When they returned from the city, he had taken Matteo himself. He fed him, changed him, rocked him through the sleepy little protests.
Eventually, the boy slept. Marco placed him down carefully, waited to be sure he would not stir, then adjusted the blanket. "There," he whispered. "Help your father out tonight, yes?"
Matteo slept on. Marco went back to the bedroom. Valentina was already in bed. She lay on her side, her back to the door, hair spilling over the pillow, one shoulder exposed above the sheet. He undressed quietly and joined her, deciding to make another effort.
Marco moved closer and slipped his arm around her waist. "Hey," he murmured. "You asleep?" His lips brushed the side of her neck.
"I would be," Val said. She turned slightly, offering him a smile that did not reach her eyes.
"I missed you, love," he said. His hand tightened slightly at her waist, pulling her toward him. "Come on."
