Epilogue II—Allegra
One Year Later, Gozo, Malta
Closing my eyes, I breathe in the morning breeze and the smell of the sea.
"Hey, you'll catch a cold," Enzo says from behind me, wrapping a blanket around my shoulders.
"Sometimes I wish we'd never leave here," I say just as his arms come around me, holding me to him.
"Me too, little tigress, but we need the world just as much as it needs us." I feel his breath against my skin and a shiver goes down my spine. He's never failed to make me feel like this, no matter how many years pass.
"Can you believe it's our fifteenth wedding anniversary?" he asks, looking toward the horizon.
"Who would have thought we'd be here today?" I muse out loud.
Certainly not me, given the rocky start of our marriage or the subsequent problems we encountered. But we pushed through, and against all odds, we managed to build a life for ourselves.
"Mamma," a voice calls. I turn to see Diotima followed by Nerissa as they race toward us. Luca is slowly trailing behind them, his gaze on the book in his hands.
"Come here." I stoop down to pick up Diotima in my arms while Enzo takes Nerissa.
"How come you two are up so early?" I raise an eyebrow at them.
"Rissa was bored," Diotima points to her sister.
"Not me!" She's quick to defend herself. "Dio wanted to go out." Our youngest pouts, looking so innocent but so, so cunning.
I turn to Enzo and I can see he's struggling not to smile.
According to our girls, it's always the other who instigates everything. We've had enough experience with their antics to realize it's usually by common agreement. They just like to tease each other to see who is more likely to get in trouble.
"We should head to breakfast now that you're all up." I take a step forward, Enzo following with Rissa.
Luca lags behind, a small frown of consternation on his features.
"Luca?" I stop to ask, realizing he's not coming.
"I got it now," he says, blinking twice.
"What is it, dear?"
"Diotima. I know where you got the name," he says, lifting his book up so we can see the title.
I look at Enzo, and for the first time, I note a faint blush on his cheeks.
"That's right, son," he replies, his eyes seeking mine.
"Why?" Luca asks, his curiosity innocent when the answer is anything but.
"Enzo, why don't you take the girls inside? I'll have a small chat with Luca," I gently urge him, depositing Diotima in his arms.
"Good luck," he says, giving me a quick kiss before leaving, relieved he's not the one who has to do the explaining.
Placing my hand on Luca's back, I try to find the best words to describe the situation, especially since this isn't a text for someone his age.
"In here," I say, pointing to his book, "Diotima is the last one to speak, and her idea of love is that it's all-encompassing."
He nods, watching me attentively.
"That's how your papa and I feel about each other. Your sister is the result of that love, so as an homage, we named her after Diotima."
He regards me thoughtfully, digesting the information.
"Do you love papa a lot?" he suddenly asks, and a smile spreads across my face.
"‘A lot’ is an understatement," I tell him. "Your papa is my other half."
Luca purses his lips, narrowing his eyes at me before slowly nodding.
"I see," he replies, tilting his head to the side. "I want that too… a second half."
Fighting tears of happiness, I bring him to my chest for a hug, already so very proud of him.
"You'll find yours too, dear. Just keep your eyes open. Sometimes it happens when you least expect it."
I never imagined I'd be here today when I said I do in front of that priest fifteen years ago. But for all the heartache, abuse, and loss I've endured, I also received the biggest gift of all—love. Between Enzo and the kids, I'm simply spoiled for love.
If I was once the most wretched girl on earth, now I'm simply the most fortunate.