Chapter 24
Marco
The force of my knocking has opened the door to the house. It mustn’t have been closed properly. Pushing it open with my crutch, I enter. Although I know I have never been in this house before, it somehow feels familiar. The first door I get to is the bathroom. A bathroom I have seen before. It is almost an exact replica for Mia’s bathroom. The tiles on the walls are the same, the flooring exactly the same. The bath and shower are so similar, I swear I’m at her house in Italy. Continuing through the house, I enter the living room. Again this room has a very Mia feel to it. The colours and soft furnishings are just as Mia has at home.
When I make my way into the kitchen, I see a man restrained to a chair, duct tape around each leg, fastening them to the chair’s. The tape around his hands and body holds him tight, preventing any movement. A small piece covers his mouth. I smile to myself; If the house furnishings weren’t a positive confirmation that this is where Mia has been living, the situation of the man in front of me certainly proves she was here. I taught her well.
Taking in the pathetic man in front of me, I can’t help but feel immense anger for him keeping my Mia away from me. I have no idea how he has treated her since she has known him, but it’s obvious from the way he is restrained today that he hasn’t been the perfect gentleman.
I rip the tape from his mouth, hoping it stings like hell.
“Eric Wake, I presume.” I stand in front of him as he takes in my size.
His eyes are wide, and his body shakes in fear. “Who are you?” he asks.
“I am your worst fucking nightmare,” I reply, meaning every word. “Where is Mia?”
“I don’t know who you mean,” he lies.
I thrust my crutch into his chest with so much force, his chair falls backwards and his head hits the floor. He cries out in pain at the impact. Then I return him to a sitting position by pulling the chair leg towards me.
“I will ask you again. The woman who has been living here with you—where is she?” I demand, hoping he answers, otherwise I don’t think I can restrain myself from torturing him for the information I need. I don’t think that would go down too well with the police who are waiting outside.
“She’s gone to the hospital. General Hospital, I would think,” Eric says, seeming genuine.
Although I want to inflict pain on this man who has had a hand in keeping me away from my Mia, I don’t have time. I need to get to the hospital. We leave Eric with the police and head straight there.
“Did he say why she had gone to the hospital?” Van enquires when he pulls the car into the hospital car park.
“No. I’ll just go to the main entrance and give her name. You both wait here. Once I’ve found her, I will call you to come in.”
At the desk I give her name. “Mia…. Actually, try Arianna Wake.”
“Ahh, yes. Straight down to the bottom of the corridor, turn left through the double doors, and then she will be in the first door on the left.”
“Thanks,” I say, hoping I can remember all those directions.
The closer I get to her room, the slower my pace gets. What do I say to her? What if she doesn’t recognise me? Do I tell her who I am? I should have discussed this with Leo and Van. But I push my worries aside, knowing that the most important thing is that she is safe and well. Everything else, we can sort out in time. Placing my hand on the doorhandle, I take a deep breath. As I lean against the door to open it, I hear my Mia’s voice. A sound that fills me with life. It’s like my heart begins to beat fully again.
Her next words have my head spinning.
“That’s her father’s name. Her father is Marco Guerra.”
When my eyes land on Mia, she is an absolute vision. Her cheeks are flushed, and her eyes sparkle. On her chest lies a small head covered in dark hair. Mia has a baby. My baby?
We stare at each other for a moment, neither of us believing what we are seeing.
The midwife releases us from our trance. “Come in, come in. I’ll give you two some space.” She ushers me in and leaves, closing the door behind her.
Mia holds out her hand. “Marco, come meet your daughter.”
I throw down my crutches and take it in mine, kissing the back of her fingers. My other hand goes to the head of my daughter. That’s something I never thought I would say.
“I can’t believe this, Mia. I am so sorry. I thought you were dead. If I had known you were still alive, I would have come for you straight away.” I bow my head in shame.
“You are here now. That’s all that matters.” Mia wraps her arm around my neck.
When I look up, both Mia’s and our daughter’s eyes are on me. They both gaze at me with love. The power of that emotion gives me all the strength I need. I. Marco Guerra, will forever protect my girls. I will fight for them and my organisation to ensure their safety. And in that moment, they give me the greatest gift. They give me my life back.
Mia
I am overwhelmed with emotion. After Marco rings Van to let him know I am okay, the midwife returns and helps Marco get comfortable in a chair so he can hold our daughter.
“She seems absolutely fine, considering she is a little early, but the doctor will be along soon to check her over,” the midwife says as she places our child in Marco’s arms.
She looks even smaller now in the arms of her father. His body is stiff and awkward as he holds her. He’s obviously worried about hurting her. His face, however, is the softest I have ever seen it. I enjoy watching them, and I take a mental picture, knowing I will never take my memories for granted again. Marco begins to relax as he gets used to the feeling of holding a baby. I notice the support braces around both of his legs and wonder what trouble he has got himself into while we have been apart. We have so much to catch up on. I have so much to catch up on with everyone. My thoughts turn to Marisa and Lucia. A sharp twist in my stomach has me gasping out. Marco looks at me with concern.
