As if the two were really in a bumper car, Massimo and Millie rolled away, the wheels of the chair tearing up part of the grass they passed. However, instead of getting angry with Millicent or scolding her, as Alice expected with that commotion, Massimo just... Laughed.
In fact, he laughed, holding Millie tightly as the two of them went aimlessly everywhere, having fun with his daughter as if they were both on a roller coaster. Alice's heart missed a beat or two when the chair tilted a few times, lifting one of the pairs of side wheels off the floor, but she managed to hold back her concern until, answering her silent prayers, Massimo braked the wheelchair right in front of her, he and Millie still rolling around with laughter.
“That was super fun!” Millie cheered, Massimo’s arms around her like a seat belt“Mommy, you have to run too!&rd
“I wanted cotton candy too! And balloons, lots of balloons! Oh, and we could watch movies too!” Millie’s breath hitched a little, but that didn’t stop her from continuing to talk without stopping.“Okay, honey. I think Mr. Bianchi already understands everything you want for your birthday.” Alice laughed, finishing putting her baby's pajama shirt on “But, remember that the friends we are going to invite can only stay for two or three hours, so we have to choose carefully which games you want, so they don't be late coming home, okay?”"Okay!" Millie nodded solemnly, while Massimo, who had been by their side, close to the bed, came over with Hoppy in his hands, to hand it to her.“Don’t worry, Millie. Thea did me the favor of finding contact details for some p
Alice had tossed and turned for so long in that bed that she couldn't tell what time it was, but it was certainly still night, as the sun seemed far from rising on the other side of the window. Again and again, Massimo's questions hammered in her mind, spreading not only fear throughout her body, but also choking her with guilt. In the darkness of her room, she could only pray that he would show mercy after seeing her emotional state and let the matter drop. Otherwise, she would have to face him again, with lies on the tip of her tongue, cold sweat covering her face and her dry throat...No longer able to bear the way her mind was torturing her, Alice abruptly stood up, not even caring when the blankets fell to the floor. Putting on her slippers, she left the room exactly as she was, in a nightgown that came down to her knees. The spring air had been getting i
“I know my own body.” Massimo replied “I don’t need anyone for that. Especially someone who will treat me like I'll never walk again and need to live the rest of my life that way.""Very good." Alice crossed her arms over her chest, very serious “That's a choice that's up to you, anyway. No one will stop you from continuing as you are or from improving, so you can be more independent and play with Millie every day, whether you are in a wheelchair or not.” He leaned back as if she had slapped him “However, I hope you know that every day you go without the definitive cure you seek, your body will become more weakened, you will be able to do even fewer things. for yourself, until the time comes when someone actually needs to put food in your mouth and wipe your ass.” She pinned him where she knew it would bother him the most and, as expected, Massimo's pride did
“There he is!” Thea’s celebration sounded at the same moment that Alice had placed the last dish on the table “Our man is full of health!”“Stop acting like I’m a kid who just got back from the pediatrician, Thea.” Massimo rolled his eyes, as Josiah pushed his chair over to the dining table “I just went to physical therapy. I’m still a long way from having regained the health I once had.”“But that can’t stop you from telling us what it was like.” Alice teased him, although she was more than happy that he had completed his first physical therapy session without leaving there early or cursing everyone around him “So? What did you think?”“I found it as painful as what I already do at home.” He rolled his eyes,
“I want this one, it’s a rainbow! And this one too, with teddy bears!” Millie jumped up, sitting on her bed, almost causing the fall of the gigantic decoration catalog that Massimo had given her.“I thought you already decided on the pink and blue with ponies.” Alice laughed, holding up the catalog full of samples of wallpaper, flooring and toys, before Millie ended up falling out of bed with that folder that was almost as big as her.“But these ones are so pretty too…” her lower lip stretched out in a desolate pout.“Well, you have four walls here.” Massimo, who was sitting next to them still wearing the colorful wrapping in which the catalog had come wrapped like a Christmas present, said “You don’t need to worry about anything. I should have
“Are you going to shave your beard?”“I'm going to pretend I didn't hear the relief in your voice.” Massimo mocked, making her blush “Now, could you make some space? I need to get my shaving kit and take it to my room to get a floor-length mirror where I can see myself.” His voice became more and more bitter, as it always did when he had to talk about some adaptation to his wheelchair.“That’s going to make quite a mess, don’t you think?”“What? Are you afraid that I won’t be able to do even that?”“No, you grumpy fool. I'm saying there's no need to leave your bedroom floor covered in foam and fur when I can help you with that.” Before he could respond, she began steering his chair
“Thea, Thea! Can we put this necklace on mommy?” Millie squealed, running with the jewelry case in her hands, the necklace, which was certainly worth more than all the houses of all the clients Alice had ever worked for, swinging unsteadily.“Be careful with that, Millie...” Alice begged, but, as had happened that entire day, the two just ignored her."Oh, darling! How can you be so smart? This is just the one I had thought of choosing while finishing your mother's makeup!” Thea praised, taking a moment just to gently squeeze Millie's cheek, before turning her sharp gaze to Alice again “Very well. This is the last touch before perfection!”“I already told you that you don’t need to overdo it, Thea.” Alice tried to convince her again, her butt starting to hu
Did you see, Massimo? Doesn’t Mommy look like a princess?”Once again, Alice was forced to look up at him, surprised when she realized that he had approached without her noticing. Now, he was right in front of her face, his once emotionless expression now seemed focused on her, as if he was unable to tear his eyes away from her.“You...” he finally spoke, his lips emitting a low hiss, as if he were out of breath “You look beautiful. Millie is right.”“Uh… Thank you.” Alice cleared her throat, struggling to act like she wasn't totally out of her comfort zone at that moment, especially since Millie was looking at the two of them like she was watching a Disney movie “But... Shouldn't we go? I think I've already delayed you enough...”