Nonna was exactly where she always was at this hour....preparing dinner, moving through the kitchen with the kind of practiced efficiency that came from decades of feeding family and protecting them through the language of food.
She looked up the moment they entered, and Eve saw something flicker across her ancient eyes. Recognition. Acceptance of what was coming.
"You're leaving soon," Nonna said. Not a question.
"Friday," Dimitri confirmed.
Nonna nodded once and returned to chopping vegetables. But her knife movements were slightly sharper now. Slightly more aggressive. "How long will you be gone?"
"Seventy-two hours minimum. Possibly longer if complications arise."
"And Eve?"