“Are you okay? Nurse!” he shouts, panicked, not being able to get up to come to me.
“I’m okay. I just remembered what happened to Marisa and Lucia. It’s all been coming back to me a bit at a time since I started labour.”
“I’m so sorry I wasn’t there, Mia.” Marco has a mixture of anger and guilt in his expression.
I just shake my head unable to respond. None of this was his fault.
While the midwife checks me over Van’s large frame enters my room. I have never been so pleased to see my big brother. The smile on his face as he sees me has my eyes filling with tears. Van is a man who, again, like all Guerra men, never shows his feelings. So when he comes and gives me a hug, I know that whatever has happened and whatever the future shall bring, my daughter and I will have the best men by our sides.
After a week in hospital, having had every test available at the request of an overprotective Marco, we are both discharged and told we are fit to fly home to Italy. I need no further treatment for my burns. My skin is healing nicely, the neurology scans have shown a full recovery in my brain, and my memory has completely returned. Our little bundle of joy is strong and feeding well. It’s funny, I feel like she has always been in my life.
“I think I have decided on a name, if it’s all right with you,” I say to Marco in the car on the way to the airport.
“I told you the decision is yours, Mia. Whatever you are happy with, so am I.”
“What do you think about Larisa?” I ask hopefully.
“I think it is perfect,” he says, giving me a little squeeze, understanding the merging of my friends’ names.
When we arrive home, it feels very surreal. I realise now that when I was choosing all the décor for Eric’s house, I was recreating my own in Italy without even realising it.
“See, Larisa? Have a look around. This is your home.”
I beam with pride as catch my reflection in the mirror, holding our baby. Me, a mum. It’s something I never thought I wanted, but I’m so incredibly grateful to be one now. Marco follows behind us as I go through the house and outside. I can’t wait to see all my animals in the sanctuary.
“Mia! You’re home.” Emmaline runs towards me and embraces me in a hug, being careful not to squash Larisa. Emmaline cries with joy. “I can’t believe what you have been through, I can’t believe that psycho of a man got away with such a lie and nobody at the hospital realised.” It is amazing really, and if it wasn’t for the fact I can imitate the English accent perfectly, he probably wouldn’t have got away with it.
Emmaline wipes the tears from her eyes. “I’m so sorry. But look at this beautiful girl,” she gushes stroking Larisa’s cheek.
“I’m fine, Emmaline, really. Marco tells me you have been taking care of the sanctuary while I have been gone. I really appreciate it. Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. Now come on, all the animals are dying to see you.”
When we get to the door, I hand Larisa over to Marco so I can greet the animals. As soon as we open the door, I am swarmed with wagging tails and kisses. After saying hello to my old friends along with some new ones, I notice my little pal is missing.
“Tipsy?” I ask Emmaline, concerned.
Emmaline looks from me to Marco with a smile on her face.
“Tipsy lives with me now. She’s currently with the housekeeper. I’ll bring her back later,” Marco admits sheepishly while gently rocking our daughter.
Marco
The minute we return to Italy, my work in rebuilding the Guerra empire begins. It’s going to take a lot of hard work, but with my woman by my side, I know anything is possible. The plus side to being with an independent, powerful woman like Mia is that she also lives and breathes the Guerra. Together we will come out on top and even stronger. Leo has returned to the dead, and although he got away without anyone knowing of his resurrection, I don’t think that will be the last I see of him.
Today is the day of Larisa’s christening. The ceremony is taking place in the grounds of Mia’s home. Our home. I decided to move in with Mia when we returned. I couldn’t face going back to my house, the place where I had broken. The place where I thought Mia had been buried. Arianna’s ashes have now been returned to England where they belong, and the house and garden are now used for work purposes. Mia hadn’t objected to my insistence on being a roommate , so here we are, a family of three.
It’s a beautiful day, and Mia has done an incredible job organising a beautiful setup for our daughter. Only, it isn’t just for Larisa, it is for Mia too. Today Mia and I will be getting married. She has no idea. We aren’t even engaged. I know she has been hoping for a proposal, but I just thought we would get married instead.
When it is time for the ceremony, our family and friends take their seats, and Mia, holding Larisa, and I stand at the altar. Mia looks beautiful in a white dress that matches our very smiley, happy daughter. I wrap my arm around Mia as we stand and face the priest.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the sight of God and in the presence of family and friends to join together Marco and Mia in holy matrimony.”
Mia’s face is a picture. Her mouth is agape, and her eyes sparkle with tears threatening to overspill.
“Is this okay?” I ask hopefully.
Mia nods. “Perfect.” She beams.
Taking Larisa from Mia, I pass her to Emmaline, who is waiting behind us. She then passes a bouquet of flowers to Mia.
The priest continues. “As Marco and Mia have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and there to have given and pledged their faith each to the other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving a ring, and by joining hands, I pronounce that they are husband and wife, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. You may now kiss your bride.”
So, I do, over and over, for the rest of my life.
The End.