Josephine

There was a gentle knock at the door that made me jump. Hastily, I threw a blanket over Ares, who snuggled closer to me, sensing my anxiety. Vito peeked in, his voice soft and cautious. "Can I come in?"

"Of course," I replied quickly, wiping my eyes, hoping he wouldn't notice the remnants of tears still lingering on my face.

"Thank you." He stepped inside, his gaze immediately falling on Ares, curled up beside me. It was a skeptical look, but not entirely disapproving. "Didn't Domenico say no dogs were allowed in your room?" he asked, the hint of a smirk tugging at his lips. "How did you sneak them past security?"

A small grin tugged at the corners of my mouth as I stroked Ares. "Well, technically, this is your house, so it's your room too. I'm just living here." Vito raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "You wouldn't rat me out, would you? It's freezing outside, and it's Christmas."

He chuckled softly, shaking his head in disbelief as he approached, holding a gift and a folder. "Hush, Ares," he said, settling beside me. "There's something important—someone we found." My heart leapt in my chest. "You mentioned my godmother."

"Aunt Aubrey?" I asked, my voice barely more than a whisper. "What about her?"

Vito nodded slowly, his eyes darkening with something I couldn't quite read. "We contacted her. She's been trying to keep in touch with you, but after your parents' death, things got complicated. She fell into a depression and people around her thought she wasn't fit enough to care for you, and she couldn't fight them on it. Once she gotten better, your foster parents told her you didn't want contact anymore. She kept sending birthday cards, but they never reached you." I felt a chill sweep through me as the words settled, like a weight on my chest. The image of Aunt Aubrey, the woman who'd once been so warm and strong, now seemed distant. Vito continued, "But four years ago, she moved to Canada. She lives there now with her husband and their two-year-old daughter."

He pulled a photo from the folder and handed it to me. The image was simple—Aunt Aubrey with a man and a young girl, her smile just as I remembered, but the years were etched into her face. The little girl looked so much like the picture of innocence, and I could almost feel the warmth radiating from the image. I froze, the air thickening around me. "So... she didn't abandon me?"

Vito's eyes softened with compassion, his voice gentle. "No, Josephine. She loves you and always has. She wanted to take you in, but she wasn't in a place to do it at the time. After everything with your parents, she just couldn't manage it. But she's ready now. She wants you to come live with her. She's filled out all the necessary forms."

My heart raced in my chest. A mix of hope and fear overwhelmed me. "You mean I could actually move to Canada?" My voice trembled with uncertainty, the thought of such a huge change almost too much to process.

"Yes," he affirmed softly. "You'd have a chance to start over, to be somewhere safe, somewhere where you could be loved. She's never stopped thinking about you. She loved your parents, and she loves you. And I really think it could help you heal."

I looked down at the papers in my hands, the weight of the decision pressing down on me. I wanted to believe him. I wanted to believe that Aunt Aubrey's love could be the answer. But as those words hung in the air, I felt an uncomfortable knot twist in my stomach. "What about here? What about you? What about all of you?"

Vito smiled gently, his expression understanding. "Canada isn't that far. We could visit. Dr. Bradford has agreed to continue your therapy, and I've looked into it—they have a great school. I know it feels like everything would change, but it doesn't mean we wouldn't be there for you."

I felt my throat tighten. "But do you want me to go?" I asked, my voice sharper than I intended, the question biting at the edges of my fear.

Vito sighed, his tone softening. "It's not about what I want. It's about what's best for you." His gaze grew intense, locking with mine. "I want you to have every opportunity to heal, Josephine. If that means going to Canada, then I'll support you. But I want you to know that you have a place here, too. You can stay if you want to. It's your choice."

I stared at him, my heart pounding in my chest. A surge of emotion hit me like a wave, and suddenly, the room felt too small. "But if you really care about me, why would you want me to leave?" The words came out in a rush, and I immediately regretted the way they sounded—like an accusation, as though I was questioning everything.

Vito didn't flinch. He took a deep breath, then leaned in slightly, his voice earnest. "Because I want you to be happy, Josephine. And I want you to know that you have options. You don't have to go if you don't want to. You have a place here with us. You're part of this family. But if you think Canada is what's best for you, I won't stand in your way. It's your decision, and I'll support whatever choice you make."

I searched his eyes for any hint of insincerity, but there was none. Just warmth and care. "So, you really want me to stay here?" I asked, my voice almost pleading.

"Yes," Vito said, his voice steady and full of conviction. "Nothing has changed. You're part of this family. I want you here. We all do."

"But what if Aunt Aubrey really wants me? What if I want that? What if I want to go live with her?" The question hung heavily between us, like a door opening to an unknown world.

Vito's gaze softened further, and he let out a quiet breath. "If that's what you want, Josephine, then I won't stop you. But you need to know that you have a choice. You can stay here, where you're loved, or you can go to Canada, where I'm sure you'll be loved too. But don't feel pressured to decide right now. Take your time."

