Under Her Wing

Chapter 121

Danielle POV

"Why don't I go to the premier with her and I can sneak off for a bit and FaceTime you when you're with the lawyer?" I suggested, pacing around the bedroom, my hands running through my hair.

"Bellina you know that's not an option," Stefania sighed, sat on the edge of our bed.

"We even said the other day we'd need an excuse to escape for a few hours and look, the universe has given us one," she added.

"I wanted an excuse that would leave Amalia safe at home with one of our trusted friends, not one that sends her off without us to somewhere so public with god knows how many people," I ranted, feeling my chest constrict with anxiety.

"She'll be with Carter and his mom is chaperoning. We've met her loads of times bella and Carter is so protective of Amalia.."

"He's still just a child," I pointed out.

"A child who shows maturity and wouldn't hesitate to raise the alarm if something were to happen," Stefania reasoned.

"We can't reschedule?" I asked her, already knowing the answer.

"No bellina, we won't have time before the bambina's birthday," she sighed.

I stood staring at her, knowing I was going to have to agree with her and let Amalia go out without one of us.

"Okay fine," I pouted.

"But you're telling her and if she's too unsettled, we need another plan," I added.

"Alright bellina, now come here," Stefania said, holding out her hand for me.

She pulled me to her, turning me around so I could sit myself between her legs, her arms right around my waist, chin on my shoulder.

"Breathe for me bella," she whispered softly, her hands resting lovingly on my stomach.

"Breathe," she repeated, her breath softly touching my neck.

"I'm scared something will happen," I admitted, voicing the fear like my therapist had told me.

"I know my love, I know," Stefania nodded.

"But we can't let fear control our lives bella,"

"Amalia is good at keeping us updated, she'll let you know she's okay,"

I nodded and relaxed back against her slightly, letting her comfort me.

"Do we have everything we need for the appointment?" She asked before gently kissing my cheek.

"I've put everything into one folder, I just need to add some recent utility bills or something for proof of address," I said, feeling a lot more in control now.

"Perfetto. Shall I go talk to the bambina about this afternoon?" She suggested.

"Yeah, shout me if she needs her mommy though," I said, sticking out my bottom lip.

"Her mama's boobs work too you know," Stefania joked as she led the room.

Stefania POV

"Knock knock," I said, announcing myself as I pushed open Amalia's bedroom door.

I watched as she quickly hid something under her pillow and I had a small suspicion I knew what it was.

Now wasn't the time to draw any attention to it though.

"Everything okay bella?" I asked, closing the door behind me.

"Si mama," she smiled, her face red from trying to conceal what I guessed was one of the dolls.