31: I Believe ...

", Zolina, how are you today?" Alberto hugged his daughter, holding her until she gave in to his pull and the warmth of his arms.

"Papa ..."

"Come, let's sit and eat. We must return to the office soon."

Dominic followed his father and sister to the table. He stepped over to Marie, kissing her gently on the lips. ", my Love."

The Basilios fell into a familiar rhythm in the meal. The silence at the table was comfortable but fragile.

Marie cautiously opened up the conversation. "Zola, have you heard from Cora yet? Will she be joining us for dinner?"

"No. She'll be done by 4:00, but our flight out is at 8:00. I'll meet her at the airport." Marie nodded.

"Zolina, " Zola took a deep breath, preparing herself mentally, "I am not a blind man. I can see very clearly that she loves you and that you love her."

", Papa. Every time I think of her, I lose my breath. Every time she touches me, I lose my mind. Every time I hear her voice, I lose the world."

"And your family?"

"I will always love my family, you know that. My family is me. And Cora loves all of me, unconditionally."

Alberto sighed. "Okay, Zolina, would you ask Cora to stay for dinner tonight?"

"I will ask, but we have a plane to catch."

"Zola, take ours."

"I will , Papa. Cora isn't a proud person but this is ."

Alberto nodded and the family ate in silent reflection.

----

"miss you too. meeting in 5"

"okay?"

----

" How is your day going?"

"Zola, it's . The program and research here is astounding. But, I'm missing you." Cora's voice was filled with concern. "Are you okay?"

Zola's throat tightened with love and devotion. ", you are perfect. I'm fine. But, I have a favor to ask."

"What is it, Zo? Anything."

"Papa would like to have dinner tonight. I know we're supposed to leave."

Cora sensed a tightness and need in Zola's voice. After her vulnerability the night before she would do anything to ease her pain. "Of course. We can change the tickets. I'll call Seton right now. ."

"." Zola chuckled. "Cora, don't spend money to rebook. Papa will make sure we can get home safely. I'll see you soon."

----

Cora rode the elevator up to the apartment, nearly vibrating with happiness at the thought of seeing Zola. Leaving her that morning was particularly difficult given the past 24 hours. She barely crossed through the door before Zola was on top of her.

", !"

"Hey ..." Cora's response was stifled by Zola's enthusiastic greeting. She crushed Cora's lips with repetitive kisses, grinning and laughing. Cora pulled her in, folding Zola up in her arms, calming her assault. She spun Zola, pressing her gently but firmly into the now closed front door.

Cora slowed their kiss and wrapped her tongue and lips around Zola's tongue, sucking evenly while pressing her body into her. Zola whimpered and quieted.

Her eyes rolled and she said in broken breath,", you're back. It was so hard to wake up without you today."

Cora kissed her again. "It was hard to leave you." Zola grinned and pulled Cora toward the kitchen where Marie was cooking.

"Hello! It smells in here!"

", grazie." Marie laughed at Zola dragging Cora to the table.

"I'm so happy you're home. Marie's had me talking about you all day so I've been out of my mind waiting for you."

"Dom and Nonno will be here soon. Dom's picking up Matteo right now."

Cora very subtly raised an eyebrow at Zola as she spoke to Marie, "Okay, I'll go shower and change for dinner." Zola shifted in her chair, preparing to follow.

"Perfect. Zola, do you want to give me a hand?"

"Of course, Marie!" Zola shot Cora a look of disappointment. Cora shrugged and stood to get cleaned up. She leaned down and kissed Zola on the cheek whispering,"I'll be wet and thinking of you."

Zola gasped so softly that Cora almost missed it. Cora's eyes sparkled with laughter as she moved away.

----

All eyes were on Alberto. He sat at the head of the table, Dominic opposite, Marie and Matteo on one side and Cora and Zola on the other. Alberto sat taking in the moment, searching the eyes of everyone at the table. "Our Father, who art in Heaven ..."

"Cora, thank you so much for joining us for dinner. I know that your plate is very full right now and this was an unexpected change in your schedule."

"It's no problem, Alberto. I'm happy to spend more time with your family."

Alberto raised an eyebrow and grinned. "? We did our best to scare you away last night."

Cora chuckled. "Yes, that was " Cora saw four sets of confused eyes looking at her. "What I mean to say is. A very good friend of mine, Erin, told me: ''"

Marie sighed. "Wow! You have amazing friends."

Cora smiled. "Yes. I do."

"Cora, I want happiness for my Zolita, but I don't want her to compromise anything in seeking that happiness."

Cora nodded, her brow furrowed. "And you think I am a compromise?"

Alberto's voice was filled with love and concern. "Cora, you don't God. How can you care for my daughter's ? How will you explain to her that you will not enter the kingdom of heaven ?"

"Oh, I see. I am a Secular Humanist. So I compromise Zola's spiritual well being? To her life beyond this world?"

", Cora. Our family is , our religion."

Before Cora could respond, Zola interjected, "Papa, Cora's answer will make no difference." All attention shifted to Zola. "We will find a way to make it work." Zola kissed Cora softly on the cheek. " ..."

" I can see that. I will not try to keep you apart. I just need Cora to understand that, while I think she is a wonderful person, she is not ..." Alberto struggled to find the right word.

"A Believer?" Cora offered.

", a Believer." Alberto sighed and the table looked to Cora.

"I understand, Alberto, I do. In my line of work, I am often asked how it is that I can fail to believe in God and Heaven. I tend to think I simply use a different language. And that 'God and Heaven' exist Alberto nodded, encouraging Cora to continue.

"I do not believe in an omnipotent, singular being that is all powerful and directing our world and lives." Cora saw Alberto cringe. "I believe that God and Heaven reside . Acting with and most importantly, but also with and . I believe that Compassion, Love, and God are in all things, at all times. It's not something to be reached, it's something to do everyday as best we can."

Alberto nodded, his voice sincere. "It's very hard for me to bridge the gap, Cora. No Heaven, right?"

"I understand, Alberto." Cora nodded. "But to answer your questions, is more important to me than Zola's . is more important than her . 'No God' doesn't mean no spirit, no soul. For me, our shared 'oneness' is our soul."

Cora shifted her gaze away from Alberto to Zola. "And I will be with Zola and she with me. As long as compassion lives in our hearts. It won't matter how near or far we are."

Alberto's eyes danced with deep consideration. "Okay, Cora, I think we understand each other. Thank you for loving my daughter. I am looking forward to many more of these conversations."

Zola smiled in quiet victory. She did not win the war but a door opened and Zola was determined to walk through it.