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BECKA
Arianna and I held each other in a bear hug. I hand’t expected her to come. Hoped, but wasn’t sure it was safe or not.
When she came rushing around the corner into the bedroom calling my name I cried with joy. We collided at the center of the room and hugged soundlessly, unable to start what we both knew could be our last conversation for a very long time.
“You’re here.” I finally managed to croak out.
“Of course. Even Matteo couldn’t have kept me from saying goodbye. Luckily, he is smart enough not to try.” She pulled away picking up the duffel bag she’d dumped on the floor. “I went to your place and grabbed you some clothes that should last for a couple of days. Also you and your grandmother’s violins, her bible and the picture of the two of you that was on your dresser. They are in the car outside.”
“You truly are the best.” More tears streamed down my cheeks. The whole crying all the time thing was taking over. “I know what you did. About your birthday wish. What you asked Matteo to do.”
She took my hands in her own, giving them a tight squeeze. “And knowing it’s going to come true makes it the best birthday present ever.”
“I’m going to miss you so much.” My heart twisted. I’d just gotten used to having her near all the time and now I was loosing her again.
Tears fell from Arianna’s eyes. “Oh, God I’m going to miss you to. But it’s not forever.”
The feeling of loss hammered down on me. It felt all too similar to when Grandma passed. My stomach churned angrily. There had been no time to prepare for the moment of saying goodbye. It had been all but thrust upon us without mercy. But Arianna wasn’t dying, and neither was I. It was simply goodbye; for now.
“No, not forever,” I confirmed. Nothing would keep us apart. Arianna was a piece of me I swore to myself I wouldn’t willingly live without. No matter what it took or how long I had to wait, I would see my best friend again.
“Now,” she said pulling clothes out of the bag, “lets get you dressed. Your new life is waiting.”
* * *
The stairs creaked under our weight as Arianna and I made our way downstairs. Luca and Matteo were standing in the sitting area, talking. When Luca turned and met my eyes the warmth that filled my chest heated my cheeks.
I stared into his piercing dark gaze, drawing strength. My heart skipped a beat at his resolve. For the foreseeable future we would be all each other had. The only thing unchanging and certain as we headed into an unknown future. Maybe I should have felt scared? Once we walked out the door everything would be uncharted territory; just us and the entire world out ahead.
And yet, looking at my amazing, sexy, strong, loving man gazing across the room at me like I was the sun itself, all I felt was calm. Sated in the fact that we had each other and that’s all we would ever need.
Luca set an envelope down on the coffee table and strode towards me with steady eyes full of the same confidence and… love.
He stepped into me placing his hands on my waist. “Are you ready?” he asked almost breathless.
Cupping his face I answered, “As long as I’m with you I will always be ready for anything.”
The last couple of months flew by on birds wings. Fluttering in my vision, carrying images of all we’d overcome together. All we had been through to give love a chance and have it survive.
We’d both taken the chance and found something stronger than either of us could have dreamed of.
His forehead came to rest on mine, his chest puffed in and out with loaded breaths. “You are the greatest thing to ever happen to me. The love of my life. I love you.”
“And I love you.”
