Under Her Wing

Chapter 71

Danielle POV

I smiled at my phone when Stefania messaged to let me know her and Mali would be back in two minutes.

I relaxed back into the chair on the balcony and let the early morning sun rays wash over me.

"Ciao bellina," I heard Stefania call through the suit.

"I'm out here," I shouted, telling them I was outside.

"There's my girls," I grinned, eyeing them a little to gauge how things had gone.

I glanced down and saw Stefania carrying a bag of breakfast goodies in one hand and in the other, held Amalia's.

I internally sighed, relieved the conversation between them must've gone well.

"We bring food," Stefania said, handing the bag straight over to me.

"And that is why I love you," I laughed, eagerly taking it from her.

"Good to know," she replied sarcastically.

I cheekily winked at her and pulled the little metal table closer to lay out the breakfast.

"I'll make coffee," she smiled, happily skipping back inside.

"Come here my sunshine, let Stefania have the other chair, you come sit with me," I said, patting my knee for Amalia.

She made her way over to me and settled across my lap.

"Why are you in a bikini?" She asked.

"I've been sunbathing, you and Stefania were gone a while," I told her, running my fingers through her hair.

"We were talking. She took me to the hotel garden," Amalia informed me.

"Did it go okay?" I asked nervously.

"Yeah, mama and I are good," she smiled.

"That makes me happy," I sighed, squeezing her around the waist.

"Here you go bellina," Stefania said, placing down my drink.

"There's fresh orange juice for you bambina," she added.

"Thank you mama," Mali replied sweetly.

With Amalia on my knee, I lent around her and took one of the warm pastries.

"I've been waiting for this all morning," I said, practically moaning as I took a bite.

"Here baby try this," I said, holding a piece up to Amalia's mouth.

"It's okay mom," she said, turning her head away from me.

I frowned and glanced at Stef.

"Mali come on," I tried again.

"I'm not hungry," she said quietly.

"You need something on your stomach bambina," Stefania said gently.

"I'm scared," she admitted, playing with the fingers on my free hand.

"Why sunshine? What is it?" I asked calmly.

"I don't want to be sick," she told us.

"You won't be bella, it will have all settled now. You need to eat bambina," Stefania said softly.

"We're here Mali," I assured her.

"And even if you do feel sick, you'll be okay," I added.

"Your tummy might be a little sensitive bambina so just have a little bit," Stefania told her in a way of compromising.