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Sebastian’s floor The one they had shared ever since their e Salvo and Nicole had taken one of the sly as they’d declared that Seb and Maria ht ‘need the extra room’ up there sooner or later Preferably sooner

This particular reason probably wasn’t what they’d had in mind

She bit her lip How could she move back in here, even into a separate bed, and pretend that things were different? That she didn’t still love her husband—and he wasn’t still so indifferent to her?

But Frankie was excited to see his room and, one sh to find out where he would be sleeping, Uncle Max chuckling as he followed behind

I their future probably—his and Noemi’s Noemi’s baby bump was still relatively small, but it was there—as obvious as her excite a family with the man she loved

And she did love Max, Maria could tell And he loved Noeave her They would live happily ever after, just like Maria had once iined she and Sebastian would

How foolish she had been Foolish, young and naive

She knew better now, at least

Sucking in a deep breath, Maria trailed after the others through the large open living space to the second bedroo the archway that led to the -sized bed she remembered so well The one where Frankie had actually been conceived, now she thought about it

Except she wasn’t—thinking about it, that was That way madness lay

‘Well, what do you think, Frankie?’ Maria asked, forcing a smile for the sake of her son ‘Will the chalet be a fun place to spend Christmas?’

Frankie, already bouncing on one of the twin beds, nodded excitedly ‘And with Papà and Auntie Noemi and Uncle Max?’

‘Of course!’ Maria took his hands in hers to try to cal ‘And with Uncle Leo and Aunt Anissa, I suppose, too?’

Noemi nodded ‘We hope so, anyway It was Mamma and Papà’s last wish—to have all their children around the table for Christmas’ Her permanent smile turned a little sad ‘I just wish they were here to see it’

Max wrapped an arainst his side, and despite her best efforts Maria felt a pang of jealousy run through her When had Sebastian ever instinctively comforted her like that?

Never Because that would involve understanding what she was feeling And Seb had never drawn his attention away froh to even try to do that

She looked away, but apparently not fast enough Noeht her expression, stepped out of the circle of Max’s ar concerned

Max looked between theo downstairs and explore the kitchen? I think I saw so Christmas cookies in there earlier’

Frankie’s eyes widened at the ary treats

‘If that’s okay with your mamma,’ Max added, too late for her to possibly say no

Maria felt a tightening around her heart, and it had nothing to do with Frankie eating too ar before bedti now that the idea of being separated—even just by a few floors—felt strange

‘We’re all fa it Her sister-in-laays had been too good at reading her ‘And Max needs the practice anyway’

Maria gave a stiff nod, placed a kiss on Frankie’s cheek, and watched as Max swept the toddler up into his ar about chocolate chips and candies baked into cookies

‘He’ll be fine’ Noe it

Maria sighed ‘I know’

‘The more important question is, will you?’ Noemi asked

Sinking down onto the bed, Maria covered her face with her hands Would she? Would she be okay, spending Christmas with the husband—and family—she’d left behind?

‘I have no idea,’ she admitted

Alone