It was her mother who had spotted her first, her eyes filling with happy tears as she had seen her daughter for the first time in nearly six years. Opening her arms she had pulled her in for a tight embrace, Grace feeling as her own eyes had misted over.
“Grace….oh my beautiful Grace” her mother had sobbed, real love in her eyes, Alexos feeling the warmth of their reunion . As the two women had broken apart the stern voice of the man beside her mother had sent an icy sensation down his spine, his eyes narrowing slightly.
“That is enough Ellana…do not make a spectacle of yourself” the woman shrinking back, as had Grace, her body moving in tighter to him.
“Well Grace. I see you did finally come around to your senses” his voice low with a sneer to it, before becoming warmer as he had turned to Alexos.
“You are a most generous man Mr Manetas. After what happened all those years ago I appreciate that you were able to see past her….indiscretion”
He had felt the rush of anger towards her father, instantly sensing the fear the two women had for him. His Grace, a woman so fearless, his Grace who swam towards sharks was afraid of this small man before him. For the first time he had realised what kind of a childhood she must have had to endure, his respect for her growing even more that she had accomplished so much with her life knowing that it had been in spite of this man, certainly not because of him.
Turning to her mother he had lifted her hand bestowing a gentle kiss on it, his eyes warm.
“It is a great pleasure to see you again Mrs Leotta” her mother’s face breaking out into a large smile. Turning slightly his voice had been less warm as he had faced her father.
“You are mistaken Mr Leotta. It is I who is indebted to Grace for giving me a second chance”
Watching the two her father had sneered softly, though his voice was more respectful as he had ignored Grace “Indeed. You will always be welcome in our home” his look shifting to Grace “As will you” before taking his wife’s arm with the intention of mingling.
As they had moved away Grace had released a deep breath. She had not even been aware that she had held her breath during the exchange. Looking up into Alexos’ eyes she had smiled.
“Thank you” her voice full of sincerity as he had winked back down at her.
She had found herself enjoying the night, especially when her mother had managed to sidle away from her father, the two women slipping into a small corner so happy to finally see each other. While they had kept in contact mainly through email she had missed her mother and she was so happy at now being able to hug her and see for herself that she was well, though she felt, not happy.
“I am so sorry for upsetting you” she had whispered, her voice full of pain “I should not have done what I did, it was never my intention to hurt you”
To her surprise the other woman had shaken her head stopping her apologies
“No Grace…it is I who should be sorry. I should never have allowed him to try to push you into something you were not ready for. I am so proud of what you have achieved…so very, very proud” tears of pride in her eyes “can you ever forgive me?”
With a small whimper she had pulled her mother in for another hug, the love between them so strong. As they had broken apart, her mother had looked at her with a strange expression on her features.
“Seeing you like this Grace…I wish that I had been as strong and brave as you…but I wasn’t” her eyes hardening as she had looked over at her husband. “But I am going to be…I deserve to be happy”#p#分页标题#e#
Gasping Grace had looked deeply into her mother’s eyes “A…are you leaving him?” her hand flying to cover her mouth as her mother had nodded softly.
“I want my life back Grace…I want to enjoy life…I want to be brave like you. I want to look as happy as you”
Her mother had lifted her finger, looking at the ring she wore before flicking a look at Alexos. “He loves you…and I see such love for him in your eyes Grace…you do love him don’t you?”
Grace had given a small smile as she had admitted the truth “With everything in me mother. I always have I think…I just never realised it”
Ellana Leotta had given another tremulous smile “You have it all now Grace…you are a true inspiration to me, and I deserve to be happy too” Her eyes holding her daughter’s.
“Oh mum…you will be…you deserve to be…and I will always be here for you…always… whatever you need you only have to ask”