Episode 12

Alice wakes up startled and puts her hand to her chest.

Lorenzo: Alice is scared and vulnerable, I approach slowly, sit next to her, and cover her.

It's okay.

Alice: I look at Lorenzo, who stares back at me with his intense blue eyes.

Thank you.

Lorenzo: Don't thank me, I promised Theo I would take care of you. How are you feeling?

Alice: In pain.

I didn't lie, but my pain is in my soul. I've grown accustomed to sleeping with the cold to numb the pain in my chest that comes at night.

Lorenzo: I'll get some medicine for you.

Alice: It won't relieve the pain I feel, I need the cold.

Lorenzo: I stare at Alice, thinking about her words and all the nights she spends in the cold outside, looking at the sky.

I'll bring something that will help you.

Alice: Lorenzo leaves, and I'm left confused.

Lorenzo: I go to Theo's room and pick him up in my arms, enter Alice's room, and lay him next to her. She gives me a beautiful smile.

A special person told me that he would be my strength, let him be yours too.

Alice: Believe me, he has been.

Theo: Come lie here too, Lorenzo.

Alice: Theo sleepily tells Lorenzo to lie down too.

You can lie down, the bed is big enough, and he'll be happy to see you here tomorrow.

Lorenzo: I'll just change and come back.

Alice: I cuddle up to Theo, and strangely, without the cold, I fall asleep feeling the scent of his hair.

Lorenzo: I change and sit on my bed for a while, reading Suzi's letter once again. Many thoughts race through my mind. I keep the letter and head to the room; Alice and Theo are already sleeping. I lie down somewhat uncomfortable next to Theo and look at Alice. Once she's feeling better, I need to stay at a safe distance from her, or I'll go crazy. I end up falling asleep without realizing it.

Daniela: I go with Bruno and Isabella to check on Alice and what I see when I enter her room warms my heart. Isabella takes a photo, and we sneak out. Maria said they slept in the same room, and we couldn't believe it.

Lorenzo: I wake up as the door is being closed. I look at Alice's hand and can't understand how we ended up in this position. Alice moves, and I close my eyes. She starts to remove her hand from my arm, finger by finger.

Theo: Good morning, Alice.

Alice: I wake up and see that my hand is on Lorenzo's arm. If he wakes up and catches me like this, it won't be pleasant for me. I start pulling my fingers out, one by one, and then remove my hand, scared that he will wake up. I'm startled by Theo's good morning. I reply very softly while finishing removing my hand from Lorenzo.

Good morning, little one.

Theo: Good morning, Lorenzo.

Lorenzo: Theo gently touches my face, and I slowly open my eyes as if I just woke up.

Good morning, my son.

Theo: Can we sleep together every day?

Lorenzo: No, my son, you need to sleep in your own bed. You slept here yesterday because Alice is sick.

Theo: That's not fair. I want to sleep here, then, until Alice gets better.

Lorenzo: Until she gets better, you can.

I think about what she said about the cold and realize that she slept well with Theo here, so I quickly decide that it will be good for her.

Theo: Yay! The doctor said three days, Lorenzo, and you need to sleep here too.

Alice: Theo! You can't force your father to sleep here.

Theo: Lorenzo stays at home until Alice gets better to help me take care of her and sleeps here?

Lorenzo: I'm not sure, son. Today I can stay, but maybe I'll need to work tomorrow. If I have to work, your grandparents will come and stay with both of you.

Theo: No! That's not fair! You said we have to take care of those who take care of us, and Alice takes care of us.

Lorenzo: Okay, son, three days, and then we'll go back to our routine, and you'll sleep in your room, alright?

Theo: Okay, agreed.

Alice: Theo hugs me and Lorenzo, and I feel very awkward. I'm sure that when I get better, Lorenzo will send me away, or even before, considering how heartless he is.

Lorenzo: Now let's brush our teeth and change into our pajamas.

Theo: Nooooo.

Lorenzo: Now, son! We need to bring Alice's breakfast.

Theo: Okay.

Alice: Can I come downstairs to have breakfast at the table?

Lorenzo: It's best to follow the doctor's advice, Alice.

Theo: Wait right there, we'll be back soon, Alice.

Lorenzo: Theo stands up on the bed and asks me to carry him. I pick him up and take him to his room, help him choose an outfit, and he brushes his teeth. I quickly change and we go downstairs to get Alice's breakfast. My parents and Isabella are here.

Good morning.

Isabella: Great day, brother.

Good morning, my beautiful little love.

Theo: Good morning. Where's Aunt Mel?

Isabella: She's still sleeping, my handsome.

Lorenzo: I greet everyone and go to the kitchen to get a tray. They all watch me as I assemble a tray with Alice's breakfast, and I'm not sure about the quantities, so I put too much of everything.

Daniela: How is Alice, son?

Lorenzo: She's getting better.

Isabella: Did you sleep well?

Lorenzo: I give Isabella a serious look, so she was the one who went into the room. I don't say anything, and my father nudges Isabella and smiles.

Theo: We're going to sleep together until Alice gets better. Lorenzo won't go to work, Grandma.

Daniela: That's good, son. We came to stay with Alice and Theo.

Theo: You don't have to, Lorenzo will help me take care of Alice.

Bruno: Alright then, we'll come back later to see how you're all doing. If you need anything, just let us know, son.

Lorenzo: Thank you, Dad.

I say goodbye, and my parents and Isabella leave. I have the urge to give Theo a good shake for being a blabbermouth, but he goes upstairs with me, all excited to bring Alice her breakfast. We enter the room, and she looks pensive.

Alice: So much food. Have you had breakfast?

Theo: No. Grandma sends her big kisses, Alice.

Alice: I smile.

Sit here and eat with me, there's so much food. Lorenzo and Theo sit down, and we eat together. Theo keeps talking nonstop, while Lorenzo hardly says a word. He takes the tray and comes back into the room with a television in his hand, puts it on the dresser, and turns it on.

Lorenzo: In case you get bored.

Theo: Can we watch a movie?

Alice: Yes, we can.

Theo: I'll ask for popcorn in the kitchen.

Lorenzo: He quickly navigates through the apps on the television to choose a movie. Theo comes back looking sad.

Son, what's wrong?

Theo: Nothing!

Alice: Theo, did something happen? You can speak up, trust that we'll help you.

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