The plates had been cleared, the sound of cutlery replaced by the gentle clink of porcelain as one of the maids brought out dessert - delicate bowls of panna cotta topped with fresh berries and a drizzle of honey. The boys had varying reactions: Marcello was already stealing spoonfuls from Damian's plate; Riccardo, ever so restrained, simply nodded in quiet approval.
Celestia ate slowly, her small hands gripping the spoon as if unsure how to hold it.
The panna cotta was smooth, sweet, unfamiliar. She liked it - though she didn't say it out loud.
"Did you like it Celi?" Asked Alessandro while having his.
"Slim-slim and diffwent" said Celestia while scrunching her nose, can't pinpoint what it is like.
"Is it bad or good" asked Arthur in his heavy voice, analyzing her face for any discomfort.
The rest just stared at him in shock as he participates rarely in their conversation and mostly keeps to himself. He doesn't dislike Celestia but.... is also confused on how to interact with her.
Poor Arthur, big bad & softy baby.
"Good" said celestia trying cut a bite of it.
After dessert, everyone began dispersing. Some lingered to chat, others yawned and headed upstairs.
Celestia hesitated near the staircase, she spotted Alessandro standing beside the doorway of sitting room rolling up his sleeves absentmindedly. She walked to him without a word and gently tugged at the side of his shirt.
"I... sleep with you?" she asked, voice small, eyes looking up but not meeting his. She fiddles with her fingers placed behind her back.
Alessandro looked down at her - a little surprised, but mostly moved. He softened immediately.
"Of course," he said. "You don't even have to ask."
She nodded once, and without a word, took his hand.
"You big!" she said in amazement and Alessandro let out tiny sound of amusement.
He picked her up in his arms and she let out baby shriek as it was sudden but then slowly cuddled up in his arms.
----
In Alessandro's room, the lights were dim. The sheets smelled faintly of lavender and the night breeze stirred the curtains gently. Celestia settled under the blanket, curling beside him like a cat who had finally found warmth.
Alessandro lay on his side, facing her, propped on one elbow and the other hand gently patting on her back.
"Are you comfortable?" he asked quietly.
She nodded, then added after a moment, "It's warm here."
A pause stretched between them. Alessandro hesitated, then spoke, his voice soft, almost hesitant
"Baby... do you remember anything from before?"
Her eyes blinked slowly, and she looked at him.
"Before what?"
"Before you came here... anything at all? Maybe a dream, a place, a face... anything?"
Celestia frowned, trying. Her eyebrows furrowed in that way that made her look like a tiny, serious owl for a moment.
"Sometimes... I see a big door and Bubba. I don't know where. It feels cold."
Alessandro watched her carefully, his brows tightening just a bit.
"Who is this Bubba?" Alessandro thought to himself
"And... do you know how you got hurt?"
"No." She shook her head slowly. "I thwink it, my chwest feel like put stone. So I stop thinking."
He nodded, not pushing her further. He placed a gentle hand on her head, brushing back a strand of hair.
"That's okay. You don't have to remember. Just sleep for now."
"...you be here when I wake up?"
Alessandro smiled faintly, voice barely above a whisper. "Always."
She closed her eyes, her breathing growing steady.
As he watched her fall asleep, Alessandro couldn't help but feel it again - that strange sense that this girl wasn't just a child in need of protection.
She was something more. Something fragile. And maybe something not quite explainable.
But for tonight, she was just a child who wanted to be safe.
And he was going to make sure she stayed that way.
-----
The soft golden light of early morning streamed through the tall windows, casting a quiet glow over the villa. The stillness was gently broken by the faint sound of birds chirping outside and the distant clatter of breakfast being prepared in the kitchen.
Celestia stirred first, curled up against Alessandro like a little cat seeking warmth. Her hand gripped a corner of his shirt tightly, and her face was nestled against his chest.
For a few seconds, she simply blinked, taking in the silence of the morning, not moving-like waking up in a world she was still unsure of.
Alessandro was already awake but had stayed perfectly still. His hand rested behind her back, fingers lightly curled so she wouldn't feel overwhelmed. He looked down at her with quiet eyes.
"Good morning, kiddo," he said softly, just loud enough for her to hear.
