Book 2: Chapter Eighty-One - Matteo Reunites With Amelia

Book 2: Chapter Eighty-One - Matteo Reunites With Amelia
“Emilia has gone to the school nearby to drop the children off,” said his Mama, wiping her eyes. 

“Children?” asked Matteo in confusion. 

“Yes. We have been blessed with two baby girls, your daughter, Mariella, and Marco’s daughter, Angela.” 

“I remember Angela! She was tiny when I last saw her,” said Matteo with a smile. It was strange that the moment he saw them, he started remembering his past. 

“Wow! Your memory is coming back, Matteo. It’s a great sign,” said Brandon. 

“I’m sure he will remember everything soon,” said Carlos’s uncle. “We will leave now, Mrs. Ricci. The paperwork is complete. You are free to return home. Both mafia leaders are dead and their gang has been arrested.” 

They thanked the officers profusely before they left. 

“We will go back to Sicily, to your Pápa’s house,” said their Mama. 

“You can stay at my house for a few days before you leave, Aunt Bianca,” offered Carlos. 

“Thank you, Carlos, but I want to go home now. It’s been so long since we lived there,” said his Mama.

“I can help you pack up and shift,” offered Donovan.

“Yes, please, son. That would be very helpful indeed.” 

“I’ll call Marcello and inform him. He can hand in his resignation today,” said Marco. “Marcello is our youngest brother. Do you remember him, bro?” Matteo smiled and nodded, as hazy memories of a goofy young guy flitted across his mind. 

“Marcello, Viola, and I work at the administrative office while Mama works as a chef in the Chief Director’s house here,” informed Marco. 

“And Emilia?” asked Matteo with interest. He was dying to meet her and glanced towards the door frequently. 

“Emilia is too disturbed ever since your disappearance. She looks after the children and the house,” said his Mama. Matteo felt a tug at his heartstrings, realizing how much his wife must love him. Marco walked out of the room to call Marcello while Viola served them coffee and sandwiches to munch on. 

“This is good. It’s my favorite. I remember having these sandwiches before. Did you make them, Mama?” asked Matteo, munching on the chicken sandwiches. 

“No, Emilia made them before leaving. She does all the cooking usually,” said his Mama. The wish to see her grew stronger than ever before. 

“This is really good,” said Brandon, remembering the times he spent at their house in LA long ago. He had tasted these sandwiches before.

“Marcello will give his resignation and come home as soon as he can. Why don’t you rest a while, bro?” said Marco, coming into the room. 

“Yes, you need to rest,” said Nikolas, getting up. “We’ll return to Carlos’s house to freshen up. In the evening, we’ll be back with Brooklyn and Genelia.”

“I’ll send some men from our restaurant to help you pack up,” said Donovan. 

“There’s no rush. We all have to hand in our resignations. We have to inform the school too,” said Viola. Carlos, and the others left and Marco and Viola got ready to leave for work. 

“I’ll hand my resignation today, too,” said Viola, eager to return home to Sicily with them. 

“Yes, so will I. We will all go to Sicily and start afresh. I want to restart Pápa’s business, this time on a grand scale,” said Marco. They all appreciated his plans. After they left, their Mama led Matteo to Amelia’s bedroom. 

“Why don’t you rest a bit, Matteo? Emilia has the keys with her. She’ll be here soon. Maybe she’s gone to the convenience store. I have to report to work and collect my pay before we leave.”

Matteo smiled and nodded at his Mama. “You can go, Mama. Don’t worry about me. I’ll catch up on some sleep.” His Mama left while he sat on the cozy bed and looked around the room. Strangely, there were no photographs in the room of his Emilia or of Mariella. It was a neat and clean room with a distinctive smell of roses and vanilla. It reminded him of passionate nights spent intoxicated by this scent. It was Emilia’s! 

Although he had waited five years for her, these last few minutes seemed to drive him crazy. Why couldn’t she come home already? He wanted to see her so badly! 

Tired, he lay down on the bed, inhaling the cushion that had Emilia’s addictive scent on it. The house seemed eerily quiet, with no one around. The minutes seemed to drag on for hours. He wondered if they had informed her of his arrival. Maybe they hadn’t! Wouldn’t she have hurried back if she knew? 

