“There’s so much I need to tell you,” I reply raggedly.
“Who’s at the door, Ivy?” a deep rumbling voice calls seconds before my father comes into view.
Fresh tears form in my eyes and slip silently down my cheeks. He still looks like my father, but I can see he’s aged. Tall, broad-shouldered, and handsome, but he’s more slender than I remember, and his hair is pure silver.
When he spots me at Mom’s side, his steps falter. It only lasts for a moment before he’s walking toward me fast. My father has always been tough, so when I see the mountain of emotions in his eyes, the pain and heartache and tears, as he stops in front of me and yanks me into his arms, my heart constricts. His arms are tight around me.
“Oh, Daddy,” I bawl into his chest. “I’ve missed you so much.” I look over at Mom and see her still crying. “I’ve missed you both.”
Dad pulls back, putting his big hands on my shoulders, and does the same thing Mom did: simply looks at me. I let him because it gives me the chance to look at him.
“Still my beautiful little girl,” he murmurs.
“I always want to be your little girl,” I tell him quietly.
Several minutes pass before my parents realize I’m not alone. Dad’s the first to see Luca standing several feet behind me. He looks over my head, and it’s then that I take a step back and his hands fall from my shoulders. I know the moment Mom spots Aria. Her mouth opens, and intense agony passes over h
er face. Her watery gaze lifts to mine in question before going back to Aria.
“Mom, Dad, do you remember Luca?”
Luca steps forward and offers his hand. I hold still, my body tense, as I wait for their reaction. Finally taking her eyes off Aria, Mom comes forward first and places her hand in Luca’s.
“It’s nice to see you again, Luca,” she says, and I can see in her eyes, she means it. I smile gratefully at her.
“It’s a pleasure to see you too, Mrs. Rozero,” Luca greets in his deep baritone.
“Please, call me Ivy.” She smiles past her tears.
Luca nods.
My eyes move to Dad, and I send up a silent prayer. A rush of air leaves my lips when he offers Luca his hand.
“Luca,” he says gruffly. “It’s good to see you.” Dad is more reserved, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction. I know over time he’ll fully accept him.
“Likewise, Mr. Rozero.”
“Like my wife, call me William.”
Another nod from Luca.
“And w-who….” Mom stops for a moment. “Who is this beautiful little girl?”
Luca scoops Aria into his arms and faces Mom and Dad.
“This is Aria,” I tell them. “Our daughter.”
My parents aren’t stupid, they already knew the moment they saw her. Why else would I bring a little girl to meet them on our reunion visit? But the confirmation is still a shock. Dad hides his well, but Mom begins to break down again. It’s only Dad’s comforting arm going around her waist that holds her together.
Dad clears his throat. “You’re just as gorgeous as your mother.”
Aria beams a proud smile. “I know. And I’m just as handsome as my dad too.”
We all laugh and some of the tension leaves the air.
“Girls aren’t handsome, boo,” Luca enlightens her. “They’re pretty, beautiful, gorgeous, or stunning.”
She pokes out her lips. “Well, you’re handsome, and I look just like you, so that must mean I’m handsome too.”