What Life Holds

Chapter 53

Third person's POV

"Aren't you James Dominic Giordano." Astoria had asked in a soft voice. Enzo had shown her his picture once with his eyes shinning in respect and admiration. James snapped his head to the small girl who was looking at him with big doe eyes. Confusion filled his mind, knowing that the Russian princess knew him. "Yes, I am." He replied in his usual calm tone.

"Astoria, right?" He asked even though he knew more about her than herself. "Yes." She said dropping her crayon and getting up. "You're Enzo's brother." She stated taking the family by shock. "Do you know my dad." She asked walking towards him. James gazed into her silver eyes, a pang of guilt hitting him. He knew how it was to loose a parent, he didn't want an innocent child to go through it.

"Yes, I do know your father." Jem replied crouching to her level. "Then you must know where he is." She exclaimed, a wide smile lighting up her face, causing the room to drown in guilt and pity. Jem let out a small smile, seeing her eyes glow. "Your father is in a better place." Jem said trying his best to soft, but it still hit Astoria like a bullet.

Jazz slammed her forehead looking at the way her brother is with kids. The little girl's face slowly dimmed as she wrinkled her button nose. "That's what daddy always says when I ask him about mommy." She whispered more to herself. "But I never saw mommy." Her voice cracked as her eyes brimmed with tears.

Marie-Ann Yahontov was killed in a bomb blast when Astoria was barely a year old. Astoria had never known much about her mother other than what her father had told to her. She only knew how she looked by the photo in her dad's room. Once when she had asked her dad about her mom's return and he said that she never will, for she is in the land of unicorns and fairies. He had promised that after a long time Astoria too will go to that land and be reunited.

Astoria's mind flashed with images of her dad's eyes when he used to talk about Marie-Ann. How his silver eyes used to go lifeless when he used to describe her, but still will be filled with love. Now when James had told her the exact same line, fear seized her body as goosebumps formed along her arms and neck.

"He is not coming." Astoria stated as fresh hot tears rolled down her rosy cheeks. "He's with the unicorns and fairies, with mommy. B-but but he said he'll – ne-v-er le-av-e -me." She sobbed uncountably her Russian accent slipping out. Jem's chest tightened seeing her state, he had met this little girl a few minutes ago but he knew this girl was quite strong and smart for her age.

Jule and Sal were doing their best to control their tears. The pain etched in her face, made them want to sob too. Jazz was doing her best to think of a way to calm Astoria down as she continued cursing her twin in her mind. Jess was trembling seeing Astoria. She knew Astoria was the Russian princess, thanks to her research and her heart ached for Astoria. She knew what it is like to not know your parent. Astoria might remember her dad now but as she grows up, her memories will slowly fade away.

Silent tears flowed down Joy and Leo's face as they heard her mumbling Russians phrases. Natalia was still in shock, but the trembling body of the orphan made her slump back. Dylan stood in the back, his face down with sorrow. He knew what it is like to have no family at all, for he was that. Taking slow towards her, Dylan crouched down to her height beside Jem and slowly wrapped her shaking frame into him embrace. Jem understood what his best friend was trying to do and softly stoked her blonde mass, muttering sweet and calming phrases. Dylan found enormous comfort in this child, for she was exactly him and he vowed on his life that he will never let her go through what he went through.

"Hey sweetheart, breathe with me." Dylan whispered patting her back once her breathing started getting labored. Jazz lifted the girl from Dylan's embrace, brushing her hand against her causing sparks to fly. Jazz took her the couch as she placed Astoria in her lap patting her back as she took slow breaths with her. Minutes passed and the child had let her lungs rest, but tears were still streaming down her face.