Chapter Text
Elena looked around the room, smiling nervously because today was the day when one of their big dreams finally came true. When Alfredo finally joined Elena, he saw her correct all the stuffed toys.
"Elena, Love," Alfredo said. "Have you chosen a toy?"
Elena looked at Alfredo.
"I decided on the puppy," Elena replied. "Because which child does not love a puppy?"
"That is true," Alfredo replied. "Maybe in a few years we can get a real puppy."
"I would love that," Elena replied. "Have I bought too many stuffed toys?"
Alfredo caressed Elena's cheek with a smile.
"No, you haven't," Alfredo replied. "Shall we get going? It is a long drive we have ahead of us."
"Yes," Elena replied. "No, wait, we'd better bring a stuffed kitten, just in case he doesn't like puppies."
Elena took the ginger stuffed toy kitten.
"Let's do this," Elena said. "Are you ready for us to become three today?"
Elena and Alfredo were adopting a little boy from an orphanage. They had dreamt of children for as long as they had known each other, but since they couldn't have any, they decided to adopt. It had taken five long years, but today was the day they had dreamt of for so long.
"Yes, I am," Alfredo replied. "Do you think he likes to play football or cars?"
"We have to wait and see," Elena replied. "I can't wait to meet him."
It took eight hours to drive to the orphanage, which was located just outside Venice. When Alfredo and Elena arrived, they were shown into Matron Petra's office by a staff member.
"Ah, Signora and Signor di Genova," Petra said as she stood up so she could shake their hands. "Davide can't wait to go home with you."
Elena hugged the two stuffed toys tightly when she heard Davide's name. Davide had just turned three, had big, green eyes and freckles.
"We are glad to hear that," Alfredo replied. "When can we see our son?"
"As soon as you have signed the last papers," Petra replied. "I have it all ready for you."
Alfredo and Elena signed the last papers, and shortly after, a staff member brought Davide, who was anything but happy. When Elena took Davide, he started crying and wriggling in her arms, while reaching for the door.
"Nico," Davide sobbed. "I want Nico."
Alfredo looked at Petra, who told the staff to leave.
"We need to know," Alfredo said. "Who or what is Nico?"
"It is his little brother," Petra replied. "Listen, once Davide has settled into his new life, he will forget all about him, so you have nothing to be worried about. It is a phase he needs to go through."
Alfredo and Elena looked at each other.
"Davide has a little brother?" Elena asked. "Why weren't we informed about that?"
"Because Davide is a toddler, while Nico is a baby. They are in two different groups," Petra replied. "We deemed that you didn't need to know about Nico."
Alfredo watched as Elena took in a deep breath because he knew what was about to come.
"We told you that we would adopt siblings if there were siblings, something the court has approved," Elena said. "And by not informing us about the fact that Davide has a little brother, I say you have gone against the court's ruling."
"Again, Signora di Genova, Nico is a baby, and with the age both boys have," Petra replied. "We thought that it was best to let them go to two different families because Nico is not..."
"Not what? "Elena asked. "Tell us."
"Nico was born before his due date, and he is showing signs of being handicapped," Petra replied. "And we thought that it was better not to inform you about him."
"Sorry, what?" Elena asked. "Why did you think that?"
"Because of your husband's position," Petra replied. "A handicapped child does not look good..."
Elena held up a finger, which stopped Petra from talking, before she looked at Alfredo.
"I am not leaving this place before I have both of my sons with me," Elena said. "I don't care if Nico is handicapped, Alfredo. We have waited so long for a child, and the chance to have two is a blessing."
Alfredo kissed Elena on her forehead.
"I can only agree with you," Alfredo said. "Tell us what kind of handicap are you talking about, Matron?"
"Nico is behind on every front when it comes to babies at his age," Petra replied. "And there are signs he will never walk."
Petra looked at Davide.
"Listen, Signora and Signor di Genova," Petra said. "You have a healthy child in your arms, so why not forget the other one? It will make your lives so much easier."
