Chapter 12 - THE LITTLE GIRL WHO CHOSE THE DOG
Sophie had opinions about Dante and Elena dating.
Strong opinions.
When Elena told her, Sophie frowned.
"Does that mean Mr. Dante is going to be my new daddy?"
Elena nearly dropped her coffee.
"No, sweetheart. It means we're spending time together."
Sophie considered.
"Like friends?"
"Yes."
"Friends who hold hands?"
Elena blushed.
"Sometimes."
Sophie nodded.
Then asked:
"Can Bruno come to our apartment?"
Elena laughed.
"That's your main concern?"
Sophie looked offended.
"He's my best friend."
Bruno began spending weekends with them.
He slept beside Sophie's bed.
Followed her around the apartment.
And tolerated paper crowns, ribbons, and endless bedtime stories.
Dante visited often.
He helped Sophie build a model solar system for school.
He attended her kindergarten performance.
He learned that she hated peas but loved broccoli.
He also discovered that she could ask forty-seven questions during a ten-minute car ride.
One evening, Sophie sat beside him on the couch.
"Mr. Dante?"
"Yes?"
"Are you going to marry Mama?"
Dante nearly choked on his tea.
Elena laughed from the kitchen.
"Sophie!"
The child shrugged.
"I'm just asking."
Dante looked at her.
"I don't know."
Sophie considered.
"Well, if you do, Bruno has to come."
Dante smiled.
"Understood."
She nodded.
Then leaned against his arm.
Dante looked toward Elena.
She stood in the doorway, smiling.
May you like
For the first time, he understood that family wasn't something he could demand.
It was something people chose to build together.
