The floor was cool beneath me, and I leaned my back against the couch, my leg stretched out under the small table where my empty plate sat. I wasn't used to eating that much, but the pancakes Massimo had made were too good to stop after just a few bites. My stomach was full now, and my bo dy felt heavy, but in a good way-like I was warm inside.

Massimo sat on the couch above me, sipping his coffee slowly. The soft sound of the cup clinking against the saucer each time he set it down was calming. I stayed quiet, playing with a corner of the blanket_____Massimo had brought Whad brought it to me , I feel cold easily and the AC was on so I was kinda cold______draped over me. My leg was straight, not hurting, and the morning light through the window felt warm on my face.

I glanced up at Massimo, who was scrolling through his phone in between sips of coffee. He looked so relaxed, sitting there with, his dark hair a little messy from waking up early. Every once in a while, he'd glance down at me, smiling softly, like he was checking to make sure I was okay.

Part of me wanted to get up and sit with him on the couch, to feel that warmth and comfort like I did before. But I wasn't sure if I should. What if he thought I was being too clingy? I bit my lip, my fingers gripping the edge of the blanket tighter. Maybe I should just stay here, on the floor.

But I remembered how safe I felt in his arms earlier. That warmth. That protection. And I wanted that again, even if I was a little scared to ask for it.

I shifted slightly, moving my leg, and whimpered when it bent a bit . I tried to adjust myself without making any noise, but Massimo must have noticed because he leaned over the couch, his brow furrowed.

"You okay, cucciolo?" he asked, setting his coffee aside. His voice was gentle, but I could see a flicker of concern in his eyes.

I nodded quickly. "Y-yeah... I j-just... my l-leg," I stuttered, feeling embarrassed.

Massimo didn't say anything at first. He just kept looking at me, like he could see right through my attempt to pretend everything was fine. "Your leg's bent, huh?" he asked softly, setting his phone down and leaning forward. "Come here, buddy."

I hesitated, biting my lip again. Should I? Was I being too needy? My hands fidgeted with the blanket. What if he thought I was acting like a baby?

But before I could say anything, Massimo smiled and patted the space next to him on the couch. "Come sit with me," he said gently. "It'll be easier on your leg."

I still hesitated, glancing up at him. He wasn't mad. His smile hadn't faded. He just looked... kind. So I nodded slowly and started to get up, but as I shifted to push myself off the floor, my leg gave a sharp twinge, making me wince again.

Before I could stop him, Massimo reached down and scooped me up, lifting me like it was the most natural thing in the world. "I've got you," he said softly, his voice calm and reassuring. He settled me on his lap, one arm around my waist to keep me steady, the other making sure my leg stayed straight and comfortable.

I tensed for a moment, still not used to being held like this. But as soon as I felt his arms around me, that warmth washed over me again. I relaxed, resting my head against his chest. His heartbeat was steady, and I could hear the soft sound of his breathing as he held me close.

"You're alright, piccolo," he whispered, his hand gently rubbing my back. "Just relax."

I nodded against his chest, my arms slowly wrapping his waistq. I felt small, but not in a bad way. In a way that made me feel safe. Like I didn't have to worry about anything when I was with him.

We sat there for a while, just the two of us, with the quiet sounds of the house waking up around us. I could hear footsteps upstairs-, probably-and the faint creak of the floorboards as someone moved around. I stayed tucked against Massimo's chest, feeling the warmth of his body against mine. It was nice. The sound of the coffee cup being set down on the table echoed lightly, but Massimo didn't move. He didn't seem in any rush to let me go.

"You want to stay like this for a bit?" Massimo asked, his voice low and soft. "We've got time."

I nodded again, not trusting my voice. I didn't want to let go, not yet.

Just then, I heard footsteps coming down the stairs-more than one pair. I tensed for a moment, wondering if I should pull away, but Massimo's hand gently rubbed my back again, like he was telling me it was okay.

"It's alright," he whispered, leaning down slightly to meet my eyes. "You're safe, Luca. You don't have to move."