"You might think that, but we don't, and I promise you this: I will do anything in my power to turn Nico into a runner in one or the other way," Elena replied. "Alfredo, I will never be able to look Davide in his eyes if we abandon his little brother like this."
"I know exactly what you mean and feel," Alfredo replied. "So, Matron, while we figure out the paperwork, do you mind finding someone who can take my wife to our son?"
When nothing happened, Alfredo decided to change tactics.
"Matron," Alfredo said. "Would you rather prefer we clear out the small misunderstanding between us, or should we take it to court?"
Hearing the word 'court' was enough to prompt Petra to have a staff member take Elena and Davide to the baby wing.
"Please stop crying, Davide," Elena said. "We are going to find Nico for you."
"Okay," Davide sobbed. "Can I have the puppy?"
"Of course," Helena replied. "It is yours."
Elena handed Davide the stuffed puppy, which he hugged. When Elena entered the baby wing and saw all the babies, she wished she could adopt them all.
"Now, Davide," Elena said. "Please take me to Nico."
Elena placed Davide on the floor, and the little boy beelined straight for a baby lying in a cot.
"Nico," Davide said. "My baby brother."
When Davide reached through the cot's bars and took the baby's hand, Elena knew she had found the right baby.
"He is sweet," Elena said. "Can I say hi to him?"
Davide nodded, and Elena kneeled next to Davide before taking Nico's hand.
"Hi, Nico," Elena said. "Look what I got for you."
Elena found the stuffed kitten and gave it to Nico, who took it with a big smile before chewing on it.
"Davide?" Elena asked. "Should I pick up Nico?"
Davide nodded, and Elena picked up Nico before she sat down on the floor with the baby in her arms.
"Come here, Davide," Elena said. "Don't you want to show Nico your puppy?"
Davide took Elena's hand and showed Nico his puppy. While Davide did that, Elena took a closer look at Nico. Yes, one of Nico's legs was a bit limp, but all Elena saw was a beautiful little boy with the same eyes as Davide.
"Hi," Alfredo said. "Can I say hi to Nico, Davide?"
Davide nodded, and Alfredo kneeled next to the boy.
"Oh, he is just as wonderful as you are," Alfredo said. "What do you say to the idea that we all get out of here and eat ice cream?"
"Yes, yes, yes," Davide replied with a big smile. "Can I have whipped cream? And pineapple on my ice cream?"
"Not a problem, Davide," Alfredo replied. "Elena, all I need you to do is sign Nico's adoption papers, and he can come with us."
"Thanks, Alfredo," Elena replied. "I will never forget what you did today."
Alfredo smiled and picked up Davide, who had never seen a man with a beard before and decided to yank it.
"Davide, could we agree not to do that again?" Alfredo asked. "It hurt when you do that."
"Okay," Davide replied. "I am sorry."
"You are forgiven," Alfredo replied. "Let us get some ice cream."
After Elena had signed Nico's adoption papers, all four left the orphanage. The first thing Alfredo and Elena did was to get something for Nico to eat, and with the help of a young woman working at the ice cream parlour, they made a bottle of milk for Nico.
"I am telling you, Alfredo," Elena said. "I am sure Nico is underweight."
"I think you are right," Alfredo replied. "Tomorrow, I promise to find the best paediatrician to have a look at him."
Alfredo looked at Davide when he yanked his shirt.
"Wanna taste?" Davide asked. "It tastes good."
Davide had insisted on having more whipped cream than ice cream.
"I would love to," Alfredo replied. "Let me open my mouth."
Alfredo opened his mouth, and Davide fed him a big spoonful of whipped cream.
"You are right. It does taste good," Alfredo said. "I think you should let Elena taste it too."
Elena leaned a bit forward, making sure Nico still could eat, and let Davide feed her.
"I love it," Elena said. "Maybe we have a cook in the family."
