If Only

Prologue

Bianca

I tossed and turned most nights, but this one felt especially weird.

Raphael was sound asleep beside me, thankfully. I stared at the ceiling and counted down from one hundred in an attempt to cure my insomnia.

When that didn't work, I decided I would go check on my little girl. Seeing her made everything better.

Before I could even get out of bed, the door creaked open. I could barely see her face through the darkness, yet I knew something was wrong.

Mother's intuition.

"Come here," I said.

As soon as Mariella climbed on the bed, Raphael stirred. He turned over and saw his daughter's tear-stained cheeks, instantly pulling her towards him. "What's wrong?"

"I had a dream where I was all alone and nobody wanted to be my friend," she mumbled, tucking her head into her father's chest. "I miss Miro."

I stroked Mari's hair while Raphael put an arm around her. We exchanged a look as she lay between us, upset and scared that she didn't have anyone.

My daughter was a good kid. She was kind and beautiful, but somehow she happened to be lonely. Mariella had no friends at school for some reason, the only other child she shared a connection with was Kaia's son. Casimiro. We had our Christmas dinner last week, they left this morning and returned to America.

She always liked Casimiro. I knew one day they would most likely be more than friends.

"It's okay, sweetheart." Raphael's voice was soft, it was always soft when he talked to her. "He'll be back soon, and your mother and I will be with you forever."

Forever.

No measure of time would be long enough to spend with Mari and Raph. Not even forever. They were my family. They were my everything.

We stayed like that for a little longer. I watched as Mari fell asleep in her father's embrace. The sight brought a smile to my face. No one loved her more than him, with the exception of myself.

"I'm worried," Raphael whispered, sounding sadder than before. "I'm worried that forever won't last as long as we want it to. I don't want her to end up like us."

I knew exactly what he meant by that.

Our parents died. Both of his and one of mine before we even got to the age of twenty-five. And all because of the life we lived. Yes, Nathaniel was gone, but that didn't mean a new enemy couldn't rise against us. Mariella was only eight years old.

If only I could've been certain about her future, Raphael's, or even mine. I wouldn't know what to do if I lost them, the thought alone was depressing enough.

"We'll give her the choice," I suggested, tracing the line of his jaw with my finger. "When she's eighteen, Marielle can decide her own fate."

Whatever option she picked, our family would protect her with everything we had, no matter the cost. My daughter was a Vitale, and she would be until she took her last breath.

"So until then, we enjoy her innocence." Raphael pulled me close, pressing a quick kiss to my lips.

I nodded. "Until then."

***

Actually I changed my mind I think I'll post the 1st chapter after this, yay!