I stayed in his lap, my arms still around him, and moments later,

My dad and leonardo came downstairs, They were wearing matching suits , It was a dark blue suit , My dad noticed me and he furrowed his eyebrows and then his eyes softed and he smiled widely at me and I returned the smile and my face flushed.

"Hey bambino how are you feeling?" He said while going to me , he crouched next to me and played with my hair .

"F-fine" I said taking my face from Massimo's chest

"Did you have breakfast " He asked softly.

"Y-yeah M-as-ssy m-made m-me b-break-kfast"

Hi eyes soften more when I called Massimo Massy.

He still played with my hair and it was so comforting.

I like having a father , a family.

I think Leonardo had went to the kitchen in sometime because he came back and he was holding 2 mugs , I think for coffee he passed a one for dad and He settled on tge next couch while drinking from his coffee.

"Alessio and Ricardo will go shopping with Luca today after Alessio's school " Massimo said

Dad nodded and I looked at him , I hold his hand

"Y-you c-come t-to?"

I want him to go with me

He looked taken back by my question and he thinked and answered

"Well , I have some work with Ricardo and then he will go with you after he finishes but I will dtay because I have a meeting, But how about that you go with Ricardo and Alessio first and then I will go with you later when I finish"

I nodded at him and smiled, I continued to watch cartoons still in Massimo's lap and holding my dad's hand.

"I will go to wake up the twins" Leonardo said after finishing his coffe and putting it down on the table and he went out .

The twins?

Oh right Marco.

Will he be nice like the rest of my brothers?

_________________

I was still sitting on Massimo's lap, my back resting against his chest. His arms were wrapped around me, making me feel safe, like nothing bad could happen as long as he was holding me. His hand gently rubbed my arm, his touch soft and reassuring. I was warm and comfortable, but something inside me still felt uneasy, like a small knot in my stomach that wouldn't go away.

After what felt like ten minutes-maybe more-I heard the sound of footsteps, and then Leonardo came back into the room. He gave me a small smile as he settled onto the couch across from us, sipping from his coffee. His presence, like Massimo's, was calming. A few moments later, Alessio came in. His steps were lighter, almost like he was still waking up, but when I saw him, my heart lifted a little. I waved at him, hoping he'd come sit with us or smile back at me like he did yesterday.

But he didn't wave back.

Why didn't he wave?

I waited, my hand still raised slightly, but Alessio just looked at me, his eyes focused, staring. It wasn't the way he looked at me yesterday-yesterday, he smiled and laughed, Today, though, something was different. His expression wasn't the same. He didn't look mad, exactly, but his gaze... it made me feel small and weak.

I quickly lowered my hand, feeling my chest tighten. What did I do wrong? Why wasn't he smiling? Why didn't he wave? Alessio didn't say anything. He just stared for a moment longer, then walked over to sit on the other sofa, his eyes drifting away from me as if I wasn't even there.

My heart sank. Doesn't he love me anymore? Did I do something bad?

I tried to understand why Alessio was acting like this, but all I could think about was what my stepdad used to say.

You are a burden , You know that right? And if you don't behave you know what I am going to to.

I will bring him here , You hate him right?

I could feel a lump forming in my throat, and I bit down on my lip to keep the tears from coming. I didn't want to cry. Not here. Not in front of everyone.

I hated him and my stepdad. I have to behave.

I glanced down at my hands, feeling them tremble a little as I clutched the edge of the blanket. My head felt heavy, and my chest ached with that same, familiar tightness. The one that made me feel like I couldn't breathe.

Suddenly, Massimo's voice broke through the silence, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"Luca?"

I looked up at him, blinking away the sting of tears that threatened to spill over. He was looking down at me with that same soft, gentle expression he always had, but I could see something in his eyes-worry. His hand moved up to brush some of my messy hair away from my face, and I leaned into the touch without thinking.

"Marco's just having a bad day, buddy," Massimo said, his voice low and soothing. "But he loves you, okay? Don't worry about him."

Marco?

My eyes flicked over to where Alessio had sat, and suddenly, it clicked. That wasn't Alessio-it was Marco. I felt a flush of embarrassment creep up my neck. I'd mixed them up. I'd thought it was Alessio, but it was Marco the whole time. That's why he hadn't waved back. That's why he just stared at me like that.

