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Chapter 56

*C H A R L O T T E*

A few days later I set foot on Madeira again. I stayed in Cardiff until we finished the room but I cut my trip short. After we finished painting, Lizzie's parents dropped off the furniture. We decorated the room and now it's ready for the twins to arrive. Lizzie and Jack are ready to become parents. But after what happened I didn't want to stay there. I desperately needed to breathe again and I knew the only place that could help me was a tiny paradise far away from Wales. Also, what happened was too much for a highly pregnant Lizzie. She needs rest, not drama. They need to enjoy their last few weeks together without the kids. I promised Lizzie and Jack I would be back just before the twins' birth and that I would stay a few weeks to help them out. They understood. The memories were too fresh and raw to stay in that room but in a few weeks the pain would be less and I would have something to focus on: the twins. So that's why I took the train to London earlier than planned. I was able to change my flight. Luckily Madeira is a popular holiday spot for the British so they have flights to the island frequently.

As I leave the plane and walk to the airport building I take a few deep breaths and close my eyes for a second to feel the sun on my face. I have missed everything about this place. The smell, the sun, the flowers, just the sight of it. I take my luggage and head towards the exit. My little family is waiting for me and just the sight of them takes some of the weight off my shoulders. Suddenly I realize how different I am this time, how much stronger I am. I am hurt and sad but I am not the broken girl that arrived here some time ago. I guess that's probably because somehow I knew that it would come to this. Somehow I knew it was too good to be true and Hero would disappear from my life again. I was prepared for this.

"Charly!" Katarina jumps into my arms and gives me a hug. "I have missed you!"

I smile. "I have missed you too little one."

"You shouldn't leave me alone with these monkeys," she says.

I laugh out loud as Tiago gives her a push.

I give the boys hugs too.

"Ready to go home?" Fabio asks and he shows his car keys.

"Yes, please take me home!"

I already feel the magical healing powers kick in. I will be alright.

That night Katarina really wants to go to Twenty One to have a few drinks and tell me all the things I've missed while I was gone. At first I don't want to because I'm tired from travelling but dressing up and having a few drinks might be exactly what I need so I play some music and I hop in the shower. Tiago has left already because he promised Fabio to help out for a few hours. After my shower I pick some sexy lingerie and a short, red dress.

"Kat, can you do my make-up?" I yell.

"Sure, I'm just finishing mine. Get us some drinks and come to my room," she yells back.

I walk over to the kitchen and take a bottle of Poncha.

"Ahh yum," she says and she takes a sip of the orange drink.

"Damn girl, that dress looks amazing!" she whistles.

"Thanks," I say. "Okay, make me look hot!"

"Someone is up to no good," she smirks.

After she finishes my smokey eyes, we leave our house and walk to Twenty One. It's a busy night and people who can't get in, are partying outside the bar. The music is blasting through the open doors. Fabio always makes sure our favorite table is free and tonight is no exception. Tiago has finished work already and he has invited some of his friends. Katarina and I kiss everyone on the cheek and take a seat.

"Wow, you look great tonight," Fabio says as he comes to great us.

"Thanks!" I give him a broad smile and take one of the shots he has put on the table.

Keeping busy helps to not think about Hero and that is exactly what I am doing. I'm ready for a great night. Bring on the music and the drinks!

A few days later I'm supposed to meet Katarina for lunch. I haven't thought about Hero much and I know I have moved on. In some way I got closure. I look on my phone and I see that her shift should end soon. The hotel is located in the old town, one of my favorite areas in the city. Whenever I meet her for lunch I come early just to enjoy the view and the atmosphere in this part of town. It's a mix of locals and tourists and I always enjoy the look on the tourists faces when they take a look around. I recognize the amazement and I can always tell the exact moment they're falling in love with this place. I'm walking near the cable cars to Monte when I hear my name. I freeze and my heart stops. I forget how to breathe for a second. I know that voice and that accent is too familiar. It can't be!