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‘When did she wake?’

‘Shh,’ she warned, finger to her lips, her arm wound around Aimee as she rocked back and forth

Aimee stirred

Elene was holding her breath

Mattia eased down beside her, wrapped his hand carefully around one tiny covered foot and enjoyed being with his girls, hoping his action wouldn’t wake Aimee but unable to resist her

Slowly Aiain

As did Mattia’s heart This was special, being part of his own fa in the back of his head like a warning Get real You’re already including Elene in every picture you have of Ai behind your daughter and accept Elene means the world to you Get over the past

Sing hard, he croaked, ‘Aimee woke you?’ This was such a normal family scene—he wasn’t used to it but he wanted more Lots more

Elene nodded, that o She needed changing When that didn’t settle her I gave her ers crossed, has worked’

‘I was out of it’

‘I thought I was, but see instinct’

So this hat his brothersand yet everything re he’d have to asn’t a problem

‘Can I do anything?’ he whispered

Her swollen lips cracked into a big smile ‘Probably not what you’re used to post-coital, but I’d die for a cup of tea’

‘You’re right, haven’t had that request before But then I haven’t had my own child, or anyone else’s, to wakesex’

‘You’re not looking too concerned about it’

‘Surprising, isn’t it?’ Aiainst Elene, her little chest rising and falling on each noisy breath He risked running a finger over his little girl’s arm, felt her vulnerability A lu her here With you,’ he added ‘You’re a pair’ My pair ‘I’ot you’

A solitary tear rolled down Elene’s cheek, and he followed it with his finger

‘I mean it You’re herthis work but I believe ill’ His lips brushed her cheek, where that tear had left a trail ‘I promise to do all I can to achieve it’

Elene wanted to lean into Mattia and accept his proht It would be so easy He accepted her role in Aimee’s life He accepted Aimee for his own, and wanted to share her life What ive back, and she was ical ti in love with him Did she say now that she’d move to Sorrento permanently? When she’d missed her family these past days more than she’d have believed? Could Mattia and Aimee become her new family? He hadn’t offered that She’d be foolish to leap in and show all her cards Or would she? Part of her wanted to Her past warned her not to ‘Thank you,’ was all she ed

‘I’o make that tea, just to show I can be of use when required’

‘Mattia’ Elene reached for his hand ‘You’ve paid e compliment I feel it in here’ She tapped her chest beside Ai for—a fight, for your reactions to be about what you wanted, with little regard forSorry’

His smile could’ve lit up a town It certainly lit up her heart ‘We’re doing fine, Elene Just fine There’s a way to go, but I’ the journey so far’

Her return smile came from her heart ‘You just want more sex’