"Daddy, daddy, look what I found!" The small child rounds the corner, slamming into my legs, falling onto the ground with a loud thud. His eyes roam upwards until they settle upon my face, his frown quickly forming into a toothy grin. "Uncle Matteo!" He squeals.

I bend over and pick up the child, spinning him around. "You've grown buddy." I say, as he giggles in my grasp.

"Yeah, I'm big and strong, see?" He holds one of his arms out and attempts to flex them.

"You sure are." I chuckle.

It's been a while since I've come home, to New York. I avoided the city for much longer than I expected I would have, after everything had happened, and now that I'm back... It feels strange. Nostalgic, and wrong. But I'm not here for myself, I'm here for family. So I tuck the feeling deep down where it is nothing but an echo in the shadows.

"Daddy didn't say you were coming." Alexander whines, and I place my hand on his head, ruffling his hair.

"That's because it was meant to be a surprise." I say.

Alexanders face pouts. "Did I ruin the surprise?"

"No, of course not." I assure. "Your daddy hasn't seen me yet, so I can still surprise him."

"What about mummy?" He asks.

"Yes, mummy too."

The small child smiles and runs off further into the apartment. I know these halls all too well, and It surprises me they kept the apartment, and didn't get a new one. I would've hoped they did, but maybe I'm just overthinking things. It is only an apartment after all.

I follow Alexander down the hall, where the distant voices emanate from. The voices are all too familiar, and I can feel the familiar sensation of longing and grief within my chest. It's been a long time. Too long.

As I round the corner, my eyes land upon the people who I call my family.

"You found a snail?" Dante questions, looking mildly concerned at his son, who holds the creature within the palm of his hands. "Alex, I think you should-"

"Leave him be, it's just a snail." Rain laughs. "Just don't eat it honey, It won't taste good."

"Why would I eat it mummy, he's my new friend!"

Both Rain and Dante make eye contact and I can tell they are having an unsaid conversation. "We need to get you out of the house more bud." Rain laughs as she pulls her son onto her lap.

"Where's Mirabella?" Hailey asks from the other side of the couch, sitting beside her husband Alistair.

Alexander's face turns a flushed red. "She said she didn't want to talk to me, because I kept trying to put the snail on her."

"Alex, what have I told you about being respectful?" Dante chides, though the room seems to have a relaxed atmosphere, and everyone laughs along with each other.

"Yes, yes, I know. I'll go say sorry." And with that, Alexander slides off his mothers lap and hurries back down the hall where he had come from, giving me a wink as he passes by.

I don't wait another second, as I enter the familiar lounge room, revealing my presence to everyone. Dante is the first to see me, and his face lights up as he does, I can feel the smile on my face widen as he stands and hurries over to me, embracing me in a large hug. "It's been too long." He mumbles.

"It has."

He pulls away and I notice everyone's eyes now on us.

"Matteo!" Hailey squeals as everyone now stands. She hurries over to me and gives me a quick hug.

Alistair gives me a curt nod, but I don't hesitate before hugging him as well.

Lastly Rain, gives me a quick peck on the cheek. "How have you been?" She asks.

"You know, very busy, so many places to visit." I say.

"Well I'm glad you've come home, we've all missed you terribly." She says with a smile across her lips.

Home. I try to repress the glum sensation that desperately wants to wash over my body. As much as I want the place to be my home once more, I know it's not possible. Not even after four years.

"Where's the wife?" Dante asks, clapping me on the back. "Has she grown sick of you already?" He chuckles, thinking his own joke much more funny than it is.

"No, but she's getting there."

I turn around to find the most beautiful woman I've even laid my eyes upon, standing at the entrance to the living room. Her rich brown hair is swept up into a loose bun, leaving wispy hairs to frame her face. Those engrossing pools of watery ice stare at me, as if they were looking at me for the first time all over again. I don't think I could ever get sick of staring at my gorgeous girl, Mia.

"Mia!" Hailey and Rain both yell in unison and run over to her, throwing themselves at her.

I flinch, and find myself stepping towards the trio, hoping that they don't hurt her with their excitement.

"We missed you so much, you have to tell us everything!" Hailey exclaims.

"Yes, It's been what... Over two years?" Rain asks.

"It has been so long, but I'm here now." Mia says. Her smile is so wide, and I can tell she's beyond ecstatic. She's been looking forward to seeing everyone for a while now.

I've noticed that she's begun slowing down. She isn't as eager to move around, and she's started talking to me about settling down. And while the past four years have been the best of my life, I can't help but feel elated at the prospect of starting a life with Mia.

Alistair greets Mia, followed by Dante, who picks her up and twirls her around as she giggles like a little girl. "Put me down." She chuckles, and with a stern look from me, he does as he's told.

"I've missed you so much, Mia. You have no idea."

