"Need to finish this," he mumbles, quickly giving me a kiss before turning his attention back to the documents.
I put his plate on the table, and I start eating mine.
In the time since the funeral, we've had to make a few changes, one of them being relocating.
We moved out of the Agosti house and into an apartment in Midtown. Enzo had told me he'd had this apartment built specifically for us—complete with an industrial oven for our favorite pastime and with enough space to raise our children. He'd wanted full autonomy from his family, even then.
Luca had taken very well to the change, and we're becoming closer every day. I still can't believe that my baby is almost five, flashes of him as a baby still running through my mind. We're both getting to know each other, and my heart is bursting with love for this young boy—so polite and well-behaved.
I know now it's all Enzo. For so long, he's been both mother and father, and he's dedicated all his time to making sure our Luca grew up loved and well-adjusted.
I heard all the stories frommamanMargot, and she hasn't shied away from telling me just how devoted Enzo's been to little Luca, from changing his diapers to waking up every few hours to feed him during the night or simply taking him with him everywhere, afraid to leave him alone even for a second.
I never thought I could love him more, but when I'd found out everything he's done for me and for our baby, my heart had swelled with so much love that I'd burst into tears.
"Mamma,"little Luca comes running towards me, a small book in his hands. "Can you read me this?"
"Of course," I readily agree, patting the spot next to me for him to sit. "Let's see," I say as I take the book from his hands.
He scoots closer to me, his eyes full of curiosity as he stares at the animations accompanied by text.
I start reading, and he follows attentively. I soon realize that he's trying to match my sounds with the letters, and I gently inquire if he wants to try.
"I don't know…" He brings his thumb to his mouth, looking pensive. "I suppose I can try," he shrugs.
I open my arms for him and he settles in my lap, my chin resting on top of his head as I prompt him to start.
"The blue rabbit…"
For all his shy reluctance, his reading abilities are superb—especially for someone his age. I try to correct him softly when he mispronounces something and praise him when he gets it right, earning a triumphant smile from him each time.
The book is small, and it doesn't take us long to finish it in one sitting.
As he reads the last word and closes the book, he's quiet, his brows knitted together in a small frown.
"Luca, is there something wrong?" I brush my hand through his curls, worried I might have upset him.
Since I'm relatively new at this mothering thing, I'm always afraid I might do something wrong, even though Enzo's assured me it's impossible.
"No, I was just thinking," he turns his small face towards me, his piercing green eyes holding me on the spot.
God, he really is the spitting image of his father.
"What were you thinking?"
"I like being with you,mamma,"he starts, his features serious. "Can you please not leave me again?"
That one question breaks my heart, and I bring him to my chest, holding him as I get a grip on myself. Tears are already leaking out of my eyes, and I muffle a sob as I clear my throat to speak.
"I promise you, Luca. I won't ever leave you again. I love youtoo much and I couldneverleave you," I tell him from the bottom of my heart.
His eyes search my face for any signs of deceit, and when he finds none, he gives me the most brilliant smile I've ever seen.
"Pinky promise?" He holds up his little finger and I wrap mine around his.
"Pinky promise," I declare, quickly giving his forehead a resounding kiss.
"I love you,mamma," he says as he jumps off the couch and runs to his room.
