Chapter Text
CHAPTER 2 SMALL FOOTPRINTS
The surprise on Liv’s face at Rafael’s words was broken by Emma’s crying.
“Mmm, I… Rafa…” —Olivia took a deep breath, recognizing in Rafael’s gaze that this was nothing small.
Rafael immediately lifted the baby from the high chair; the little girl allowed herself to be held by her dad.
“I’m with you. I’ll talk to the boys, and you’ll see, they’ll get over it soon. Noah got through it a few years ago; Alec will too.”
Olivia walked toward the boys’ bedroom, thinking about how she could approach the subject of the pet. She kept rubbing her hands together, as if the answer might be hidden in them.
Noah would take it maturely, but Alec? At times, he could be defiant.
Down the hallway, Olivia’s footsteps could be heard. Noah was the first to notice them.
“Alec, quick, hide it.”
Both boys were breathing fast; Noah could almost feel the sweat running down his back.
Meanwhile, the younger boy covered the box with the lid and shoved it under the bed, where Liv wouldn’t be able to see it.
She knocked softly on the door.
“Come in, Mom,” Noah answered.
Olivia entered the room; the boys were sitting on the floor.
Alec trembled slightly, sitting at the side of the bed, shielding the box with his small body, his arms crossed behind him.
“How was the park with Lucy?” Liv asked, stroking Noah’s curls with one hand and Alec’s cheek with the other, which felt very warm.
Liv let go of Noah and knelt down to place the palm of her hand on her younger son.
“Alec, come here!”
With his foot, Alec pushed the box with the cat farther under the bed.
The boy began to sweat, his heart beating faster.
“I don’t have anything, Mommy.”
“Come with me, let’s get the thermometer!” she said, almost like an order, gently taking him by the arm.
“Mommy!”
“Alec Barba, this is not negotiable.”
The boy, with no other choice, followed his mom out, his expression saying it all. Noah understood right away.
The older boy moved his hands, using that secret code only siblings understand.
The door closed, and Noah let out a sigh—his secret was safe.
Liv took him to his room and skillfully pulled out the first-aid kit and the thermometer.
Alec sat on the bed, his legs dangling, tapping his two index fingers together in uncertainty. With practiced ease, Olivia placed the thermometer; soon, the boy felt its cold touch against his skin.
While they waited, Alec stared fixedly at his mom. He had the same look as Rafael.
“Alec, do you want to tell me something?”
“Mommy… can we have a cat?”
Liv sat beside him and took a deep breath, watching her son.
The boy smiled, twisting his fingers as he waited for her answer.
“Why a cat, sweetheart?” Olivia asked softly.
Alec lowered his gaze, playing with his fingers.
“Because… it wouldn’t be lonely.”
There was silence.
“Mmm,” Liv said.
Alec read his mother’s look and her silence.
She hadn’t said no—but she hadn’t said yes either.
Olivia was about to speak when the thermometer beeped: 36.5°C. She held it between her fingers, studying it closely.
“All good, sweetheart.”
“Can I go?” Alec asked, uncomfortable.
“Yes.”
The boy hopped off the bed and ran to the bedroom. He closed the door and sighed.
Meanwhile, Rafael finished setting the table, still holding Emma.
“Everything okay?”
“Yes.”
Alec and Noah hurried through dinner. Rafael thought they would bring up the kitten again, but instead they stayed quiet; only the clinking of cutlery and Emma’s laughter filled the room.
Liv asked questions that were answered with monosyllables.
“Noah, aren’t you going to drink your milk?” Liv asked.
“Can I take it to my room… just this once?”
“Yes, but just this once.”
“Alec, let’s go!”
Rafael stepped in, heading to the counter and pulling out a paper bag.
“Before you ask,” he said, “yes, I brought dessert.”
This time, Rafael had bought blueberry muffins—Alec’s favorites.
“Son, won’t you have a muffin?” he said, holding up a perfect piece of soft, fluffy pastry dotted with purple spots.
The boy looked at the dessert with longing.
“No, Daddy.”
“And you, Noah? There are chocolate ones—from the Fifth Avenue bakery.”
“I’ll pass this time, Dad.”
Rafael gathered the bag of muffins, staring at them, guilt washing over him, and set them back on the table.
Liv noticed.
“Isn’t there one for me, counselor?”
“Liv, of course there is,” he said with a forced smile.
Meanwhile, in the bedroom, the boys went to check on the kitten, which had started to make a mess.
Noah and Alec couldn’t stop hugging it, their clothes soon covered in fur.
Outside, Rafael stood listening to his children’s laughter. He cracked the door open just enough to see their backs. He took a step forward, about to go in—but then dismissed the idea.
He closed the door slowly, just in time, as Noah lifted the kitten high in his arms.
“I really wanted to try those muffins,” Noah said.
“Me too,” Alec added.
“Did you see Dad’s face?”
Alec chose to ignore the question, taking the furry little body of the cat instead.
The kitten wouldn’t stop squirming and purring.
It got into trouble, knocking over the glass of milk. Soon, a white spill spread across the polished wooden floor.
“Oops! I’ll get something to clean it up.”
Noah headed downstairs.
The phone vibrated on the table.
“It’s work,” Olivia murmured.
Rafael nodded.
“Noah, can you stay with Emma for a moment?”
“Yes, Dad.”
Back in the bedroom, the silence lasted only a few seconds.
A sharp meow broke the calm.
The kitten crawled out of the shoebox, nervous, its tail swishing from side to side.
It made an awkward jump and ran toward the window, which had been left slightly open to air out the room.
“No!” Alec ran after it.
The kitten leapt onto the windowsill and, in the blink of an eye, disappeared outside.
Alec stood frozen for a second… then took off running.
“Come back!” he whispered as tears began to spill.
The little boy rushed down the stairs as fast as he could.
His eyes darted from side to side, searching for help.
In the living room, Noah was holding Emma, who was playing with her brother’s curly hair. Rafael, wearing his glasses, was at his laptop replying to an email.
Liv was on the phone, turning now and then to look at Noah and Emma.
Alec approached the door. With his small hand, he felt the cold doorknob, a silent warning of danger.
He hesitated—but the kitten’s meow pushed him into a quick decision.
He opened the door and went outside.