Her small arms wrap around my neck instinctively, even in sleep. Something primal and fierce ignites in me, a visceral need to protect what's mine.
These children. My children.
I carry her to her room and settle her into bed first, pulling the sunny yellow comforter up to her chin.
She stirs slightly but doesn't wake. I return to the boys’ room, helping Elio climb into his race car bed, smiling as he immediately curls around a stuffed dinosaur.
"Goodnight." I brush his hair from his forehead.
Rocco is last, bouncing on his mattress despite his obvious exhaustion.
"Hey," I say, catching him mid-bounce. "How would you three like to come stay at my house sometime?"
His eyes widen. "Your house? Do you have toys?"
"Not yet," I admit. "But we can bring some of yours."
"Can we really?" His excitement is infectious.
"We could make pizza together. Real Italian style."
"Yes!" Rocco pumps his fist before flopping back onto his pillow.
As I pull his blanket up, a sense of rightness settles over me.
This is how it should have been all along.
Bedtime stories, goodnight kisses, planning tomorrow's adventures.
"Sleep well.” I switch off the lamp.
“Night-night, Daddy.”
I make a silent vow. Whatever it takes, however long it takes, I will be the father they deserve.
I close the door to the kids' room with a gentle click, pausing for a moment to collect myself to face Elena.
I find her in the kitchen, methodically loading the dishwasher.
She doesn't look up when I enter.
"They're asleep," I say. "All three are out like lights."
She nods, still not meeting my eyes. "They had a busy day at school."
"I want them overnight." No preamble, no asking permission. These are my children too, a fact she's hidden long enough.
Her hands freeze mid-motion. "They're in school until Friday afternoon."
"Then I’ll take them Friday. In the meantime, I’ll come here in the evenings." I lean against the counter, crossing my arms.
"Luca…" She finally looks up, her eyes conflicted. "The winter festival is Saturday.”
“I know.” How can I forget? It’s been an annual La Corona holiday event since I was a kid. “I'll take them."
Our eyes lock, and for a moment, everything between us from the love, the betrayal, the years of separation crackles in the air.
I almost reach for her, almost tell her how we could have been happy all this time if she'd trusted me, if she'd given me the chance to prove myself.
