Te Adoro - Book 2 ✔️

• 15 •

When Alberto woke up, the pit in his stomach from yesterday nestled deeper within him.

It was the last day.

He has a few hours with Luca and Guilia before they leave for school again.

He gently took the lightly snoring Luca off his chest and got out of bed, rubbing his eyes, and approached the room's mirror; which was really just a shard of broken glass. His hair was a mess, his eyes swollen from crying with Luca the night before. He really needed to get it together. It was only a few months until he comes back. He can live.

At least... he hoped so.

His thoughts were interrupted when Luca stirred, looking at him through squinted eyes, "Beto?"

"Luca hi", Alberto whirled around, startled, and gave the boy of his dreams a smile, "Good morning"

"G'morning" he sat up and rubbed his eyes, "What time is it?"

As if on cue, two heads popped up, a redhead and a brunette. "We leave in 3 hours" The redhead said excitedly.

The two eldest of the four locked eyes and they understood each other. They both felt the same about the younger two, the people they grew to love and cherish, leaving so soon.

There was silence for a moment.

"Come on you two, Papa wanted to talk to us." Giulia happily said, opening the door to the home and waiting for the boys.

They looked at eachother and went, getting off the treehouse, closing the door behind them.

As soon as they entered, Massimo had food ready. He gave a small smile to the four teens, passing them each a plate of the pasta before grabbing himself on and sitting. They ate in a comfortable silence for a moment, until Massimo spoke.

"Some things came in the mail for you" he addressed all of them, holding three envelopes and a folded up paper. They all looked at each other in confusion.

First one to get an envelope was Clementine.

She opened it as soon as she took it from the man's fingers, silent for a second, "It's from my parents in Spain. They said I can stay here" Guilia was the first to grin, and Massimo nodded.

Next, was Luca.

He too opened it, and it was a letter from his parents. He read it carefully, confused as to why they didn't come up here and talk to him, since they've been on land when searching for him all those years back. Then he picked up a sand dollar. Not just any, but an old heirloom he forgot about. He smiled.

Then, Giulia.

It was from her father, and she opened it to see money in there. Enough for a college tuition for about 5 years. It was so much the envelope bulged, and she squealed with delight. She made a mental note to share with Luca. With a hug and a Gracie Papa, she sat.

And then, Alberto.

The folded up paper.

Guilia was getting excited, shifting how she sat as she piped up, "It's my gift from me and Papa. Open it, hurry.

With a chuckle and an assurance that he was opening it, he did, and the contents of the paper made his eyes water. Luca, curious, looked at the paper and grinned.

It was an adoption paper.

And it was signed.

The signed names were Massimo's and Mrs. Marcolvado's signatures.

That was it.

He was part of a family now.

"Surprise!" Giulia exclaimed, looking at him, "I have an older brother now"