Salvador

EPILOGUE

Mona
Three years later

It's the school holidays for my children and the entire family has taken a trip to Santorini.

Salvador and I invested in a couple of hotels here a while back, as well as many other places in the world. We're staying in a cottage that we also bought, it's beautiful.

I'm sitting on the patio, reading a book as Salvador, Thiago and Joao play with all the children in the pool.

Thiago and Joao decided not to adopt or anything, because of the family's dangerous, volatile circumstances. They don't think they stand a chance. But they both really want to be parents. So I encouraged them to write and give in the papers. I knew they'd regret it if they didn't even try.

Three year old Lia comes out of the pool and walks towards me, her hazelnut hair spirals and she looks up at me with those adorable, gentle green eyes.

"Hello baby." I say as she sits next to me.

She leans on my shoulder and watches the boys in the pool with me calmly.

Salvador exits the pool to sit with us for a while too. He strokes Lia on the head "are you okay bebe?" He asks softly and she nods with her thumb in her mouth. Salvador and I exchange a look because of the cuteness of our daughter.

"And my other girl? How are you?" He asks, I smile at him.

"I'm perfect."

"Really? Do you want food? Are you two hungry yet?" He asks, he always takes care of everyone so beautifully, I love him so much.

"No, amore, relax for once. I'll make us something soon, okay?"

"No, no, no, I will not let you, we will go out for dinner."

"Salvador, I will make-"

"No, no, we will go out. Someone else will cook for us. End of story." He says before going inside to shower. I laugh at his funny, generous offers.

"Lia, if you ever get married, marry a person who will treat you the way your father treats me, okay?" I say and she nods.

"Yes mama." She whispers and I hug her tightly and carry her in to get ready for dinner.

***

We're all out for dinner now, a beautiful restaurant. Lia always has a habit of sitting next to me or Thiago, and so does Sergio. Now nine years old! I can hardly believe it.

Bruno sits wherever he likes, all serious, brooding and cool, as usual. Paolo and Paixao sit with their father and Cesare sits next to Joao, his favourite.

Whenever we all eat at a table I cannot help but look at them all with so much admiration and love. I would kill and die for anyone at this table.

Alessio said he would join us soon, with his long term girlfriend. The two have been through a lot the past three years. I like her a lot. She's beautiful and intellectual and very very good with children, which is always good on these holidays. She's especially good with Lia. And Lia loves her so much. I think Bruno, despite his crazily serious demeanour, has a massive soft spot for her as well. Salvador and I concluded that he has a little crush on her.

Matteo and Leo are coming with my father tomorrow. Both of them are now in university. Which is mind-blowing to me.

Alessio insisted that they go through university. And they listened, because God forbid you don't listen to the new leader of the Capriotti empire. He took over around a year ago, when I realised I was totally ready to retire, and I wanted to spend every moment with Salvador and the children, and with myself.

Filomena and Carlo come every once or twice a year to visit. Salvador, although he's forgiven them, can't bare to see them more than that.

When the waiter comes Salvador orders for everyone. I love when he takes control like that. Sometimes, I miss being the one in control at work and stuff, but since Salvador hasn't yet retired, it's very sexy watching him be in control and in power. Who knows, we might even have another six children at this rate — I'm kidding, totally fucking kidding.

But this man really has made it easy for me. I fall in love with him more and more each and every day.

Salvador

I love sitting at the table like this with my family. They're all so beautiful inside and out beyond comparison. I love them all so much. My wife glances at me happily and I catch her eye.

We look at each other like that often. When everything is hectic, lovely and beautiful, we just look at each other thankfully and in appreciation. I blow her a kiss and she smiles and helps Lia eat.

I am so in love with her. Words can no longer explain how much I love the woman. She's provided me with all these gorgeous children, all this unmatched joy and love. I will look after her and protect her the best way I know how to for the rest of my life.

She always complains to me now about ageing and her body. But to me she is just as beautiful as the day I met her. She always will be. I'll still love her as much as I do now when we are both old. Even in death. I will always love her.

On the way back home, I hold tightly onto Mona's hand. Our children walk together in front of us with Thiago and his husband, Joao.

"How are you feeling?" I ask my wife and she looks up at me and smiles.

"You don't have to ask me that all the time you know." She says.

"Of course I do, what would I do if you weren't okay? How would I survive if you weren't in good health?"

She chuckles and I bring her into my arm "I need you to always be okay, that's why I ask."

"You know it's impossible, for me to always be okay. But right now, yeah, it's perfect, I feel perfect."

We walk for a while until we get to the cottage. I unlock the door and we all walk in. The children rush onto the sofa and turn the television on. By children I'm also including Thiago and Joao.

Mona and I sit at the table outside on the patio. Looking out at the beautiful ocean in the dark.

"Have you booked a place for tomorrow?" She asks as I light a cigarette, and then light the one in her mouth.

"Everything is ready for tomorrow. Everything. 13 years hm? I can hardly believe it." I answer and she smiles. Her smile still effects me like it had when I first saw it. Every time she smiles I can see her walking down the aisle thirteen years ago. I can see her turning to look at me in that basement as a nurse all those years ago.

Every single day spent with her, past, present and future, is a day I spend trying hard to make her smile. That precious smile. My Mona.