Chapter 9 - THE BELONGING
Three weeks later.
The autumn leaves had completely fallen, leaving the trees around the Moretti estate bare, but inside, the house had never felt warmer.
The oppressive, cold silence that Vanessa had enforced was completely gone.
Instead, music played softly from the kitchen radio, and the sounds of children laughing echoed down the main hall.
I stood at the kitchen counter, cutting sandwiches into triangles.
Tommy was sitting at the island, kicking his legs, vigorously signing a story about a cartoon he had watched that morning.
Sitting next to him, watching intently, was Isabella.
She wore a bright yellow sweater. Her dark hair was loose, no longer tied back in the severe ribbons Vanessa had demanded.
She laughed at Tommy's story, her hands moving in rapid, fluid ASL to ask him a question.
There was no fear in her eyes. No hesitation. She was finally, completely free to be herself.
Luca walked into the kitchen, wearing a casual grey sweater and jeans. He looked ten years younger than he had on the night at the pier.
With Victor Falcone indicted on federal racketeering charges—thanks to the evidence Luca had handed over to the FBI—and Vanessa in custody for her involvement in the extortion, the shadow hanging over the Moretti family had finally lifted.
Luca walked over to the island and ruffled Tommy's hair.
"Good morning, buddy," Luca signed clumsily but enthusiastically.
Tommy grinned and signed back, Morning, Boss.
Luca chuckled, then leaned down and kissed the top of Isabella’s head.
Morning, Peanut.
Isabella beamed. Morning, Daddy.
I brought the plate of sandwiches over to the kids.
Luca looked at me, a soft, grateful smile playing on his lips. "You know, Claire, I was thinking about your housing situation."
I paused, wiping my hands on my apron. "Sir?"
"Your mother's apartment across town is small," Luca said. "And the commute takes you away from Tommy too much. There’s a three-bedroom guest house on the south lawn. It’s been empty for years. I want you, your mother, and Tommy to move in."
My jaw dropped. "Mr. Moretti... I can't accept that. Rent would be..."
"Rent is zero," Luca interrupted gently. "You saved my daughter. You stood up to a monster when I was too blind to see her. You're not just my staff anymore, Claire. You're family."
Tears pricked my eyes. I looked down at Tommy, who was happily trading his turkey sandwich for Isabella's ham.
"Thank you, Luca," I whispered.
He nodded, then turned his attention back to his daughter.
"Hey," Luca said aloud, tapping the counter to get their attention before signing. I have a surprise.
Isabella’s eyes lit up. What?
Luca pulled two small, square envelopes from his back pocket and slid them across the granite island.
Isabella opened hers first. It was a glossy brochure.
Roosevelt School for the Deaf, she signed, reading the cover. She looked up, confused.
Tommy's school? she signed.
Luca nodded. I enrolled you this morning. You start on Monday.
Isabella gasped, dropping the brochure. She looked at Tommy, then back at Luca.
A school where everyone signs? she asked, her hands shaking slightly with excitement. Where I don't have to hide my hands?
Never again, Luca signed firmly. You will never have to hide who you are.
Isabella slid off her stool and threw her arms around Luca’s neck. He caught her, lifting her easily into the air as she hugged him tight.
Over his shoulder, she looked at me and smiled, her eyes shining with absolute joy.
I smiled back, leaning against the counter, watching the terrifying mafia boss spin his beautiful, deaf daughter in circles.
Vanessa had tried to make Isabella invisible. She had tried to convince her that she was a broken burden.
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But as Isabella threw her head back and laughed, her hands flying freely as she told her father she loved him, she was the brightest, most visible thing in the world.
And for the first time in her life, she knew she completely, truly belonged.
