Here's your perfectly typical Wednesday update 😜

By morning, as the warm light filtered into the window coupled with a light breeze, I awoke to find Luca gone as usual. The sheets on his side looked like they were thrown back in haste when normally he puts them back neatly.  I shook off the feeling of anxiety this odd difference gave me and swung my own legs out of bed just in time for Carina to come bouncing through the door.

"Good morning, Maddie!" She beamed, scrambling onto the bed and throwing her arms around my neck. I adored that she had started using my nickname.

"Good morning!" I laughed, leaning back and grunting as if she knocked me over with brute strength. "Meraviglioso inglese, dolcezza!" 

(Wonderful English, sweetheart!)

She grinned down at me and placed a kiss on my cheek.  The gesture so sweet, so loving,  I had to return it then hold this sweet girl again.

"Can we paint a picture for Papà?" Carina asked sweetly with a bright smile on her face.

The fridge was already littered with Carina's drawings and artistic creations but Luca always smiled, grateful for her offerings. I was always having to send someone to get different materials and crafts to keep up with her creative ideas. 

"Of course," I smiled back.  "Breakfast first then we will paint something."

****

A few hours later, we took a break from painting and glitterifying everything to make lunch for ourselves and anyone else at the house.  During lunch, Dom sauntered in and retrieved a sandwich I had left for him on the counter.  He licked his lips noisily and playfully wiggled his eyebrows.  This successfully elicited a giggle from Carina.

After kissing the top of her head, Dom whispered into her ear but loud enough for me to hear, "Your Papà called and said he had problems at the office and will be home very late then out early again tomorrow but promises to make it up to you when things settle."

Such a brave girl, Carina nodded despite the sad look on her rosy angelic face. Dom and I exchanged a knowing look.  Of course Luca didn't work in an office, but this was the cover story he had let Carina believe.  I didn't argue, correctly assuming Luca didn't want Carina knowing about the true nature of the family business.  As her guardian and adoptive father, it was Luca's choice when to tell her and how to involve Carina.

"Don't worry," I assured, patting her hand and giving a reassuring smile.  "Your Papà keeps his promises."  That brightened up her mood and earned me a warm smile.

****

Later the next morning, Dom found Carina and I donned in tiara's, pink necklaces and white fluffy boas during our tea party.  She brightened up seeing him, hoping Dom brought news she wanted to hear.

"Mattina, principessa," he dipped his head to Carina then winked at me, "Buongiorno, Regina Madison," I rolled my eyes despite the deep heat crawling up from my neck.

(Morning, princess) (Good morning, Queen Madison)

"Good morning," We chimed back in unison.

"Il tuo Papà sarà a casa per cena stasera," Dom reported.

(Your daddy will be home for dinner tonight.)

"Yay!" Carina squealed. "Maddie, can we make a special dinner? I want to make Papà's favorite!"

"Sure," I smiled.  "Let's go see what we have already.  Dom, would you be able to get any groceries we need?"

He grinned mischievously yet nodded.  "I'll take care of it."

****

"There you go!" I giggled, helping Carina skewer the mozzarella, tomato and basil in a pattern on the toothpicks.  "Remember what I said about patterns, OK?"

"Yeah! Red, fold the green, white then red again!" Carina repeated.  "I got this!"

"Yes, you do." I smiled then gave the ricotta one more squeeze through the strainer.  "You know," I added thoughtfully.  "I used to cook with my mom from when I was younger than you."

"Really?" She asked with wonder sparkling in her eyes.

"Mhmm," I hummed, half groaning in my squeezing motion.  "There.  This should be ready to mix for the filling. How are your caprese skewers?"

"Done!" She declared after putting the last one on a plate.

"Wonderful job!"  I praised, kissing her head. The oven beeped, alerting me the lamb was ready to take out.  "Watch out!" I warned Carina.  Obediently she scooted away from the pan.  Giving the braising liquid a stir, it looked almost ready, too.  "OK, time to make the cannoli shells!"

Giggles ensued as Carina held the rings in her tiny fingers and I wrapped the dough around each then she carefully set them aside. We were so engrossed with our task and giggles, we didn't hear Luca come in the front door.

"Something smells really delicious!" He called as he walked through the archway that led to the kitchen. 

"We made you dinner!" Carina explained with a wide, happy smile on her face.

I couldn't look at him.  Embarrassment and fresh hurt washed over me even two days later so I kept my eyes fixed on the ricotta mixture. He must have noticed because once his jacket was off and draped over a chair, Luca made his way directly over to me.  Confidence, sexyiness and heat radiated from his body as he stood behind me.  Arms snaked around my waist as he left a gentle kiss on my shoulder.

"Gattina, I'm sorry," Luca whispered, resting his chin on my shoulder.

Shyly I turned my face toward his.  "Me too."

Luca closed his eyes, exhaled and smiled then kissed the tip of my nose.  "I need to go shower then I'll be back down."  He passed by Carina and kissed her cheeks before disappearing.

A few minutes later, Carina was watching me fry the cannoli shells when Luca came storming back into the room.  Rage clearly set in his scowl but wow! did he look sexy only in his robe and still dripping from his shower.

He stopped first to set Carina down on the floor. "Go to the playroom, Principessa, close the door and don't come out until I get you."  Carina opened her mouth to argue but Luca shook his head slowly.  With an adorable pout, she ran off to do as she was told.

I frowned and planted a fist on my hip as soon as Carina was out of the room.  "What was that about?"

The angry, intense glare set on me as Luca stalked closer made me abandon by dessert preparations and take several steps backward.  We did this dance until I felt my back hit the cool pantry door.

