?

Before I could ask, he leaned down and kissed my forehead, his lips soft and gentle against my skin. Then he smiled at me, the kind of smile that made me feel like everything was going to be okay.

I smiled back, but not as big. I was still a little nervous. He always hated it when I smiled. But Massimo... he didn’t. His smile didn’t fade. He was happy.

He carried me over to the counter and settled me down carefully, making sure I could sit comfortably. He placed a pillow_____this house if full of pillows_____behind my back and helped me straighten my leg, leaning me against the wall so I could stay relaxed. I wasn’t sure what kind of surface I was leaning on, but it felt sturdy, and my leg wasn’t hurting.

Massimo grabbed a bowl from the counter and started mixing something in it. The sound of the whisk against the bowl was soft, almost calming. I watched him work, feeling my body relax even more.

"Lukey," Massimo said, his tone light, "would you like to go shopping with Ricardo and Alessio today? I promise they won’t hurt you." His voice was kind, and I knew he meant it. They were nice, my brothers, but I still felt a little uncertain.

I looked up at him, biting my lip. "Y-you c-come t-too?" I asked quietly, my heart tightening at the thought of him not being there. I didn’t want to go without him.

Massimo’s smile softened, and he walked over to me, crouching down so he could meet my eyes. "Well, I can’t today, buddy," he said gently. "I have to go to work. I’m a doctor, do you know what a doctor is, Luca?"

I nodded slowly, remembering the times I had seen doctors in the past. "H-helps p-peop-le," I whispered.

"That’s right," Massimo said, ruffling my hair softly. "Good job, piccolo."

I smiled at his praise, feeling that warm feeling in my chest again. I liked making him happy. I liked it when he was proud of me.

"So," he continued, standing up again and heading back to the counter, "will you go with Ricardo and Alessio? They’ll take good care of you, I promise."

I thought about it for a moment. They were my brothers too, and they had been nice to me. I nodded slowly.

Massimo smiled at me again, the kind of smile that made everything feel right. "Okay, Luca. Why don’t you tell me what fruits you like, and I’ll cut some for you to have with the pancakes?"

I watched him as he mixed the batter, my fingers playing with the hem of my shirt. "I l-like b-ban-nanas, m-mango, a-and a-ap-pples," I said, my voice a little stronger now.

"Those are great choices," he said with a chuckle, turning to face me. "Do you like strawberries?"

I shook my head. "B-but I l-like g-grapes a-and b-blueb-berries," I added, hoping I wasn’t asking for too much.

"Perfect," he said, flashing me another warm smile. "I’ll get those ready for you."

---

After about ten minutes, I was sitting in the living room, my pancakes and fruit on the table in front of me. I had chosen to sit on the floor with my back leaned against the couch, my leg stretched out comfortably under the table. Massimo had offered to let me sit at the dining room table or in the armchair, but I told him I wanted to stretch my leg out, and watch some cartoons and he had agreed with hesitation The food was so good—better than I had imagined. The pancakes were soft and fluffy, and the fruit was sweet and fresh. I couldn’t remember the last time I had a breakfast like this, if ever. I made sure to take my time, but still i couldn't finish my whole plate i finished more than half of the fruits but couldn't with the pancakes and when I was full, I looked up at Massimo, who was sitting nearby, watching me with a soft smile.

"Th-thank y-you, M-Massimo," I said quietly, my heart feeling full. "I-it w-was r-really g-good."

Massimo’s smile grew even bigger, and he reached over to ruffle my hair again. "Anytime, piccolo," he said warmly. "I’m glad you liked it."

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Hey everyone! Sorry for the slight delay in getting this chapter out, but trust me, it’s the longest one yet! 🥳 Anyway, just a quick note—when the family members are talking to each other (but not to Luca), they’re speaking in Italian. However, when they’re talking to Luca, it’s all in English. Just a little language-switching magic!

I was going to add Marco’s POV in this chapter, but then I thought, “Nah, let’s keep it fluffy.” So expect the next chapter to be full of angst! 😅 I really wanted to dig deeper into Massimo and Luca’s relationship because, let’s be honest, I’m a little biased—Massimo is a favorite. But don’t worry, the rest of the brothers will get their time to shine soon! Please leave your comments below—I’d love to hear your thoughts!