I felt the weight of the moment settle in, thick and heavy. I didn't know what to do. "Vito, I just—I don't know what to do," I whispered, the uncertainty making my voice tremble.

He reached out and gently took my hand, offering me warmth and calm. "Take your time," he said softly. "I'll ask you again in a few days. No rush. Just know that whatever you decide, I'll support you. You deserve to feel secure and happy, whether it's here or with your Aunt Aubrey."

He handed me the gift, and with trembling hands, I carefully unwrapped it. A card slipped out, fluttering to the floor. I picked it up, my heart racing. The handwriting was familiar—warm, kind, just as I remembered. I opened the card, and as I read the words, a wave of nostalgia washed over me, mixed with longing for a time I could barely remember. I could almost hear Aunt Aubrey's voice in my head, and I could feel her presence in the letters she'd written.

Vito quietly wished me a good night and left the room, leaving me alone with the weight of his words and the letter in my hands.

Dear Josephine,

I don't know where to begin, because there's so much I want to say. Above all, I want you to know how happy I am that you're okay. Not a day has passed in the last six and a half years that I haven't thought of you or your parents. I ask you to forgive me for not having the strength to provide you with the home you needed back then. More than anything, I hope you will accept my offer and come live with us.

With all the love,

Your Godmother, Aubrey

I read the card three times, staring at the photo of her, trying to absorb the full weight of what I was seeing. The photograph was old, the edges slightly curled, but the image was clear: her smile, warm and inviting, just like I remembered. My heart hammered in my chest. Relief flooded through me, waves of it crashing over me, knowing she hadn't left me willingly. She wanted me, and she always had. For so long, I had thought I'd lost her, suppressing every thought of her because it hurt too much, but now, here she was, back. She wanted me! Eagerly, I jumped up, my pulse quickening, the dogs bounding with me, their paws tapping excitedly against the hardwood floor. I raced downstairs to Vito's office, my mind spinning with a thousand thoughts, and I hoped he wasn't already in bed.

When I reached the door, I knocked, breathless, my hands trembling slightly. Vito opened it immediately, a look of surprise crossing his face as he took in the sight of me and the dogs, their tails wagging in excitement behind me.

"Is everything okay?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.

"Yes!" I gasped, not sure whether I was even speaking coherently.

His brow furrowed in confusion as he stepped aside, watching me enter the office. "You sure?" he asked slowly, his eyes searching mine as if he were trying to make sense of my sudden burst of energy.

I spun around to face him, my excitement bubbling over. "That's not what I meant!"

"So something's not okay?" His voice had a hint of amusement now, but the confusion was still evident.

"No!" I shook my head vigorously, the words tumbling out in a rush. "I want to go to Aunt Aubrey."

His expression turned serious, and for a moment, he just looked at me, as if weighing my words carefully. "Then I'll arrange everything," he said softly.

"No, not like that," I blurted out, my mind racing to clarify. "I mean, yes, but no! I want to see her, but I don't want to stay there. I want to come back to you. Back home." The last words came out shakily, as if I were testing the truth of them. Vito stood still for a moment, absorbing what I said. "You said I could stay if I want to," I added, my voice a little more uncertain now, but I needed him to know this wasn't just about leaving.

He blinked slowly, his face softening. "Of course."

A deep breath escaped me as I let the weight of his words sink in. "Good. Very good. Because I don't want to go—at least not forever."

A smile spread across his face, small at first, then growing wider, more radiant. His eyes sparkled with understanding, and I felt something inside me unclench, releasing all the tension that had been building for so long. Without thinking, I rushed into his arms, throwing myself into his embrace, squeezing him as tightly as I could. The warmth of his body wrapped around me, grounding me in the moment.When I pulled back from the embrace, still buzzing with a mix of joy and disbelief, he reached into the side of his desk, pulling out a folder. His voice was steady, but warm, as he held it up. "Then I'll have something else for you," he said.

I tilted my head, curiosity bubbling within me. "What is it?"

He opened the folder carefully, revealing a set of papers tucked neatly inside. "These are the adoption documents. If you decide to stay here, this would make you a permanent part of our family."

My breath caught in my throat. The words felt too surreal to be true. "You mean—I could really be adopted? Like, really, really?"

Vito met my gaze, his eyes sincere, full of warmth. "Yes," he said simply, but the certainty in his voice made everything else fall away. "This means you'd always have a home with us. No more uncertainty. No more wondering where you belong."

I couldn't help but glance at the papers, feeling a rush of emotion welling up inside me. I felt like I was standing on the edge of something huge, something life-changing. Without another word, I raced back upstairs, my feet barely touching the steps as I hurried down the hallway. The dogs followed closely behind me, their paws pattering on the wooden floors, mirroring my excitement. I reached the door at the end of the hall and without knocking, I burst in, heart pounding.

