Page 38 of Vita Mia

Catalina wiped a tear. She repositioned her son in the cradle of her arm. He slept peacefully. She touched his cheek. “I thought all of us having babies at the same time was a blessing. But if we are just repeating our parent’s mistakes what future do our children have?”

“The one we make for them,” Dominic said.

They were taking things slow. Being friends again meant work. Some days she wanted to blame him. Other days she mourned Armando. But then there were days like this, when she was reminded of how every bad thing that ever happened in her life always brought her back to Dominic for comfort and rescue. And it was times like this she remembered all the reasons why she once loved him.

“I think tonight you should call Mirabella. Talk to her. It might do some good. I’ll arrange it.” He pushed away from the table. Instead of giving her a kiss or touching her he kept his distance. He walked out without a parting word. Things were different between them now. However, even in tragedy there was hope.

***

“BELLA,” GIOVANNI WHISPERED.

Mirabella slept on the pullout bed. Giovanni slept in the chair. It had been a week since the nightmare began and neither of them could bear to leave her side. Kyra had been a godsend. She even had the hospital supply them with a bassinet for Leeza in Eve’s hospital room.

“Look,” Giovanni said.

Mirabella lifted her head from the pillow. Eve was awake. She was staring directly at them. Every time before when her baby girl woke she never acknowledged them. Not during her breathing treatments, and not when she was fed or bathed. She’d stare straight ahead almost catatonic. This was the first time her daughter looked at her parents and recognized them.

“Hi, baby,la mia dolce bambina,” Mirabella said with caution. Eve looking directly into her mother’s eyes was like capturing a butterfly in your hand. She feared one wrong move and her girl’s comprehension and attention would fly away to whatever safe space she retreated to in her mind. Mirabella slowly sat upright. “You’re awake today?”

Eve blinked but didn’t answer. The teddy bear Giovanni bought for her and put next to her in bed was in her arm. Mirabella looked to Giovanni. She could tell he felt the tension and sensitivity as well. This was different. This was what they’d been praying for.

Leeza cried out in her crib. Eve glanced over to the crib and frowned.

“Gio, get the baby,” Mirabella said. He did. Mirabella walked over to the bed. There had been moments of wakefulness with Eve. But it was always followed by pain. Her extreme coughing fits and fatigue often led to an exhaustive sleep. Mirabella leaned in and kissed her daughter’s brow. She touched her cheek. “Can you say anything for mommy?”

Eve nodded.

“Ciao mommy,” she croaked.

“Aww... hi baby,” Mirabella said. “Hi my darling, special girl.”

Giovanni rocked Leeza in the crook of his arm and smiled at Eve. Eve opened her mouth to speak and then stopped. She touched her throat. Mirabella got her cup with the straw and poured water from the pitcher into it. She held it steady while Eve sipped, slowly. When Eve was done she reached for Mirabella and rested her head against her breast. It was such a big relief and burst of joy within Mirabella, she began to laugh. She held so tightly to Eve she had to remind herself to be gentle.

“She’s going to be okay, Gio,” Mirabella smiled through her tears.

“I know, Bella. I prayed for it to be so.”

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LATER —

Mirabella smoothed Eve’s brow. She kissed her daughter on the cheek and then tucked her in. Eve rested peacefully. With the attention of both of her parents she seemed like the old Eve. She even asked Mirabella about school. Her and Giovanni both promised she could go as soon as she was well. Then Giovanni got a call on his cellphone. It irked Mirabella that he took the call, but she understood. In fact, with Eve on the mend she began to feel the sting of guilt over her mistreatment of Giovanni the past week. He was wracked with guilt, and her silence instead of comfort only deepened his sadness. She needed to apologize to him.

“Eve is sleep little panda,” Mirabella said to Leeza. She picked her baby up from the basinet and helped return the pacifier to her mouth. “Let’s go find daddy and apologize.”

Leeza blinked her doll-like eyes at Mirabella and it made Mirabella smile. She kissed her brow and checked on Eve one last time. After her breathing treatment she typically slept through the night. But she would make sure to return soon in case she awoke.

Mirabella went out of the hospital door and started toward the elevator. She expected Giovanni to be down in the visiting area or maybe outside of the hospital talking to his men. Instead she found him in an empty room with Renaldo. The two of them seemed to be arguing.

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“IUNDERSTAND BOSS.I’m worried. Carlo is out of control.”

“I told you. This isn’t the time! I can’t deal with his shit. Not until my daughter is better.”

Renaldo nodded. “I’m sorry to bring this to you.”

“Bring what?” Mirabella interrupted.

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