81

81
Alaric’s POV
The fear that had been hanging around me for says lifted the moment Francesca was finally discharged from the hospital. Watching her walk out hand in hand with Emilia, he’d cheeks regaining some of it’s usual color, I felt a relief so profound it was almost painful. My little girl was coming home and the house wouldn’t feel like a void anymore.
The ride back was quiet. Francesca sat snug between Emilia and me in the back seat, her small body leaning against Emilia’s side as if that was the only place she felt completely safe. I kept glancing at her, watching the rise and fall of her chest, reassuring myself she was really okay. Every so often, she would catch my gaze and smile faintly, and I’d reach out to squeeze her tiny hand.
“You excited to sleep in your own bed again, principessa?” I asked, breaking the silence.
She nodded, her voice still a little soft. “And I want to play with Mr. Snuggles.”
Mr. Snuggles-her battered old teddy bear. I smiled despite myself. “He’s been waiting for you. I made sure of it.”
Francesca beamed, the kind of pure, innocent joy only a child could manage. That smile could brighten even the darkest corners of my soul. Emilia caught my eye and gave me a small, reassuring nod. I was grateful she didn’t say anything in that moment-she didn’t need to. The unspoken understanding between us was enough.
When we arrived home, Allesio was already waiting at the door, his usual smirk replaced with a rare softness. Francesca leapt into his arms the second she saw him, and he spun her around gently, careful not to overexert her.
“There’s my little warrior,” he said, his tone lighter than I’d heard in days. “You gave us all a scare, you know.”
Francesca giggled, resting her head against his shoulder. “I’m okay now.”
“Good,” Allesio said, giving her a kiss on the forehead before setting her down. “Because I don’t think I could handle another hospital trip. Too much stress for an old man like me.”
I snorted. “Old man? You’re barely older than me.”
“Exactly,” Allesio shot back with a wink. “That’s my point.”
Francesca laughed again, and the sound was like music. It had been days since I’d heard it, and I realized just how much I’d missed it. She reached for Emilia’s hand as we walked inside, pulling her along to her room, eager to show her something.
I stayed behind, watching them disappear down the hall. It struck me, not for the first time, how naturally Emilia had fit into Francesca’s life-and mine, if I was honest with myself. The thought made me uneasy. I couldn’t let myself rely on her. I’d already been burned too many times by trusting someone who didn’t have a permanent place in my world.
But that didn’t mean I wasn’t grateful for her presence now.
The house felt warmer with Francesca back. She settled in quickly, clutching Mr. Snuggles as she curled up on the couch with a blanket. Emilia joined her, reading one of her favorite books aloud while Francesca listened, her eyelids drooping.
I stood in the doorway, watching them. It wasn’t the first time I’d seen Emilia with Francesca, but something about the scene felt…different. More intimate, perhaps. More fragile. Like it was something I shouldn’t disturb but couldn’t look away from.
“You’re staring,” Allesio said, coming up beside me with a knowing smirk.
“Shut up,” I muttered, crossing my arms.
“You’re allowed to care about someone, you know,” he said, his tone surprisingly serious. “Doesn’t make you weak.”
I didn’t respond. He didn’t press the issue, which I appreciated. Allesio knew when to push and when to back off, a skill I valued more than I let on.
When Francesca finally fell asleep, Emilia gently tucked the blanket around her and stood, stretching slightly. She caught sight of me and hesitated for a moment before walking over.
“She’s out like a light,” Emilia said softly, a small smile on her lips.
“She needs the rest,” I replied, my voice quieter than usual. “She’s been through a lot.”
“So have you,” she said, her gaze steady.
I looked away, uncomfortable with the way she always seemed to see through me. “I’m fine.”
“Sure you are,” she said, not unkindly. “But it’s okay not to be.”
I didn’t know how to respond to that, so I didn’t. Instead, I changed the subject. “Thank you. For everything. I don’t think I’ve said that enough.”
“You don’t have to thank me,” she said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “I care about her too.”
There it was again-that quiet understanding between us. It unnerved me as much as it comforted me. I wasn’t used to someone being so…steady. So present.
Before I could think of something else to say, Francesca stirred on the couch, mumbling something in her sleep. Emilia glanced back at her, her expression softening.
“I’ll stay with her,” she said. “You should get some rest.”
“I’m fine,” I said automatically.
“You’re stubborn,” she said with a faint smile. “But suit yourself.”
She returned to the couch, settling in beside Francesca. I lingered for a moment, watching them, before turning and heading to my office. Work would keep me busy, keep my mind off the things I didn’t want to think about.
I sat at my desk, staring at the stack of papers in front of me, but I still couldn’t focus. My thoughts kept drifting back to Francesca, to the fear I’d felt when she was sick, and to the way Emilia had been there through all of it.
She was becoming more than just a fixture in our lives. And that scared me more than I was willing to admit.
I ran my hands through my hair tiredly. I could only hope that whenever Emilia was going to leave us, it wouldn’t hurt Francesca as much. And it wouldn’t hurt me as much too.