And she had. There was so much more to discover, but this was an important step toward her new life, one that she could now share with Alex. He had been an unexpected gift to her.
Opening her eyes and sitting up straight, she realized what the title should be. She had been struggling with a few ideas, but this was it.
‘Unexpected Love’.
It was perfect.
She typed the words and then closed her laptop.
Could she now fight for her own unexpected love?
Am I too late?
When Santo arrived home that evening, Aria was sitting on the sofa with a satisfied look on her face. Sliding his messenger bag over his head, he sat it down on the counter.
“Hey, what’s up?”
Aria stood up, walking to the kitchen counter and leaning on it.
“It’s time to go home.”
His eyebrows shot up and a smile split his face in two.
“You finished it?”
Nodding quickly, she answered, “Yeah, it’s done. It’s time for me to get it to Natalia and start the process.”
He picked her up and swung her around, her hair flying as she screamed excitedly.
Santo put her down and said, “When do you leave?”
“Got a flight out tomorrow morning. I need to find Alex.”
“Sis, I’m so happy for you. No matter what happens with him, pursue this dream to the end.”
“I’ll never let that happen again, I promise. My dreams are too important.”
“Yeah, they are.”
“Let’s go out and celebrate before you pack.”
“Already done,” she said with a chuckle.
“A little anxious to get back, huh?”
“Anxious to get my guy back, yeah.”
Early the next morning, she and Santo took off for the airport, promising to see each other again soon.
When they got to the arrivals drop off, Santo asked, “Sure you don’t want me to come in with you?”
“Nah, I’m good. You’re going to miss me, huh?”
“I'm just glad to not have to fix my hair twice every morning,” Santo teased.
Laughing and hugging him, Aria said, “Come home soon, Santo. We miss you so much. And thank you again for letting me have my grand adventure.”
“I’ll always be here for you, Aria,” he said when they said their final goodbye.
