I faintly hear a conversation being held in the Italian tongue. I groggily sit up on the sofa and stretch my sleepy limbs.
Shit, I must have dozed off.
“You're awake.” A chirpy voice pipes up.
“Hmmm?” I stand up and turn around.
There I am met with two sets of eyes. One belonging to Luca and the other... Rosalia.
I gasp. She's more beautiful than I could have imagined.
“Aunty Vanessa?” The young lady walks towards me with a friendly smile on her face.
“Rosalia?” I know who she is because she holds a striking resemblance to Celeste.
Gorgeous!
“Si, I hope we did not wake you from your nap. But, I'm glad that you’re finally awake!” She throws her arms around me and squeezes the near life out of me, causing making me laugh.
“I am so sorry, I don’t remember falling asleep,” I say sheepishly as my cheeks slightly start to turn pink.
Rosalia starts to pull back from our hug but I hold onto her a bit tighter stopping her.
“I have so many years to catch up on with hugs, I’m just not ready to let you go just yet okay." I squeeze my eyes shut, cherishing this moment. "Just a little bit longer.” Rosalia laughs and I can hear a low chuckle coming from Luca.
I open my eyes search for him, when my eyes land on him, I can't help but stare daggers at him. Bringing an end to his chuckles.
Pestering, devilishly handsome Jerk...
After I get my fill of hugs and adoring the similarities she holds dear to Celeste. We are seated at the table for dinner. The smell of butter and Salmon persistently invades my sense of smell, causing my mouth to water and my stomach to growl.
Mmmmmmmm...
Luca sits at the head of the table while Rosalia and myself sit at each side of him, across the table from each other.
“So...” My eyes flick from Luca to Rosalia. “Is there anything you want to know about your mum that your dad may not have been able to fill you in on?” I cut a piece of Salmon and shove it into my mouth like a starved barbarian.
“Si, Papa told me that mamma wanted to be a teacher.” She looks brightly at me.
“Yes, she always had a passion for teaching. Your mum loved children, but she loved helping their minds grow and learn more. She wanted to be an inspiration to them and help mould them into the best people they could be. ”
“You pursued mammas dream and became a Teacher. May I ask why you chose to do it?”
“Hon, you can ask me anything you want when it comes to your mum. No questions are off-limits okay?” I place my utensils down on my plate and clasp my hands together.
“Thank you.” She smiles at me and I feel one side of my mouth curl upwards.
“I honestly had no idea what it was that I wanted to be when I grew up. I mean let us face it... I would never have been able to keep up in the music industry, being a superstar was such a common and desired dream at the age of eight. All the glitz and glam was a real sell-out.” I say sarcastically causing Luca and Rosalia to laugh in amusement.
Luca gently touches my arm. “I think you would have been out of my league and untouchable if you did pursue your dream, Cara Mia.” He winks at me and I can't help but gape at him stunned.
“I think Aunt Vanessa is still out of your league Uncle.”
Rosalia playfully throws a green bean at his head from her plate. And, of course, Luca leans back and catches it with his mouth, wearing a smug look as he chews on it.
“Thank you.” I blow Rosalia a kiss. “But..... truth be told. The day we lost your mum, my world started to slowly crumble around me. My parents got caught up in their shameful grief that they eventually abandoned all responsibility for me. It was emotionally draining watching both my parents fight all the time that it eventually became both mentally and physically draining too, Celeste always had the most encouraging things to say when I was feeling down. I missed her more than ever during the taunting separation of my parents that eventually lead to a hateful divorce. I was left to stay with my mum who became an alcoholic because my father was too busy getting his sexual needs met by another teacher from my primary school. I think it was through those times and the lack of having your mums encouraging words that I felt the need to accomplish what she couldn’t. From that day on I became bloodthirsty for success and power. The power to make a difference in the world and to do that had to be done with the children of our future, who will someday lead this country when we no longer can. By accomplishing all that I have." I pause and my gaze shifts to Luca.
"I always thought that I was keeping a part of my sister, your mum alive through me carrying out her dream job.” I swipe the tears running down my face. My eyes quickly flick from Luca back to Rosalia, and I can see the unyielding pity filling their eyes.
“But... There’s you. Celeste’s Italian versioned clone.” A sob escapes from my throat.
Rosalia gets up from the table with tears in her eyes and walks over to me, pulling me up from my chair and into a hug.
“I’m sorry, I.. It's just that all these years I thought I was alone.” I break our hug and stare into her eyes. “ Her blood and beauty flow through you more than I could ever wish for. You.. you are my new reason for wanting to live a happier life, there is so much lost time we need to make up for. But you know what they say. Better late than never yeah?” I wipe the tears from Rosalia’s face.
Such a beautiful young woman, Celeste would be ultra proud.
“I think mamma won the lottery in the sister pool,” Rosalia says softly as she takes her seat at the dinner table again.
“That’s very sweet of you hon. I miss her.”
So much!
“I would give anything to have one day with her. I went to her grave today. And for the first time, I couldn’t help but wonder what my life would've been like if she was here with us.”
I get up from the table, walk over to my bag, and reach inside of it. I pull out an old photo of Celeste that I've cherished all these years. I sit back down and slide the photo across the table to Rosalia.
“ I also have faith in God and believe he has a plan for every one of us, whether we choose to acknowledge it or not. Your mum was one of his angels he needed by his side in a hurry and to help suppress the loss and heartache he gifted you to us in return.”
“Si, I believe this to be true too,” Luca says.
He takes a hold of Rosalia’s hand and gives it a gentle squeeze “There will be a time when you are reunited with your mamma Rosa and when that day comes you will truly get to embrace her and show her how much you have grown to love her in her absence.” Luca promises her.
I chew on my inner cheek as I admire the affection he demonstrates towards our niece.
“I’ll get dessert?” I get up and clear the table of our empty dinner plates.
A tinge of jealousy hits me and I don’t like it.
I want that! I want to have that special bond too.
It’s not Lucas fault that he has a great bond with Rosalia. After all, he did grow up with her and by the looks of it, helped keep her safe too.