Thorns & Roses

-eighteen-

AURORA VALENTINA MARINO

"Have you spoken to any of my brothers recently?" I asked Eli as I walked into the main room, where him, Mrs Elena, Nate, Bri, Oliver (Bri's son) and Angelo were. We agreed to let them all stay over during the Christmas break. Oliver was loving the mansion and all the snow inside.

"Last time I spoke to them was when you were on call with them." I sighed and sat next to Eli, resting both my legs over his. He pulled my legs closer to him, rubbing soothingly.

"One of them or Maria will call you back when they get the chance, don't worry." I nodded my head.

"Mrs Moore, there's people here to see you." One of Elias' men said from the doorway.

"Christmas is in two days and people won't let me have a break." I shook my head with a sigh. "Let them in." I turned to face Eli, who had a huge grin on his face. "What?" He nodded his head, motioning to the door. I froze in place when I saw my brothers and Maria a couple feet away from me. My eyes teared up and I looked over at Eli. "You did this?"

"I didn't want you to have Christmas without them, it wouldn't be the same."

"Are you going to make us keep waiting, Rory?" Coco asked and I got up and ran to them as they pulled me into a hug.

"You're really here?"

"We're here, sorella." Ciano whispered, holding me tighter. We all pulled away and I knocked each of them around the head.

"Non ignorare mai più le mie telefonate. Pensavo che fosse successo a tutti voi. (Never ignore my phone calls again. I thought something happened to all of you.)"

"Scusi. (Sorry.)" The three of them mumbled.

"Now, move, let me say hello to my sister in law." I went over and hugged Maria, asking her how she was and everything.

"Not sister in law, Marco hasn't put a ring on it yet." Ciano called out, making Coco push him harshly.

"He's taking his damn time." Maria whispered to me, making me laugh.

-

I introduced everyone to my brothers and we spent hours catching up. God, I've really missed them.

We were all sitting at the table, eating the dinner Mrs Elena had made for us. I felt my phone ringing in my pocket and I took it out to check who it was to see no caller id.

"Give me a second." I whispered to Eli and he nodded. I went to one of the near by rooms before answering the call. "Hello?" I waited for a response but there wasn't one. I could hear the faint sound of breathing from the other side. "Hello?"

Once again no one responded. This is so stupid, what a waste of my time. I kissed my teeth and was about to hang up.

"Wait, don't hang up!" The person on the other side blurted out. I froze where I stood. That can't be him.

"Is this some kind of sick joke?" I asked in disgust.

"No, no. It's me, mia stella." I let out a shaky breath and a sob quickly followed it.

"Padre? You're- you're alive?"

"I'm alive, Aurora." Fuck, I'm hallucinating, I'm actually going crazy. Did someone spike my drink or something?

"But I watched you die. How-"

"I promise I'll explain that all later but I just wanted to hear your voice." I continued to cry, tears were streaming down my face and I couldn't stop them. "No more tears, mia stella. Speak to me, how are you?"