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‘I never expected this...’
‘I’m glad it has happened.’
‘But what about you, Rafael? Does it...does it matter, knowing my own mother...?’
‘Someone I love taught me that the sins of our parents do not have to affect or define us. The past doesn’t have to destroy our future.’
A tremulous smile bloomed across her face, planted its roots deep in his heart. ‘Do you mean that?’
‘I love you, Allegra. I’ve loved you for a while, but I fought it because I am a blind, hard-headed fool. And I was afraid, just as you guessed and said. Afraid of being hurt. Of seeming weak. But you saw all my weakness and failure and you loved me even then. Even more.’
‘I love you,’ she said. ‘All of you.’
‘And I love all of you.’ He put his arms around her and drew her to him. ‘Especially since you can forgive me when I act so foolishly, pulling away when I should have pushed closer.’
‘I understood it was scary, Rafael. It was scary for me too.’
‘But you wised up a lot faster than I did,’ he said with a smile. He brushed his lips across hers. ‘Now let’s go home.’
EPILOGUE
Eighteen months later
‘HE’S THE SMARTEST baby that ever was,’ Allegra declared.
‘Of course he is,’ Rafael answered easily, as he joined her on the lawn, stretching his long legs out on the blanket. The sunshine bathed them in a golden glow, and above them the leaves rustled pleasantly. Their son, named Marco after Rafael’s father, babbled excitedly as he attempted to heft his chubby self to his feet.
‘He’s trying to walk,’ Allegra exclaimed. ‘And the doctors said he wouldn’t walk until he was at least two.’
‘Yes, but what do they ever know?’ Rafael teased.
It had been a long, hard year and a half in many ways. Little Marco had spent four months in the neonatal unit, first getting strong enough to handle heart surgery and then recovering from that surgery. There had been a few scary moments along the way—a bout of pneumonia that had tested his lungs, and an infection after his surgery. But he’d grown stronger and stronger and finally, when their son had been nearly five months old, they’d brought him back to the villa to begin their life together as a proper family.
Three months ago they’d got married, a small, intimate ceremony in the nearby town, with only a handful of guests. Allegra hadn’t wanted a big do, and neither had Rafael.
They were happy as they were, living quietly, with Rafael commuting to Palermo for work. Allegra had started offering cello lessons to local children, and enjoyed playing more than she ever had. The local priest had asked her to play a concert in the church in the nearby town, and Allegra had agreed.
Love, she realised, made her bloom. Made her believe more in herself, because Rafael believed in her. And she saw the same unfurling in Rafael, the lightness and sheer joy in his face, his eyes. Love made you bloom and love also healed.
In recent months Rafael had taken new steps with Angelica, talking more honestly to her than he ever had before. Last week Angelica had moved into the clinic in Switzerland and was undergoing several months of rehab and therapy. So many miracles.
‘Allegra, look!’ His voice filled with amazement, Rafael pointed to their son who, with a look of both determination and terror on his face, was taking his first step.
‘He’s amazing,’ Rafael declared, and, laughing, Allegra reached out to clasp Marco’s hands.
‘Just like his father, then,’ she said, and, smiling, Rafael leaned down to kiss her.
* * * * *
