ONE SHOTS MARINA (ENGLISH)

30. Sunday

 P.O.V. MAYA DELUCA-BISHOP

The sun began to come in through the thin curtains of our room, painting the environment with a soft and cozy light. It was Sunday morning, the kind of morning I never imagined having a day.

The quiet sound of Carina breathing next to me, the light movement of Liam in my chest and the warmth of Nina's small body on the other side of the bed created a perfect place.

The four of us, together, clutching at the bed, without any rush or commitment. Just existing in that moment of peace.

I felt a slight pull in my hair. I looked down and saw my boy still half asleep, his little fingers trying to grab some strands of my blonde hair.

He was lying on top of me, his head leaning against my chest, and even at 1 year old, he still loved this kind of morning caress. It was as if he knew that these little moments of tenderness were precious, both for him and for us.

- Good morning, probie - I whispered softly, lowering my head to kiss her forehead.

He smiled with the still heavy eyes of sleep, mumbling something that sounded like a sleepy "mommy", melting my heart. Looked to the side, where Carina was lying, with Nina nestled in her chest.

Our little girl was only two months old, and yet she seemed to have her own way already. She was awake, but didn't complain. Just looked at Carina with those big honey eyes, the same eyes I loved to lose my breath in seeing.

- Are you hungry, piccolina? - Carina whispered softly, her voice still hoarse from sleep.

She stroked Nina's little head, her fingers sliding through our daughter's fine and small blonde strands, which perfectly contrasted with her soft skin. The little smile on Carina's lips made me smile too. That was the kind of happiness I always wanted to give her, and seeing her so complete at that moment filled me with pride.

- She seems so calm - I commented, my voice louder than necessary in the morning's comforting silence.

Carina looked at me, the smile now more open, and shook her head.

- Grazie a Dio - she said, laughing slightly - I think it's the first day in weeks that she doesn't wake up agitated.

Nina stirred a little, closing her eyes briefly, but without emitting any sound. Carina cradled her closer to you, her arms wrapping our baby with the same care she took me in our most difficult days.

I reached out and lightly touched my wife's shoulder, pulling her a little closer to me. We stared at each other for a moment, without saying anything.

- Let's try to go back to sleep? - I suggested, but soon saw the laugh in her eyes.

- Sleep? With two kids? - she raised an eyebrow, funny, and I laugh along with her - I think we're not that lucky anymore, Maya!

I looked at Nina on her breast and at Liam, who was now mumbling softly in my arms, and realized she was right. It was impossible to have a lazy Sunday morning as we did before, but that didn't bother me at all.

I would not trade these moments for anything in the world. Liam, without any warning, decided that he wanted to change his lap.

He stood up a bit clumsy and threw himself in the arms of Carina, who laughed loudly when he caught him, trying not to hurt Nina.

- Attento, piccolo! - she exclaimed, holding him with one hand while adjusting Nina on the other - You're too big to be jumping like that!

I came to help, laughing at the scene that was so chaotic, but at the same time, so ours. Carina, with Liam on one side and Nina on the other, seemed to be exactly where it should always be: in the center of our little family confusion.

We stayed like that for a while. Liam nested in Carina's chest, while I was holding Nina in my arms now, and it was at that moment that I realized how lucky I was. My family was there with me, and everything that mattered was exactly where it should be.