Celestia responded with a sleepy blink and a low hum.
Celestia blinked sleepily, her voice still muffled against his shirt. "Did we get stolen in the night?"
Alessandro chuckled. "Nope. I kept guard all night. Not even a ghost got past me."
She lifted her head just enough to squint at him. "You sure?"
"I'm a professional monster-fighter," he whispered seriously.
Celestia yawned. "Mmm... okay."
She snuggled herself back under his arm with a little sigh, fully convinced.
There was a pause.
Then she frowned suddenly. "You snore."
"I do not," he said immediately, feigning offense. "That was Damian."
Celestia looked up at him, unconvinced. "Dami not here."
"That's a very suspicious amount of logic for this early in the morning," he teased, poking her cheek gently.
She let out a short giggle but quickly muffled it in his shirt, shy again.
Downstairs, breakfast had already begun. The scent of toasted bread, warm butter, and brewed coffee filled the air. Marcello was arguing with Damian over something trivial-again. Arthur and Domenico sipped their black coffee and Clemente his healthy smoothie.
"I told you not to touch my cereal box, Damian. It was sealed. Sealed!"
Damian, with a croissant in his mouth, shrugged. "I thought it was public property. Like love. And shampoo."
Riccardo sighed from the head of the table. "At this point, I feel like I'm raising two brats again."
Marcello and Damian looked deeply offended and said in unison. "I am a grown man and I'm not a brat."
"Then stop writing your name on juice and cereals boxes."
Celestia entered the room in the arms of Alessandro a few minutes later, her hair slightly messy but her face freshly washed. She held his shirt loosely, still not quite ready to be on her own in this house full of loud, new people.
As soon as Marcello spotted her, he turned dramatic. "Ah! Good morning, my sunshine! I was wondering when you'd grace us with your royal presence."
Damian leaned over. "You're gonna scare her."
"I am endearing."
"You are loud."
Riccardo looked up and gestured gently. "Come, sit."
Celestia slid into the seat next to Alessandro. She stayed quiet, observing, but there was something softer in her expression today - not comfort, exactly, but less guardedness.
One of the maids brought out a plate of warm toast with jam, a small bowl of fruits and set them in of her on the table, followed by a glass dish of small chocolate tarts for dessert. As for Alessandro, he is served with black coffee, butter spread toast and salad.
After breakfast, as the maids cleared the table, Riccardo wiped her sticky hands with a warm towel and stood.
"Come on, piccolina," he said gently, lifting her up into his arms. "Let's get you clean."
She yawned into his shoulder, not resisting. "Bath?" she mumbled.
"Yes, with all your toys," he replied, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
In Riccardo's spacious room, he opened a drawer and took out a soft pink cloth bag filled with tiny bath toys - ducks, boats, and sea creatures chosen just for her. From the wardrobe, he picked her favorite outfit: a lavender top and pale grey pants with bunny ears on the knees.
He filled the tub with warm water, stopping just past halfway. Gently, he placed the toys in, watching them float. The room was warm, quiet - ready for the little girl he now looked after.
"There," he said softly, turning to her. "Ready to become a bubble princess?"
Celestia giggled, arms lifted as he undressed her and placed her carefully into the bath. Her hands splashed at once, sending water flying as the ducks spun around. She talked to them under her breath, whispering little stories only she knew.
Just then, Alessandro pushed open the door without knocking. "Dad-" He paused, blinking at the little scene. "Oh. Sorry."
Riccardo turned with a raised brow. "What is it?"
Alessandro gave a brief look toward Celestia, then stepped further in
"About her check-up today. I'll take her."
Riccardo raised a brow. "I already planned to go."
"I know," Alessandro replied, calm and steady. "But I want to go."
"She's just had breakfast. I'm giving her a bath. I can handle it."
"I'm not saying you can't," Alessandro said. "I just think... let me take her this time."
They stood in silence for a beat - not tense, just firm, both unwilling to back down quickly.
"She's comfortable with me too," Alessandro added.
"And Clemente's going, so you won't miss anything important. You've got back-to-back calls all day."
Riccardo crossed his arms but didn't argue further.
After a moment, he gave a small sigh
"Fine. But you let me know how everything goes. Every detail."
