'Maybe not at first, but it has definitely become that way.'
'I have watched your progress with Luca intently. You know his history. He came to us a very scared and lonely boy. Since your visits he has changed. He talks more with the other children...he is more confident. Your attention did that for him.' She smiled again.
Leo stepped forward, taking Dara's trembling hand in his own. 'My wife and I would like to start proceedings to adopt Luca.' He felt the enormity of the words as he spoke them.
The other woman's eyes lit up with emotion and joy. 'Oh, after yesterday and today I confess that I had started to hope. But our hopes get dashed here far too often.'
'Our intentions are genuine. We would like to become Luca's parents,' Dara said. 'We know that the process is long, but we believe he will be happy with us. That we can give him a good home.'
Tears filled the old matron's eyes as she took one of Dara's hands in her own. 'You have no idea how long I've been waiting for you to realise that, Signora Valente.'
* * *
Dara stood by the fireplace, straightening the stockings and biting her lip. Was she jumping the gun by adding one smaller stocking beside their own two? She worried at her bottom lip for a moment, before making a final sweep of the living room. Piles of gifts lay stacked under the tree, ready to be torn open by eager little hands. She had wrapped each box painstakingly in bright paper with intricate bows. She wanted to make today as special as it could possibly be.
'Dara, stop worrying. The place looks amazing.' Leo strode into the living room, his hair lightly ruffled from being outside. 'You're going to have to get used to less organisation around here.'
'I know. I'm just keeping busy.' She sighed.
'He'll be here soon. You'll be kept very busy for the weekend. Last chance... You're sure you don't want to hire a nanny?' He smiled mischievously.
'We will do just fine on our own.' Dara laughed as Leo swept her into his arms. 'He's just one little boy-how much work could he be?'
'I have feeling those are brave last words.'
She felt the excitement and the nerves coursing through him just as they did inside her. Leo pressed his mouth to hers softly, tracing the outline of her lips with own. She twined her fingers in the hair at the nape of his neck and sighed as he deepened the kiss, moulding his hands tightly to her waist. He shaped his body closely against hers, the warmth of him pressing hard against her.
She wanted to remember this moment for ever. Kissing the man she loved, here, in the home they had created, as they waited to welcome their son to his new home for the first time.
Their son.
In just a few moments she would officially be a mother. The realisation hit her like a freight train and she broke off their kiss just as the doorbell rang.
'Are you ready?'
Leo looked into her eyes, squeezing her hand tightly as they made their way to the entrance of the castello.
He smiled. 'I can't wait to see his face once he realises he's going to live in a real-life castle.'
Dara felt her nerves melt away as she saw the excited expression on Leo's face. Suddenly she just knew that everything was going to be wonderful from this moment on.
They opened the door to find their social worker helping Luca out of the car. His tiny face was turned up and he was looking at the castello with awe.
Dara ushered Luca inside, welcoming the social worker, who would be staying for the settling-in period. The adoption process had definitely been speeded up by Leo, with the Valente name seeming to cut through some of the red tape, but it was far from over. This weekend was for Luca-to ensure that he was happy to come and live with them at the castello for good. They had a multitude of activities planned and had put the finishing touches to his bedroom.
Over the past weeks they had spent long hours bonding with the young boy, going on day trips and meeting with various officials. It was a gruelling process, but one that was vital. Everyone had to be sure that he was happy to be adopted by them. That was what mattered most.
Luca ran into the hall and barrelled into Leo's arms. 'Wow, you really do live in a castle!'
'I don't tell lies.' Leo smiled down at him.
'Will we be living here all the time?' he asked Dara in a small voice.
Dara looked at the social worker, aware that her every move was being assessed. 'If you would like it, this would be our home, yes.' She turned to Leo, feeling her confidence begin to falter.
'Are there ghosts in this castle?' Luca asked suddenly.
'There used to be.' Leo looked pointedly at Dara for a moment. 'But then a brave princess came and chased all the ghosts away.'
Dara felt tiny fingers wrap around her own. She looked down to see that Luca had grabbed on to her hand tightly as they ascended the stairs to show him his new bedroom. Her heart soared at this show of affection.
'I thought the knight was supposed to save the princess?' Dara questioned light-heartedly as she gripped her son's hand.
'Sometimes the knight is the one who needs to be saved.'
Leo caught her eye and Dara smiled to herself.
They had saved one another. Two broken souls who had somehow managed to make each other whole again. After all they had overcome in both their pasts, she was certain that the future could only be bright.