In The Shadows ✔

[119] Healing Hearts

Scorpia danced in her chair all the way to the airport, bursting with joy. And now they're standing at the gate, waiting for their family to appear. She squeezes Logan's hands as she watches people walk through the sliding doors. Lexy and Bruno are waiting a few steps away, staring at the same doors in anticipation.

Scorpia suddenly sees Lucas's ginger hair as he runs up to his mom and dad while holding Enzo's hand. Dino and Violetta follow the boys, Pia almost jumping out of Violetta's arms to get to her parents.

Scorpia's eyes search for Ciro and Flavio again. And then she sees them. It's as if they walk through the doors in slow motion. Ciro is carrying Leo on his arm, his free hand in Flavio's. They look so happy and relaxed. She is mesmerized by them for a beat, by their love on display so openly.

Suddenly Leo sees her and starts crying his eyes out. Scorpia runs to him and takes him from Ciro. Leo clings to her and cries against her shoulder.

"Mommyyyyyy. Miss. Leo miss."

He hiccups through his sobbing and Scorpia holds him close to her chest, kissing his little chubby cheek. "Oh Leo, mommy missed you so much as well. We're never doing this again."

Logan wraps his arm around her and guides her to a row of chairs. She sits down and rocks Leo lovingly, telling him she loves him over and over. Leo lifts his head to look at his mom when he is all cried out. He puts his little hands on her cheeks and kisses her lips, touching her face like he can't believe she's real. His honey-colored eye stares into hers as a cute smile appears on his face.

"Mama. Amo."

Logan rests his head on Scorpia's shoulder and Leo's jaw drops, letting out a shocked sound before yelling: "Daddy!" He sticks his arms out towards Logan, kissing him too.

"Daddy understands that mommy is more important. But I missed you too, little cub."

Scorpia tries to hand Leo to Logan but the little boy is latched onto her, panicking as soon as she tries to pry him from her. She cuddles him and Logan says: "It's okay, my sweet boy. You stay with mommy."

Logan looks up at Flavio and Ciro, who have their arms wrapped around each other and tears in their eyes as they watch them reunite. Logan asks them how things went with Leo.

Ciro says: "It was such a pleasure to take care of him. Thank you so much for that chance. He was calm on the plane too. But he did miss you very much and sleeping didn't go that smoothly, to be honest."

Ciro crouches down next to Scorpia's seat and kisses her cheek. "I'm glad you two are together again, sorellina." He strokes Leo's cheek with his finger and says: "Isn't it great, Leo? To be able to cuddle with mommy again?"

Leo softly says: "Mommy amo." He rests his little head on Scorpia's shoulder and keeps a firm grip on the fabric of her dress.

Ciro smiles at him and gets back up. Flavio bends forward and kisses Scorpia on her forehead, smiling at her as he strokes Leo's soft hair.

Dino walks up to them too and hugs Logan before kissing Scorpia. Violetta follows him a bit shy, greeting them too. Bruno, Lexy, and the kids join the group too and Logan takes Pia in his arms for a hug.

The girl looks at him and her sweet voice enters his ears. "Logan. Hi."

Logan beams and kisses her.

They decide to go to the hotel together, put away the suitcases, and sit down for some food and drinks. Violetta and Dino hitch a ride with Bruno and his family, while Flavio and Ciro join Logan and Scorpia.