Who We Were Before

Chapter 24

6 Months Later

Aella

It's been 5 months since I've buried my husband and 4 months since I've decided to move back home to stay with Mom. I let Amanda have the reigns of the clinic but I still own it, I trust her with my husbands practice. Mom still lives in the same apartment but Melanie moved out 6 years ago when she got married to a baseball player, now she spends her time traveling the world with her husband.
These past few months have been rough on us especially the girls, they were daddy's princesses. I'm worried about Luciano though he hasn't cried or grieved in any way, I'm worried if he keeps his emotions bottled up he might explode one day. I'll probably try to have Enzo talk to him.
The kids start school next month, Isabella will be in pre-k, Clementine will be starting middle school and Luciano will be in 8th grade. The years has gone by fast, I just wished that Caine would be here for the rest of them. I'm still not over his death but I know he's in heaven with Cheryl watching over us, just that thought soothes the ache in my heart just a little.
"Mama we watch Little Mermaid?" Isabella asked. I pick her up and walk to the living room where Luciano and Clementine are watching some teen tv show.
"Hey, could you put on The Little Mermaid? Isabella wants to watch." They both groaned loudly, I give them the stink eye and Luciano quickly puts it on.
"Yay!" Isabella screamed in happiness and claps her hands. While both her siblings just rolled their eyes.
"How about I order pizza tonight for dinner, cheese and pepperoni." They all shriek with joy, it's been a while since we've had pizza night the last time was when Caine was still alive.
30 minutes later the pizza arrives, the kids lift their noses in the air like a hound dog.
"Ok kids, grab a plate and eat as much pizza as you want." With beaming smiles they help themselves, filling their plates full of pizza. We sit and finish the Little Mermaid and then watch The Avengers. I can't remember the last time we've had family night. Since moving here I would cook dinner and we'd sit at the table and eat in silence. My babies laughter at a scene puts a smile on my face, and that's when I knew that everything was going to be alright.

Later that night with all the kids in bed Mom comes in through the front door. She looks tired after a 12 hour shift, I kinda feel bad that I've added more to her plate with the kids and me.
"How was work Mom?" I asked. She sits on the couch next to me and sighs deeply.
"It was tiring."
"Why don't you retire?" At her age 53 she shouldn't be pushing herself too hard, I know with all the years she worked her 401k is probably around 500,000.
"Honey, you know if I retired I would go crazy just sitting at home all day plus I love what I do. I'm just starting to feel the aches and pains in my joints." She said.
"That's why you pick up hobbies like painting, bingo, or getting a cat." She laughs.
"You make me sound like I'm in my 70's instead of my 50's. Anyways enough about me, how are you holding up? The kids?"
"I'm honestly doing better, saying Caine's name doesn't make me burst into tears anymore and the girls are a lot better knowing that daddy's in heaven with Mimi. I'm concerned about Luciano, I haven't seen him cry ever." I told her, worry for my eldest mounting.
"Honey have you ever considered that he grieves alone, like when he's in bed at night." I actually haven't thought of that, me and the girls have cried openly together while he just sat by himself with a stubborn look on his face.
"When you guys first moved here, I heard him crying in his room at night, he cried the first two weeks until he stopped. He's trying to be strong honey, he doesn't want to look weak to you guys he probably sees himself as the man of the house now and has to worry about taking care of you and the girls." She explained, it makes sense now. I don't want my baby to worry about us he's only 13. He should be worrying about school, friends and sports not about taking care of us. My poor baby, I'll have a talk with him tomorrow.
"Thanks for telling me this Mom."
"No worries." She replied.
"I'll try to get out your hair soon, I found a small 3 bedroom house a couple minutes away. I've already talked to the realtor about it and he said the house has been on the market for a long time. They had to lower the value to get it to sell so I'm definitely getting a good price for it." She wraps her arms around me, a few tears rolling down her face.
"Honey, stay here as long as you want. Don't rush to leave I love having company at home and I especially love seeing my grand babies every day." I hug her tighter.
"Thanks Mom." I appreciate everything she's done for me. Without my Mom I don't know how I could've made it this far without her. She lets go and wipes her tears letting out a small laugh.
"I haven't cried this much in awhile, I'm off to bed now. Talk more tomorrow."
"Goodnight Mom." I said.