Serafina's POV

The days had become easier in small increments, though the weight of everything still lingered beneath the surface. Mamma and Papa had been patient, allowing me time to adjust to the new rhythm of life, one that felt foreign yet comforting in its own way. They didn't rush me, didn't push me to be something I wasn't ready to be.

Today was different, though. Today, it felt like they were trying to give me a piece of the world back—something to help me reconnect with the part of me I had lost.

It was late afternoon when Mamma and Papa called me downstairs, their voices softer than usual, as though something was waiting for me. I followed them down to the living room, where I found both of them standing by the couch, smiles on their faces that I couldn't quite decipher.

"Mamma? Papa?" I asked, my voice tinged with confusion.

Papa turned, his usual calm demeanor replaced by a spark of excitement in his eyes. "Come here, tesoro," he said gently, patting the seat next to him.

I hesitated for just a moment before walking over and sitting down, glancing between them. They both seemed eager, their eyes filled with something more than just concern. It was almost as if they were trying to share something with me, something they thought I would need, but I didn't know what it was.

Mamma's smile widened as she held up a sleek, new phone. It was a gift wrapped in a soft, mint-colored box, the edges glistening under the light. "We thought you might like something to help you stay connected, Fina. You know, with everything that's happened, we've all been a bit distant. Maybe this will help."

I blinked, surprised. "A phone?" I whispered, almost not believing it.

"Yes," she said, her voice gentle. "We thought it might give you a sense of normalcy again. You can reach your brothers, maybe even start looking into things you enjoy—when you're ready."

Papa nodded, his hand resting on the armrest beside me. "We want you to have the space to rediscover the things that bring you joy. And a phone is a start. We can't always be with you, but this way, you're not alone."

I stared at the phone, my fingers hovering over the smooth surface of the box. I wasn't sure how to react. Part of me wanted to refuse, to turn away from it all. But the other part of me—was curious. Curious about what the world could be again, about what it could feel like to reach out and have something to look forward to, even if it was something as small as a message from one of my brothers.

"Thank you," I said quietly, my voice tentative but sincere.

Mamma smiled warmly, her eyes soft with understanding. "You don't have to do anything with it right away, tesoro. Just know that it's there whenever you're ready."

And as I took the phone from her, I felt a small weight lift off my shoulders. It wasn't a solution to everything, but it was a step—a sign that they believed I was ready to take it. Ready to re-enter the world, even if only one small piece at a time.

But that wasn't all. Papa stood and went over to a table across the room, returning with a laptop. It wasn't the newest model, but it was still sleek, with a shiny surface and a promise of connection to a broader world. "And this," he said, his voice low but sure, "we thought you might want it for other things—reading, writing, maybe even exploring things that bring you comfort. Or, if you'd like, you can learn more about anything you've missed."

I wasn't sure how to respond. A part of me recoiled from the idea of diving back into everything so quickly, but another part of me felt something stirring—something familiar, something like curiosity.

I glanced at Mamma and Papa, their eyes full of hope, of quiet trust. It wasn't just about the electronics. It was about giving me the opportunity to begin again. To move forward, one choice at a time.

"I don't know if I can use all of this right away," I admitted, my voice small.

Papa smiled softly, crouching down to meet my gaze. "You don't have to. This isn't about pressure, Fina. This is about letting you decide how you want to take the next step. You don't need to rush, and you don't need to figure everything out today. We're just giving you the tools."

Mamma sat down beside me, her hand resting gently on mine. "You're not alone in this. We'll take things at your pace, one day at a time. But when you're ready, this can help you reconnect with the world outside this house, and with the things that bring you peace."

I felt my throat tighten, but this time, it wasn't with sadness. It was with something else—something warm, something hopeful. Maybe, just maybe, this could help me find a way forward. It wasn't everything, but it was a start.

"Thank you," I whispered again, my voice full of emotion.

Mamma kissed the top of my head, her touch gentle, and Papa patted my shoulder. "Take your time, Fina. And remember, we're right here."

And for the first time in what felt like forever, I felt a small flicker of hope. This was a beginning. A new chapter that didn't have all the answers, but had enough room for me to write my own story.