Chapter 17 - A Quiet Anniversary by the Lake
On a snowy evening in December, Enzo and Elena sat on the glass-enclosed porch of their Lake Forest home, watching snow fall over the lake.
A massive stone fireplace roared behind them, casting a warm, orange glow over the cozy leather furniture and soft wool rugs.
Sophia was fast asleep in her bedroom upstairs, tucked under a handmade quilt Aunt Marie had sewn for her second birthday.
Elena sat between Enzo’s knees on the couch, leaning back against his chest as he wrapped a warm cashmere blanket around them both.
He held a glass of fine Italian wine in his hand, his thumb gently caressing Elena’s shoulder through her sweater.
“Do you remember the night you found me in the rain, Lorenzo?” Elena asked softly, looking out at the dark, snowy lake.
Enzo’s body tensed for a fraction of a second before he let out a slow, deep breath, pressing his nose into her blonde hair.
“I think about it every single day,” Enzo admitted quietly.
“It was the worst night of my life... and the moment my life actually began.”
Elena turned her head, looking up into his dark brown eyes, which were now filled with peace and devotion.
“I was so sure we were going to die in that warehouse alley,” Elena whispered, her fingers tracing the faint scar on his cheek.
“You saved us, Enzo. You brought us out of the storm.”
“No, Elena,” Enzo corrected softly, taking her chin gently between his fingers.
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“You saved me. You carried our light through the darkest place in this city and handed it to me when I was completely blind.”
He leaned down and kissed her deeply, a long, sweet kiss that held all the promises of a lifetime built on love and sacrifice.