But... why was Marco having a bad day? Was it because of me?

Massimo's voice interrupted my racing thoughts again, grounding me. "You know," he continued softly, "we all have bad days sometimes. Even you, right?"

I didn't say anything at first. I just looked at my lap, feeling that heavy ache in my chest again. Did Marco not want to be around me? Did he think I was a burden too?

Will he bring him to me? No no no no no please no

Massimo's hand was still resting on my head, gently playing with my hair. He didn't push me to answer, but I could feel him waiting, like he wanted to help.

Finally, I nodded. "I-I h-have a-a l-lot," I whispered, my voice shaky.

As soon as the words left my mouth, I felt Massimo stiffen slightly beneath me. My breath caught in my throat. Did I say something wrong? Was he upset? I didn't mean to upset him. Maybe I shouldn't have said anything.

But then, instead of pulling away, I felt Massimo's hand cup the back of my head gently, his fingers threading through my hair. He leaned down and kissed my forehead softly, holding me a little tighter, like he was trying to protect me from something I couldn't see.

My heart, which had been pounding anxiously, started to slow down, the warmth of his embrace melting some of the fear away. He wasn't upset with me. He wasn't angry. He was just... there. Keeping me safe.

I glanced over at Marco again, his eyes still fixed on me with that same unreadable expression. He wasn't looking at me with the warmth and lightness that my brothers did. Instead, his eyes seemed darker, filled with something I couldn't understand. There was no smile, like Alessio. Just staring.

I didn't know what it meant. Why was he looking at me like that? Was it because of something I did? Or... was he mad at me for being here? Maybe he didn't want me back. Maybe he didn't love me .

I felt a shiver run down my spine, but before I could spiral further into my thoughts, Massimo's voice came again, grounding me.

"Luca, look at me," he said softly.

I turned my head slowly, meeting his eyes. His gaze was steady, filled with the kind of warmth that always made me feel safe. He wasn't looking at me with pity or sadness-just love.

"Marco's going through a lot," Massimo explained, his hand still gently brushing my hair. "But none of this is your fault. You're not a burden, cucciolo. He loves you. We all do. He just... he needs time. Just like you do."

I swallowed hard, nodding slowly. I wanted to believe him. I wanted to trust that Marco loved me. But it was hard. That look1 on his face... I didn't understand it.

Still, as I leaned back into Massimo's chest, feeling his arms around me, I knew one thing for sure: I wasn't alone. Not anymore.

I hope.



---

I was sitting on the couch, my body tense, my fists clenched so tight in my lap that my knuckles turned white. I couldn't relax-couldn't even try. Every muscle felt coiled, wound up like a spring that might snap any second. The guilt in my chest was like a heavy knot, twisting tighter and tighter, suffocating me. My eyes stayed locked on the floor. I couldn't look up, couldn't bear to see him-Luca-my little brother.

The sight of him was a constant reminder of the weight crushing me from the inside.

I failed him. I failed all of them.

The memories wouldn't stop. They kept replaying in my head, over and over, like some cruel, never-ending loop I couldn't escape. It didn't matter what I did, how hard I tried to push them away-they always came back. The day Luca was taken. The day I wasn't paying attention. The day everything changed.

I could hear Luca's voice now, soft and hesitant as he talked with Massimo. That small, fragile voice made something inside me twist painfully. Luca spoke and every time he stuttered, every time his voice trembled, it felt like another crack splintering through my chest. It was too much. He wasn't supposed to be like this. He was supposed to be happy, laughing, running around like he used to.

Not... this. Not broken.

I forced myself to stare harder at the floor, trying to drown out the sound of their conversation. I couldn't look at him, couldn't even glance in their direction. And when Luca wave at me. No... he thought I was Alessio. He had to.

Of course, he did. I was his twin. And after all this time, he barely remembers us. Barely remembers me. He was just a toddler when he was token.

