Page 62 of Christmas Treasures

By the end, Bianca smiled, nodding in understanding. Sheplaced her hand against Charlie’s cheek. "Va bene. Eri triste."It’s okay. You were sad.

“Thank you,” Charlie said.

Just then, Fig came marching in, his head held high and his belly swinging from side to side. He made a beeline for Bianca, jumping onto her lap. Bianca immediately started speaking to him softly in Italian and petting him.

Although nervous, Charlie glanced over at Max, who now sat in one of the armchairs, looking so handsome in a red sweater and jeans.

“I’m surprised Fig isn’t wearing a red bow,” Max said. “He seems to be the only thing left untouched.”

Charlie laughed, relieved by his teasing tone. “If Nina could have caught him, he probably would be.”

Max gestured toward the kitchen. “Want to talk in the kitchen while Bianca and Fig play together?”

She nodded, following him into the other room. When they reached the island, she took Max’s hands in her own. “I’m sorry for everything. I don’t deserve to be forgiven, but I hope you will anyway.”

“Everyone deserves forgiveness,” Max said. “And most especially you. I should have listened to you instead of pushing so hard. It’s just that I love you so much, and I wanted you to feel joyful instead of sad.”

She stared at him. “Did you just say you love me?”

“I did. And I do. It kind of sneaked up on me. But being away from you has been terrible. I haven’t slept. Can’t eat. The truth is, I feel like I can’t live without you in my life. And if that means keeping my good intentions to myself, I will.”

“No, I was the one in the wrong. I should never have been so awful, especially in front of Bianca.”

He seemed to notice the bandage on her hand. “What happened?”

“I burned it pulling out a batch of scorched cinnamonrolls.” She flushed, remembering the scene all too vividly. “I had a little breakdown after you left. I ran out to the greenhouse and…well, I’ll show you what I did. In the meantime, the rolls burned to a crisp and set the fire alarm off, which freaked out poor Fig.”

“Oh honey, I’m sorry. That sounds awful.” He stroked her cheek.

“It was. But it was also cathartic. It’s time to forgive myself about my mother. I swear she was here with me, telling me it was time to let go—that she forgave me and I should too. She told me to love you and to let myself be loved by you. And Bianca. I could smell her perfume.”

His eyes glistened with tears. “She knew you needed her.”

“I guess she did.” Charlie looked up and into his eyes. “I love you too. As you can see by the ridiculous amount of Christmas decor.”

He pulled her in for a kiss, murmuring against her mouth as he captured her bottom lip between his. “I love it, and I love you.”

After dinner,she knew it was time to show them the greenhouse. “Will you come with me to the greenhouse? Both of you?”

Bianca abandoned her half-eaten dessert without hesitation, eyes bright with anticipation. Max did the same. Soon they were crossing the snowy yard. She paused at the greenhouse entrance, her heartbeat quickening. “I should warn you. It’s bad.”

Max’s palm covered hers. “Whatever it is, we can help.”

She pushed the door open and flipped the switch. Light flooded the interior, revealing the aftermath of her fury—terra-cotta shards scattered across concrete, soil spilled,plants lying broken and exposed. Her grief on display for all to see.

“What happened?” Max asked.

“I don’t know exactly. I went to a very dark place. It just happened. Tearing apart something I loved so much doesn’t make sense. But grief and trauma do strange things to a person.”

Max wrapped an arm around her. “It’s all right. We’ll put it back together.”

Bianca stepped forward, surveying the damage with a solemnity beyond her years. “Ma possiamo farlo nuovo. Più bello di prima.”But we can make it new. More beautiful than before.

Charlie knelt beside her, the concrete cold through her jeans. She tucked a strand of hair behind Bianca’s ear, throat tightening. “You’ll help me?”

Bianca nodded.

Without further discussion, they began. Max moved to the workbench, gathering fallen tools and replacing them where they belonged. Bianca carefully collected plant fragments, studying each one before placing it in a salvage pile. Charlie swept soil back into pots and replanted what she could.

---