Luca
All day, I’ve been a nervous wreck. I’ll be alone with the kids. Well, not alone.
My father is here, but he’s locked away in his mind.
And I have staff.
But I’m the only parent.
Elena won’t be hovering around to step in and help if needed. Can I go an entire night with three six-year olds?
Their rooms are ready.
I chose ones near mine in case they need me in the middle of the night.
The rooms are redecorated and filled with toys. Maybe too many toys?
Will Elena think I'm trying to buy their affection?
I’m new to fatherhood, but I’m sure fancy rooms and toys aren’t a foolproof plan for parenting.
What if they misbehave?
What if they hate it here?
I don’t have time to think now, though.
They’ve burst through the door like a hurricane. Rocco first, then Elio, looking around with wide, curious eyes.
Finally, Adalina hangs back slightly, clutching a stuffed rabbit.
"Is this all yours?" Rocco asks, staring up at the vaulted ceiling.
"It's yours too now," I say, crouching to their level. "Want to see your rooms?"
“Yeah!” They race upstairs ahead of me.
"WHOA!" Elio's shout echoes down the hall. "LOOK AT ALL THE LEGOS!"
I can't help the grin that spreads across my face as I climb the stairs. By the time I reach the landing, they're already exploring, touching everything, jumping on beds, pulling toys from shelves.
"Can we stay forever?" Rocco asks.
I want to say yes, but I know I need to share them—unless, of course, Elena comes with them.
Pain pierces my heart that we won’t be the family I once hoped for. Not when I can’t trust her.
But God, it kills me.
Especially when each time I see her, there are moments when I see the woman I loved.
When my heart wants to open up to her.
“You can come back whenever you want,” I respond.
Adalina slips her small hand into mine so naturally, it steals my breath. “Can we see my room, Daddy?”
I walk next door and watch as she takes in the sunny room. She sets her bunny on the pillows of her bed.
“Watch this,” I say. I turn off the lights and the ceiling lights up with stars.
Her hands clasp under her chin as she stares upward in wonder.
“Do you like it?” I ask.
“I love it.”
“Daddy, come here,” Rocco bellows from next door.
“How about you three come with me?” I say. “I’ve got another surprise.”
Once they’re grouped around me, I take them downstairs to a room that’s been closed up since I left for college. This week, I had it cleaned out and updated.
“What’s this room?” Rocco asks, eager for me to open the door.
I turn the knob and push it open.
Three pairs of eyes light up like they’ve just walked into Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. But instead of sugary confections, there are toys and games.
“Wow!”
I smile, pretty pleased with myself. “It’s your playroom.”
“Can we play now?” Elio asks. Rocco is already pulling out gaming controls.
“Absolutely.”
“Will you play with us?” Adalina looks up at me with her sweet face.
“Of course.”
The kids are like a whirlwind, touching everything before settling on building a fort with the cardboard bricks.
The kids are just crawling through the doorway they’ve made into the fort when my phone buzzes. Ignoring it, I peer into the doorway.
“Look out, the monster is trying to break in!” Rocco cries out and holds up a foam dart gun at me.
“Eek.” Adalina holds hers up as well.
I growl at them. “I’m coming to eat the little children.” The buzzing of my phone continues, insistent.
“Are you going to get that?” Elio asks.
“Yes. Just give me a minute.” I check the screen. Five missed calls from Nic.
As if summoned by my attention, a sharp knock sounds at the door. Nic stands there, face tight with tension.
"Don Monti, I apologize for the interruption, but there's a situation that requires immediate attention."
The kids look up, curiosity on their faces.
I feel a pang of frustration.
Elena’s words come back to me, warning me that my work would come first, that I couldn't be the father they needed.
"What's going on?" I keep my voice low.
"The FBI has shown up at the warehouse on Bayside. They're claiming they have a warrant."
Shit. The warehouse holds nothing illegal, but the timing is suspicious considering the issue with our shipment.
"I'll be right back," I tell the kids. "You should fortify. The monster will be back.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
As I leave, I hear Elio say, “Do you think he’ll forget like Uncle Dom does sometimes when he plays with us?”
“He’s our daddy,” Adalina says with confidence.
But I feel like shit.
I've been a father for all of five minutes and I'm already disappointing them.
It’s clear that there will be times I’ll need help.
Perhaps I’ll need to hire a nanny. I can already hear Elena saying, "The kids won't want a nanny. They'll want their father."
In the hallway, I pull the door closed and lead Nic to my office. "Call Gabriella. We need to know if this warrant is legitimate."
