“He’s right.” I would have told him the same thing. “And for the most part, Dad and I have things under control. But sometimes people hate us for it and they want to hurt us the only way they can, and that is to hurt the people we love the most. People like you.”
“So you’re sending us away.”
I nodded. “I’m sending you away so Dad and I can do what we need to do and not worry that you aren’t safe. Grow older and be stronger, and no one will make you hide again.”
“Fine. But when I’m older, I’m going to fight them for doing this to you.” He jumped up, happily staring me down.
“Deal.” I extended my hand, rising from the bed. He shook it tightly before crawling under the sheets. “Do you want me to tuck you in?”
“No, Mom,” he said, and it felt like he was going to add a “duh” to the end of it. Leaning over, I kissed his forehead.
“Love you, mio bel leoncino.”
“Love you too.” He yawned, rolling onto his side and forgetting about his video game. Reaching over, I grabbed it, turned it off, and put it on his bedside table.
Leaving his room, I entered Donatella and Wyatt’s. Dona was fighting sleep as their nanny brushed her hair. Her head bobbed back and forth.
“I got her,” I told the maid, who said nothing, just placed the brush down and left the room.
“Mommy.” Dona grinned, reaching up for me. She was so cute sometimes. When I picked her up, her legs and arms wrapped aroun
d me as I carried her to her bed. I noticed how heavy she now was in my arms. I remembered when she was so tiny, much smaller than both Ethan and Wyatt, and I was worried I was going to hurt her.
“Mommy. I can swim more now,” she whispered.
“That a girl,” I whispered as Wyatt lifted her sheets for her before I laid her down. “So you will be faster than me.”
She giggled, “Not possible, Mommy, you are like a fish. Daddy says you drink the water as you go.”
“Not true and don’t try it, you will get sick.” I brushed the side of her face. “Do you want anything?”
She yawned, rubbing her nose. “For Ethan and Wyatt to stop fighting.”
“Hey!” Wyatt grumbled behind me.
I twisted my hands in front of her face over and over before blowing into her eyes. “There, I’m giving you the power to step in and stop them any way you can.”
“I’m going to kick them.” She grinned and I laughed, kissing her head.
“Do what you gotta do.”
“Mommy, no, she really will kick us!” Wyatt groaned as I moved to his bed.
“Or you and your brother won’t fight and she won’t have to.” He didn’t say anything, just crossed his arms and lay on his back. “It’s not my fault.”
“Oh really?”
He twisted his lip to his side.
“Wyatt.”
“It’s kinda both of our faults,” he conceded.
Leaning in close to him, I whispered, “I’m going to tell you a secret and you can never tell your sister or brother.”
His eyes went wide and he flipped over to stare me in the eyes. “What?”
“Of all my children, you, Wyatt, are my favorite.”