I didn't wave back. I couldn't even bring myself to smile at him. , I turned my head away, pretending like I hadn't seen him. I knew it hurt him when I didn't respond, but what was I supposed to do? Smile and pretend like everything was fine? I couldn't. I wasn't good at this. I wasn't like Massimo, or papa, or Leonardo. I didn't know how to be the person Luca needed right now.

And I didn't deserve to be. Not after what I let happen.

He uses crutches now. Crutches.

That thought came crashing back, like a blow I wasn't ready for. He was seven years old, and he couldn't even walk without help.

It's your fault.

That voice was there again, like it always was. Whispering, taunting, reminding me of what I'd done.

You should've been paying attention that day. You should've done something. You're his brother. You're supposed to protect him, not let him be taken. You should've known that mama wasn't really helping him.

I clenched my jaw so hard it hurt. My nails dug into my palms until I felt the sting, but the pain was nothing compared to the guilt weighing me down. I didn't want to think about that day, but it was all I could think about. That feeling of helplessness, watching everything spiral out of control, unable to stop it. It started off as any normal day, but it ended in a nightmare. And now, Luca was back, but he wasn't Luca anymore. Not really. He was scared, broken, and it was because of me. I didn't do enough. I couldn't protect him.

Massimo was still talking to him softly, his voice calm and caring, the way it always was. Massimo knew how to make Luca feel safe. He knew exactly what to say, how to be gentle, how to make everything feel okay. I could hear it in the way he spoke to Luca, the tenderness in his voice. And it made the guilt inside me feel even heavier. Massimo knew what to do. I didn't. I didn't have a clue how to fix this, how to make Luca feel safe around me. All I could do was sit here, drowning in my own guilt, too afraid to even talk to my own brother because I knew I'd just mess it up.

I always mess things up.

Papa must've noticed something was wrong because, before I knew it, he was sitting beside me. I hadn't even realized he'd moved from where he'd been sitting. He didn't say anything at first, just sat quietly next to me. His eyes were full of worry, but I kept my gaze fixed on the floor. I couldn't face him. I couldn't face anyone.

Without a word, Papa reached over and gently ran his fingers through my hair, the way he used to when I was younger. He knew I liked it. It always helped calm me down, even if I pretended it didn't. I felt myself leaning into his touch, even though I didn't want to.

"You okay?" he asked softly, his voice careful, like he didn't want to push too hard.

I nodded, but we both knew it wasn't true. I wasn't okay. I hadn't been okay since the day Luca disappeared. But I wasn't going to say that. Not out loud. I didn't even have the words for it.

Papa didn't push. He just kept his hand in my hair, gently playing with it the way he always did when he knew I needed comfort but wasn't ready to talk.

"Why don't you have breakfast, then, until Alessio comes down?" he said, still gentle. "I'll drive you both to school."

I shook my head slightly, still leaning into his hand. "I'll just wait for him," I muttered. The truth was, I didn't feel like eating. I hadn't felt like eating for days. since Luca i know lufa will be back.

Everything felt... wrong.

After a few more minutes, I heard footsteps on the stairs. Alessio finally showed up, looking half-asleep but already dressed in his school uniform. As soon as he saw Luca, his whole face lit up. It was like all the tiredness melted away the second he laid eyes on him.

He was so... happy. Like nothing was wrong.

He walked over to Massimo and crouched down in front of Luca. "Hey, Lukey," he said, his voice warm and soft. "Can I have a hug?"

Luca hesitated for a second, but then he raised his arms and hugged Alessio around the neck. Alessio wrapped his arms around him, hugging him tightly, burying his face in Luca's messy hair. Luca was still sitting on Massimo's lap, looking so small, so fragile.

And there it was again-that sharp, stabbing pain in my chest. The kind that made me feel like I was falling apart from the inside. Everyone was acting like this was normal, like everything was okay now that Luca was back.

But I couldn't. I couldn't pretend. I couldn't just move on.

I was so mad at myself. So mad at everything.

Why couldn't I be like them? Why couldn't I make Luca trust me the way he trusted them?

I'm sorry, Luca. I'm so sorry.

Papa's hand moved from my hair to my back, rubbing it gently. He didn't say anything for a moment, just kept rubbing my back, like he knew I needed that but didn't know how to ask for it.

