Under Her Wing

Chapter 98

Stefania POV

Sleeping soundly, my eyes shot open to the sound of the bambina screaming.

I sat up in bed and flung the covers off me, ready to climb out.

Danielle, rubbed her eyes, waking up to the sounds of Amalia's screams as well.

"It's alright bellina," I assured her calmly.

"I'll go," I added, getting out of bed.

"Bring her in here if she won't settle," Danielle said, still groggy from being suddenly woken up.

"Si bella, go back to sleep," I said softly, closing the bedroom door behind me.

"STOP!"

"STOP STOP STOP!"

"HELP MOMMY!"

"MAMA PLEASE!"

"GET OFF ME. LET ME HAVE MAMA!"

I could hear Amalia screaming for Danielle and I and sighed as I reached her bedroom. It had been a while since she'd had a nightmare this bad.

I entered her room and saw her thrashing around in bed, the covers practically thrown onto the floor.
Her arms and legs were unconsciously being flung around all over the place.

"Oh bambina," I said sadly, going straight to her.

"HELP ME MOMMY,"

"STOP IT,"

"MAMA,"

"Mama è proprio qui bambina," I said softly, getting into bed beside her.

"Mama is right here," I repeated.

"STOP,"

"STOP!" She screamed.

"Amalia bella," I said gently, taking hold of her arm.

"Bambina wake up," I added.

"Mama è qui, mama è qui," I soothed.

"Shhh tesoro calmati,"

"Bambina wake up for mama," I said again, shaking her a little.

I switched on her bedside lamp and watched as her eyes began to open.

"There's mama's beautiful bambina," I smiled as her gaze landed on me.

"Mama," she cried still half in her dream.

"Si bella mama's got you," I nodded, taking hold of her and pulling her close to me.

"It's over bella," I whispered, feeling her shoulders begin to shake as she cried into my chest.

"Mama," she sobbed, clinging to my thin nightshirt until her knuckles turned white. 

"Ahh ahhh bambina, let go," I told her, trying to uncurl her fingers.

"No mama stay," she practically screamed.

"Shhh shhh bella. I'm here," I said calmly.

"I was back there mama. They had me again," Amalia cried, trying to get as close to me as she could.

I let her do what she needed to do to settle down.

"Help me mama," she said, struggling to regulate her breathing.

"Big beautiful breaths for me Amalia. Big breaths," I said softly.

She couldn't stay still, her head still shaking from side to side in panic.

I had one arm around Mali and managed to use my free hand to unfasten the top three buttons of my nightshirt. I pulled it back so the skin of my chest was completely exposed.