ATHENA'S POV

I held my baby girl in my arms as I tried to calm my beating heart that was breaking into so many small pieces I wasn't sure it would ever be whole again.

I prayed with all my might that Alina's chest would rise again. They'd only just taken her off the ventilator but it felt like it had been centuries

Her body felt cold against my warm skin, her pale complexion stark against my tan complexion.

I held her in my arms hoping to warm her up as much as I could.

I could bear her being cold.

The feeling in my head mirrored the feeling across the room. The feeling of uncertainty and helplessness.

There's not many times I've felt helpless in my life. With all the money and power we have in our family, there's not many instances I get this feeling.

I hate it. I despise the feeling. It feels as if the world is crashing all around me and I am stuck standing there allowing my self to be crushed by the pressure of it all.

I need to be in control. I have to. Because if I'm not my whole world falls apart.

I can't use my fists to fight my way out against the world no matter how much I want to. Even if it's the only thing I'm good at.

This is a different kind of strength that's needed.

It is so hard to stay positive, trying to find the light in the dark abyss that's called life. It seems my abyss is deeper and darker than usual. How do I fight shadows?

My arm itched as something fluttered against it. I rolled my eyes at the thought of a fly being close to my daughter when she's in this state, trying to annoy her.

I turned my head, only to come face to face with the bluest eyes I had come to know and love ever since I laid eyes on them for the first time 14 years ago.

Alina's eyes were frantically darting by around the room as her chest heaved up and down trying to gain as much as air as possible in the shortest amount of time.

A gasp left my throat as I rushed to hold Alina's hands in mine trying to n to clam her down. I couldn't tell her anything as any noise I tried to make was drowned out by the tears falling down my face.

I broke down in relief as I made eye contact with the eyes I never thought I would see again. The eyes full of life.

Her eyes relaxed as she took me and the rest of her family, the softest smile resting on her face.

A smile of content.

Even after battling death, she has the strength to smile.

She really is something else.

It was only a blink of an eye before Alina was embraced by the whole family, voices that were once dull and lifeless now full of life again.

My poor daughter couldn't get a word in.

Not that I think she minded. The look on her face showed she was pretty content with the situation.

I think it's my turn to lay down now.

The relief feels heavy on my body as my shoulders sag in happiness as I clutch my daughter hand, a pulse beating through her body again.

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SALVATORE'S POV

She's back!

I knew she'd fight to get back to us!

The relief is immeasurable and I can see it on everyone's face.

Granted I had to hold Alina to ensure my mind wasn't playing tricks on me.

I held onto her hand as I collapsed to the floor in hysterics.

No emotion can ever describe the feeling I have right now.

It's been so long, I had forgotten what her face looked like with open eyes.

My body ached with relief, as my face become soaked with tears.

I love my children. I don't think I could ever see one of them put their lives on the line for me.

I will never allow that to happen again, I refuse to. These are my battles. My daughter should not have had to almost die just to protect me.

What if she hadn't survived!?

It quite possible could have led to my ruin. I wouldn't have tried my hardest to stay strong for my family, but I'm not sure how long I could have kept that facade up.

The same goes for any of my family members.

Terry, Barry, Elias and Raphael included even if I think the little shit is way too young to be flirting with my daughter.

But I'm glad he's here for this moment. It's clear he likes her.

I remeber young love, I reminisce as I look towards my life, as beautiful as ever:

I plan to do everything in my power to ensure that no harm ever comes to anyone in my family again.

24/7 security as well as everyone in the family having some sort of self defence training.

I don't ever want to see anyone under my wing as helpless as Alina when she was taken.

She had a few instincts and skills that helped her but ultimately without much structured training any attacks she could get off, were sloppy and didn't necessarily do much damage.

She needs a lot more training than what she previously had.

We clearly didn't prioritise her training enough. A mistake I don't plan on making again.

I'll happily train her and the others myself if needed.

That could be a cute bonding moment between us all, brining us closer after an incident like that.

My heart feels 100 times lighter.

My bambina is back.

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ALINA'S POV

I fully expected to never open my eyes and see my family again. I had prepared myself for it.

I don't think I realised just exactly I thought I was ready to leave behind. Because seeing my family again has made me feel as thought the battle to live was all worth it.

I can't necessarily remember the battle I endured but I can remember the weight I felt on my chest whenever I tried to breathe. It felt as thought there were rocks holding my chest down, and every breath I took in sent waves of pain down my body.

But it was all worth it.

Just to be able to see my family again, even if they don't let me get a word in.

My eyes darted across the face of my brothers, all of them with genuine happy smiles plastered on their faces as they continued talking over each other on how happy they were I was awake.

They were all gently scrambling over each other in order to be able to hug me.

I heard snippets of how brave I was and how I've made their lives by waking up.

I made eye contact with all of them as I hugged the plushed dragon I've known to come and love under my arm as hard as I can which wasn't very hard. My muscles felt very weak.

