In The Shadows ✔

[80] Signs of Love

Scorpia takes Pia's hand in hers and spreads Pia's little fingers, tapping her chin twice with her thumb while saying the word mommy. Pia studies Scorpia's face and she repeats the sign herself. She taps her chin and says: "Mommy." Pia copies the movements and turns her head to Lexy.

Lexy stares at her daughter and asks: "Did she just say mommy?"

Scorpia laughs and says: "Yes. She knows exactly who her mommy is. But if she can't hear us say it, it's very hard to say it herself. I'll try some more. Do you have a picture of Bruno for me?"

Lexy hands Leo to Logan and gets up to grab a picture frame with a picture of her and Bruno in it. She hands the picture to Scorpia, who takes Pia's hand in hers again. Scorpia opens Pia's little fingers and taps her little thumb against her forehead twice, saying daddy.

Pia looks at her again and repeats the gesture herself, trying to form the word daddy with her lips.

Scorpia turns the picture to Pia and points at Bruno. Pia thinks for a second and then shows her the sign for daddy.

Scorpia smiles at the little girl and says: "You are so smart! And if I point at the lady in the picture?"

Pia makes the sign for mommy and mouths the word mommy. Lexy starts to cry and sits down next to Scorpia.

Scopria hands Pia to Lexy and the little girl nuzzles Lexy's neck Lexy hugs her and says: "All those times I said something to her without her being able to see me... She just didn't hear me and I thought she was being a brat... Scorpia, thank you."

Scorpia says: "You're welcome. I will teach you one more important sign."

Lexy watches Scorpia closely as she signs the word and asks: "What does that mean?"

Scorpia looks at Logan and says: "Brother."

Lexy says: "Wait, I'll turn her around. Can you teach her?"

"Of course. Lucas? Could you come here for a minute?"

Lucas comes running and shoots Scorpia a questioning look.

Scorpia sits down on the coffee table and invites Lucas to sit down next to her. Pia looks at Scorpia and Scorpia points at Lucas. Pia glances at Lucas for a second before looking at Scorpia again. Scorpia takes her hand and makes the sign for brother as she mouths the word.

Pia looks at Scorpia and makes the sign herself as well and forms the word brother with her lips. She smiles at Lucas and mouths the word again.

Lucas asks: "Scorpia? Can't Pia talk?"

Scorpia smiles and says: "You're way too smart Lucas. I think Pia has trouble talking because she can't hear us. Or at least not well. I'm not a doctor of course."

Lucas asks: "How do you say sister with your hands?" Scorpia turns to him and shows him the sign. Lucas tries it too and smiles. He waits for Pia to look at him and he points at her before making the sign for sister. Pia claps her hands and smiles in return.

Lexy asks: "How do you know all of this Scorpia?"

"I learned the basics at school. And I think..." She gets up and walks over to the book case at the other end of the room. She skims over the books and pulls one out.

Enzo gets up and asks: "Soppia story?"

Scorpia messes up his hair and says: "I'm not reading a story mister. This book is for mommy." She walks over to Lexy and hands her the book.

Lexy reads the title and her jaw drops. "This book has been here all this time?"

Scorpia laughs and says: "Most of the books in that book case are mine. You didn't think Bruno was a reader, did you?"