Sofia's voice calls from the courtyard. "Mama! Papa! Come see what Biscotti can do!"
We break apart and turn toward the garden.
Sofia is trying to teach the puppy to sit, her voice high and excited as she repeats the command over and over.
The dog just wags its tail and jumps up, licking her face.
Dante takes my hand and leads me toward the courtyard.
We join Sofia on the path, sitting beside her as she continues her futile training efforts.
The puppy races between us, full of energy and completely undisciplined.
"This was a terrible idea," Dante mutters, but he's smiling.
"Probably," I agree. "But it makes her happy."
He wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me closer. "That's all that matters."
The puppy barks and chases after her, thinking it's a game.
They run across the courtyard together, with loud shrieks and yelps that promise to annoy us to no end in coming months, but my little family is growing and healthy.
And that's more than I could ever have asked for.
Dante pulls me into his lap, wrapping both arms around me.
"This is it," he says quietly. "This is everything."
I rest my head against his, listening to the playful cheers of our little girl. "It is."
And for the first time in years, I believe it.
This is our life now.
It's not perfect or without its complications, but it's ours—a family built on love and the determination to hold onto each other no matter what comes.
