21. Twenty
Twenty
Sienna
F abrizio strolls back to the bed, getting in and casually leaning on his arm, his intense gaze unwavering as I cradle Flynn gently on my lap. The room is bathed in the warm, soft glow of the morning sun, casting a golden hue that transforms the scene into a moment straight out of a beautifully crafted dream. The light dances across the walls, adding a magical touch to the already serene atmosphere.
Maddy, bursting with excitement, starts jumping up and down on the mattress, her laughter echoing off the walls and filling the room with pure joy. She flings herself between her father and me, nestling comfortably and bridging the gap between us. Her infectious energy adds a vibrant touch to the morning.
The simplicity and beauty of the moment overwhelm me, filling me with a profound sense of contentment. It’s a perfect slice of happiness, almost too ideal to be true, yet here it is, unfolding before my eyes. Every detail, from the soft rustle of the bed sheets to the gentle hum of Maddy’s laughter, feels like a carefully orchestrated symphony of bliss. I desperately want to absorb this feeling, so I can cling to it when the dream fades and reality inevitably reemerges. This fleeting yet profound sensation—I want to preserve it for when I need it most.
“Can we go to the beach today?” Maddy’s voice breaks through my reverie, sparkling with anticipation and excitement. Her eyes, wide with hopeful curiosity, shine like twin stars, pulling me from my darker thoughts.
It’s as if her simple question has the power to dispel the shadows lurking in my mind. Even if fate has entwined my life with this beautiful, chaotic, and scarred family, I am determined to savor every precious moment I can share with them. In that instant, the world feels a little brighter, and I allow myself to be swept away by the promise of a new memory, one that I will treasure long after the day is gone.
“Please, Daddy,” Flynn echoes, his voice filled with equal parts hope and eagerness, his eyes shining with an innocent plea.
Fabrizio, pretending to ponder their request deeply, strokes his chin thoughtfully. “Hmm,” he muses, drawing out the suspense with a playful glint in his eyes. Finally, a mischievous smile spreads across his face. “I think I have a better idea,” he says. “Why don’t you two go and get dressed, and then I might have a surprise for you.”
“What surprise?” Maddy’s eyes sparkle with innocent curiosity, her mind already racing with possibilities, her tiny hands clasped in eager anticipation.
“Well, if I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise anymore, would it?” Fabrizio teases, his tone light and playful, adding to the excitement.
“But I want to know,” Maddy protests, her pout almost comical in its earnestness, her lower lip jutting out adorably.
Fabrizio chuckles softly. “The faster you go and get ready, the quicker you’ll see,” he says, his grin widening as he watches his daughter’s determination, the playful challenge in his eyes adding a spark to the moment. With a reluctant sigh, Maddy slides off the bed and skips out of the room, her brother close behind, their bare feet creating a rhythmic pitter-patter accompanied by their excited chatter and giggles.
As they leave, I let out a content sigh and sink back into the plush pillows, savoring the tranquility of the moment after the momentary excitement of nearly being found by the twins, rolling around naked in their father’s bed. Fabrizio’s voice breaks the silence. “The same goes for you,” he says, his tone gentle yet teasing, a playful challenge in his eyes. Yet he shows no intention of getting up; instead, his gaze slowly travels up my body, lingering on every curve and contour until his eyes lock onto my lips. I feel a thrilling shiver as I drag my teeth across them, the sensual tension between us becoming almost palpable. The world outside ceases to exist, the reality of everything going on ceases to exist, and the reality of our relationship ceases to exist, leaving just the two of us in this intimate, perfect moment.
“Just five more minutes,” I murmur, stretching out my body and wiggling deeper into the comforting embrace of the mattress, my voice a soft plea.
“Don’t tempt me,” he replies, his voice husky with unspoken desire. His eyes darken, a storm of emotions brewing within them, and a low growl escapes from deep in his throat as I daringly drag the tip of my tongue across my lower lip. He leans in, the warmth of his breath mingling with mine, our noses brushing in a tender, intimate gesture. The moment our lips meet, it’s electric, his tongue darts inside, exploring, tasting. I respond eagerly, sliding my arms around his neck and entwining my fingers in the soft strands of his hair, pulling him closer. All too soon, he pulls away, leaving me breathless and wanting more. I watch, a mix of frustration and admiration, as he pushes himself up from the bed. His movements are fluid and graceful as he strides toward the closet. His back muscles ripple under his skin, and he pulls out a pair of jeans and a shirt. The simple, casual attire somehow looks effortlessly stylish in his hands. My eyes trace the lines of his body, from the broad shoulders to the narrow waist, lingering on the way the fabric clings to his muscular frame once he’s dressed. He’s a vision of masculine perfection, each detail adding to the allure.