"Go eat, Marco," he said softly, nudging me toward the kitchen.

I nodded, getting up without a word. I walked into the kitchen, but even as I sat down at the table, I didn't feel hungry. I didn't feel anything except that suffocating guilt pressing down on me, crushing me from the inside out.

A couple of minutes later, I heard the soft clink of plates, and then Alessio sat down next to me at the counter, biting into a piece of toast. He glanced at me out of the corner of his eye, his expression softer than usual.

"You okay?" he asked, his voice quiet. Not pushy, just... there.

I just nodded, keeping my eyes on the table. I didn't want to talk about it. Not now.

"You know you can always talk to me, right?" Alessio said, nudging me lightly in the side. "We always talk, don't we?"

He wasn't wrong. Out of everyone, Alessio and Papa were the ones I went to when I needed to talk the most . When things got too heavy.

But I couldn't. Not today.

"It's okay, Alessio," I said quietly, my voice barely above a whisper. "I just... don't feel like talking."

He looked at me for a moment, then nodded. He didn't push. He never did. "Alright," he said softly. "But I'm here, okay? Whenever you're ready."

I nodded again, grateful that he didn't force me to say more. I didn't have the energy for it.

"Come on," Alessio said after a moment, standing up. "Papa's waiting to drive us to school. We should get going."

I got down from the counter and followed him, feeling that same weight of guilt dragging behind me.

---



I sat on the couch, watching Marco leave for the kitchen. His shoulders were hunched, and the weight he carried was almost visible. I sighed softly, rubbing a hand over my face as I motioned to Alessio. He didn't need any further prompting; he stood up and followed Marco, his steps lighter than usual. They've always been close, the twins. I'm grateful for that-Alessio knows how to reach Marco in a way none of us can.

I glanced at the clock: 7:15. They needed to be at school by 8. After I dropped them off, I'd head to the company with Ricardo and Leonardo. Then, it would be time to deal with business at the mafia base. The thought weighed heavily on me, but I pushed it aside for now.

But where is Ricardo?

Groaning, I turned to Leonardo, who was already smirking.

"Please tell me you've woken up Ricardo."

Leonardo chuckled, nodding. "He's up, don't worry."

Thank God.

Moments later, Ricardo finally shuffled into the living room, looking half-asleep. He was at least dressed in his suit, though he still wore the drowsiness of someone who'd stayed up too late. As soon as he spotted Luca sitting with Massimo, his eyes lit up, the sleepiness vanishing.

"Hey, buddy!" Ricardo grinned, his voice softening in a way it only did for Luca.

"H-hi," Luca replied shyly, a small smile tugging at his lips.

Ricardo wasted no time, crossing the room in a few strides and scooping Luca up into his arms. He was careful, mindful of Luca's legs, and as soon as he had him cradled close, he started peppering his face with kisses. Luca's giggles erupted, the soft sound filling the room like music. It was a sound we hadn't heard nearly enough since... since everything happened. And God, I missed it.

Watching them, I couldn't help but smile. Luca, clinging to Ricardo's shoulders, his breathless giggles still echoing, looked happier in that moment than he had in days. It tugged at my heart, seeing him like that, even if it was just for a little while.

"Hey, Papa," Ricardo said over Luca's shoulder, flashing me a grin.

I rolled my eyes at him but smiled, a sense of warmth spreading through me. But then reality hit again. Who was going to stay with Luca today? I turned to Massimo.

"You going to the hospital today?" I asked.

He nodded, his brow furrowing in confusion. "Yeah, why?"

"Well then, who's staying with Luca?" I was about to run through possible options in my head when Ricardo's face lit up like a kid with a new toy.

"Papa, I can stay with him today!" he offered, eyes gleaming with enthusiasm.

I raised an eyebrow. "You've got to come with me to the company today, Ricardo."

He groaned, hugging Luca a little tighter. "Come on, Papa. I can go another day. Besides, Luca wants me with him, right, Lukey?" Ricardo turned to Luca, whose small arms were still wrapped around his neck.

