𝘈𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦 | Mattia Polibio

035

Many many years later

Third person

Layla looks over at Ava as she fixes her hair into a bun.
Ava: Do I look professional?
Layla's head nods.
Layla: You look great. Come, everyone's waiting.
She holds her hand out and her daughter grabs it causing memories of young Ava to flow through her head, she squeezes the girls hand.
Layla: You're ready, I know you are.
Ava looks at her mother and takes a deep breath. The two walk down into the house and are greeted by everyone the know and love.

Alex: Happy birthday kid! Or well not kid, but you know what I mean.
Her aunt Alex pulls out a small box wrapped neatly and tied with a red bow, she closes it in her hands.
Alex: Open it later, when you're alone, trust me it'll be worth the wait.
She hugs her aunt and walks farther into the party only to be stopped by more people. Layla and Mattia observe from afar.
Mattia: You've got the video right?
Mattia's voice is filled with nerves as he looks down at Joseph, his son, in Layla's arms. She gives a simple nod in response.
Layla: Everything's set in stone, don't worry. Now let's go feed my little boy."
Her hands rub against the child's clothed body as laughter escapes his mouth, Mattia looks over at his daughter in disbelief.

He's having a hard time wrapping his head around the fact that his daughter is old enough to be the leader of their organization, and that she's doing it with Diego, Grace and Alejandro's son. He doesn't snap out of his trance until he feels the hand on his wife on his shoulder.
Layla: She's ready, let's do this.
He nods in response and they walk up to the tv, plugging the laptop into it. Layla hands Joseph to his sister and begins to speak loud enough for everyone in the room can hear.
Layla: Thank you all for coming, it's such a pleasure to be hosting this induction for our daughter to be the new leader of the Mambas.
Her tone is proud, like she's accomplished what she was put on this earth to accomplish.
Mattia: And to Diego Rosario, congratulations on being appointed leader of the Jaguars, a spot you have definitely earned the right too.
The boys smiles anxiously as Ava places her hand in his.
Layla: We have a special presentation that has been in the works since the day you were born, consider this your 'welcome' gift.

The video starts up on the tv of the first day Layla and Mattia found out they were pregnant with Ava, they were merely kids then. Avas eyes glue to the screen as every moment of her childhood is rekindled in her memory, she sees her first words, her first day of school, the first time she rode a bike, all of the easiest times of her life are flooding her headspace. She then sees the first day she trained with Mattia, this borough tears to her eyes since she remembers the day as if it happened yesterday. He trained and trained that little girl until she was tough as nails, and deep down, he knows she's going to be one of the best leaders either of these organizations has ever seen. The next part is when she found out she was going to be a big sister, merely 2 years ago. One of the happiest moments of her life was this one, she couldn't have asked for a better relationship than she had with her family. She watches as she sees her brother for the first time.
Joseph: Sissy.
The room erupts into 'awe's' as Ava snuggles close to the child in her lap. She won't look away from the screen until she sees a video from just a few weeks ago, Layla's voice soothes her into a calm state.
Layla: Guess who's almost ready to be a leader?
Ava: Mom really?
Layla: This is one of the biggest accomplishments of your life, trust me, you'll be as excited as I am when you're doing this with your kid.
The laugh sticks in her head throughout the rest of the short time left in this video. It's ends with the photo the family had taken just a day prior, what a fitting conclusion to a beautiful masterpiece.

Ava looks over at her parents who have the warmest smiles on their faces and stands herself up so she can go hug them with all her strength.
Ava: Thank you for that, that's just what I needed to get over my nerves.
The two hug their daughter back just as tight as she hugs them.
Mattia: Are you ready?
Avas bun bops as her head nods up and down, Mattia grabs her hand and leads her up to the front of the room, Layla following just behind. The orientation goes by quickly and before everyone knows it...
Mattia: I am more than proud to introduce your new leader, Ava Rose Polibio. Congratulations baby girl.
He pulls the girl into his embrace and allows himself to shed a single tear as the room fills with applause, Ava looks at him and wipes his tear away.
Ava: I won't let you down daddy.

——

The girl walks into her room and falls onto her back on her bed and feels the sharp pain of something stabbing into her back. She lifts her pelvis up and pulls the box her aunt gave her just a while ago, unties the bow and opens it carefully to reveal a golden locket necklace.
Ava: Wow.
She lifts it up steadily and stares it down before opening it up to find a picture of all four of her grandparents sitting at a table enjoying themselves and getting along. She looks back in the box and find a note which she reads aloud.
Ava: Ava -

Your grandparents would be so proud of the beautiful, strong young woman you've become. I know that it's hard hearing things about them and not having any memories of your own to share with the world, but I promise honey that they're all looking down on you with the biggest, proudest smiles across each of their faces. Everyone here in the organization is so unbelievably astonished at how fast the time went by, I mean, no one can believe that you're already 18 and that it's now your time to run this organization. It's the craziest thought that's constantly running through my mind. I wanted to give you this locket so that you understand how much they would've loved you, every little bit of you, and how unbelievably proud I am of you. I love you with all of my heart and I know you're going to be a great leader babes.

Love,
Auntie Alex

A single tear rolls down her cheek as she looks back at the picture and wondered where everything went wrong. Her door opens slightly revealing Layla and Mattia, she shoots them a smile as she wipes her eyes.
Layla: Honey what's wrong?
Ava holds the locket up to her mothers face and allows her and Mattia to look at it, the smile that spreads across both of their faces was perfect.
Layla: Where did you get this?
Ava: Aunt Alex gave it to me, here's the note. They read it and smile at one another.
Mattia: That was very nice of her.
Avas head nods as she strokes the locket with her thumb.
Layla: Get some rest my love, you've got a busy day tomorrow.
She rubs her hand against Avas soft knee and blows her a small kiss.
Ava: I'll try, thank you guys again for believing in me.
Mattia: You're welcome Madam Leader, good night.
Ava: Good night.

The End.

A.N: Ok for starters, I'm so sorry that there wasn't a warning about this story coming to such an abrupt end, but like isn't this just the cutest way to end this ??🥺 Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who read this story from the beginning and gave me all the feedback in the world, it's so genuinely appreciated you all have no idea.🥺 I'm considering starting another story and I really really need some feedback on if I should or not, so plz lmk. Once again, thank you all! Every single one of you holds such a dear place in my heart🥺❤️