Chapter 39- Alice
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Chapter 39- Alice
“I want this one, it’s a rainbow! And this one too with teddy bears!” Millie jumped up, sitting on her bed, almost causing the fall of the gigantic decoration catalog that Massimo had given
her.
“I thought you already decided on the pink and blue with ponies.” Alice laughed, holding up the catalog full of samples of wallpaper, flooring and toys, before Millie ended up falling out of bed with that folder that was almost as big as her.
“But these ones are so pretty too…” her lower lip stretched out in a desolate pout.
“Well, you have four walls here.” Massimo, who was sitting next to them still wearing the colorful wrapping in which the catalog had come wrapped like a Christmas present, said “You don’t need to worry about anything. I should have given this to you from the day I helped your mother put you to sleep for the first time, but… The last few days, with all these physical therapy sessions and preparing for this party….” he grunted, running a hand over his face and especially his beard “I ended up delaying this gift longer than I intended. So have as much fun as you can. Do you know what? Choose all the wallpapers you want. I had plans to make a study and playroom for you, anyway. There will be enough walls for you to decorate however you want.”
“Massimo…” Alice stuttered in disbelief “Don’t you think that’s a bit much…?”
“Thank you!” Millie put the catalog aside so she could jump out of bed, falling into Massimo’s lap so she could hug him “Am–I going to have a room full of toys? I’m really going?”
“Of course, Millie.” He stroked her hair, his expression making it clear that he would give that entire mansion to Millicent to decorate and fill with dolls, if it would make her that happy ” We’ll start the renovations as soon as your mother and I have gone to that party.”
“Uh… That’s great news, but… Millie, what do you think about choosing the wallpaper for your room first now and leaving it to choose the wallpaper for these other rooms later?” Alice smiled wryly, getting up from the bed so she could put Millie back on her blankets “One thing at a time, yes?”
“But I’ll still have the room for my toys, won’t I?” her question, this time, was asked looking directly at Massimo.
“You have my word.” He smiled at Millie “I’ve already spoken to the architects. Everything is ready.”
“Very good. Now that we’ve talked about decorating the room and read The Little Mermaid, I think it’s past bedtime, right?” Alice sighed, knowing she had lost that war “The party is tomorrow and I’m sure it’s going to be a very busy day for me and Massimo. Besides, I want to get your dinner ready before I go.” Her voice sounded like a wail, barely able to believe that she was going to let go of her baby after two months of living with her every day, just like how things were when Millie was a newborn and her grandfather was there to let her she lived in the mansion without any worries other than taking care of her daughter.
$25 BONUS
Chapter 39- Alice
“Yey! I’m going to sleep, so tomorrow comes soon and so does my toy’s room!” Millie sank herself between her blankets, more than happy “Night night, mommy! Night night, Massimo!”
“Good night my dear.” Alice laughed a little, accommodating her daughter in the right way. Well, she and Hoppy “Have sweet dreams.”
“You have to help me choose pretty walls for my room tomorrow, Massimo!” she suggested, as Massimo approached to stroke her forehead as well.
“You can count on me, child. Now, go to sleep. I get the impression that your mother really needs to sleep after a whole day of playing dress up with Thea.”
“I’ll tell her you made that joke.” Alice grumbled, turning on the lamp next to Millie “Come on, funny guy. It’s past time for Millie to get some sleep.”
With one last wave to them, Millie turned around, hugging Hoppy and burying her face in her plush, while Alice and Massimo left the room, a second before she asked, in whispers.
“Two new rooms just for her? Don’t you think that’s a little… Too much, Massimo?” she chewed on her bottom lip “I love Millie and she’s the most wonderful child I know, but I don’t think it’s a good idea to teach her that you can give her whatever she wants while we’re here. Not just because being overly spoiled is not good for any toddler, but… Are you sure you want to make all these changes in your home, even though our marriage is what it is…?” Alice should have had the strength to say out loud that this would end at some point, but she didn’t.
“It’s my
house, isn’t it? Let me do what I want with this, then.” Massimo shrugged, now gruff “Besides, she’s my stepdaughter. Do you think wanting her to live the comfortable life she deserves is spoiling her? Especially when I have more than enough money to do it?”
“I…” Alice tried to organize her emotions so she could respond, but, again, she couldn’t “It’s okay. You are right. She has suffered enough living in that house with my mother. Giving her good surroundings isn’t going to change her personality overnight, but… Can you just promise me that the next time you have an idea like this, you can let me know first? That’s how it works when you’re raising a child… As a couple.”
“Well…” he huffed, this time sounding more resigned than irritated “Sounds reasonable.‘ Massimo stroked his beard for a moment “I… I didn’t want to make it seem like I didn’t care about your opinion as your mother.”
“Everything is fine. I’m not crazy about cutting off your contact with Millie, anyway. Look how well she has taught you. Now you even apologize.” She teased him, causing that tension in his expression to be replaced by a half smile.
“Who’s the funny one, now, uh?” He ran his fingers through his beard again, as if something there was bothering him deeply “You know what? Don’t let me keep you from going to sleep any longer. I have important things to do, too. I think I’ll look like a spectacle in front of everyone’s eyes, without having to go there looking like a beggar, right?”
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Chapter 39 Alice
“Are you going to shave your beard?”
