Chapter Seventy-Seven: Next Month

"Mum!"

A piercing shriek echoes the halls, halting the adult conversation between Daniel, Neil (Who is on Daniel’s laptop screen) and me.

“I guess that’s my cue.”

I say to the lovers, enjoying their FaceTime together, but before I can even stand, a groggy, chubby little Luca walks in, rubbing the tears in his eyes.

He walks to where I am seated at the dining table and raises his arms.

“Up.”

Complying with his command, I lift him and settle his soft body on my lap, to which he cuddles readily.

"What is it, baby?”

At first, he doesn’t answer; he closes his stormy grey eyes and keeps his fist in his mouth.

"Is that Mari?"

Neil asks through the video call, his face lighting up.

"No, it's Luca."

"Luca, say hi to Uncle Niel."

Rather than say hi, he buries his little head deeper into my chest as if digging a hole into me.

I don’t mind it; in fact, my nose finds the darkness of his hair. He smells like baby powder.

“What's up, champ.”

Daniel asks him, and he immediately relents