Chapter 11 - THE LITTLE GIRL WHO CHOSE A FATHER
Mia was four when she asked Lorenzo the question.
They were sitting beneath the fig tree.
Biscuit lay asleep between them.
“Uncle Lorenzo?”
“Yes, little star?”
“Are you my daddy?”
Lorenzo went still.
He looked toward Elena.
She stood near the garden door.
Her expression softened.
Lorenzo turned back to Mia.
“No, sweetheart. Your daddy was Matteo.”
Mia nodded.
“I know.”
She looked down at Biscuit.
“Daddy Matteo is in heaven.”
Lorenzo swallowed.
“Yes.”
Mia looked up.
“Can I have two daddies?”
Lorenzo's eyes filled.
He glanced toward Elena.
She nodded gently.
Lorenzo took Mia's hand.
“You can have as many people who love you as your heart can hold.”
Mia considered.
Then smiled.
“Good.”
She climbed into his lap.
“Because I love you.”
Lorenzo closed his eyes.
“I love you too.”
Elena watched them.
Tears streamed down her cheeks.
Later, when Mia was asleep, Lorenzo approached Elena.
“I don't want to replace Matteo.”
She shook her head.
“You couldn't.”
He nodded.
“I know.”
Elena took his hand.
“But you don't have to.”
He looked at her.
She smiled.
“Love doesn't erase what came before.”
Lorenzo kissed her.
Softly.
Carefully.
May you like
And for the first time, he understood that family wasn't always defined by blood.
Sometimes, it was defined by who stayed.
