Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78811 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78811 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
There is hope, though. The condition can reverse itself.
“This is your new room while we stay with the brothers,” I tell her, not really sure how to explain it. “Isn’t it nice? And look at all the toys and books. I bet they have some of your favorites in there.”
She looks at the bookshelf, then scoots off the bed and goes to it. Hyacinth and I exchange a quiet glance as we watch her choose a book and, smiling, carry it back to me, climbing back up onto the bed after handing it to me.
The Gruffalo. It’s one of her favorites. Mine too.
She sits with her legs crossed and points at the book, then must see the rings on my finger. She cocks her head to the side and rubs the diamond, then looks up at me.
“Should we read it?” I ask, unsure how to explain that I am married, but she doesn’t seem to grasp their significance and nods, focusing on the book. I read it to her while Hyacinth goes into the bathroom to run her a bath.
“Lots of toys in here, too, Emma,” she says. “Even a pink toothbrush for you.”
Emma smiles, sets the book on her pillow, and climbs off the bed, then reaches for my hand.
I stand and let her lead me into the bathroom, where she brushes her teeth at the sink. Hyacinth switches off the water, and I can see the questions in her eyes.
“Into the bath with you, little Emma,” she says, helping her with her clothes, the same things I guess she was wearing to the daycare. I recognize them.
Hyacinth and I settle on the edge of the bath, and I begin to tell her what’s going on. Who Bastian is, for starters. I ask Emma if he was nice to her. She shrugs a shoulder and nods. When I ask her if she was scared, she puts her fingers together to show me that she was a little scared.
“He was very gentle with her,” Hyacinth says when Emma has her back to us. She’s playing with a toy while I shampoo her hair. “Asked her if she wanted to come see you. She slipped her hand right into his, which surprised me. All those men, it was pretty terrifying,” she whispers so only I can hear. “What’s going on? Are you all right?” She looks at the rings on my hand.
I nod. “I don’t know how much you or Emma saw of the funeral.”
“I took her away when…”
“Thank you.”
She puts a hand on my shoulder and gives it a squeeze.
“Are you…?” She trails off and is interrupted by Emma turning to show us one of the toys.
“Who’s hungry for breakfast? I know I am,” I say, needing time to figure out how to explain things to Hyacinth. Emma, I can distract for now.
Emma rubs her belly and nods.
“Hyacinth, if you can help Emma get dressed, I’ll just go put something on. We’ll get you some fresh clothes too.” I think she should be Francesca’s size.
But when I turn to go, Emma’s face gets serious, and she grabs me, shaking her head frantically.
“It’s okay. I’ll be right back. My clothes are down the hall. I promise. I’ll be right back. Maybe we can both wear pink dresses today. What do you think?”
That seems to appease her although her eyebrows are still furrowed. I’m able to slip away to Amadeo’s room, where I notice the bed has been made, and I wonder if he slept here at all. I don’t see any soldiers but do hear them downstairs, and I hurry to dress, putting on the first pink sundress I come across, simple and pretty and not too revealing. I find a pair of flat sandals and just take a quick glance in the mirror to comb through my hair, working it into a ponytail as I hurry back to Emma’s room.
She’s pulling on her shoes, the same ones she always wears. She loves them. They’re a pair of sparkly multicolored tennis shoes Mom gave her for her last birthday. Luckily, they’d been too big for her then because since Mom’s passing, she wears them almost exclusively, and it shows.
I take her hand, and we head to the kitchen. Hyacinth follows us, and I’m watchful for the brothers. I’m grateful when Amadeo walks out of his study when we get down the stairs.
“Vittoria,” he says, looking me over before his gaze moves to Hyacinth. He nods to her. “Good morning. I’m Amadeo.”
“Morning,” she says cautiously. “Hyacinth.”
“This must be little Emma,” he says, crouching down in front of her. Surprising me completely.
Emma leans away a little and glances up at me, then she looks at him, studying his face as he does hers. He smiles and holds out his hand.
“It’s very nice to meet you,” he says.