Marry. Ride. Love.

You are mine now and forever

*Isabella*

I sank to my knees in front of Tino. I felt as if all the strength had just gone out of me. As if the air had been let out of a balloon. I slumped in his direction and he caught me immediately.

There it was again. That infinite feeling of safety that I only felt with him.

"I can't do this anymore.", I whispered "This eternal back and forth. Who promises me that if I let it all happen again now, you won't push me away again the next moment? I can't do this anymore.", I felt myself slump more against him "I love you Tino. But you are taking all the strength I have.".

"I'm sorry cuoricina.", he whispered and wrapped his arms around me "Please don't go. I promise you I'll get better. But please don't go. Don't leave me.", I heard the desperation in his voice. That pleading. That fear.

"It kills me every time you do this.", I whisper "But I need you.", I let myself fall against him even more.

I felt his body shake and he wrapped his arms around me tighter and tighter "I promise to make it better. I will never push you off me again. It's just so hard for me to open up because I'm... I'm afraid of getting hurt." his voice had gone very quiet.

"I would never hurt you. Because then I'd be hurting myself.".

"I know. I trust you. Don't get me wrong. I do trust you. Completely, but... it's hard for me. But I'm trying. For you. I promise Bella, just please don't go.".

I couldn't leave anyway. He gave me so much that no one else gave me. Safety. Security.

We sat like that on the floor for a long time until small footsteps came to us.

"Did you make up?" whispered Marco, sliding into our embrace.

Tino looked to me. He was going to let me decide.

"Yes. We made up," I nodded, running my hand through his hair.

"You love each other again?" he asked, concerned.

"I love Bella forever," Tino promised.

"And I love Tino forever," I promised.

Tino stroked my hair "Let's get married again. This time without a back door.", he whispered.

I nodded. I wanted to stay Bella Rossi.

He wrapped his arms around me tighter again and slumped to the floor. Marco and I just slumped with him. I let my arms slide around his body. I snuggled up to him and could feel him breathe a sigh of relief.

He pressed his face into my hair as he pulled Marco closer to us.

"I love you." he whispered softly and then leaned back against the wall a little. I just let myself sink against him until eventually Pecco and Franky came back in. They also let themselves sink down on the floor next to us without a word.

At some point Alessia joined us and finally Bez and Maro joined us.

I wouldn't go anywhere. Ever. I belonged right here.

To this house. To this man. To this family.

Max stroked my hair "You definitely look happier this time.".

"I am. I know what I'm getting myself into," I smirked.

This time it was a different feeling. I would marry Tino again. But this time for real. Without a back door. Without a contract. For love.

It was a strange date, but Tino had chosen it. It was important to him. He wanted to have his best friend with him at least a little bit. So he had chosen the day of his death. It was supposed to give the date something new. He wanted to put this pain behind him. He didn't want to forget, but he finally wanted to honor his best friend's wishes and not mourn his death, but celebrate life.