Everyone celebrates Giulia's third birthday.
When Giulia was little, she was very curious. While this got her into trouble often, Alessio never raised his voice at her. He gently taught her about 'no' places and things. His baby girl was smart and understood perfectly. Usually, whenever Giulia disobeyed, Alessio scolded her gently and let her know he wasn't happy. That was enough for her to understand she'd done something wrong.
This time, however… He wasn't sure what had come over him: anger, sadness, sorrowful rage, or all combined. But when he saw a broken urn of ashes at Giulia's feet…
Alessio stiffened and ran a hand down his face as he remembered his outburst. The worst part? He couldn't get the look on Giulia's face out of his head. The way she looked at him in fright, tears running down her cheeks as Cecilia came to take her away. When she saw the broken urn, his sister knew what was wrong, so she said nothing as she carried his frightened daughter away.
"Papa!" Pietro's voice brought him out of his thoughts.
"What do you have there, figlio?" he inquired curiously when the pup ran toward him with a paper sheet.
"I made this for Giulia!" Pietro held up a drawing of Giulia and himself holding hands alongside the words Happy Birthday written in bright pink. Alessio smiled.
"I'm sure she'll love it," he said, stroking his son's head.
"Why is Giulia staying with Zia Cecilia?"
His expression fell almost instantly. His daughter had become afraid of him to the point she'd run and hide when he tried apologizing. Ultimately, GaGarret suggested she stay with them for a few days until she calmed down.
"We needed to keep her busy so we could get the house ready for her birthday." he lied, getting to his feet. "Let's go help Nonna with the cake."
Thankfully, helping Mother with Giulia's birthday cake took his mind off his regrets. Pietro was allowed to help decorate it because he had a good hand for art.
"What's on your mind, Alessio? You haven't slept well, haven't you?" Mother inquired while Pietro was busy with the task.
Alessio sighed sadly.
"I can't stop thinking… What if Giulia never looks at me the same way again? She was afraid of me, Mamma…." he placed a hand on his forehead, sighing again. "I don't want to lose my bambina…"
"Just be patient, figlio. It might take a while, but Giulia will remember that you adore her. You just need to show her."
The doorbell rang.
"Oh, that must be them!"
Mother and Pietro went to open the door. Alessio briefly hesitated, but as he heard them greeting and congratulating Giulia, he ran into the hallway. His baby girl was in a cute pink dress with a white bow adorning her hair. She was happily hugging Pietro.
Then she spotted him.
"There's my birthday girl!" Alessio knelt down, holding out his arms. "Come give Daddy a hug!"
But his hopes were crushed when Giulia didn't come running into his embrace as she usually did, instead going to hide behind GaGarret.
"Come on, Giulia. Go with Daddy." GaGarret tried coercing her out gently with his tail to no avail.
"Pietro, how about we show Giulia the drawing you made for her?" Mother suggested.
"Oh, right! I got something for you, Giulia!"
The little dolphin went with her brother and grandma, leaving her dejected father behind.
"I'm sorry, Ale," Cecilia said sadly, touching his shoulder.
Not for the first time in a while, Alessio felt like crying. "She didn't miss me, did she?"
"I wouldn't say that, zio A. She wouldn't sleep without that blankie you gifted her last year." GaGarret explained. Alessio wasn't sure if it was true or an attempt at making him feel better.
Alessio kept an eye on his daughter throughout the day. His attempts at reconnecting were met with the same reaction, but he didn't give up. He couldn't. Hopefully, the birthday present he got her would help.
Crimson, Jawns, and some of the boys showed up soon after. Mother was, naturally, not happy to see Crimson, who made the smart decision of staying out of her sight at every chance he got. Nickel's wife brought some cupcakes she'd baked but swatted her husband's hand away when he tried to grab one. Frankie and Donnie argued over who was supposed to bring the present they got Giulia. DB, Cloe, and Marcella began chatting amiably with Cecilia while Jawns went to play with Pietro and Giulia.
In the meantime, Alessio went outside to take a cigar. He watched the bushes of pink roses with melancholy. What would Bianca do in his place? She, for starters, wouldn't have yelled at Giulia.
"Mind if I join you?" he heard Crim ask. Alessio shrugged. For a while, they smoked silently. Alessio looked back at the house every now and then. "Did something happen? Giulia isn't clinging to you like a tick as usual."
