The Nanny

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Luciano walked beside his mother with his children holding his hands. He wondered why his mother had been in such a rush to take him to wherever they were going.

His mother was nervous and she wasn't doing a good job at hiding it.

It was early morning and the street they were walking on smelt of freshly baked bread and goods. He noticed the bakery off in the distance due to the queue standing outside of it. He craved food as his stomach rumbled.

They continued walking and he watched as his mother stopped outside the bakery he had been admiring from afar causing him to stop to. He watched her take a deep breath before turning to him with a guilty face.

"Let's stop and eat. I know the owner of the bakery so we won't have to wait in the line." She told him before quickly pushing open the door. Luciano followed her in quickly.

Luna and Xavier both jumped rushing to the case of cupcakes pointing at them pleading for their grandma to buy them some.

Luciano took his time to look around the cafe. No one was behind the counter and the door to the kitchen appeared to be open as people waited to be served.

Luciano's eyes stayed glued to the kitchen door as he wished to see who was the owner of the bakery.

Soon enough a little boy covered in flour came running out of the kitchen with two loafs of bread in his hands. His curls bounced up and down as he ran.

Luciano watched in awe as the little boy placed the loafs on the counter before climbing up on a stool. The boy then put his hand out asking for £3 in payment as he smiled brightly. The boy then proceeded to count the 3 coins in his palm.

Luciano stood still as, him arms dropped to his sides. The little boy was his boy. His Loai. He had grown up so much in the 2 years he hadn't seen him.

The little shy boy he once knew now was chatting away with locals who adored him.

"Bye Mr William." Loai shouted after the old man he had just given his bread to. Luciano glanced at his children who hadn't noticed their brother serving food nearby.

Luciano began to move quickly wanting to see if his eyes were playing tricks on him only for him to stop dead in his tracks.

A woman with a headscarf came running out with 3 trays balanced in her hands. He would recognise that native print anywhere. Her face and clothes had flour smudged all over them. She looked different.

The last time he had seen her she lay in a hospital bed. Her cheeks had hollowed out and she had lost so much weight. Yet now she looked well filled out and healthy overall.

She looked beautiful. He watched as she gave Loai a kiss praising him for his work as she served more customers.

Luciano's heart constricted as he remembered her betrayal. He was hurt by the idea she was happy and smiling knowing she had left them behind.

Luciano couldn't help the anger that engulfed him as he glared at his mother.

"Luna." He heard a little boys voice shout causing his head to snap to the voice. He watched as Loai scrambled off his stool before running in the direction of the twins.

Luciano froze as everyone turned to stare at the scene unfolding and Emi's eyes widened in horror his own doing the same.

Emi's eyes searched the room looking for Luciano who glared at her. Luciano watched as she found him. She looked surprised. Her eyebrows creased in confusion at his hateful glare.

She snapped her eyes away from him excusing herself before making her way to Valentina. He watched them talk as she hid herself from the children.

As soon as Emi left returning to serve her customers Luciano stormed up to his mother.

"What have you done?" Luciano hissed at his mother. She looked at him before rolling her eyes. "She said we should all take a seat and she will bring us some treats." His mother said turning to the excited children who all squealed happily.

Luciano was fuming. He looked down when he felt a little body run into him. "Daddy!" Loai screamed as he hugged Luciano's legs. Luciano sighed patting Loai's head. Loai giggled quickly forgetting him, as he began running to sit at the table everyone was sitting at.

Luciano made his way to the table sitting quietly. He watched as Emi worked away. She had definitely changed.

"Luciano I had to." Valentina said quietly as she watched her son as he stared at the woman he loved. She saw the pain in his eyes and as any mother would, she wanted to take the pain away.

Luciano ignored his mother. Her words made him upset. He felt like he was going to cry. He had such conflicting emotions as he watched the woman in front of him. He wanted to hate her. Yet his heart still called for her.

Luciano tore his eyes away placing his head in his hands secretly rubbing his eyes with his palms. Valentina sighed before turning to entertain the children.

Luciano said nothing as he sat quietly for the next hour. The children were now saying they were hungry.

Emi stood in the kitchen with a platter of treats and food she knew the children would enjoy. She took a deep breath and planted a fake smile on her face before making her way to the table.

She had closed the store for an hour so they could talk in peace.

As Emi approached the table Valentina stood up insisting she give her the platter. She knew the children would have a big reaction to seeing her.

"Mama" Xavier first shouted climbing of his seat as his sister followed suit. They ran to Emi who crouched down to meet their height. Emi smiled as she engulfed the children in her arms squeezing them tight.

Emi hugged the life out of them as she teared up at how big her babies had gotten. She had missed so much of their life and it made her feel guilty for not trying hard enough to stay.

Luciano watched as Emi embraced his children. Their children. The pain and joy at seeing them visible in her teary eyes. He wondered why she had such a reaction.

Emi pulled away from them cupping each of their faces and planting kisses on their cheeks.

"Your so big now." She whispered as she took in their older appearances. "Let's eat." Emi said as she stood back up clearing her throat.

She took a seat opposite Luciano as it was the only seat available. Luciano stared at her in silence as she began to serve the children. She served Valentina before turning to him.

"Would you like some?"