Epilogue
Hanna
Two months later
With a contented sigh, I brush my hands on my short jeans and adjust my sun hat. A pleasantly mild breeze dries the beads of sweat on my neck. Taking a deep breath, I feel the sheer essence of life flowing through me. Despite my exhaustion after a hard day's work on the olive grove, I am filled with bliss.
All of this. The estate, the olive trees, the Tuscan way of life. It's so beautiful that even after two months, I still wonder every day if I'm not just dreaming.
My gaze falls on Vico, who is a few yards away, carefully inspecting the growth of the plants. With a devoted expression, he runs his hands over the leaves, checks the fruit's skin, and examines the condition of the bark. Since we began clearing the olive grove of weeds and pruning the trees a few weeks ago, he has become increasingly serene. As if he has reclaimed a piece of himself with each passing day.
Tears of joy well up in my eyes. And as I watch the gentle smile forming on his lips, everything around me suddenly seems bathed in golden light. It warmly touches my skin, causing a pleasant tingling sensation. Birds happily chirp their songs, accompanied in my mind by the sound of a solitary violin. Its melody is melancholic yet filled with happiness. The breeze strengthens, tugging at my T-shirt and carrying the scent of summer to my nose.
As if Vico senses that I'm watching him, he turns to me. Our gazes meet, and suddenly, an entire orchestra plays in my mind. The music carries me away as he approaches to embrace me.
"Are you dreaming?" he lovingly whispers into my ear.
I breathe in his scent. Feel the beat of his heart. "No need for dreaming," I reply with a smile. For no dream could ever be as beautiful as the reality I get to live with Vico.
He detaches himself from me, stands beside me, and puts his arm around my shoulder. I take off the sun hat, resting my head against his chest, and together, we watch the setting sun behind the olive trees.
"Sometimes, I can't believe it's really true." Vico's chest trembles. "But we did it."
The olive grove will soon be completely revitalized. The barn patiently awaits our attention to bring it back to life. But until we need it after the harvest, we have a few months left.
And the estate?
I gently turn, so that both of us can see the venerable building. We've renewed the shutters and repaired the damages in the stone facade. I've trimmed back the ivy all around, and the new rain gutter gleams in a warm red hue.
"The orange trees at the back entrance were a wonderful idea," Vico says.
"Next February, they will bloom." I can already smell their fragrance. I have their aroma on my palate, and I am filled with anticipation for the day when we will harvest them and turn them into orange blossom water.
"It will be just as you dreamed it." His tone filled with love and reverence.
"It will be." Even though we've only implemented a part of everything that I can already see so clearly in my imagination, the estate already feels different.
Warmer. Cozier. More alive.
It's a home again. Not just for Vico and me but also for Camilla, who emerges from the door at this moment with a stack of plates. Alessia's curly head appears behind her. With radiant faces, the two of them set the table for dinner. They don't notice us observing how lovingly they arrange the plates, fold the red-and-white-checkered napkins, and set the cutlery. A little later, they disappear into the house, laughing and full of joy.
"They are happy." With these words, I snuggle even closer to Vico's chest. I know how much the happiness of his sisters means to him. And I also know how much it pains him that Aurora has not visited even once. "Aurora will come. I'm sure of it."
A melancholic sigh escapes his lips. "I'm not so sure," he says absentmindedly. I feel his muscles tense up. We both fall silent for a moment. Then Vico clears his throat. "There's something wrong with her. It was evident when she was here for the twins' birth."
I gently sway him back and forth to ease the tension.
Vico plants a soft kiss on the top of my head. "Her nervousness and overexcitement, that's not her. That wasn't my little sister, but… a stranger."
"Camilla mentioned that she has also lost a lot of weight." As much as I want to help, I've only seen Aurora in photos so far. To me, she is the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. With a radiant smile and a presence that captivates me every time I see her.
Shaking his head, he strokes my arm. "Something must have happened. Something terrible. Something that changed her whole life."
I gaze into Vico's angular face. "We should visit her in France."
He nods with a grateful smile. At the same moment, I catch in the corner of my eye that the entrance door of the estate swings open again. But it's neither Alessia nor Camilla who steps out.
It's Vico's father.
Vico has spotted him too.
I sense him holding his breath.
"What…?" he whispers tonelessly.
I know the question dominating his thoughts, but I don't know the answer. I've never witnessed Vico's father leave his worn-out leather armchair on his own initiative. And now, he steps into the garden, albeit with unsteady steps, but clearly under his own power, and surveys the scene.
Nostalgia and sadness dominate his expression. Slowly, he makes his way toward us and finally stands quietly beside us. I link my arm with his and squeeze his hand.
Together, we gaze at the olive grove. Together, we breathe in the scent of the new era we are embarking on.
Suddenly, he turns his head and looks directly at both of us. I don't know what to do, and I think Vico feels the same. So it remains as it is. We look at each other, trying to decipher the unspoken words in our faces.
Not yet, perhaps.
His lips tremble, as does his thinning hair. Then he slightly lifts the corners of his mouth.
He nods at us. Just once, and so faintly that I can barely discern it. Yet I'm sure he did it. And I believe I know what it means.
Moved, I reach for Vico's hand, our fingers entwining.
I feel our affection.
Our hope.
And that one truth that nobody can take away from us.
Our path may still be long, but we'll navigate it with certainty.
None of us will ever forget that life is meant to be enjoyed. Because deep inside, we know that loving with all our hearts is the best thing we can do. We will never stop seeing our wishes in the most beautiful colors of this world.