Lustre Umidificate
Alessio woke up to Pietro's sobbing. Rubbing his still-sleepy eyes, he saw his son at his bed's feet. He was about to ask what was wrong until he caught a certain smell. He was used to it in Giulia but not in Pietro. Not ever since he was potty trained.
Realization kicked in.
"Another bad dream?" he asked, to which Pietro nodded timidly. Alessio sighed. "It's okay, figlio. Let's get you cleaned up."
Alessio picked up the pup and carried him back to the nursery. Giulia was blissfully asleep. She didn't stir as her father removed the pissed sheets and picked a change of clothes for Pietro.
Pietro said nothing as his father carried him into the bathroom for a warm bath. In the uncomfortable silence, Alessio pondered on what had happened. Pietro has been having these 'leaks' ever since the… incident. At first, he thought it was due to the frightful experience. After all, a shootout with the Yakuza is no place for a four-year-old. As time went on and the leaking continued, Alessio realized that there was something else. So far, Pietro wouldn't talk about it, but he could tell something had happened that only he knew. Whatever it was, it was eating him on the inside.
As much as he wanted to, Alessio refrained from directly asking him about it. The psychologist said it'd only make him retreat further into his shell, instead recommending they leave the topic be. She'd try to coax the answer out of Pietro carefully once he grew comfortable enough. But in the end, it was Pietro himself who'd open up when he felt ready. Not a minute sooner.
While helping Pietro into dry pajamas, the pup finally spoke up.
"I'm sorry, papa…"
"Don't worry about it, figlio. Everyone has accidents every now and then." Alessio replied.
"Can I stay with you tonight?"
The consigliere smiled sympathetically. "Of course."
He carried Pietro back to the nursery and sat down on the rocking couch, cradling the pup in his arms like when he was a baby. Pietro sniffled
"I miss mamma…"
"Me too, figlio mio…" Alessio looked down at his son with a sad smile. "But you know something? Just because she isn't here anymore doesn't mean she's gone. She's right here," he pointed a finger at Pietro's chest.
"But it's not the same thing…"
"I know it feels that way, but in time, you'll come to realize that the memories you have of her, the good moments we shared, all of that is what keeps her alive even if she can't be here in person."
A long silence followed. Pietro's eyes slowly closed little by little, soothed into sleep by his father's heartbeat and the warmth of his body. Alessio kissed his son goodnight but didn't get up from the rocking chair. Instead, he rocked the couch and hummed the lullaby Bianca would sing to Pietro.
Before long, he joined his children in sleep.
