Page 102 of Dare To Free Us

If it hadn’t been for Arianna…

I stood and spun on her taking her face in my hands and kissed her like I needed the very breath she breathed. When I was finished plundering her mouth I came up for air and placed my forehead against her’s. “Thank you,” I whispered.

Arianna cupped my face in her delicate, sand covered hands. She didn’t say anything, but the way her mouth pinched and eyes closed against tears I knew she got the idea. I’d told her many times over how thankful I was for her bravery.

For daring to free us from a world I was born into, and she had once chosen for the sake of her love for me.

“I love you, Matteo.”

“I love you, Arianna.” We parted reluctantly and I walked up to the houses.

As I stepped off the beach onto Luca’s porch I took one last look back to take in the scene. Our families playing together on the beach, immersed in a peace and freedom we all might have never experienced. I almost couldn’t walk away.

Luca walked up beside me, watching as well. “This feeling never goes away either,” he said softly.

“I sure as hell hope not.” Arianna looked up to smile and wave at me, then got Maria to do the same. My heart nearly stopped in my chest. “The day that happens, I’ll be a dead man.”

Luca nodded. I knew he felt the same.

We turned and left knowing our families would be there when we got back. That a lifetime of happy moments waited for us in the future.

A future I would cherish and protect to my dying breath.

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