The sound of the main door opening immediately alerted him. She was here! His Emilia was here. He slowly eased off the bed and walked out of the room, eager to see his wife. Standing in the doorway, he saw her at last. She was breathtakingly beautiful with her golden hair tied up in a bun, her svelte curvy figure making him drool. 

She turned away from the door, staggering with the grocery packets she was carrying. Matteo immediately took a step towards her to help her. One look at her beautiful face brought back all the memories he had lost. He remembered their fight in Philadelphia that made him walk out of her brother’s house. It had separated them for the last five years. He had begged for her forgiveness, but she held him responsible for her family’s misfortune. Tears pricked at his eyes as he stood rooted to the spot. Did she forgive him yet? 

Amelia looked up and froze at seeing him so suddenly in front of her. Her head swooned from shock and the grocery packets fell from her hands to the floor. 

“Emilia!” he cried out in panic, rushing towards her. It was too much for Amelia to bear, and she fell unconscious in his arms. Matteo picked her up and carried her to the bed, laying her gently down. He remembered she had reacted similarly long ago! Only then he had disappeared for a short while when Phantom had abducted him. He fetched some water and sprinkled it on her face.

“Emilia, wake up, mia cara! Aren’t you happy to see me?” he whispered, his fingers caressing her face. Amelia’s eyes fluttered open, and she gazed at him in silence, unable to believe her eyes. She touched his face with trembling fingers as he hovered over her. 

“Matteo!” she whispered, tears pooling in her eyes. Matteo pulled her into his arms, embedding his face into her hair. 

“Yes, Cara!” She sobbed uncontrollably, clinging more to him as if he would vanish if she released him. 

“Tell me you’re real, Matteo. Tell me you aren’t a dream!” she cried, releasing him to gaze into his eyes. Her fingers caressed his hair, his arms, and his cheeks to ensure he really was with her. 

“Yes, Tesoro. I’m really here with you.” Yet she couldn’t believe her eyes. It surely was a dream. Matteo dipped his head and claimed her lips in a soft kiss. He remembered their taste even after so many years! A soft sigh escaped her mouth, and she opened up to him. Matteo plunged his tongue in and kissed her lingeringly, devouring every recess of her mouth. It was heavenly. The kiss rejuvenated him totally! This was what was missing from his life. His Emilia! He loved her so much that he couldn’t forget her name, even in such dismal conditions. Amelia kissed him back with equal fervor. Her arms wrapped around his shoulders and she moaned into his mouth with pleasure. With their mouths fused and their hearts beating as one, it was the most precious moment of their lives. Nothing existed around them at that moment, except them and their love for one another. 

Her Matteo was back, and she needed nothing else in life. He released her mouth to catch his breath. 

“I love you so much, Emilia!” 

“I love you too, Matteo!” she whispered, breathing hard. 

“Your love has made me conquer all obstacles. I’m here with you now, never to part. Both Di Salvo and Luigi are dead and we’re free.” Amelia’s eyes widened with disbelief. Was it true? This was what she had been praying for ever since she separated from Matteo. Had the Almighty really heard her prayers? 

“I can’t believe it, Matteo. It’s too good to be true. For years I’ve hunted for you. I’ve approached everyone for help but they were all unsuccessful. Did Carlos rescue you?” she asked agitatedly. 

“Yes, he did. He sought help from Nikolas, Brandon, and his cop uncle.”

“You’ve grown so thin, Matteo. Did they torture you?” she whispered, touching his chest, his arms, his cheeks to check if he was indeed alright. 

“Yes. I lost my memory for five long years. It’s only when I met my family did I remember a little. Now after seeing you, I remember everything distinctly. I got my memory back.”

“I’m indebted to Carlos. Where is he? How did it all happen?” 

Matteo explained everything to her. Amelia listened to his ordeal with wide eyes. “I’m sorry for fighting with you, Matteo. I didn’t mean it at all. I take back my words. Maybe if I wouldn’t have hurt you that day, you wouldn’t have suffered so much. I’m responsible for what you’ve gone through,” said Amelia, feeling guilty. 

“No, Cara. You didn’t do a thing. The culprits are dead and we’re free to live a fulfilling life. I’m sorry for everything your family has gone through.” 

“Let’s put it behind us and look forward to our future together,” said Amelia. Matteo’s eyes sparkled as he gazed at her delicious mouth. He had never felt this hungry in the last five years. Now he was insatiable! Only for her!