"Domenico," I called, my voice almost too loud in the stillness of the room. He turned, bleary-eyed and slightly annoyed, his hair a tangled mess from sleep. "Domenico!" I repeated, not willing to wait for him to fully wake up.

"What is it?" he mumbled, rubbing his face as if trying to clear the fog from his mind. "Have you signed it yet?", he asked, looking at me.

Vito's voice came from the doorway, his tone amused. "No, she hasn't."

Domenico groaned dramatically, rolling over in bed, the sheets rustling as he rummaged through his nightstand. A moment later, he pulled out a pen and handed it to me with a resigned sigh. "Take mine."

I took the pen, my hand trembling ever so slightly as I turned to Vito, my stomach a mess of nerves and excitement. "I'm ready!"

Domenico sat up, his eyes still heavy with sleep but filled with amusement. "So, you want to do this?"

"Yes!" I almost shouted, my heart thudding against my ribs, my fingers tightening around the pen. "I want to make it official."

Vito stepped closer, his gaze steady but full of encouragement. "This is a big step, Josephine. Are you sure?"

I nodded vigorously, every fiber of my being screaming "yes." I could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on me. "Yes!" My voice was a little shaky now, but the determination behind it was clear.

Domenico gave me a teasing grin. "Alright, then. Let's get this done."

He moved aside, giving me space to sit on the edge of the bed. My hand wavered just slightly as I carefully placed the pen on the paper, the action feeling so monumental that I couldn't quite believe it was real. Each stroke of my signature felt like a promise, one that I was ready to keep.

When I finished, I stared at the papers in disbelief. "I really did it," I whispered, as if I were trying to convince myself.

Just then, Valentino appeared in the doorway, his expression puzzled. "What's going on?" he asked, blinking sleepily. "And why are the dogs here?"

I ignored the second question, rushing over to him and holding out the signed papers with a burst of energy. "Look!" I exclaimed, my voice nearly breaking with excitement. He took the papers, glancing down at them with a furrowed brow. But as he read through the first few lines, his face lit up with pure joy. In a swift motion, he lifted me off the ground and spun me around, laughing as if the world were suddenly brighter. I gasped in surprise, my stomach flipping with the thrill of the moment.

"Look at you!" he exclaimed, still holding me high. "This is amazing!" The joy in his voice was infectious, and I laughed, feeling lighter than I had in years. The dogs barked happily, tails wagging in a blur of excitement, joining in the celebration.

Vito chuckled from the doorway, shaking his head in mock disapproval. "Alright, alright, let's not break her in half before we've even been to court!"

As the excitement settled just a little, footsteps echoed down the hall. Riccardo and Matteo appeared, still groggy but curious, rubbing their eyes and yawning. "What's all the noise about?" Riccardo asked, stifling a yawn as he leaned against the doorframe.

Matteo squinted at us, trying to make sense of the scene. "Did we miss something fun?"

Valentino grinned widely, gesturing dramatically to me. "Josephine just signed her adoption papers! She's almost officially part of the family now!"

Matteo's eyes went wide, and a huge smile spread across his face. "No way! That's awesome!" He stepped forward and pulled me into a quick, enthusiastic hug. "Welcome to the family!"

Riccardo joined in, clapping me on the back with a grin. "This is great news! We're going to celebrate, right?"

I laughed, my heart swelling as their warmth wrapped around me like a cozy blanket. "I can't believe it's really happening," I said, still in shock, but also overwhelmed with happiness.

Valentino leaned against the wall, crossing his arms with a teasing grin. "Just wait until you see what family gatherings are like. We've got a lot of fun ahead!"

As the noise and excitement began to settle, Matteo leaned in closer, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "So, when's the court date? When do you officially become a Marini?"

I glanced at Vito, his expression full of warmth and assurance. "We have to wait until after the holidays, but soon, I promise. You'll be a Marini before you know it."

Matteo's grin widened, and his excitement bubbled over. "I can't wait! I'm going to be a big brother for real!" He raised his fist triumphantly into the air. "Yes! I'm no longer the youngest!"

"Josephine Emilia Marini," I repeated softly, savoring the sound. The thought of changing my last name sent a flutter of warmth through me. A feeling I didn't expect. For so long, my last name had been a painful reminder of a life that I lost. But now, the idea of becoming a Marini filled me with hope and excitement. It was a new identity, one that promised warmth, safety, and love. And I understood that finding a new family didn't mean betraying my past; it meant honoring it while embracing a brighter future. A smile spread across my face—it felt right, like a piece of a puzzle finally falling into place. "I really like the sound of that."



And for one last time: Hello there!

Please be reminded that the epilog will be published next week, followed by the first bonus chapter a few days later and as I said before: there will be a short story regarding Josephines first time in Italy. Its published now, so check it out.

If you have any open question, feel free to ask :-)

For those who are leaving now: thank you for being the reason to complete this!

For those who might stay: thank you for keeping me motivated!

See you soon and if not, please take care of you.