Page 44 of Silent Night with Massimo

He nods in agreement before we both turn to face the future.

"Yes, you're right." He sighs.

"Come inside. Let's get warm and get something to eat."

I climb out of the car and walk towards Vera who is waiting at the front door, Mateo wrapped in her arms.

Inside Uncle Marzio is waiting for us.

"Is this him?" he asks with nervous excitement.

"This is my son - where is Bella?"

"She went to bed. I think - let's leave her sleeping. Rather let them meet tomorrow after a good night's rest."

"Agreed. Will you have a plate of food prepared for Vera, Mateo, and myself and brought up to my room? I don't want to overwhelm Mateo with everyone right now."

"I'll sort it out - and I'll grab some clothes from the other kids and bring them for Mateo."

"Thanks, Uncle Marzio." I reach around his shoulder and hug him tightly. "I really appreciate everything you do."

Vera smiles tightly, nodding as well. Then I follow her upstairs, to my room, where we all need to eat a little - and then try and get some sleep.

Chapter 19

Vera

Early Christmas morning, I bolt upright, gasping for breath. My heart races in my chest, and for a moment, I'm terrified that it was all a dream. That we didn't find him. That our son is still lost, out there somewhere, and we're no closer to bringing him home.

The fear grips me so tightly, that I can't shake it. What if none of it was real?

I can feel Massimo's arm around me as we lay in bed together. But my heart is racing so fast, filled with fear.

I sit up, looking everywhere. I can't see Mateo.

He fell asleep in my arms last night, in the bed, and now he's gone.

"Massimo," I whisper, shaking him awake. He groans and opens his eyes just as quickly as I did. "What, what's wrong?" he says quickly, sitting up.

"Mateo is gone," I say, throwing the blankets off and climbing out of the bed.

Massimo rushes to the bedroom door, but it's still locked.

He rubs his eyes, confused.

I rush around the room, looking everywhere for our son.

Then I breathe a sigh of relief.

"He's hiding under the bed," I whisper, kneeling down on the ground.

Massimo kneels next to me, and we both look at our son, wrapped in my coat again, fast asleep, hiding away from the world.

"That poor kid has been through so much." He sighs, reaching under the bed to pull Mateo out.

He stirs a little, mumbling in his sleep, but he doesn't wake up.

Massimo hands him to me and I crawl back into bed with him in my arms.

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