Hers To Love (complete) Cover By @army_ss841

Chapter 84 (Country house for Christmas)

We said our goodbyes to the staff and got many 'thank you's' in return for the catered lunch.  The elevator opened and we were at the doors leading out of the hospital.  Lettie got us through the doors and there was Paulo, looking as handsome as ever and grinning like the Cheshire cat, Roberto and Fabio.  My wheelchair came to a stop at the curb and Lettie put the brakes in place and Luca handed my bag to Fabio who put it in the back and jumped in the driver's seat.  Paulo and Roberto got on either side of me and offered hands to help me stand.  I love these guys.  Lettie and I said goodbye again and she disappeared inside.  Luca was standing in front of me watching over me and asked "are you ready to go home?"  "Absolutely!" was my answer.  Roberto got into the front passenger's seat and Paulo went around the SUV and got in the back seat, while with Luca's help I stepped up into the vehicle and scooted very gingerly to the middle and then he got in beside me.  Paulo handed Luca my seat belt and he fastened it making sure it wasn't too tight.  "Feel okay?" he asked concerned.  I nodded.  He and Paulo buckled up after that and we started home.  I laid my head on Luca's shoulder and threaded my arm through his.  "I really missed you guys" I said softly through closed eyes and drifted off.

I woke to a soft kiss being placed on the side of my head.  "Ari were home" Luca's gentle voice brought me out of my fuzzy state.  "Wow did I sleep the entire time?" I asked stretching slightly.  He nodded sliding out.  The first thing my eyes laid on was a huge banner draped across the back porch that read "Welcome Home Ari!"  I felt the tears welling up.  I also had noticed three cars in the drive and asked Luca about it.  He shrugged grinning at me.  He was toying with me and I just shook my head as I gently slid out of the seat and onto the ground.  Paulo grabbed my bag and Fabio and Roberto said they would be back later as they were going down to the gatehouse.  Their jobs were never through.  We started to the steps when I turned and faced Paulo, walked to him and gave him a great big hug.  "Welcome home kiddo" he said coughing and clearing his throat trying to hide the emotion in his voice, arms around my shoulders.

Luca held the door open and when I walked in there were my parents, Luca's parents, Natalie and the Hannigan's.  "Welcome home!" they all cheered with glasses raised.  I walked straight to my mom, hugged her and said "Mama"...it was a very emotional moment for everyone in the room.  We stepped back from one another still clutching each other's arms and she wiped some tears from my face.  Luciano had been my father for 15 years and this was the second time I'd seen him cry.  "Dad" I said as he pulled me into his arms, his head buried in my neck.  "You scared the shit out of me little girl" he said, voice gravely with emotion.  "I know and I'm so sorry for worrying you like that" I couldn't stop the tears.  He released me and kissed me gently on the head.  Next came Luca's parents, Arabella and Antonio.  I wrapped my arms around both of them as Luca's mom said "you brave, precious, wonderful girl!"  Antonio was misty eyed and all he said was "grazie per il risparimio mio figlio, figlia!"(thank you for saving my son, daughter!) to which I answered "ti amo padre!" (I love you father).  Next was Natalie and then the Hannigan's.  

Arabella and my mom grabbed me away from everyone and led me into the living room.  They had decorated for Christmas!  The fireplace was absolutely stunning and they had put up a tree and decorated the windows.  I just stood there and cried like a baby.  "Thank you both so much!  I just can't tell you what this means to me, really" I said to both mothers.  "We knew you would have wanted it decorated.  With everything going on this was the last thing we wanted you to have on your plate" Luca's mom stated.  "I bet you didn't notice the kitchen did you?" my mom asked.  I shook my head still reeling with emotions.  "Mr. Hannigan has a man coming out tomorrow to do the outside of the house too.  Luca said it would be okay and well we just ran with it!" my mom added.  We headed back to the kitchen with both moms on either side of me, our arms around one another.  I hadn't been aware but Luca had been sitting back watching everything and whatever emotions or feelings he was dealing with he would share when we were alone.  The kitchen had been decorated just as beautifully as the living room.  "We even decorated the guest bath down here and the fireplace in your room" Luca's mom whispered.  I looked at the woman, holding her hands in mine said "Arabella I know we've only just met but I want you to know how much I love you already and thank you for taking in my mom and Luc.  You and Antonio are the best!"  She pulled me into a soft hug her eyes glistening.  "My dear we love you like you were our own daughter.  The effect that you have had on everyone in this family, well you may never know it but we are all such better people for having you here now!"

Ivy Hannigan had prepared a wonderful meal of homemade ravioli, bread, salad and Italian wedding cookies for dessert.  The food was wonderful and I was glad that I felt hungry enough to eat at least one plate.  The conversation was light and everyone was laughing and talking about Christmas plans, gifts, maybe catching a play or two and it was wonderful watching it take place.  To me it felt like the past three and a half weeks were just a bad dream and I had finally woken up.  Natalie, my mom, Ivy and Luca's mom basically had to threaten me with exile when I tried to help clean up after dinner.  I held my hands up and laughed letting them take care of it.  I had noticed that Luca, Paulo, Antonio and my dad had disappeared into Luca's office.  Hmmm...Luca's office.  I had delicious memories of our time we'd spent in there and I shivered as I replayed him licking salt off my thigh.  "Are you cold honey" my mom asked holding a hand to my forehead.  I shook my head.  "Just a little tired.  I blame it on the pasta!  I never could stay awake after eating it" I said jokingly.  Everything was cleaned up by the time the men emerged from the office.  Ivy and Mr. Hannigan said their goodbyes and we exchanged thanks and hugs for everything and then the parents were getting ready to head out.  "My dear your mom and Luc are going to stay with us for a while so you can visit more with them before they have to get back home" Arabella explained.  We all hugged and they left leaving me, Luca, Paulo and Natalie and after receiving hugs from both of them they disappeared into Paulo's room.  Luca took my hand and led me up the stairs.