I really emphasised that it was the dragon who I wanted to hug.

The comical and betrayed looks on their faces was very funny.

My heart filled with joy from the amount of love I received.

This feeling would make anything in this world worth doing.

I saw Adrian in the corner of my eyes clutching the bear I left him in my wake, eyes wide.

I could see him mumbling to himself asking whether I was real or not.

Ok dude, make me feel guilty for haunting you as a ghost after I saved my life for you I mumbled to myself sarcastically.

The guilt did go through me as I thought about how he and the rest of the family must feel after what happened.

I called out Adrian's name with my arms outstretched reaching for him.

I needed him to know I fought my way back for him. He had to know .

He unsteadily made his way over to me as he clenched the nose of the bear.

When he got close enough to reach me he gripped my arm ensuring I was are of solid mass and not a ghost. As soon as he made eye contact with me, he broke down in my arms.

This in turn made me break down.

I didn't expect my sacrifice to have this effect on my family.

The rest of the room had tear dried faces which seemed still full of life, thought I doubt they were a few moments before this.

Seeing their faces still full of smiles ensures me that I would definitely do exactly what I did 100 times over if it meant I could ensure their safety.

Everyone was here, even Terry, Barry, Elias and Raphael! The whole family was here. I don't think I've ever been so happy to smell the grease of the old diner in the room.

It was comforting, reminding me of when times were harsher by much simpler.

"Mama Mia, bambina, you scared the living daylights out of me. Don't ever do that to me again Alina. I'm not sure I can take it!" My dad pleaded to me as he placed my hand in his.

"It was worth it though, right? We're all here, together!" I tell him trying to crack a smile.

He gave me a look that told me how lucky I was and that I should never try anything like this again.

The eye contact got through to me as I caved and nodded my head staring at him to ensure he knew I was serious. I would stick to my word. I don't plan on visiting the afterlife again anytime soon.

My eyes unconsciously made their way around the room until they landed on the person I wanted to see.

He looked as good as ever, even with a red face, clearly due to crying.

"Welcome back to the land of the living, Alina! It's like you were never gone. I barely noticed you were missing" Raphael tells me as he comes closer.

The blush on his face as well as the twiddling of his fingers, told me he was lying through his teeth.

It was the fresh tears in his eyes that clearly gave it away though.

"Liar" I tell him with a sad smile on my face.

"You got me. I will always notice when your presence is not near me. Please don't make me go thought that again, Alina. I'm not sure I can handle it. I've never been through something like that, and I hated every second!" He pleads with me.

"I will try my best. I will not be undone by the hands of others. I control my future, and I don't plan to be bested again" I tell him sincerely.

He smiles at me, his hand squeezing mine, purposely avoiding Adrian who was still lying next to me.

Raphael moved closer to me but was stopped pretty suddenly in his tracks by a cough.

This sound brought us both out of our little daydream together only to face 7 men all staring at Raphael.

He didn't seem intimidated though as he went back to looking at me.

What a little flirt.

How long did everyone stay by my side?

By the looks of things, it had to have been at least a week.

"I am so taking down every enemy we have. They will never touch another shot in your head again Alina" my mother told me.

"Agreed. I can't wait to kick some ass!" I tell her

The room fell into silence.

Too soon, maybe?

"Kick. Some. Ass?!" Elias asked me with a dangerous glint in his eye.

"Yes, I do believe it means to fight someone so weep that you unanimously win, in case you were looking for a definition" I tell him, a little smirk rising in my face.

Gosh, I missed being alive

"Oh, pardon me. Thank you for reminding me of the definition. Sorry, just to give me some clarification, when exactly do you plan to kick ass?" He asks me innocently but I can see the glint of sass behind his eyes and in his voice

"As soon as I can. I'm estimating, in perhaps a months time?" I tell him innocently.

I honestly think I gagged the whole room into silence.

Ok, way too soon to reveal my plans.

"Hmm, maybe that your plan. But I know exactly what everyone else's plan is!"

"And pray tell, what exactly is that?" I ask him, truly confused

"24/7 security in and around the house. And I don't believe you will be seeing any danger for the next few years if I can help it" he tells me.

The terror in his eyes tells me that this encounter has shaken everyone.

I can't imagine it's easy seeing a family member be shot down.

"Oh no, I've tried being myself and it's obvious the message isn't getting through their thick skulls. I'm getting my revenge"

I'm not wasting my second chance at life.

And before I could hear any disagreements I stuck my tongue out and stuck my head under my blanket.

They wouldn't dare touch someone in such a critical state, now would they?

Maybe now's not the time to reveal my plan.

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A/N - THE CHAPTER IS FINALLY UP! I hope you guys enjoy! Sorry it's been so long!! Please stay tuned for the next parts of Alina's life!! I hope the start of this alternate ending is good, so please let me know if you enjoyed'