Fragile Longing

“Danilo’s a gentleman, so you have no reason to worry.”

If only she knew his other side, the vengeful man who took strangers against trees. The man who terrified me, and yet I still wanted him.

“I know,” I lied. “How are Greta and Nevio? Can you send me new photos of them? I haven’t seen them in so long.”

“Inseparable. Nevio and his cousins always keep an eye on Greta. She loves ballet so much, and she’s so talented. Remo even built a ballet studio for her so she can practice at home.”

Her voice overflowed with love for Greta and the man who’d stirred up the trouble in the Outfit . . . and made me Danilo’s fiancée. I wasn’t sure if it was blessing or curse. “And Nevio? How’s the little daredevil?”

Fina laughed in exasperation. “Don’t get me started. He tests my patience on a daily basis. He and his cousins stir up nothing but trouble. But I can’t really stay mad at him for long because he’s such a caring boy when it comes to Greta.”

I grinned. Nevio had been trouble even as an infant. I could only imagine how he was now. Would I ever see them again?

“Is Greta still so shy?”

“Yes, she’s got trouble with people outside of family, especially with crowds.”

I realized Fina hadn’t said anything about photos yet. “Can you send me a photo of them?”

Fina was silent, then eventually she said apologetically, “I don’t think Remo would approve of that . . . we’re still at war.”

Remo. The bane of the Outfit. Samuel’s face always flashed with hatred when he spoke of him, and I’d noticed the same thing with Danilo. “I understand. Danilo would be furious if he found out I’m talking to you.” Bitterness and disappointment rang in my voice.

“I wish things were different.”

“But they won’t be.”

“No, they won’t,” she agreed softly. “You know what? I’ll send you a photo if you promise to send me some from your wedding.”

I smiled. “Done.”

“Sofia,” Mom called. “We have to leave soon!”

I glanced at the clock. My first fitting was in an hour. The seamstress had hurried to get my dress done before all the others.

“How’s Mom?” Fina asked. I didn’t miss the longing in her voice. We weren’t the only ones who had lost something when Fina left. She had lost her entire family. Even if she was the one who’d left, her worry for her children hadn’t really left her much of another choice.

“She’s in full wedding-planning mode with both my and Samuel’s weddings.”

Fina didn’t say anything, so I blabbered on. “She’s desperate to have grandkids. If it were up to her, Emma and I would get pregnant right away.”

“She’s got grandkids,” Fina whispered.

My skin heated. “That’s not what I meant. Just . . . just grandkids she can take care of.”

“I know. For a while I hoped there would be peace, but I’ve given up hope. I doubt Dante, Dad, or Danilo will ever agree to a truce.”

“But Remo and his brothers would?”

Fina hesitated. “Probably not.”

“Sofia,” Mom called again.

“I need to go.”

“I miss you, ladybug. Keep me updated and send me all the pics.”

“I miss you, too. And don’t forget to send me pics of Greta and Nevio.”

I ended the call. “I’m coming,” I shouted so Mom would hear me downstairs.

My phone beeped with incoming messages. I opened them, and almost did a doubletake when I looked at the first photo. It showed Fina with her twins. They had grown so much. Nevio was tall, already reaching Fina’s ribcage, but Greta was a couple of inches shorter and petite. The photo perfectly showed their attitude. Fina had her arms wrapped around both kids, but while it looked protective with Greta, the arm around Nevio’s shoulders seemed to stop him from running out of the picture. He looked sullen, but Greta smiled shyly into the camera.

“Sofia!”

I shoved the phone into my purse, slipped on my favorite sandals, and rushed downstairs. Mom looked flustered when I got down to the lobby. She’d been working 24/7 to make both weddings perfect. If she kept it up, she’d be burned out by the time the weddings rolled around. But it was clear that she needed something to keep herself busy.

“We’re going to be late,” she said, but a smile softened her stressed words.

For a second, I considered showing her the photo Fina had sent me, but then I decided against it, worried it would trigger more bad memories and emotions than good ones. Mom knew that Samuel was in contact with Fina, so she could have asked him for her number if she wanted to talk to her as well, but Mom just couldn’t bear it.My wedding day.

I’d waited more than six years for this moment to come but the expected joy didn’t fill me.

When I’d been a young girl, I’d often imagined my wedding day. I’d dreamed about choosing my dress surrounded by Serafina, Anna, and Mom, fantasized about the endless joy and admiration on my husband’s face when he first saw me.