"Good night Robert." Sophie gave Robert a tender kiss, "I'll be up in a minute." Sophie locked the doors and turned off all the lights. Then she went to the kitchen to get a glass of water. As she poured, she felt a hand grab her shoulder. She jumped back spilling water all over the floor.
"Oh my, I'm very sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." It was Vittoria; she looked very tired, "Elizabeta was just crying so I came to get her something to eat." Sophie was trying to catch her breath as she watched Vittoria fumble through the refrigerator. "Yum, peas and carrots." Vittoria smiled at Sophie as she showed her the can of greenish colored baby food. Sophie laughed.
"Where do you live Vittoria?"
"I used to work at a lab, but with Elizabeta coming I decided to take some time off. Now I live in Florence."
"Is Mr. Vetra back in Florence?" Sophie inquired.
"Oh no, I'm not married."
"Where is Elizabeta's father?" Vittoria sighed; she new this question was coming.
"Charming relationship you have with Robert," Vittoria paused taking a breath as if contemplating her next move. "It's a shame though."
Sophie was confused.
"I'm sorry, what's a shame?"
"Your relationship with Robert could prosper, it's just a shame he's already committed." What is she talking about Sophie wondered?
"Well I'll probably move in with Robert soon, I know how committed he is to his teaching." Vittoria laughed.
"You are very optimistic aren't you?"
"What do you mean?"
"You know exactly what I'm talking about." Sophie placed the wet towels in the garbage and poured another glass with water.
"No, er , please enlighten me."
"Don't pretend Sophie."
"Really Vittoria, I have no idea what your point is."
"Well I don't want to spoil Christmas, but my point is," Vittoria paused, "Elizabeta is Robert's daughter."
Sophie dropped the glass. "Shit." She said.
"What about the baby, or the cup?"
"Both!" Sophie screamed. Her heart was in her throat, she felt like she was getting sick. She tried to hold back her tears but she couldn't. She started crying; tears came down from her eyes like a waterfall. She shook her head.
"You must be mistaken, Robert would have told me."
"Sadly Robert just found out as well. Last night, it was a bit of a shock."
"A bit!" Sophie stared at Vittoria. You're unbelievable Sophie thought. Then from upstairs she could hear Elizabeta crying.
"I better go; I don't want her waking everybody up." Vittoria looked at the clock above the stove, "Good night, and Merry Christmas." Vittoria walked up stairs leaving Sophie crying on the floor of the kitchen. I don't believe it, she said to herself, I can't. Sophie got up leaving the glass on the floor and sat on her couch. As she looked at her bedroom door she started dozing off. You should go to bed a voice was telling her, but she couldn't, she couldn't face Robert. She went up stairs and opened the door to her room. As she snuck in she looked at Robert who was sleeping like he always slept, on his side with his arm around the pillow where Sophie would usually slept. She felt the tears coming back, I should be their. She resisted, she went to her closet and grabbed a blanket and a spare pillow. Then she went back to the living room and laid on the couch. Some Christmas she thought as she quietly cried herself to sleep.