His Everything

Chapter ONE

September, 2015

"I've tried, Santy, it's been over a year...I've spoken about it, you need to too."

"I have nothing to say on this topic, Isabella; let it go."

"For how long! How long will we 'let it go'? We lost him, Santiago, and it pains me everyday, but we need to move on! I can't keep living like this, I won't!"

"I need to go, I've got a meeting until late - don't wait up."

"I'm not finished Santiago! Please, I need this...we need this."

"I need to get to work, you should head off for uni, otherwise you'll be late. I'll see you tonight."

"It won't just fade away, one day, you'll wake up and need to talk; and I can't guarantee that I'll be there."

"Don't wait up."

And just like that, the door shut behind him - and so did their future.

July, 2018.

"Mummy! Mummy?"

"Mummy thleeping."

Slowly, opening a fraction of her eye, Isabella glanced down at the two most important people in her life.

"Boo," she whispered, stopping their incoherent chatter.

"Momma," Matteo squealed, trying his best to jump onto the bed.

Sitting up, Isabella grabs her twins by under their arms, pulling them onto the bed with her." "Bonjour, les bébés"

"Bonjour maman," murmurs her more reserved twin, Louise.

Pressing a kiss atop each of their heads, she pulls them into her, cuddling up to them.

"Mama, Uncle Gabe downshtairs," Matteo whispers into her ear.

"Is Uncle Gabriel the one that let you out of your cots so early in the morning?"

They both nod, smiling impishly up at their mother.

"Well Uncle Gabe should have at least given you both a bath, or at least breakfast!"

They both gesture down to her chest area, symbolizing what they want for breakfast. Laughing, Isabella lifts up her shirt and proceeds to feed her two children their so-called breakfast. As they finish, she cleans up, sitting up in her bed.

"Why don't we go downstairs and eat some porridge for breakfast," Isabella rhetorically asks them, moving to get out of bed.

Rubbing their eyes, they both nod, rolling off the bed and waiting for their mother to join them.

"Ah," Isabella stretches, placing her feet into her slippers and bending down to lift them both into her arms.

"Mummy, school," Matteo asks, gazing up at her mother.

"Well today is Sunday, and we don't have school on Sunday, do we?" Isabella replies, walking out into the corridor.

"Shchool, Monday!"

"That's right, Lou, and tomorrow is Monday; and Mummy also has work."

"Matt no go school."

Letting out a laugh, Isabella sits them down on their high-chairs, moving around the kitchen to make all their breakfasts.

"And why won't Matteo go to school?"

"Matteo, sleep," he replies confidently, lifting up his jaw in a defiant matter.

"Matteo never sleeps," a deep voice calls, entering the kitchen joining the trio.

Swiftly turning her head, Isabella turns to greet the newcomer; but no words seem to come out of her mouth as she takes him in.