𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 ✍︎

9| 𝙶𝚒𝚏𝚝𝚜

Dove's POV
Age: 10
Location: Petrov's Penthouse, New York

When I wake up, I'm shocked to realize that I didn't have a nightmare last night. That has to be the first time ever in my entire life.

I always have nightmares when I sleep, even when my body is exhausted. Maybe sleeping with Ella scares away the nightmares.

Or maybe I'm comforted knowing I'm going home to my family today.

When I glance at the clock on Ella's nightstand I nearly jump out of my skin.

12:02

I've never slept past 6 am before in my life. Back on base, you would get in trouble for sleeping that late, even if you're injured.

I look around frantically, half expecting someone to barge in and punish me for not waking up early, but nothing happens. Ella is already gone and I can hear muffled chatter from downstairs.

As much as I want to stay in this bed for the rest of my life, something tells me I should wake up.

I drag myself out of bed and into the bathroom. On the sink, there's a pink toothbrush and a sticky note with Ella's handwriting.

I have clothes for you in the closet. Come down when you're ready.

I quickly do my business in the bathroom and walk to Ella's closet. It's huge. There are dresses and shirts and pants and shoes everywhere.

Frantically, I look around for a pile of small clothes, when I see yet another note. This time on one of the drawers.

Don't panic little sis. They're right here.

I roll my eyes. I can already see the smirk she had on her face as she wrote this. Nonetheless, I'm glad she knew that I'd get lost.

I settle on a white long sleeve shirt with black leggings. I also slip on a pair of grey socks before I follow the sound of voices downstairs.

I walk towards the living room where Ella and her family are there talking to my parents. I don't want to go in there without Ella, and some painkillers. The slight throb of my aching ribs are starting to come back. I shift my weight slightly, making my shadow quickly dance across the floor. Ella's eyes dart at the shadow, then to the hallway where I'm hidden. She immediately excuses herself and walks in my direction.

She walks past me like I'm not there, but her hand is placed behind her back and opened, silently telling me to follow her.

I follow her into the dining room, ignoring the pangs of pain every time I put too much weight on my ribs.

Ella lifts me into a chair and places a plate with a small, round thing on it. It's light brown and smells delicious.

"It's a pancake," Ella says, laughing at my confused look. She places a bottle with dark brown syrup in front of me. "You eat it with maple syrup. Try it."

Hesitantly, I cut a small piece of the 'pancake' and dip it in the small puddle of maple syrup on my plate. It tastes like clouds. It's so light and fluffy, and the maple syrup makes it sweet. I cut another piece and bring it to my mouth.

"I'm glad you like it," Ella laughs. I smile and nod, continuing to eat the fluffy cake. "I was thinking...if you still wanted, we could do those tests today?"

I hesitate slightly. I know I agreed to them yesterday, but I don't think I still want to do it today. Ella senses my uneasiness and nods.

"We don't have to do them. But if you feel any time of pain anywhere you tell me or your parents immediately, okay?" Again, I hesitate. I don't want to tell my parents and become a burden. I can handle my injuries.

"You're not a burden, Dove. I can speak for everyone when I say we'd rather you tell us instead of staying quiet."

"Okay," I say quietly. "I'll tell someone if I'm in pain."

Ella stares at me for a few seconds before nodding, seemingly satisfied with my answer.

"I want to give you something," she says, reaching into her pocket. She pulls out a small necklace with a rose gold dove pendant on it. "There's a ton of tech in there. But in short, if your heartbeat speeds up too much it activates a tracker."

She gently places it in my hand. My finger trails over the pendant. It's a beautiful necklace.

"If you ever need me, press the button and I'll come running," she says. I stare at the beautiful necklace for a little longer.

"When did you...?"

"As soon as I got home," she says with a smile. She takes the necklace from my hand and puts it on me. "I never forgot about you."

Tears form in my eyes, but I blink them away and pull Ella into a hug. For once, this isn't a sad hug, but a happy hug.

"Thank you," I whisper.

I hear a noise from down the hall and quickly pull away from Ella. Andrea and my mother walk in.

"There you two are! We've been looking for you," Andrea says, walking over to Ella and ruffling her hair. Ella whines and tries to fix the damage.

"Sorry, Mama. Just wanted to feed Dove so she could take her pain medication."

"Like the pancakes?" Andrea asks me. I nod enthusiastically.

"They're really good," I admit quietly. Andrea smiles widely at my words. The way her chest puffs slightly indicates that she was the one who made them.

"It's a family recipe. I'll pass it to your Mama," Andrea says with a wink. My mother laughs and shakes her head.

"And I'll pass it to Marcus. You know he does all the cooking in the house," my mother says.

Marcus Ricci. The eldest child of the family and, apparently, my older brother.

It's odd to think of him as my brother. I've only seen him on the screen during tuition or during a mission briefing. This whole thing feels weird.

"We were thinking of leaving for home after you're done eating," my mother says looking at me. "Of course, if you want more time with Ella, we understand."

"It's alright. I want to go home," I say with a slight smile.

Home. I've never called a place home before.

My mother smiles. "I'll go tell your dad."

My mother leaves the room with Andrea following her. Once they're out of earshot, Ella slips something else into my hand. I look down and see a small pocket knife.

It's simple. A blade and a wooden handle. Just the way I like it.

"Don't kill anyone, hm?"

I smirk slightly as I slip the knife between my bandages wrapped around my ribcage. "No promises."

Ella rolls her eyes and mutters something in French that I can't hear. "Finish your food. I'm sure your brothers are anxious to see you."

I oblige and wolf down the rest of my food. "They'll like me, right?" I ask anxiously.

"Of course. You're their principessa. I wouldn't be surprised if they doted on you day and night."

As much as I hate attention, this doting thing doesn't sound too bad.

Ella hands me a pill and a glass of water. "Not a sedative."

I nod and down the pill. Almost immediately I feel it start to work its magic. Either this pill is really potent or my brain is messing with me.

Ella offers her hand to me. "Let's get you home."