Page 267 of Vita Mia

“I lost so much...” Marietta stammered. “I... I’ve tried.”

“I’m asking that you try harder,” Catalina said. “She’s coming with Giovanni. They have paid as much as you and Lorenzo. Trust me. We’re all ‘even’ on the suffering. Including Eve. So try harder dammit!”

Marietta picked up her sangria and sipped. She nodded that she would.

“Don’t worry. I’ll tell Armando about how his father died someday. Dominic makes sure he knows what the legacy is, what the Mancinis left behind. Dominic is his father now. He loves him deeply. Don’t mention Armando again while you’re here to my children or to my Domi.”

Marietta nodded. “I won’t.”

“Gio’s alive?” Shae asked in disbelief. “After all these years?”

“That’s not all,” Catalina said. She took a deep breath and exhaled. She let go of her aggravation and addressed the women calmly. “He plans to go public.”

“With what?” Marietta frowned.

“He can’t!” Shae gasped.

“Wait. You mean, public-public? Are you kidding?” Marietta sat forward. “Please say you’re kidding?”

“Signora,”A servant walked in. The women all looked back to see her arriving with two young ladies. Catalina felt her heart stopped. She’d know Lorenza anywhere. “More guests have arrived.”

“Oh?” Catalina said. She looked up to see Lola and Jewel walking ahead of Kyra and her family. Though she was overwhelmed that they had all returned, she could not take her eyes off of Lola.

“Lorenza?”

Lola glanced over to Jewel and then to Marietta. She looked to her mother for an introduction but Marietta didn’t say much. Catalina took a step toward her. She was so beautiful and unchanged that it broke her heart when Lola looked through her as if she’d never met her before. All these years and the only image in Catalina’s mind that stuck of Lorenza was from when she was nothing more than a sweet baby.

“I’m your Zia Catalina. I’ve wanted to see you for a very long time.”

“Hi,” Lola smiled and extended her hand. “Nice to meet you, Catalina.”

Catalina couldn’t help herself. She pulled Lorenza forward by the hand and hugged her. She kissed her cheek and squeezed her to her heart. Lola returned the affection. She did, however, look surprised. Catalina cupped her face. “Let me see you. Oh my God. Look at you. You’re beautiful. A doll.”

“Thank you.”

“Oh, honey, you’re so sweet. I’ve missed you so very much,” Catalina gushed.

“Ah, thanks,” Lola gave a nervous chuckle and glanced to her mother for an explanation.

Catalina realized how awkward it must be for the young woman and the other guests who arrived that she had completely ignored. She let go her hearts joy and released Lorenza. She wiped her tears. She looked over to Jewel. “And you must be Jewel. Car-ah-Lucio’s daughter.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Jewel said.

“Shae, she is beautiful,” Catalina said. “Can I have a hug?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Jewel said and hugged her.

“Kyra! You came,” Catalina wept.

“Domi called. Said he would want to honor Renaldo by including us. Meet my husband Paul.”

“Hello,” Catalina shook Paul’s hand. He was the same height as Kyra and a very slender man. Nothing like their beloved enforcer. But Kyra seem happy with him. Paul smiled and shook her hand in return.

“And is this Anissa, and Luca? You two are so big now. Grown. Welcome. I’m your Godmother Catalina. I know we haven’t met before but, oh gosh, we have met before. Luca? You look just like Renaldo I...”

Kyra touched Catalina’s arm. “It’s okay. It’s all okay.”

Catalina was so happy she had no idea where to put all of the bottled up emotion. She hugged Kyra tightly and cried in their embrace. “I loved him, Kyra. I never got to say goodbye to you or him.”

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