Davide smiled and ate the rest of the whipped cream. While Alfredo entertained Davide, Elena called her sister Guila and asked if she could borrow the crib Guila had bought for her youngest a year ago, which was no problem. Guila also promised that by the time Elena and Alfredo were home with the children, there would be diapers and more baby formula waiting for them.
"Now, Davide," Alfredo said. "Should we take a look at the house together with Nico and Elena?"
Davide crossed his arms, so Alfredo got into the backseat while Elena took Nico.
"Davide?" Alfredo asked. "What's wrong?"
Alfredo gave Davide the time he needed.
"Tomorrow," Davide said. "Will the evil lady take Nico tomorrow?"
Alfredo and Elena suspected the evil lady could be the Matron at the orphanage.
"No, Davide," Alfredo replied. "You and Nico are staying with us forever, I promise."
Alfredo could tell that Davide was thinking.
"And the house?" Davide asked. "What if I don't like it?"
"Well, I think you will love this house," Alfredo replied. "Because I know inside the house there are toys waiting for you and maybe also candy."
Alfredo did not know whether it was toys or candy that made Davide leave the car so quickly.
"Please open the door," Davide begged. "Please."
Alfredo opened the front door and took Davide's hand in his.
"Elena," Alfredo said. "Do you think Nico wants to go exploring the house with Davide?"
Elena looked at Nico with a smile.
"I think he will love it," Elena replied. "Lead the way."
Davide looked around the house with big eyes because he had never seen such a big house before.
"And this is your new room," Alfredo said. "Should we check it out?"
Davide nodded, and Alfredo gave him the time he needed before stepping inside the room. Davide spun around, trying to take everything in. There were toys, a desk, a bed and a closet. Then Davide looked at Elena.
"Davide?" Elena asked. "Do you like it?"
Davide nodded. Elena handed Alfredo Nico before kneeling next to Davide.
"Hi," Elena said. "Wanna tell me what you are thinking?"
"Nico," Davide replied. "Why doesn't he have a room?"
"He will have that tomorrow. You see, Davide, we had not planned on coming home with two beautiful children today, so we did not have the time to make a room for Nico," Elena replied. "Do you understand?"
"Think so," Davide replied. "Can I see Nico's room?"
"Of course," Elena replied. "It is next to your room."
Elena took Davide's hand, and Alfredo followed with Nico. When they entered Nico's room, all that was inside was the crib. Davide looked around.
"If you want," Elena said. "You can help us find everything Nico needs."
Davide nodded before he yawned.
"And now it is time for you to go to bed," Elena said. "Come."
Elena picked up Davide and got him ready for bed. After reading a night story for Davide, Elena and Alfredo both tucked Davide in and kissed him on his forehead. Before leaving Davide's room, Elena turned on the night lamp, and Alfredo told Davide that if there was anything, he could find them in the room across his own.
"Okay, that is two children sleeping," Alfredo said. "Do you think it will be that easy tomorrow?"
"If we are lucky, then yes," Elena replied. "I can't believe we got children in our house."
Alfredo took Elena's hand in his.
"Neither can I," Alfredo replied. "And if this is a dream, I hope we will never wake from it."
Elena snuggled into Alfredo.
"I should tell you something about Nico," Alfredo said and saw that Elena looked worried. "I promise you, Nico is not going anywhere. He is ours forever."
"I am glad to hear that," Elena replied. "Because I am not giving my children away to anyone."
"Tiger Mom," Alfredo replied. "No, I noticed on Nico's adoption papers that his actual name is Nicoló. And I can't figure out why the orphanage shortened that."
"Maybe because Nicoló is an old-fashioned name, but I like it," Elena suggested. "Is it okay if I call him Nicoló?"
"I don't have a problem with it," Alfredo replied. "Just be prepared that when Nicoló becomes a teenager, he might insist on being called Nico."
Elena yawned.
"We will handle that if it happens," Elena replied. "And just..."
Alfredo looked down at Elena and saw she had fallen asleep. Before going to sleep, Alfredo checked on the children, and his last thought was that he felt so happy right now.