Alessio blew a trail of smoke. "A few days ago, she broke the urn with the ashes of…" he took a deep breath. "...I don't know what came over me, but… I exploded. I yelled at her." Crimson looked like he wanted to say something but remained silent. "Once I'd calmed down, I tried to apologize, but… The way she looked at me…" his eyes stung with tears. "I don't know what to do…"
"Sounds similar to what I went through with Moxxie."
"No offense, Crim, but you can't compare."
"Of course not. You're far softer and kinder than I ever was. I might disagree, but hey, they're your children, and you can raise them as you see fit." Crimson took a whiff from his cigar. "But what I'm sure of is that you have nothing to worry about. That girl adores you, even if she's forgotten it for a while."
As it started to grow later into the evening, everyone gathered around the table in the dining room. Mother had already placed the birthday cake in the center.
"Alright, here comes the birthday girl!" Alessio watched somewhat enviously as Jawns placed Giulia on the table. He should have done that. "Don't forget to make a wish!"
Giulia happily blew out the three candles on top of the cake. Afterward, they proceeded to open the presents. Mother gifted her a cute pair of pink gloves with a matching hat she'd knitted. Cecilia and GaGarret's gift consisted of a flowery tea set. Jawns had picked a nice sky-blue dress with colorful fish patterns. Even Crimson outdid himself this time with some nice yellow shoes. Most of Giulia's birthday presents consisted of toys and clothing.
It wasn't long before she got sleepy. Alessio decided it was his chance.
"Ceci, let me…" he pleaded to his sister before she could take Giulia upstairs.
Cecilia looked down at her niece. "I think it's time you talk with Daddy," she told her softly.
Giulia was completely stiff as he gently took her in his arms and carried her upstairs. First, he took her to the bathroom for a warm bath. Giulia uttered no sound and avoided eye contact as he proceeded to wash her.
"Did you have a nice time today?" Alessio asked. "We tried to make it special for you, bambina," Giulia said nothing. She still wouldn't look at him. "You looked beautiful in that dress, you know. Did Zia Cecilia pick it?" This time, Giulia gave a very slight nod. "She's got a better sense of fashion than I, doesn't she?" he chuckled.
Again, he got no response.
Once done with the bath, Alessio gently dried his daughter with some towels and carried her to the nursery, where he put her pajamas on. Maybe now's a good time.
"I'm yet to give you my present, bambina. Close your eyes."
He knew he'd caught her curiosity when she did as told. Alessio hurriedly searched through Giulia's toy chest, where he'd placed it. Ah, there it is. Tenderly, he grabbed a toy that looked like a flower bud and placed it in his daughter's hands, noting how big it was in comparison. Giulia examined the bud curiously.
"See the wind-up key on the side? Turn it."
Once again, she did as told. The bud opened up, revealing a little ballerina that began dancing in synchrony with a melody. Giulia watched in awe. When the tune ended, the ballerina did a curtsy as the petals closed in again. She turned the wind-up key again.
The happy glow in her eyes warmed his heart.
"Happy birthday, Giulia." Alessio took a deep breath. "...I'm sorry, bambina. I didn't mean to yell at you. I just… That urn was very important to me, and I lost my temper… But I know it was wrong of me to take it out on you…" Unable to bear his baby girl averting her gaze any longer, Alessio gently lifted her chin. "Bambina, look at me. Please."
When she did look up at him, her eyes were glossy. Alessio smiled sadly, tears gathering in his own eyes.
"Don't cry, bambina. You look prettier when you smile," he whispered, wiping a lone tear on her cheek with his thumb.
He was almost caught off guard when his daughter lunged at him and hugged him for the first time in days. Alessio reciprocated the hug, peppering her with kisses.
Seeing as Alessio didn't come back down, GaGarret decided to go take a look in case he needed back-up. As he approached the nursery, he heard some singing.
You're my sunshine, my only sunshine.
You make me happy when skies are gray
You'll never know, dear, how much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away
Curious, GaGarret quietly opened up the nursery door. Alessio was on the rocking couch, with Giulia cradled in his arms. He didn't seem to have noticed him. His eyes were adoringly fixed on his daughter as she snuggled into his embrace.
GaGarret quietly closed the door.
