Chapter 9 - The Question Leo Had Been Waiting to Ask
A year later, Leo turned four.
The family held a birthday party at a small park.
Nothing extravagant.
No mafia guards in suits standing around the cake.
Just family.
Friends.
Children.
Leo ran toward Clara.
"Clara!"
She crouched.
"What?"
He held up a drawing.
Three adults.
One little boy.
And a fifth figure.
A woman.
He pointed.
"Mommy."
Then he pointed at Clara.
"You."
Clara smiled.
"Me?"
Leo nodded.
"Family."
Elena watched from nearby.
Rico came up behind Clara.
"He sees it."
"Sees what?"
"The family we became."
That evening, Leo asked Rico a difficult question.
"Can Clara be my mommy too?"
Rico crouched beside him.
"Your mommy is your mommy."
Leo nodded.
"But Clara?"
Rico looked at Clara.
"If Clara wants to be part of our family forever, then yes."
Leo looked at Clara.
"Forever?"
Clara's eyes filled.
"Forever."
Rico stood.
He reached into his pocket.
Clara thought it was his car keys.
It wasn't.
It was a ring.
He lowered himself onto one knee.
Leo gasped.
Elena covered her mouth.
Rico looked at Clara.
"The first night I saw you, I thought you were reckless."
Clara laughed through tears.
"You were rude."
"You walked toward me when everyone else ran."
"I was worried about Leo."
"I know."
He held up the ring.
"You taught my son to trust again."
His voice broke slightly.
"You taught me the same thing."
Clara cried.
"Rico..."
He smiled.
"I don't want to order you to stay."
He held out his hand.
"I want to ask."
She looked at Leo.
He was bouncing excitedly.
Then she looked at Elena.
Then back at Rico.
"Yes."
Leo shouted.
"She said yes!"
Everyone laughed.
May you like
Rico slipped the ring onto Clara's finger.
And for the first time in years, the Moretti family celebrated something without fear.