“Yes, sir.”
I should head out to the warehouse and try to think back on what my father used to do in situations like this.
He left us, I realize.
But our mother had been here.
Tonight is the first night my kids are here.
I can’t leave them. They don’t know anyone but me.
I listen to Nic tell me more about what’s going on and I decide to let him handle it this time.
Since that warehouse doesn’t hold anything incriminating, I feel okay with that decision.
When he leaves, I return to the playroom. "Rocco? Elio? Adalina?" I call, pushing open the door to the playroom.
The fort is empty. My heart rate spikes instantly. "Kids?"
Silence answers me.
A flash of scenarios races through my mind.
Enemies, kidnapping, revenge.
In our world, children are both treasures and targets.
I've been a father for days and already failed at the most basic task—keeping them safe.
"Elena?" I shout, voice echoing through the hallways.
Did she show up to test me and take them home when she saw I’d left them alone?
I pull out my phone to call her when I hear a clatter from the kitchen, followed by a muffled giggle.
Relief floods through me.
Following the sound, I find myself at the kitchen entrance.
The pristine space has been transformed into a disaster zone.
Flour dusts every surface like fresh snow.
A carton of eggs sits open, several broken on the counter, yolks dripping onto the floor.
In the center of it all, three flour-covered children stare up at me with wide eyes.
"We got hungry," Rocco explains, holding a wooden spoon covered in what appears to be pancake batter.
Adalina, face streaked with flour, looks on the verge of tears. "Are you mad?"
I can imagine the cook would be pissed.
But looking at their anxious faces, I feel only overwhelming love and guilt for leaving them alone.
"I'm not mad. This is my fault. I’m sorry I left you. I shouldn't have done that."
"It's okay," Rocco says with a shrug. “Work is important. That’s what mom says when Uncle Dom can’t spend time with us.”
The casual acceptance in his voice breaks something in me. "Not more important than you three. Never more important than you."
I take in the kitchen, not quite sure where to start the cleanup. "I'm still figuring out how to be a dad. I might mess up sometimes. But I promise I'll always come back, and I'll always put you first."
"Can we still make pancakes?" Elio asks hopefully.
I laugh. I wish I could change emotional speeds like they can. "Okay. I make pretty good pancakes."
We spend the next two hours cooking, eating, and cleaning.
Every now and then, I’d get a text from Nic, but most of it was updates, nothing I needed to address.
Later that evening, I switch on Adalina's butterfly night light, leaving just enough glow to keep the shadows at bay.
“Sleep tight, Princess.”
“Goodnight, Daddy.”
Then I head to the boys’ room. “You two sleep tight.”
“Are we going to the winter festival tomorrow?” Rocco asks.
“Yes.”
“Will you skate with us?” Elio’s eyes are hopeful.
“Absolutely.” I smile at their excitement. "Your mom will meet us there."
After final good nights and promises of festival fun, I retreat to my bedroom.
The house feels different with them here.
Warmer somehow.
I check my phone for any updates on the warehouse situation, then change into sweatpants and a T-shirt.
I'm just settling into bed with some paperwork when a small knock sounds at my door.
It creaks open to reveal Adalina, stuffed rabbit clutched to her chest, eyes wide with fear.
"Adalina? What's wrong, Princess?"
"There's something moving in my room," she whispers. "And noises."
Before I can respond, two more small figures appear behind her, Rocco trying to look brave and Elio hiding behind his brother.
"We told her it's just the wind," Rocco explains, "but then we heard it too."
My first instinct is to check the security system, but I know all about shadows and being in strange houses.
"Do you want me to check your rooms?"
Three heads shake in unison.
"Can we stay with you?" Adalina asks, her voice small.
I hesitate, unsure of the protocol here. Would Elena approve?
But their expectant faces make the decision for me. "Of course you can."
They scramble onto my king-sized bed, instantly claiming a great deal of territory despite their small bodies.
I’m relegated to one corner.
"How about a story to help you sleep?" I offer, settling in.
“I want my mommy.” Adalina’s little face crumples.
I look at the three expectant faces around me, feeling a strange mix of jealousy and resignation.
They want their mother, the person who's been there for every nightmare, every fever, every moment of their lives.
Not me, the father they've known for all of a week.
I reach for my phone. "Let's call her. I bet she'd like to say goodnight too."
The phone rings twice before she answers. "Everything okay?" Her voice is immediately concerned.
"The kids are having trouble settling down. New place, strange shadows." I try to keep my tone light, but my wounded pride bleeds through. "They asked for you."