The rest of the day went surprisingly smoothly. I spent most of it watching movies and playing games with Alessia.

We sat in front of the television until my dad finally came home. Then we ate dinner together before he retired to his room.

As soon as my dad left the room, I hurried over to Zee and lifted her gently into my arms and carried her to her room, laying her down on the bed.

I crawled into bed next to her and covered us both up with the blanket. She looked up at me sleepily and yawned, stretching her arms up above her head and arching her back...