“Are you going to tell me what you have planned?” I ask, my curiosity piqued, my voice a soft inquiry.
“No,” he replies with a teasing smile playing on his lips. “Downstairs. Five minutes.” His tone leaves no room for negotiation, and with that, he turns and heads for the door, leaving me to wonder what surprise he has planned for the children. I feel this isn’t something he’d do often, but the man keeps surprising me, showing me glimpses of what he could be in a different world, a different life.
After a quick breakfast, we pile into the car, and Fabrizio drives us to an amusement park. I blink a few times at my surroundings; I don’t know what I expected the big surprise to be, but it certainly wasn’t this . The vibrant colors and the cacophony of joyous screams immediately overwhelm my senses, each detail adding to the lively atmosphere. Maddy leaps out of the car, her eyes sparkling with joy.
“Oh. Wow.” Her mouth hangs open in wonder as she takes in the bustling environment. It must feel like she’s stepped into a dream world, each sight and sound enhancing the magic of the moment. The impressions impinging on the children must be out of this world, especially given that their father usually keeps them as far away as possible from places like this. The air buzzes with excitement, and the scent of popcorn and cotton candy wafts through the air, adding to the sensory overload.
“Can we go and drive with bumper cars?” Flynn asks eagerly, his voice filled with hopeful excitement.
“Slowly, piccolo.” Fabrizio crouches down to eye level with the twins, his tone gentle yet firm. “No running around by yourselves, okay? You’ll always stay close to Sienna or me, understand?”
My heart leaps in my chest at the casual use of my name in front of his children, instead of the formality he usually clings to.
But maybe finding me in his bed this morning blurred the remaining lines between professional formality and the intimacy of staying together under the same roof.
“Yes, Dad.” Flynn nods vehemently while Maddy approaches me with a huge grin plastered on her face, grabbing my hand with a vice-like grip.
“Can we go now?” She laughs, using her whole weight to try and pull me further inside the park. I find myself giggling along with her as we step through the gate.
For the next few hours, I feel like I’ve been pulled into some kind of alternate world. The twins drag us from ride to ride, their joy seemingly boundless. Each attraction offers new thrills and impressions for them, and their constant laughter rings out like music.
And their father—the usually reserved and cold man—seems once again like a completely different person. His eyes twinkle with a rare lightness, and his laughter is genuine and hearty, adding a new layer to the day’s magic, at least for me.
I can’t keep myself from looking at him again and again. Being happy suits him. There’s a warmth in his expression and a carefreeness in his every movement that I haven’t seen before, and it makes my heart swell, as I see him laughing with his daughter while I wait for Flynn to end his ride with the bumper cars.
“Can we get some too?” Flynn’s tug on my arm pulls me from my daydream.
My gaze focuses back on Fabrizio who stands in front of an ice cream cart with Maddy perched on his shoulders, from where she studies the selections of flavors intently.
“Of course.”
When we join them, I pick up Flynn and rest him against my hip to give him a better view of the variety of flavors before us. The array of colors and options makes his eyes light up.
“And what do you want, little guy?” the man behind the counter asks with a friendly smile.
“I want chocolate with sprinkles,” Flynn declares immediately.
“Of course, with sprinkles.” The vendor grins at Flynn as he hands him the ice cream cone adorned with colorful sprinkles. “There you go, young man. And what does Mommy want?”
My heart skips a beat at his words. The unexpected label catches me off guard, and I can see Fabrizio stiffen beside me from the corner of my eye. “I—um.” A lump forms in my throat, but I manage to place my order. “I’d like a scoop of strawberry, please.”
The vendor nods and prepares my cone and hands it to me. Fabrizio wordlessly pays him and silence settles between us as we settle onto a nearby bench, the world around us a blur of muted colors and distant sounds. Maddy perches herself onto my lap, her small frame humming with happiness as she savors her ice cream. My hand quivers slightly as I mimic her, the cool sweetness melting on my tongue, but doing nothing to cool down the burning on my face caused by the innocent scene with an embarrassing misunderstanding.
