Morning sunlight filtered softly through the curtains, painting warm streaks across the bedroom.
Bella's eyes opened almost instantly. For one brief, terrifying moment, all she remembered was Rachel's fever.
She turned before she was fully awake, pressing the back of her hand gently against Rachel's forehead. Cool.
Bella let out a slow breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
"Thank goodness..."
The fever had broken. Not completely out of danger but the worst seemed to be over.
Rachel stirred beneath the blanket and scrunched up her nose.
"Mama..."
Bella smiled, brushing a few strands of hair away from her face.
"Good morning, my little warrior."
Rachel blinked sleepily.
"I won."
Bella couldn't help laughing.
"Won what?"
"The fever."
She said it with such confidence that Bella found herself nodding.
"I suppose you did."
Rachel stretched lazily before immediately climbing into Bella's lap. Her movements were slower than usual. She still looked tired. Bella wrapped an arm around her automatically.
"How are you feeling?"
Rachel thought very seriously.
"...Hungry."
Bella laughed.
"I'll take that as a good sign."
_______
Breakfast was much quieter than usual. Bella insisted on warm porridge instead of pancakes. Rachel pouted dramatically.
"This is sick people food."
"It is."
"I don't like sick people food."
"You'll survive."
"I survived the fever."
Bella smiled despite herself.
"You certainly did."
Just then Bella's phone vibrated across the table. The screen lit up. Lucas. Rachel gasped dramatically.
"Dada!"
Bella answered before the second ring.
"Good morning."
"Morning."
His voice carried the familiar calm that somehow seemed to settle the room the moment it appeared.
"How's our patient?"
Rachel immediately leaned toward the phone.
"I defeated the fever!"
Lucas laughed softly.
"I thought so."
"I'm very brave."
"I never doubted that."
Rachel beamed proudly. Bella watched her daughter chatter happily while quietly finishing her breakfast.
Yesterday, Rachel had barely been able to keep her eyes open. Today she was already arguing with porridge. Children really were incredible.
Lucas listened patiently as Rachel described her heroic battle against the fever in great detail. Apparently medicine had tasted terrible. The thermometer had been very rude. And blankets apparently deserved partial credit.
Lucas agreed with every part of the story. Finally Rachel sighed dramatically.
"I'm tired now."
"Go keep Mama company."
"I already do."
"You do an excellent job."
Satisfied, Rachel handed the phone back. Bella tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"Sorry."
"For what?"
"For... all that."
"I enjoyed it."
His answer came so naturally that Bella found herself smiling.
"So..." Lucas continued. "How are you?"
The question caught her off guard. Not because of the words. Because they were directed at her.
Bella glanced toward Rachel, who was now slowly arranging cereal pieces into neat little circles.
"I'm fine."
There was a tiny pause. Long enough for Bella to wonder if he believed her.
"Good."
He didn't press further. Instead he simply asked,
"Has she eaten?"
"Most of it."
"Still drinking water?"
Bella looked toward Rachel.
"More than yesterday."
"Good."
The conversation stayed comfortably ordinary. No dramatic declarations. No unnecessary concern. Just two adults quietly discussing a little girl's recovery.
Strangely... Bella found comfort in that.
________
Around mid-morning, another call came. Unknown number. Bella answered cautiously.
"Hello?"
"Mrs. Costanzo?"
Bella blinked.
"...Yes?"
"Good morning. This is Alessio."
Recognition came immediately.
"Oh! Good morning."
"I hope I'm not disturbing you."
"Not at all."
"Lucas asked me to make sure your first day tomorrow goes smoothly."
His tone remained warm. Bella sighed. Lucas hadn't even mentioned it during his call earlier.
"He really didn't have to."
A quiet chuckle came from the other end.
"You're welcome to tell him that when he gets home."
Bella couldn't help smiling.
"He already forwarded all of your documents to Human Resources. They've prepared everything you'll need."
She listened carefully.
"Your orientation is scheduled for tomorrow morning. The team has also been informed you'll be joining them online."
"And if you're comfortable coming into the office, that's perfectly fine too. No pressure."
Bella blinked.
"He... arranged all of that?"
"Of course."
There was genuine confusion in Alessio's voice.
"When Lucas decides someone is joining the company, he makes sure they have everything they need."
Bella looked toward Rachel, who was quietly hugging one of her stuffed rabbits.
"...Thank you."
"Don't thank me cognata."
Alessio laughed.
"Thank Lucas."
After hanging up, Bella remained standing in the middle of the living room. He'd arranged everything. Without mentioning it. Without making it sound like a favor. Without expecting gratitude.
Rachel looked up.
"Mama?"
"Hm?"
"Can we play now?"
Bella smiled. Relief washed over Bella.
She wouldn't have to leave Rachel at daycare tomorrow.
"Of course."
Rachel's version of "play" lasted exactly fourteen minutes. Coloring.
"I'm bored."
Building blocks.
"I'm bored."
Reading a story.
"I know this one."
Cartoons.
"I've seen it."
Bella folded her arms.
"You are a very difficult patient."
Rachel nodded proudly.
"I know."
A few seconds later she brightened.
"Mama."
"Hm?"
"I want to cook."
Bella answered automatically.
"No."
Rachel blinked.
"Why?"
"Because last time you cooked, half the flour ended up on the ceiling."
"I was experimenting."
Bella stared.
"...You don't even know what experimenting means."
Rachel smiled.
"Dada said experiments help people learn."
Bella sighed toward the ceiling.
"Your Dada says far too many things."
"So..."
Rachel clasped both hands together.
"Can we experiment?"
Bella looked at the hopeful little face staring back at her. She lasted exactly five seconds before giving in.
"...Fine."
Rachel squealed loud enough to shake the house.
"But," Bella added quickly, "we're making soup."
Rachel's excitement dropped visibly.
"...Soup?"
"Doctor's orders."
"I think the doctor likes soup too much."
Bella laughed as she tied one of her old aprons around Rachel. It nearly reached the floor. Rachel looked down proudly.
"I look like a chef."
"You look tiny."
"I can be both."
Bella smiled. Maybe she could.
For the next half hour, the kitchen was filled with laughter, spilled vegetables, crooked carrot slices and endless negotiations over whether stirring the pot counted as "real cooking."
For the first time since yesterday... The house felt completely alive again.