Look Up Child

My Home Away from Home

Stefania's POV

Nat was very quiet in the car ride over to the shop. I think everything is just a lot for her right now. I talk quietly with Danielle in the front about anything to keep me calm with this situation.

"So what do you think they're going to give Maya and Carina this year, or do you think they're going to let them be?" Danielle asks. "We just got married, you'd think they would just let them be." I tell her with a smile as she momentarily looks over to me. 

"Were you surprised when you saw Maya get Battalion Chief? I remember how on edge you were waiting to see the verdict after last season." I tell her. "I was so surprised, I wasn't anticipating it. I just expecting her to go back to a good ole firefighter. Or even get fired." She says with a laugh.

"Can you imagine Maya Bishop being jobless? I wouldn't even know how that would work. Good thing it's only a TV show." I say with chuckle. "I couldn't even imagine. Good thing I have a hot Italian wife to keep me grounded." She says with a big smile and reaches over to put a hand on my thigh.

I wouldn't have thought anything of it until she kept it there. I took my hand and put it on top of hers and left it there for the rest of the ride. We made it there in comfortable silence. 

I put the car in park and looked in the rearview mirror to see Nat asleep again. I wish I could have just left her there to sleep, but I wanted to see my favorite store with me.

"Look at her, she must be exhausted." I say to Danielle, squeezing her hand. "I have no doubt she is. I'll carry her." She tells me with a smile. "You sure? I don't mind carrying her." I tell her with a questioning look. "I'd be glad to. Why don't you wake her up to make sure she is okay with it. I don't want to do anything she is uncomfortable with." She tells me thoughtfully.

She is so kind hearted. I can't help but adore her in this moment. I get out and go around to Nat's side of the car. I open the door softly and bend down to her level. I stroke her hair softly and say in a low voice, "Bambina, we're here. Come see my favorite shop, come meet my favorite people." 

Her eyes flutter open as she is awoken from her sleep and I continue to lightly stroke her soft hair. "Shh, you're okay." I coo to her. "Danielle può portarmi? So che anche tu sei stanco (Can Danielle carry me? I know you're tired too)." She asks me softly.

"Sì bambina. She asked me if she could do that, she just wanted me to make sure you were comfortable with that first." I tell her with a smile. I gesture to Danielle that she is okay with it and move out of the way after unbuckling Nat from the car seat. 

"Hi my little princess, come up here with me." Danielle speaks kindly. She gets Nat into her arms and she wraps her arms and legs around Danielle. The two of them were adorable in that moment.

Nat's head fit perfectly in the crook of Danielle's neck. As we were making our way inside, I discreetly took a picture of them before they noticed. "Now bambina, I want to introduce you to the owners of this shop. They're from Italy just like us." I tell her.

As we were making our way in further, we were greeted by my favorite people. "Ahh, Stefania! Ciao!" I hear Alberto shout out.

"Ciao Alberto e Bianca!" I tell the both of them. "Questa è la mia amica Danielle e questa è la mia nuova piccola amica Natalia. Anche lei è italiana (This is my friend, Danielle and this is my new little friend Natalia. She is also from Italy)." I introduce the both of them to Danielle and Nat.

"Piacere di conoscervi, signor Alberto e signorina Bianca (It is nice to meet you Mr. Alberto and Ms. Bianca)."

Nat nods to Danielle to put her down and shakes the hands of Alberto and Bianca. "È solo la bambina più educata, giusto? (She is just the most polite little girl, right?)" Bianca mentions with a smile and Nat just blushes and looks down.