Page 109 of Always Mine

He stares back at me, relief washing over his face.

“You have been the center of my universe and the eye of my storm for more days than I can count, Sophia. Every day, in every universe, in this life and the next, I choose you.”

He lets go of my hand so he can grab my chin and bring my face down to his. I lean over and gently press my lips to his. He kisses megently, as if to seal the deal. Keeping lips still on mine, he deadpans, “This isn’t like a sympathy fuck where you’re just telling me you love me because I almost died?”

I giggle against his mouth.

“You’re insufferable. It’s way too soon for jokes.”

Even in jest, the thought of losing him is too much to bear. From this day forward, it’s us against the world.

A knock on the door forces us to pull apart. I look up to find my dad standing in the doorway. He went home to change out of his formal clothes, but judging by his haggard appearance, it doesn’t look like he got any rest.

“Do you mind if I speak with you, Marco?” he asks. He looks forlorn and like he’s aged overnight.

Marco nods and gestures to the chair by his bedside. I stay perched on the bed next to Marco, entwining my fingers with his.

“Son, I know I owe you one hell of an apology, but first I just want to say a heartfelt thanks for saving my daughter’s life. That was truly a selfless act. One that Sienna and I are forever grateful to you for. But I can’t say I’m surprised, because what I’ve failed to recognize for all these years is all the ways you’ve proven your selflessness when it comes to Sophia.” He pauses, looking Marco in the eye. “It should not have taken you almost getting killed to realize how wrong it was of me to ask you to make that impossible decision all those years ago. Or how misguided it was of me to continue to try and manipulate both you and Sophia with empty threats and heavy-handed actions. My preconceived ideas about how you make your living clouded my judgement of the man you have become. You deserved more respect from me. I hope even if you can’t forget that, you can forgive me.”

The room is so silent you can hear a pin drop. I’ve never heard my dad speak this way. Marco squeezes my hand and clears his throat.

“Patrick, all I ever wanted was your respect. For you to consider me worthy of officially becoming part of your family one day. I appreciate the apology, but respectfully, nothing was ever goingto keep me from Sophia. I would throw myself in front of a bullet again if I needed to, that’s how much I love her.”

My tears are flowing now, and even my dad’s eyes have misted over. He rises and comes over to squeeze Marco’s shoulder.

“My eyes are open now. Not many men would have had the courage or honor to make the sacrifices you have. Thank you for hearing me out. I’m going to let you get some much-needed rest.”

He kisses me on the cheek, adding, “You need to try and get some rest too, Princess.”

“Soon.”

He simply nods and walks out the door. It feels like the slate has finally been wiped clean of resentment, and we’re all finally on the same page.

“I’m not sure I can get used to that version of Patrick Princi,” muses Marco, turning to me with a sly smile. “But it sure beats the asshole version, so I’ll take it.”

Chiara created a new group chat:

Keeping Up With The Family (KUWTF) Members:

Chiara (Group Admin) Sophia, Evie, Stella, Marco, Luca, Sebastian, Raf

Chiara:

Hi beautiful people! Take two! Welcome to our new group chat, KUWTF.

Sebastian:

Marco will be happy you’re using his approved chat app and won’t seize your phone for forensics this time.

Sophia:

You know your cousin. A stickler for security. Love the name. This is going to make it much easier to organize the boys. Now we'll know they got the message.

Raf:

I didn’t ask to be here. Please remove me. Also, consider dropping the KU. I think WTF is more apt.

Luca: