Under Her Wing

Chapter 110

Amalia POV

"Bambina?" Stefania said once we arrived home.

Already on my way to my bedroom, I stopped in my tracks and turned back around to face her.

"You've hardly said anything on the way home bella. Talk to mama," she said softly, placing her phone and keys down on the side.

Jeff bounded down the hall towards us, zooming from around my legs to Stefania's and back to me again.

"Hi puppy," I smiled, crouching down to the floor to give her some attention.

I smiled as she put her weight against my legs, almost knocking me off balance.

"Bambina?"

"Talk to mama," Stefania said again.

"I'm okay," I told her, scratching behind Jeff's ears.

"Mali bella, tell me the truth," she said calmly but firmly.

I stood back up and moved to her. She leant back against the kitchen counter and I fell forward against her, letting her wrap her long arms around my back.
She moved to securely hold my head to chest and placed a soft kiss on my head.

"Not ready to talk?" She whispered, holding me close.

"Nn nnn," I said, shaking my head against her.

"Too overwhelmed?"

"Yeah," I said quietly, not ready to process the events of the day.

"Danielle should be home soon bambina," Stefania said, running her hand in circles on my back.

I felt like I could spiral any minute. I'd thought I'd handled today well and been grown up about it but now it was hitting me. What if I hadn't been stood with some of the cast? What if I'd been on my own when the security guard caught me?

I thought I'd been making big steps but this just made me feel like I was right in wanting to be with either Danielle or Stefania the whole time.

I could feel myself beginning to get worked up into a panic attack but really wanted to prove to my moms I was doing better.

My heart rate was increasing and I was really trying to stay in the moment and focus on standing with Stefania.

I ran the material of her shirt between my fingers and tried to breathe in her perfume.

It wasn't working.

I still felt like the air was being sucked out of my lungs.

"Mama?" I whispered, surprised I managed to get words out.

"Si bella?" She said seriously, noticing the change in my voice.

"I feel a bit panicked," I admitted.

"That's okay bambina, what do you need? What's going to help?" Stefania asked.

"I d-dont know," I said, clutching her shirt again.

"I think you're overstimulated from the day bambina. You could try the hot tub?" She suggested.

"That always settles you?" She added.

"With you?" I asked hopefully, still wanting to be near her.

"If you want bambina. Wait, I think I hear Danielle pulling up," she said, listening for mom's car.

"Is she gonna be angry with me?" I asked nervously.

"Nooo bambina, not at all. You go get changed and get in the hot tub, I'll speak to Danielle," she said, kissing my forehead and sending me on my way.