"What..." Luca's voice was low, husky and demanding.  "Is this about?" I wrinkled my brow until he slowly held up the last item I ever guessed would be the cause of his fury.  My lips pursed as I held my chin up, trying very hard to stifle my laugh.  His hand pressed on the pantry door next to my head.  "Well?"

"It's uh...your razor," I answered, pressing my lips together.

"And why...Gattina," He smirked darkly.  "Is their hair on it? I always clean it after I use it."

"Oh," I giggled playfully.  "I used it earlier today."

"Why?" He groaned through clenched teeth, obviously annoyed.

"I needed to shave, silly," I giggled again.  My eyes flicked down the the exposed part of his chest from the gap in his hastily tied robe. Oh my.  "You wouldn't want your legs scratched up by a Sasquatch, would you?"

"A what now?" His eyebrow quirked.

"A Sasquatch..." I grinned, daring to lightly glide just my fingertips through the patch of dark, soft curls. "Bigfoot?...Urban legend of the Northwest?" I waved him off dismissively. "Nevermind. It's something I heard about when I lived in Seattle with a foster family." The low rumbling growl coming from his chest fed my boldness.  My fingers continued upward to tickle in his beard. "You really should consider using an electric, anyway."

"I don't...that's not..." Luca stammered.  His eyes rolled closed as my fingertips gently stroked his beard.

"Shhh," I pressed a finger to his lips.  Those forest eyes went wide in surprise. The smirk on my lips barely hid my amusement.  "Don't be embarrassed...Dom uses one.  I'm sure he would be willing to teach-"

"You are missing the point!" Luca snapped, yanking his face from my finger.  "Why did you use my razor? Don't you have your own?"

"I did," I shrugged, ducking under his arm now that I had more space and returned to my ricotta filling before it separated. "Carina used it earlier to paint with while I took my final exam.  She said she wanted to add texture to her art she was making for you."

Luca closed his eyes and pressed his lips into a thin line.  Was he trying not to laugh?

"Don't worry," I waved it dismissively.  "She had consequences and Martina said she would bring me a new one along with other...supplies."

"Other...supplies?" He inquired, sneakily aiming his finger to dip in my ricotta mixture.  I swatted his hand away just in time then gave a warning glare which he returned with a huff of defeat. "What kind of supplies?"

I let out a laugh and shook my head.  "You don't want details, trust me."

"Papà!" Carina scolded as she stomped into the kitchen.  "You forgot about me!"

"Aww, Principessa," Luca chuckled as he turned to his daughter.  Biting my lower lip didn't hide my giggle as much as I wanted. "I could never forget about you."

He drew her into his arms then lifted her into the air.  "You go get washed for dinner while I get dressed, yes?"

"I'll have everything ready by the time you both get back."

The mixture was done and in a piping bag.  All that was left would be filling the cannoli's right before we ate them.

While Luca and Carina were getting ready for dinner, I set the table. Soft classical music played in the background for ambience that added to the candles Carina insisted we have lit.  My little helper returned first and I showed her how to set the silverware which she happily accomplished the task.

Next, was carrying over the dishes of food.  Carina very carefully balanced the caprese salad and set it proudly next to Luca's spot. She had even made name tags to place at each setting complete with more "texture" accomplished with my razor. I was just removing the foil from the lamb breast when Luca entered and took a long inhale of the aroma.  Warm hands captured my waist and a familiar spicy aroma of lime and pomegranate enveloped me followed by the silky voice that always made my heart skip.

"Is that what I think it is?" Luca asked softly.  I felt his body stiffen against mine once I set the platter down on the table.

"Stuffed lamb breast with lemon, ricotta and oregano," I proudly presented but then felt his change in demeanor.

"How did you...?" He began asking breathily, eyes fixed on me.

"Are you happy, Papà?" Carina asked as she wrapped her little arms around both of us.  "Maddie helped me make your favorite."

"Did I...do something wrong?" I asked, slowly turning in his arm.

"You said Grandma would make this when you were sad," Carina explained.  "You've been sad so I wanted to make you happy again."

A guilty pang struck my heart with unspoken understanding.  "Your mom used to..."

"Make this, yes..." He finished, cupping his daughter's cheeks and giving a small, loving smile to her.

Wrapping my arms against his chest, I placed a soft kiss in the t-shirt covered center. "My mom used to make it too." I felt his eyes turn to me.  "It was the last recipe she taught me before she got sick."

Luca pressed a kiss to my temple and chuckled on the spot as Carina tugged at his shirt.  "Let's eat!"

We ate while Carina rambled on about the fun we've had collecting shells, painting and putting glitter on everything she'd made.  I laughed at how excited she was reporting everything, contributing extra tidbits here and there.

Every so often, I felt Luca's gaze on me.  The fire in those forest depths had my stomach doing flips.  A flash of embarrassment would tug at me from the other night when he rejected me. We hadn't even kissed!  How could I have been so stupid as to throw myself at him like that?

I gathered each empty plate not missing Luca grazing my fingers with his as I took his plate.  My cheeks reddened with heat as I turned away quickly.

"Can we go down to the beach, Papà?" Carina asked.  I could hear her pout which made me smirk.  Luca could fight many things and people except for one: Carina when she pouted.  "Pleeeeeease, Papà? Pwetty pweeeeease?" That's about when she would add the batting eyelashes.

Luca groaned and I assumed nodded because Carina squealed with pure delight.  "Go get in your bathing suit on and get the beach bag of toys."

"You need to get changed, too," he growled playfully from behind me.  I squealed as he scooped me up over his shoulder and carried me away.

Aww! Such adorable normalcy 😍

Munchkin wants me to put this at the end of the chapter:

THE END

But it's not lol far from it but it earned me a good job, mommy kiss 😘

Keep watch for an announcement later! 😜

Enjoy, vote, comment and share!

❤️