I S A B E L L A.
"Hey there darling, are you okay?" she looked frightened at my sudden appearance
When she didn't answer me, I remained silent and took a seat next to her and focused my gaze on the stars above us once again.
I heard her soft whimpers and sobs, it made my heart break for the little girl.
What could have hurt her so much?
I open my arms out invitingly and smile comfortingly at her.
"Would you like a hug?" I asked and she stiffened for a moment, accepting my rejection and i was about to withdraw when she threw herself into my arms and sobbed into my shoulder. I felt a instant connection to her and she seemed to raise my motherly instincts.
She sobbed for a good few minutes longer before she stopped and simply relaxed into my embrace.
"Sweetheart, what's your name?" I ask and I run my fingers through her hair
"R-Rosalie" she stutters as she says.
I hold her at arms length and use my thumbs to dry her tears.
"My name is Isabella." I says and she smiles
"Can I call you Bella?" She sniffles and ask.
"Of course you can, cara" I say and put my hand on her cheek. ( cara - dear )
"I like your eyes" she says and I smile down at her
"Thank you" I reply and tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear.
She focused her gaze on the stars again and points up.
"Tiggo says my mom is up there, and that if I talk up to the stars she will answer and talk back every time they twinkle"she says and I feel a fresh set of tears brim my eyes.
"Oh sweetheart" I sat as I wrap her in my arms not so much for her own comfort but for mine too
"Your mom would have been proud of you no matter what don't forget that okay" I say as I remember my aunt, I felt my heart tug.
We sat in a sad silence as each of us remember a lost loved one when suddenly a twig snaps in the distance
"Ivy, Principessa where are you?" A familiar voice called out. ( Principessa - Princess )
Rosalie springs from my arms and her smiles beams.
"TIGGO!!!" she yells as she runs into his awaiting arms. I stand up and smooth out my dress and look up just in time to meet his eyes.
He gaze leaves mine as he crouched down to Rosalie's high.
"Ivy what are you doing out here this late?" he says as he tugs a lose strand of hair behind her ear.
"I was talking to Bella about Mamma" Santiago frowns and looks back at me, I held my breath but released it when he looked back at Rosalie.
Why is he calling her Ivy? And how are they related?
"Rosalie, it's past your bedtime. Come I'll take you to bed" Santiago stands up dusting his coat lightly.
"But Tiggo, I wanna spend more time with Bella" She frown and the look she makes as though she's about to cry.
The look Santiago gives me, makes me want to run and hide but I stand my ground not breaking his gaze until he does.
"Maybe some other time tesoro" I say and the look she has breaks my heart. But I can see Santiago doesn't want me here and he looks like he's part of her family in some way. ( tesoro - darling )
"Tiggo! I have an idea..." She wipes her eyes and beams. "Can Bella put me to bed?"
"You know what." he sighs "Okay fine."
"Yay!" She shouts and jumps making her dress jump up and down as well.
"Is that fine with you?" He speaks to me for the first time since he came outside.
"Y-yes" I flinched for a moment but said.
"Bella come on, I'll show you my room" Rosalie takes my hand pulling me towards the door, while Santiago just watches.
As we walking back inside, some of the guests are still here and they just stare at us making us uncomfortable. Making Rosalie cling to my waist, scared of everyone's stares.
"Bella why are they staring at us" her voice is muffled because her head is face on my waist.
"Shh, don't worry about them let's go sweetheart" I try comforting her.
"Isabella!!" I hear my dad's booming voice echo. This makes Rosalie flinch but I rub soothing circles on her back trying to say it's okay.
I turn back with Rosalie hiding behind me from my fuming father to see all of them meaning my brothers, Veronica, Eric, Mr and Mrs Rossi, my so called mother and Antonio De Luca walking towards us with my father in front with them trailing behind.
"Isabella where the hell were you?!" My father shouts at me and I flinch.
"I needed some air, Papá." I choked out, feeling the tears pickle in my eyes. Rosalie was whimpering behind me some what scared of my dad too.
"ENOUGH!" Santiago voice echos from behind me, making everyone flinch.
Rosalie suddenly detached herself from my back and run into Santiago arms, he held her with one arm as he walks towards us and stops right next to me, taking my hand into his left hand with him side holding Rosalie with his right. Everyone gasps but I just stood there looking at him in confusion and then looking at his tight grip on my hand.
"That's not how you speak in front of a child who is also my little sister, Mr D'Amelio." he says to my father and then gives Rosalie to a Maid and tells her to take Rosalie to her room.
"But Tiggo I want Bella to take me to bed" Rosalie sniffles as the maid takes her hand.
"I know princess, go change into your pyjamas and I'll bring Bella to put you you bed" Santiago says rather gently to her.
"Okay, I love you Tiggo" she say and he crouched down as she places a kiss on his cheek and walks away with the maid.
When Rosalie was out of sight Santiago takes my hand back in his and turns to face our family in front of us.