Page 43 of She Found Me

“That’s her father’s name. Her father is Marco Guerra.”

When my eyes land on Mia, she is an absolute vision. Her cheeks are flushed, and her eyes sparkle. On her chest lies a small head covered in dark hair. Mia has a baby. My baby?

We stare at each other for a moment, neither of us believing what we are seeing.

The midwife releases us from our trance. “Come in, come in. I’ll give you two some space.” She ushers me in and leaves, closing the door behind her.

Mia holds out her hand. “Marco, come meet your daughter.”

I throw down my crutches and take it in mine, kissing the back of her fingers. My other hand goes to the head of my daughter. That’s something I never thought I would say.

“I can’t believe this, Mia. I am so sorry. I thought you were dead. If I had known you were still alive, I would have come for you straight away.” I bow my head in shame.

“You are here now. That’s all that matters.” Mia wraps her arm around my neck.

When I look up, both Mia’s and our daughter’s eyes are on me. They both gaze at me with love. The power of that emotion gives me all the strength I need. I. Marco Guerra, will forever protect my girls. I will fight for them and my organisation to ensure their safety. And in that moment, they give me the greatest gift. They give me my life back.

Mia

I am overwhelmed with emotion. After Marco rings Van to let him know I am okay, the midwife returns and helps Marco get comfortable in a chair so he can hold our daughter.

“She seems absolutely fine, considering she is a little early, but the doctor will be along soon to check her over,” the midwife says as she places our child in Marco’s arms.

She looks even smaller now in the arms of her father. His body is stiff and awkward as he holds her. He’s obviously worried about hurting her. His face, however, is the softest I have ever seen it. I enjoy watching them, and I take a mental picture, knowing I will never take my memories for granted again. Marco begins to relax as he gets used to the feeling of holding a baby. I notice the support braces around both of his legs and wonder what trouble he has got himself into while we have been apart. We have so much to catch up on. I have so much to catch up on with everyone. My thoughts turn to Marisa and Lucia. A sharp twist in my stomach has me gasping out. Marco looks at me with concern.

“Are you okay? Nurse!” he shouts, panicked, not being able to get up to come to me.

“I’m okay. I just remembered what happened to Marisa and Lucia. It’s all been coming back to me a bit at a time since I started labour.”

“I’m so sorry I wasn’t there, Mia.” Marco has a mixture of anger and guilt in his expression.

I just shake my head unable to respond. None of this was his fault.

While the midwife checks me over Van’s large frame enters my room. I have never been so pleased to see my big brother. The smile on his face as he sees me has my eyes filling with tears. Van is a man who, again, like all Guerra men, never shows his feelings. So when he comes and gives me a hug, I know that whatever has happened and whatever the future shall bring, my daughter and I will have the best men by our sides.

After a week in hospital, having had every test available at the request of an overprotective Marco, we are both discharged and told we are fit to fly home to Italy. I need no further treatment for my burns. My skin is healing nicely, the neurology scans have shown a full recovery in my brain, and my memory has completely returned. Our little bundle of joy is strong and feeding well. It’s funny, I feel like she has always been in my life.

“I think I have decided on a name, if it’s all right with you,” I say to Marco in the car on the way to the airport.

“I told you the decision is yours, Mia. Whatever you are happy with, so am I.”

“What do you think about Larisa?” I ask hopefully.

“I think it is perfect,” he says, giving me a little squeeze, understanding the merging of my friends’ names.

When we arrive home, it feels very surreal. I realise now that when I was choosing all the décor for Eric’s house, I was recreating my own in Italy without even realising it.

“See, Larisa? Have a look around. This is your home.”

I beam with pride as catch my reflection in the mirror, holding our baby. Me, a mum. It’s something I never thought I wanted, but I’m so incredibly grateful to be one now. Marco follows behind us as I go through the house and outside. I can’t wait to see all my animals in the sanctuary.

“Mia! You’re home.” Emmaline runs towards me and embraces me in a hug, being careful not to squash Larisa. Emmaline cries with joy. “I can’t believe what you have been through, I can’t believe that psycho of a man got away with such a lie and nobody at the hospital realised.” It is amazing really, and if it wasn’t for the fact I can imitate the English accent perfectly, he probably wouldn’t have got away with it.

Emmaline wipes the tears from her eyes. “I’m so sorry. But look at this beautiful girl,” she gushes stroking Larisa’s cheek.

“I’m fine, Emmaline, really. Marco tells me you have been taking care of the sanctuary while I have been gone. I really appreciate it. Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. Now come on, all the animals are dying to see you.”

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