"Dad?"

"Valentina?"

We were both in the ground. My body was in his arms, and I was looking up at him. We had the same green blue eyes and the same nose.

"You're real," I say.

"I am, principessa." He chuckles.

I laugh and smile. It all felt so surreal. "Did you really have to run me off the road?"

"Wow. It's actually you. You're so beautiful."

"Dad?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you," I smile.

He looks at me questioningly. "For what?"

"You finally found me."

I fell asleep after that. It must have been all the stress and excitement.

When I woke up I was on a comfy silk mattress. The sun outside was starting to set and I got out of bed to stretch. I was no longer dressed in the torn up blue dress but in a pair of bed shorts and a cropped t shirt. Who's clothes are these?

On another note, that was probably the best sleep I've ever had.

A knock on the door startled me but I say "You may come in."

"Valentina!" squeals my sister, Marina.

"Marina!" I squeal too.

She lumps over to me and gives me a tight hug. "You were out for like three days sis. Everyone is excited to meet you!"

"Three days?!"

"Well more like two because of the time difference. But it must've been all the stress. Dad applauds you for your work. He has Sergei in captivity and is tracking down those people that helped him. I think their names were Petrov or something but it doesn't matter cause your safe now!" She says quickly, no breaths in between

"Um where are we?" I ask.

"We are at the house in Italy. Papá had your transcripts sent over from school and all you need is another math and English credit and you can graduate. Dad said something about online school since you can't speak Italian yet. Once you get your diploma, he said if you want you can go back to California for university in the Fall. And it's almost Christmas!"

I was shocked. All that happened in just three days. Wow.

I'm glad that I won't have to worry about school though, I could use the much needed break.

"I've never celebrated Christmas before..."

"What?!" Marina shrieks.

"I've never celebrated any holiday since I was like a toddler. Not even my birthday," I reply.

"Well that's gonna change now. Go take a shower and I'll bring some of my clothes to change into. Now scat," she smiles before leaving the room.

I follow her instructions and start the warm shower. There was already some shampoo, conditioner and body wash that all smelled of vanilla. I found a razor and shaved my armpits and legs because I haven't done so in about a week.

That all took about 15 minutes and when I got out I wrapped myself in a fluffy pink towel. I lathered myself in lotion and brushed and dried my hair.

I've never experienced such luxury before. It felt wonderful.

I walked back in the beautifully decorated room and saw Marina on the bed with an outfit beside her.

"I forgot that dad had me and Venice do some online shopping when we got back. Everything came and while you were getting ready the maids put it in your closet. Now get dressed. Mama, Papa, Lorenzo, Rosé, Venice and Luca are all waiting downstairs and then we can eat dinner."

I grabbed the outfit and noticed Marina looking at my scars. I've grown quite used to them and it seemed normal to me, but not to everyone else. I took the clothes to the bathroom and got ready. I felt weird in such expensive clothes, I kinda want my worn out sweats back.

"Ok, let's go."

"Wait, Marina. You seem a bit off..." I say.

Her demeanor changed slightly. "Don't worry about it, I'm fine. We can talk about it later."

She sounded like she wanted to cry but I dropped it for now.

She held my hand and we walked down the long marble staircase.

"Wow," I whisper in astonishment.

"Come on everyone is in the dining hall."

She leads the way and two guards open the door for us. In front of me I see many unfamiliar faces.

I see Lorenzo and he smiles at me. He looks a lot like Dad. Then I saw Harper, well actually I'm pretty sure her name is Venice. I also see Mom and the boy with her at the store, which I'm guessing is Luca. And then I see a girl who I never saw before, I think she was Rosé.

"Um hello. I'm Aubrey, well I guess I'm Valentina to you all but—" I stop my jibber jabbering and look up to see them smiling.

And then they all give me hugs.

"Benvenuto in famiglia, Aubrey O dovremmo dire, Valentina," Lorenzo says excitedly.

(Welcome to the family Aubrey, or should we say, Valentina)

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