Luca nodded shyly, resting his head on Ricardo's shoulder. That look in his eyes-how could I say no to that? , and for Luca's sake, I couldn't refuse.

"Fine," I sighed, giving in. "But you're taking Luca and Alessio to the mall later to get clothes. I'll try to meet you after work. Marco can't come-he's hanging out with his friends after school."

And by 'hanging out,' I knew it meant he'd be off racing. Not exactly the kind of after-school activity I wanted, but I didn't have the energy to argue about it now.

Ricardo grinned wide, looking back at Luca. "Just you and me today, Lukey. And we'll go to the mall with Alessio, too. It's gonna be fun, right?"

Luca nodded, his smile growing a little wider, though there was still that lingering trace of nervousness in his eyes. Even now, he wasn't fully comfortable, and it broke my heart that he carried that unease with him.

As if on cue, Marco and Alessio emerged from the kitchen. I stood up alongside Leonardo, Marco looked a little less tense after spending time with Alessio, though I could still see the shadows lingering in his eyes. I made a mental note to check in on him again later, once everything had settled down.

"Alright," I said, standing up and ruffling Marco's hair as he walked by. "Let's get going."

Leonardo and I exchanged quick farewells with the rest of the family before heading to the garage. The drive to school would be short, but even as I guided the twins out the door, I couldn't shake the feeling that Luca's fragile happiness was just that-fragile. Ricardo would have a way of making things better for him, but how long could we keep pretending things were fine? How long before it all came crashing down again?

One day at a time, I reminded myself. Just one day at a time.



---

"Well, I'll be going now," Massimo said, leaning down to kiss Luca's forehead gently. "Bye, guys."

I waved as Luca gave a small nod. Massimo left, and I turned to Luca, and nestled him on the couch. His little frame seemed even smaller as he sat quietly, his thumb inching toward his mouth.

"What do you want to do now, little buddy?" I asked, giving him a warm smile. I wanted to make him feel comfortable, but I could still see that hint of uncertainty in his eyes.

Luca's thumb made its way into his mouth, and I gently took it out,trying not to make him feel bad about it.

He sucks his thumb he is 7 and does that , It is okay he is going through trauma he is abused he just tries to comfort his self.

I reminded myself.

"How about we watch something fun? I love movies," I said, hoping to spark his interest. "What do you think?"

Luca blinked up at me, then gave a small nod. "O-okay," he whispered, his voice soft but clear.

I smiled. Progress.

I grabbed the remote and sat beside him. And pulled him closer I thought about putting on Spider-Man, but I hesitated. The action scenes might be too much right now. Instead, I settled on Paw Patrol. Safe, colorful, and light-perfect for him.

As the show started, I glanced over at Luca, who was watching intently. His thumb hovered near his mouth, but he didn't put it back in. He seemed calm, which was a relief.

"You like it?" I asked, leaning toward him slightly.

Luca nodded, his eyes still on the screen. "Y-yeah," he said, a little more confidently this time.

I grinned and settled back on the couch. We watched a few episodes, and I could see Luca getting more relaxed with each passing minute. Every now and then, I'd glance at my phone, but most of my attention stayed on him, making sure he was okay.

After a while, Luca shifted beside me, like he was getting restless. "Do you want to do something else?" I asked. "Maybe play a game?"

Luca looked up at me, his brow furrowed in thought. "Wh-what game?" he asked softly.

I smiled, happy he was asking questions. "How about a board game? Or maybe I can show you some video games?"

He tilted his head slightly.

. "I'll pick something fun and safe. I promise." I assure him

Luca nodded again, looking a little more at ease. I went over to the shelf and pulled out Candy Land. It was simple, colorful, and easy to follow. I sat down on the floor and set up the game, explaining the rules as I went.

"You ever play this one?" I asked, showing him the board.

Luca shook his head. "N-no," he said, watching me closely.

"That's okay! I'll show you." I smiled and guided him through the first few turns. After a while, he seemed to get the hang of it. He even smiled a little when he got ahead of me in the game, though it was a small, shy smile.

"You're pretty good at this, Lukey," I said with a grin.

