~ Niamh ~
It was 2am when we finally pulled into the long, winding driveway, the headlights cutting through the heavy shadows of the oak trees.
Matteo had finally fallen asleep, his small body slumped against Massimo's lap, his head rising and falling with his father's steady breaths.
I reached for the door handle as the car came to a halt, ready to test my aching feet on the ground. I felt fine now, or at least I told myself I was, but as soon as I made a move to step out into the crisp air, Massimo was there.
"I can walk, Massimo," I told him.
Massimo didn't even acknowledge the protest. With a movement so smooth, he swept me up in his arms and marched into the house like he was carrying nothing more than a light jacket, his pace steady and his breathing even. Behind us, Griffin did the exact same thing with Matteo.