"Of course," Alessandro nodded. "I would anyway."
Riccardo nodded once and turned back to Celestia, who was now stacking toys along the edge of the tub in perfect color order.
A while later, after drying her off and getting her into her clean clothes, Riccardo buttoned the last part of her top and kissed her forehead.
"There. Ready for your adventure."
Just then, Clemente knocked on the door, dressed in his usual dark, crisp style.
"Are you all ready?"
Celestia clung lightly to Riccardo's leg but peeked out when Alessandro offered his hand.
"You promised cake," she whispered.
"And I never break promises," Alessandro smiled, crouching down.
She reached for his hand slowly. Riccardo fixed the sleeve of her top one last time.
"Let's not keep the doctor waiting," Alessandro said.
As they left, Riccardo glanced at Clemente.
"Let me know if anything's... off."
Clemente gave a brief nod. "I will."
-------
The car ride was quiet. Celestia sat beside Alessandro, playing with a silver lion keychain, eyes drifting to the blur of the city outside.
At the hospital's private entrance, Clemente met a nurse. The building felt warm and welcoming, not cold or clinical. The nurse led them to a softly lit exam room, where Dr. Elira waited with a kind smile in her pale blue coat.
"Hello there," she said kindly. "You must be Celestia."
Celestia peeked out from behind Alessandro's leg.
"She's shy," he said with a small smile.
"That's okay," Elira replied. "We'll go slow."
Clemente whispered something to Elira, who nodded and gestured to the table.
"Can I stay with her?" Alessandro asked.
"Of course." replied Dr. Elira while preparing some equipments
Celestia sat on the table, feet dangling. Elira playfully offered her the stethoscope. "Want to hear my heart first?"
Celestia gave a hesitant smile and nodded. They shared a brief laugh before the real check-up began. Everything seemed fine - until Elira gently touched a faded scar on her left side.
Suddenly, Celestia went still.
Her eyes lost focus. A rusty door. Strange voices. White light. A big boy. A reaching hand.
"Celestia?" Alessandro's voice broke through
"What happened?"
She blinked rapidly, gripping his hand tight.
"...Nothing."
Elira and Clemente exchanged a look but continued. She switched on the scanner. It hummed - then briefly flickered with static and strange, unreadable waves before returning to normal.
Elira frowned. "That's... odd."
Clemente stepped closer. "Did it glitch?"
"Possibly. I'll recheck it later."
The rest of the exam finished without issue. Elira handed Celestia a small chocolate. "All done. You were amazing."
Celestia tugged Alessandro's sleeve. "Can we go now?"
"In a minute, canguro."
[Kangaroo]
He lifted her into his arms, letting her rest against him.
They walked out of the hospital and the guard rolled their car. They settled in back and Alessandro instructed the driver to stop near "Mamma Mia" bakery.
Alessandro went inside and bought the cake as promised, came back and gets inside the car.
Soon they reached home Alessandro and Celestia is held in one hand and the other hand holding box of cake, they move towards kitchen.
Meanwhile, Clemente pulled Riccardo into his office.
"She's not normal," he said bluntly.
Riccardo closed the door. "Go on."
"Her recovery rate is impossible. Her cells regenerate too fast. Her neural responses are... beyond what I've seen. Even experimental tech can't explain this."
"We haven't touched her with anything," Riccardo replied.
"No blood tests?,
No screening?"
"None."
Clemente stared at him. "Are you sure you know what she is?"
Riccardo didn't answer immediately but nodded as he has a doubt.
"This isn't normal healing," Clemente added quietly.
Riccardo finally spoke. "We're watching her. That's enough for now."
•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•°•
Question Time!
Do Comment Answer
1. Have you ever tasted something ‘slim-slim and diffwent’?
2. If you were at that breakfast table, whose cereal box would you steal — Marcello’s or Damian’s?
3. Who would you sit next to at breakfast — the drama king Marcello, the teasing Damian, or the quiet Arthur?
4. Do you think Alessandro is better at being a ‘monster-fighter’ or a ‘professional cuddler’?
5. Do you believe she truly doesn’t remember — or is she protecting herself from something she doesn’t want to say?
Write a comment ...