Luca's cheeks flushed slightly, and he looked down, fiddling with the game piece in his hand. "I-it's fun," he murmured.

We played for a little while longer, but soon I noticed Luca starting to yawn. His small frame leaned more heavily against the couch, and his eyes blinked slowly.

"You tired, buddy?" I asked gently, reaching over to rub his back.

Luca shook his head, though I could tell he was struggling to keep his eyes open. "N-no," he said, stifling another yawn.

I chuckled softly. "How about we take a break? You don't have to sleep, but we can just relax for a bit. Maybe read a book?"

Luca hesitated for a moment, then nodded slowly. I could tell he didn't want to admit he was tired, but I didn't push him.

I picked him up carefully, his small arms wrapping around my neck as I carried him over to the armchair by the window. His legs stayed straight, just like Massimo had instructed. I settled into the chair with Luca on my lap, grabbing one of the storybooks from the shelf.

"W-what b-book?" Luca asked softly, peeking up at me.

I glanced at the cover and smiled. "It's Goodnight Moon. You ever read this one?"

He shook his head, looking curious. "N-no."

"Well, you're in for a treat," I said, opening the book. I started reading softly, my voice calm and soothing as I rocked him gently. Luca rested his head against my chest, his small body relaxing into mine. His thumb hovered near his mouth again, but this time I didn't stop him.

As I read, Luca's breathing slowed, and I could feel him settling deeper into the chair. He wasn't quite asleep, but he was close. I kept reading, my voice steady as I held him close.

"You're comfy, huh?" I whispered, glancing down at him.

Luca nodded sleepily, his thumb now resting in his lap. "Y-yeah," he whispered back.

We sat there for a while, just the two of us, with the quiet sounds of the house around us. After what felt like an hour, I noticed Luca starting to stir. He blinked up at me, rubbing his eyes.

"W-wanna p-play more?" he asked, his voice small but clear.

I smiled, ruffling his hair. "Sure thing, buddy. But how about we eat something first? You hungry?"

Luca tensed and didn't reply ,huh? Maybe he is just shy to ask , I thought.

"Alright, let's get you some lunch," I said, standing up and carrying him back to the couch. "How about grilled cheese and fruit?"

Luca's eyes lit up slightly. "O-okay."

I made my way to the kitchen and started preparing the food, making sure to call out to Luca every few minutes, just to check in. "You doing okay out there, buddy?"

"Y-yeah," came his soft reply.

When lunch was ready, I brought the plates to the living room, placing Luca's in front of him. "Here you go, grilled cheese and fruit, just for you."

Luca smiled, taking a small bite. "T-thank you, R-Ricardo," he whispered.

"You're welcome, little man," I replied, sitting down beside him.

After we finished eating, we spent some time drawing. Luca wasn't very talkative, but I could see he was enjoying himself. His little hands carefully sketched out simple pictures while I doodled beside him. It was quiet, but it was a good kind of quiet.

Finally, after what felt like a long, peaceful morning, the doorbell rang. I glanced at the clock-it was nearly time for Alessio to come home from school.

I turned to Luca, who looked up at me with a small smile. "That must be Alessio," I said. "Ready to go to the mall?"

Luca nodded, his small hand reaching for mine "M-my c-crut-ch "

Oh

"Okay just wait and i will go bring it to you "

He nodded. "Hey guys" i heard Alessio's voice I brought luca his cruthch

"Hey alessio , Go change so we can go to the mall"

He nodded and hugged luca

---

Hey guys! First off, I’m sooo sorry for the long delay! I know, I know—I'm terrible. But look, this chapter is longer, and guess what? We finally got Marco’s POV! 🎉 (He’s been waiting his turn, poor guy.)

So, quick question for all of you: Do you prefer shorter chapters with faster uploads, or longer chapters but slower updates? Help me decide before I drive myself crazy trying to balance it!

Also, your comments are like food for my soul—they give me the energy to keep writing! 💪 So, if you’re wondering why I haven’t updated, feel free to poke me and tell me to stop being lazy. 😅 Let me know what you think, and thanks for sticking with me!