“Sorpresa!” Catalina exclaimed. Mira was stunned. She wasn’t gone a full twenty-four hours. So how was this even possible? “Before you say anything let me explain. Domi called and told me the news shortly after they found you in Switzerland. He said you were alive and we had a baby girl. A little bambina in the family! I went to work on this room right away.”
Eve lifted her head from Mira’s shoulder sucking on her pacifier. She blinked at the bright lemon yellow and black striped bumblebees and colorful butterflies hanging from the ceiling. Mira lowered her daughter and Eve immediately ran into the room. Her baby stopped, turning in a circle, her head back as she stared in wonder at the vibrant display hanging from the ceiling. She then turned and bolted for the little play table. The chairs had teddy bears and dolls tucked in with a tea set arranged on top. In the corner was a marionette stage. The puppets hung from their wires, staged in an act of theatrical play.
“It’s beautiful.” Mira said.
Eve grabbed a bear and walked over to the marionettes not sure of what she was seeing. Her daughter then spotted an open toy chest, which she approached curiously. Mira entered the room. The crib drew her. There was such a cheery bright feeling to everything. She’d never focused much on surrounding Eve with such an expressive place to grow. She spent so much time mothering her and being selfish with her daughter’s love. Eve kept her company throughout their lonely isolation. Why hadn’t she decorated and made their cottage home? Maybe part of her knew this day would come. This felt like home.
“Are you okay? Mira? Are you crying?” Catalina came closer.
Mira smiled through her tears. “Thank you so much. For this. It’s wonderful.”
Catalina hugged her. “Don’t cry. I have something better to show you.” Catalina walked over to a door Mira believed was the closet. When it opened she found it was not. Catalina had made the room a connecting one to hers and Giovanni’s. She put her hand to her mouth. “Oh my, this is perfect!”
Catalina gasped. She stepped back with eyes stretched. At first Mira thought it was Eve. So she looked down for her daughter who was busy pulling one toy then the next from the chest. Then she realized what had made Catalina’s smile fade and her face go pale. It was the diamond sparkling on her ring finger.
“Gio proposed to you? My brother pr-pr-proposed?” Catalina stammered.
“He did.”
Stunned, Catalina continued to stare at her in disbelief. Mira held out her hand. “I feel honored that he gave me your mother’s ring.” She stepped toward her. “It happened so fast I had no idea he would. We were going to tell you and the family together.” Before she could finish Catalina pulled her into a sweet embrace, one so snug and loving that Mira had to suppress tears of joy.
“I’m shocked. My brother, he’s been so distant since you left. I’ve been so worried about him. Now you’re back and I feel like we will change too. He never said… he’s never wanted to marry. And we’ve all tried to convince him to take a wife, trust me! To see him and you together makes me so happy. It’s how it should be.”
Mira felt the cinch of small arms around her legs. She let go of Catalina to look down. Eve had come over to hug them both. “Look at you baby! You want some of this?” she picked Eve up. Both Mira’s and Catalina’s cheeks glistened with tears. They kissed and hugged on Eve, and her daughter giggled as if their kisses tickled her.
“What do you think of the crib?” Catalina pointed it out. Eve and Mira glanced over at a cherry wood antique crib pushed up against the wall. The bedding was all done in yellow and lavender. Mira placed Eve inside. Her daughter sprang to her feet with her arms reaching. When Mira didn’t lift her, she spit out her pacifier and called her name. “Ma-ma!”
“You think she’ll sleep in it? She slept with me and Franco last night.”
“We might need to move the crib into our room for the time being. If she sleeps in it, it’ll have to be with us near her.” Mira chuckled.
“Done.”