“Can we go play now?” Maddy suddenly leaps off my lap, her boundless energy breaking loose after she and her brother inhaled their sugary treats in record time.
“Just for a few minutes,” her father replies, his voice firm yet kind. “And make sure you stay where I can see you.”
With a chorus of happy squeals, the kids race to the playground a few feet away, their laughter trailing behind.
I turn back to Fabrizio, feeling a wave of gratitude and happiness, not for myself but for the twins wash over me. “Thank you,” I say, a soft smile coming to my lips.
“For what?” he asks, tilting his head in genuine curiosity, his eyes softening.
“For this,” I reply, gesturing to the ice cream cones in our hands and the playground where the twins are already lost in play. “I’ve never seen them so alive, so full of joy.”
“That’s because of you,” he says softly, his eyes locking onto mine with sincerity, his words striking a deep chord within me.
“Why me?” I ask, truly puzzled since this has all been him.
“Because you were right about everything,” he explains. “I might not be able to give them what others would call a ‘normal’ life back home. But I want to make our time here as memorable as possible. Like you said, they deserve to live fully and be happy.”
Without thinking, I place my hand on his, giving it a tender squeeze. “And so do you,” I say, my voice filled with heartfelt sincerity.
Fabrizio lets out a soft, almost disbelieving chuckle. “Why do you even care?” he asks, his voice a mix of curiosity and vulnerability.
“Because I care about you,” I admit, the words spilling out before I can stop them.
His Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows hard, his jaw tightening as if he’s wrestling with something deep inside. For a fleeting moment, I worry that I’ve overstepped, that my honesty has crossed an invisible line.
Sinking back into the couch’s plush cushions, I let out a long, contented sigh. My feet are throbbing after the day’s activities, and as I gingerly rest them on the coffee table, I realize just how much they ache. Today was a whirlwind of joy and excitement, but it left me completely drained and utterly exhausted.
I close my eyes, savoring this rare moment of peace as the house finally falls silent. Fabrizio is upstairs putting the twins to bed. The quiet is a balm to my weary soul, and I take a deep, calming breath, feeling the tension melt away from my muscles.
Just as I’m beginning to sink into the tranquility, Fabrizio’s voice breaks the silence. “The kids are in bed, but Maddy refuses to sleep until you come and say goodnight.” His words pull me from my reverie, and I open my eyes to see him standing behind me.
A smile spreads across my face as I push myself up from the couch. Fabrizio stays at the foot of the stairs, watching as I walk past him and up the stairs to the upper floor. I can see the exhaustion etched into his features, mirroring my own.
But there’s something different about him tonight. Like there has been something different about him the whole day. His usual stern expression is now softened—a mix of happiness, contentment, and relaxation. This newfound serenity makes him look even more handsome, giving his strong features a gentle glow.
Maddy sits upright in her bed when I enter her room, looking nowhere near ready to sleep.
“Sienna!” For the first time, the little girl calls me by my name instead of the formal Ms. Walsh. Her small arms are reaching out to me, and her bright eyes are still wide with excitement.
As I sit down at the edge of the mattress, she throws her arms around my neck, pulling herself close with all the strength her little body can muster. I hug her back, tracing gentle circles on her back with my hand.
“Come on, sweetheart, you had an exciting day,” I whisper softly. “It’s time for you to sleep.” But she doesn’t let go. Instead, she clings to me even tighter, and I sigh softly. “Do you want me to read you a story?” She shakes her head against my shoulder, and that’s when I feel the wetness of her tears soaking through my shirt. Concerned, I gently untangle Maddy from my embrace and cup her small face in my hands.
“Sweetheart, what’s wrong?” I ask, my heart aching at the sight of her tears.
Instead of answering, she sniffs, and a few more tears escape, sliding down her cheeks. The sound of her quiet sobs tugs at my heart, and I lift her onto my lap. She leans her head against my chest, and I hold her close, rubbing my hand up and down her arm in a comforting rhythm.
“Everything’s okay,” I tell her, my voice as soothing as I can make it. “Why are you crying?”
“Are you going to stay with us?” Her voice is so thin and fragile that I can barely make out her words.
“What do you mean?” I ask, confused.
