I shrug my shoulder and take a bite of my toast. “Just thinking about…things.”
“Things. What kind ofthings?”
“You know, juststuff,” I say slyly.
He gives me a playful nudge and leans over to take a bite of my toast before giving me a buttery kiss.
Sara sits opposite of us, taking us both in over the rim of her coffee cup. When she sets the mug down, she has the biggest grin on her face. “I think you two staying here was a good thing,” she remarks.
Damon nods his head in agreement. “A very good thing.”
“We should do this again,” she announces.
“Yes, I would love that,” I tell her quickly. I would love to spend more time with Sara and her family. And seeing them together, knowing everything they’ve been through, makes me feel hopeful about the future of Damon and me.
If they can make it work, I know we can too.
Yes, we have a lot of obstacles to get over, but I think together we have the kind of bond that’s needed for a lasting relationship. And after last night, I know his love for me never faded during our time apart. If anything, it grew stronger.
Reaching across the table, Sara places her hand over Damon’s and says, “I have one more thing I want to show you before you leave.”
CHAPTER 32
DAMON
I WASN’T PREPARED for what Sara wanted to show me. And so, when we reach the grave of our mother, I almost breakdown right then and there on the spot.
All those years of wondering what happened to her. Had she died someone’s slave? Had she ever been happy again?
The beautiful rose gold headstone with her name engraved lets me know that she was happy towards the end at least. She didn’t have her family back, and we didn’t have her, but at least she had someone who cared about her.
“You…you did this?” I ask, my gaze drifting to Roman.
He nods in response.
“Thank you,” I tell him vehemently. He has no idea how much this means to my sister and to me. Our mother has a place to rest on this earth. A place for us to come and speak to her. A place for us to visit and feel her presence.
And I do feel her presence in this beautiful cemetery. It’s lined with cherry blossoms and very private on top of a picturesque mountain. The headstones practically glimmer in the bright sunlight, bringing new life to a place filled with so much death.
“It’s beautiful here,” Victoria comments, squeezing my hand.
I turn my attention to her, and I can see the tears streaming down her beautiful cheeks. Leaning in, I whisper to her, “I’ll take you to your father’s grave when we get back.”
She lets out a shocked gasp. “You…you buried him?” she asks me, her eyes welling up with tears and searching my face for the truth.
I give her a nod and tell her, “Right beside your mother.” That earns me a tearful sob as she throws herself into my arms.
Ciccone wronged my family and I in so many ways, but Victoria is the one who deserved more than I ever got – a proper burial for her father.
After I realized how important that was when I read my own mother’s obituary, I knew I couldn’t just dump Ciccone’s body in the ocean with cement shoes.
Victoria deserved more.
After several minutes, I’m ready to take my queen back home to our castle.
We say our goodbyes to my sister, Roman and little Arlo, and then Victoria and I are ready to head back to New York.
Climbing into the car, I take Victoria’s hand in mine. “Ready?” I ask her.
