Page 163 of Kadra: The Unfeeling

Thump.

Thump.

“Then we can have some tea?” That comes from Azariel.

I look at Vitali’s smiling face as he stares back at me and my heart rate spikes, This man. These kids. My heart. Then I look down at my Azariel with a pressure in my chest that feels right. Love. That’s love.

Smiling, I tell him.

“I would love some tea.” I hug him closer to me.

Saying my goodbyes to Amadeo, I exit the cemetery holding onto my family with a smile on my face. I used to run out of here with bruises on my skin and sadness in my heart but not anymore.

I also don’t have tea parties alone with an empty teacup next to me.

No.

I have a family who loves and fights for me just as hard as I love and fight for them.

I have a daughter who loves to match me because in her words ’I want to grow up and be mommy when I grow up.’

A son who surprises me with picnics in the garden and shares his world with me when he doesn’t let anyone else in.

A husband who plants me roses in our garden and leaves me love notes every morning.

Dreams do come true for women like me.

The sweetest dreams.

With my arms around my son, I look at Vitali and smile when his eyes lock on mine.

He mouths the words ‘I love you.’ making me smile wider.

“Until the sun dies.” I whisper back.

Until the sun dies and the moon stops shining.

I’ll love this man until my heart stops beating and if reincarnation exists, I’ll find him and love him again.

My dragon.

My devil.

My ally.

My Vitali.

In Italian his name means life-giving and vital.

Fitting since he was the one who brought me back to life.

He gave me the most beautiful life too.

Heaven.

“Oh! Mommy can we take ice cream to Cassian?” my daughter’s excited shouts pull me out of my head just in time to watch my husband’s eyes turn dark. Hell, even my cat Greta hisses in Azariel’s arms.

“No.”

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