“When we go back home?” she sniffs, her little body trembling.
“Oh, sweetheart…” I find myself at a loss for words, my heart breaking for this precious girl. And for myself.
“Promise me that you’re not going to leave,” she pleads, her big blue eyes meeting mine.
Her words completely take me aback. Every fiber of my being recoils at the thought of letting go of her and her brother. Maddy and Flynn have held a special place in my heart since I became their teacher. But now, in such a short time, I have irrevocably fallen in love with these two children.
“Oh, sweetheart, I can’t promise that,” I begin to explain, my heart heavy. “That’s not only my decision. But I promise that I will always be there for you if you need me.”
I brush my knuckles down her damp cheek, a small gesture that brings a faint smile back to her beautiful face. “I love you,” she whispers, her sweet, innocent words bringing me to the brink of tears.
The past few days and weeks have been the most turbulent and transformative period of my life. It has felt like an emotional rollercoaster, filled with moments of horror, fear, confusion, and sheer happiness. Each day has brought a new wave of emotions, plunging me into despair and lifting me to heights of joy I never imagined. This time with them has been so intense and profound that I wonder how I will ever return to my old life without feeling utterly empty.
“I love you too, baby,” I reply, and I mean it with all my heart.
She throws herself into my arms again, and a sense of comfort and warmth flows through me. But there’s another feeling too—a kind of twist in my stomach.
I don’t need to turn around to know that Fabrizio is standing just outside the door. I can feel his eyes on my back, and a lump forms in my throat at the thought of him overhearing my conversation with his daughter. I can’t help but wonder if he thinks I’ve said something wrong. I know I’ve overstepped every boundary possible. Again.
“And now it’s time for you to sleep,” I tell her gently, trying to keep my voice steady. “You had an exciting day; you need to rest.”
“This was the best day ever .” Maddy grins up at me, her eyes now sparkling with happiness instead of sadness. “I think even Daddy had some fun.”
Smiling down at her, I brush her hair out of her face and press a kiss to her forehead. “Good night, sweetheart,” I whisper. “Sleep tight.”
“Good night,” she murmurs, her eyes already falling shut before she even finishes the words. For a moment, I remain sitting by her side, watching her as she slowly drifts into a deep, peaceful sleep. The room is filled with the soft sound of her breathing, and I feel a profound sense of love and protectiveness for this little girl and her brother.
Fabrizio’s intense gaze meets mine as I step out of Maddy’s room, his silence amplifying the tension as he leads me wordlessly into the bedroom. The moment I close the door behind me, I find myself trapped between it and Fabrizio, who steps closer with an air of predatory intent, placing his hands on either side of my head. His towering presence makes me feel small, his broad shoulders and tall frame casting a shadow that envelops me.
When he moves his hand, my body reacts instinctively, flinching back. Fabrizio pauses, a flicker of concern crossing his features before he gently cups my cheek, his touch firm yet devoid of threat. It’s commanding, just like the man himself—assertive and unyielding.
His thumb caresses my cheek with surprising tenderness, and he lowers his head until his lips hover tantalizingly close to mine. “Are you still afraid of me?” he whispers, his voice a smooth purr laced with amusement. Slowly, I extend my hand, tracing my fingertips along the strong, dark line of his jaw. My lips brush against his with the slightest movement of my head, a tentative exploration that ignites the air between us. When he thrusts his tongue into my mouth, a shudder runs through me, electrifying every nerve.
Fabrizio presses me harder against the door, his fingers digging into my waist as he pulls me closer, our bodies melding together. I feel his arousal against my stomach, an insistent reminder of our shared desire. Unable to resist, I grind against him, a silent plea to feel him inside me.
With every passing second, the kiss deepens, consuming us both. I lose myself in the raw intensity of the moment; our connection is explosive and undeniable. He growls into the kiss, a primal sound that echoes my own whimper. The chemistry between us crackles, a live wire of passion and need.
He sucks on my tongue before breaking the kiss, leaving me breathless and panting. I tilt my head to meet his gaze, his eyes scanning my face with heat. In his eyes, I see the bleak and tragic world he inhabits, a stark reminder of the circumstances that brought us together.
“No,” I answer his question.
Despite the fear that once jolted through me at the sight of him, I no longer feel it. Something has shifted between us—the tension remains, but the emotional stakes have risen.