Chapter 10 - THE RETURN TO CHICAGO
The flight back to Chicago was silent except for the rhythmic thrum of the helicopter rotor blades and Alina’s soft breathing as she slept against my chest.
The trauma of the past six years had left deep,
invisible scars on her soul,
but her spirit remained unbroken.
When we touched down on the rooftop helipad of the Vitelli Tower,
dawn was just beginning to break over Lake Michigan,
painting the sky in cold shades of violet and gray.
Matteo Rizzo was waiting for us on the roof,
holding a heavy woolen blanket and looking exhausted.
He took one look at Alina,
and tears welled up in his eyes.
Alina,
he whispered,
stepping forward.
I am so sorry.
Alina looked at him for a long moment,
her gray-blue eyes piercing through his soul.
You tried to protect us,
Matteo,
she said quietly,
her voice devoid of anger.
Even if your methods were flawed,
I know your heart was in the right place.
Matteo nodded,
bowing his head in shame and relief.
Let's get inside,
I said,
wrapping my arm around Alina’s waist.
Sophia is still sleeping.
We walked down the private elevator to the penthouse suite.
The double doors to the guest bedroom were propped open slightly.
Alina froze on the threshold.
Inside the large,
sunlit room,
curled up in a king-sized bed with a pile of stuffed animals,
was our daughter.
Her chestnut hair was splayed out across the white pillows,
her breathing deep and peaceful.
Alina covered her mouth with her hand,
letting out a stifled sob as she crossed the room and sank to her knees beside the bed.
She stroked Sophia’s soft curls with infinite tenderness.
My baby,
Alina whispered,
tears streaming down her cheeks.
My sweet baby.
Sophia stirred at the touch,
her eyelids fluttering open.
She looked up,
saw her mother kneeling beside her,
and blinked twice as if she were still dreaming.
Mommy,
she whispered.
You came back too.
Alina pulled her into her arms,
burying her face in Sophia’s neck,
May you like
and for the first time in six years,
our family was finally whole again.