"I've missed you too, Dante." Mia gives him a hug and I don't fail to notice as a tear slips from the corner of her eye.

Feeling as If I'm intruding on their moment, I look away and find my eyes wandering towards the two children who have found their way back to the centre of the apartment. The blonde haired boy, holds the hand of Mirabella, who stands with a wide grin on her face. She bears a strong resemblance to her mother, with caramel coloured hair and soft curls.

"Hey Bella." I kneel down to greet the girl, but Alexander is quick to stand in front of her, blocking me from her. A frown grace his features as he shakes his head.

"She's mine!"

Instantly Mirabella pushes Alexander out of the way, and gives him a face which I don't think any man wants to be given. "No way, I'm not yours. I'm older than you!"

And then she gives me a big hug, and I hug her back, all while Alexander gives me the death stare.

I guess some things run in the family.

Letting Bella go, I watch as she scurries over to Mia, with the boy at her side. "I missed you, Mia!" The girl shouts as she jumps into my wife's arms.

"I missed you too, my dear Mirabella."

My heart flutters at the sight of Mia holding Mirabella. I can just imagine her being the perfect mother one day, and I can't wait until she wants to bear our children.

Alexander tugs at Mia's pants, reaching his hands up, wanting to be picked up by Mia, but before she has the chance to sweep him up from the floor, I stand between them, and slip my arm around her waist, looking down at the boy.

"Mine." I mouth.

His eyes widen, and he takes a step back before hurrying away with Bella.

"What did you say to him?" Mia asks with a cautious mile on her lips.

"Nothing that isn't true."

Mia playfully pushes me. "You're so funny." She remarks sarcastically.

"Only for you." I say, pulling her closer to me, giving her a light kiss on her lips.

She places her forehead against mine, and takes in a deep breath. "Being here is... Strange."

"I know." I breathe. "I feel the same. We can go whenever you want, I know-"

"No," She says. "I'm here for everyone, I'm not just going to run away."

"Of course."

We both breathe in each other's presence before pulling away from each other and once again addressing our close friends. Our family.

For the next few hours we talk about all the places we had been, and the whole time I let Mia go on about all the incredible memories we made, and things that we would never forget from our travels around the world.

I could see in her eyes, the loves she shared for her family - our family - and it made me fall in love with her even more, if that were even possible.

***

"I'm glad we booked a hotel room." I say. "It's nice to just, relax, away from everybody." I lie.

After spending the afternoon with everyone, I was absolutely exhausted beyond measure. And I knew that if I spent any more time in that apartment, then there was no doubt I would've lost my mind. It held too many memories, and the worst part was I knew that it pained Mia infinitely more than it did me, just being there.

"It is. And after our flight, I can't seem to keep my eyes open. I think I might just collapse." Mia yawns from inside the bathroom.

She hides her pain well, and it hurts me every second of every day, knowing that the pain she experiences is because of me.

My eyes flick up to Mia, who saunters lazily from the bathroom, with her hair cascading down her shoulders, and dressed in a short silk night dress, the same colour as her big blue eyes. Every time, is like seeing her for the first again.

"Like what you see?" She jokes, giving me a twirl.

"Always."

Mia jumps onto the bed, toppling over me, giggling like crazy. Her skin grazes against mine and I can't help but acknowledge just how much I adore this crazy little woman.

"I love you." She says as she pecks me on the forehead, straddling me.

My hands grip her waist, to stop her falling over, but she does anyway, crashing down on me. We both fall into a fit of laughter and I roll over, now holding my weight above her body, and caging her in. Her eyes become wide, and her lips part, allowing me entrance into her mouth.

As soon as I kiss her, butterflies erupt within my stomach, and I feel like a little school body once again. She tastes of warm cocoa, of home, and everything that is good within the world. My hand roams every inch of her body, and hers does the same, and we both enjoy the silence, enjoying the company of one another.

I pull away, and stare at the love of my life.

"What?" She asks innocently.

"I love you." I say.

"I love you more." She smiles.

"I don't think so..." My hands find her waist as I begin to tickle her, and I watch as her face reddens and she laughs. Her laugh is so beautiful. Everything about her is beautiful in every single way.

I finally roll off of her and settle down on the bed, turning my head in her direction. She lies on her side, staring at me, her eyes trailing up and down my body until they land on the scar in the centre of my chest.

Her hand reaches out and she gently trails her finger against the skin, sending shivers down my body.

"Matteo," She whispers.

"Yes?"

"I think... I want to start a family."

She inhales a sharp breath, and her eye's shy away from me, looking back down at the bed.

I bring my hand up to her chin, and raise her face so that she can't look away. "You want to start a family?" I ask.

"I do."

Happiness is like a drug, and I feel it flow through my veins, giving me the best high.

My face breaks out into a grin, and as it does, so does hers.

"We are going to have the best family." I breathe.

"Yes, we are."

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