Paulo drove off with Martin to the airport where Eric has been waiting since Martin has called him. Martin's goodbye with Miranda was sad as she has reverted to not recognizing him. "How do you say goodbye to someone who doesn't even recall, remember they know you?" Martin silently wondered. It has been a difficult visit with Miranda and all her panic attacks, her outbursts and her episodes of recognition, remembrance, no matter how sporadic they were only to go back to the woman who looks at him like she has never seen him before. It was heartbreaking for him, especially, when she cries in anguish for a daughter who was not real, and only based on their long ago, romantic notions of the child she miscarried in her womb. Martin wanted badly to bring her to America, but everything will only confuse her and aggravate her condition, as the only two people she knows back home were Kyle and Charlene. Miranda is of Italian citizenship and Italy is her home. He will not pull her out from the familiar and safe environment she knows, even if he feels the American doctors could probably do more for her than Dr. Perrone. Martin smiled sadly as he recalled his first meeting with the vibrant woman he thought he was destined to marry. She did not like him and had thought of him an arrogant and unfaithful man who loves the company of many women. Her judgment of him would be akin to Alaina's first impression of him. She caught his eyes at the Lambrusco's Vintage Wine Tasting Event, twelve years ago. Kyle and him had just graduated from Yale and he recalled what a beautiful, but mouthy woman Miranda was. Kyle foretold that the moment he approached Miranda and asked if the wine was getting to her, and her immediate response was "Are you saying I am stupid enough to swallow instead of swill, American?" while arching her eyebrow at him, that the woman will capture his heart. His buddy wasn't wrong. Her sassiness, her sometimes petulant behavior has captured his heart. But most of all, it was her love of life, of dance, of music and her love of children that made Martin desire to live his life as her husband. He wanted her to be the mother of his children and he wanted to be married to only her because he is a lot like his father. Martin may be very modern in many ways, but he believes in marrying only once. And he remembered how much she loved him. He remembered how she would embrace him while she sang and how he thought, not only can she dance, she had such a lovely voice for singing, too. He remembered Miranda Corelli as the woman who rose from a humble beginning, an orphan who paved her way to graduate from Universitá Commercialé Luigi Bocconi, by sheer will and intellect. He remembered her tales of her childhood, her reference to an aunt who has passed away the year when he met her. She told him of tales of her aunt and her selling hand woven sweaters in the public streets of Milan, where tourists, Americans like him, admired her flaxen tresses and her light blue eyes. Martin understood the awe those tourists felt since upon looking at her from the first time he saw her, he, himself, thought she was of Norwegian or Swedish descent, based on her light, almost ethereal appearance, the kind that touches you deeply, but fleetingly. She had that look that you remember for a day, until you see her again the following day and it's like looking at another vision of beauty. Martin closed his eyes tightly as he sat back in the limousine, as if willing the vision of long ago Miranda may be buried deep down, deep where he can't reach it anymore to hurt more from her memories. "Signor Green, you have, pain in the head?" he heard Paulo's voice, in his broken English. Martin let out a sigh and nodded his head, then whispered, "Pain in the heart, is what it is," under his breath.
Alaina has already said goodbye to her nurses and was checking her mobile when she overheard the hushed conversation of Geno and Sonny out in the hallway of her hospital room. "Do they always go together? Surely, one driver or bodyguard is enough to pick her up." She thought, rolling her eyes as the voices got nearer. "Ms. Gold, how are you feeling? Are you ready to leave this place with the awful smell of medicine?" Geno asked her politely. "Yes, I am. Is it just you and your brother come to pick me up?" Alaina responded. At that moment, Alexa walked in and explained that she stopped by the nurses' station to find out if there were any specific instructions on her care, once she sets foot outside the hospital. "Oh, Lexie, please stop mothering Nicky and me. Worry about your lack of sleep, your lack of fun, your lack of you." Alaina pretend snapped and winked at her sister playfully. Alexa stuck her tongue out at her and said, "Well, it looks like you are feeling better. I see Snappy Lainy is back, full force." Alaina was about to say something smartass back to her, but caught Geno's reaction in the corner of her eyes. He looked like he was shocked at how sarcastic she and Alexa were to one another, giving him, perhaps, the impression she and her sister were not close and were combative with each other naturally. Alaina decided to stop chiding her sister and switched to a more regular conversation with her. "An FBI was here before you guys came, asking questions about Martin's former driver." Alaina informed her sister. Alexa remembered what Nicky and her discussed and decided not to say anything until Nicky is sure he can get an extension from his CO, on his family leave pass. The mere mention of the driver who did this horrible thing to her sister is enough to make her shiver with anger combined with fear. Before her mind could wander to the uneasy feeling she gets pertaining to the driver, Alexa asked Geno to help her sister with her belongings, which was not much, as Alaina was basically wearing a sweatshirt and jeans only, when she was brought to the hospital. "The agent was very good looking, Lexie." Alaina spoke, shaking her from her thoughts of what has recently happened to her sister. Geno overheard what Alaina said and his heart dropped. He isn't too thrilled to hear that an FBI agent is getting fixed up with the woman he thinks is the world. And he isn't so sure now if he likes this Alaina sister. Sonny was observing his brother's reaction since he's also heard what Alaina said. Mostly, Sonny observed Alexa's reaction to the statement. She was curious and she seemed interested because she asked Alaina if she saw a wedding ring on the agent's finger. Alaina said no and finished her statement with, "Beautiful name, too. William Pepper." Alexa smiled. "I always liked the name William." She said happily to her sister. "Uh oh, here comes heartbreak." Sonny thought and looked at his brother sadly. Paulo entered the private taxi way of Linate Airport and the limousine stopped next to Martin's Bombadier. Eric came forward after Paulo has opened the door for Martin and proceeded to carry his luggage to the jet. "How was the visit, sir?" Eric asked as he approached Martin. "Both deciding and revealing." Martin replied. Eric nodded. His face was somber as he has been with Martin in his many trips to Italy. Eric knows all about Miranda. He has met her when she was still a healthy, bright and happy woman. His chest felt constricted for his employer, who has been good and kind and generous to his two daughters and wife. "It looks like our trips here will be less frequent, from now on, Eric." Martin stated. "Understood, sir." was all Eric could say to the statement made by Martin. The jet taxied out of Linate and at 10,000 feet, Martin heard Eric's voice come on the PA system announcing the hours it will take for their flight and the weather in Seattle. Martin checked his mobile phone. There was no text or voicemail from Alaina. He closed his eyes and allowed the recent events lull him to sleep. Images of Miranda singing, dancing and laughing came to him. Images that were seductive, mesmerizing and saddening as her face contorted into that panicked confusion, his dream changing into Miranda running away instead of running to him, and unstoppable streak of tears running down on her cheeks. Martin ran after her and caught up with her in his dream. She stopped by the cliff they loved watching the sun set in a very long time ago, her shoulders shaking from the fear of not knowing or remembering who he was and what his name was and forgetting her own name. As he touched her shoulders, she spoke, her voice filled with sorrow, "Will you still love me when I am old, Martin?" as Martin turned her to face him, her face looking down on her feet. Martin raised her chin to look up at him. "Do unicorns dream? We won't have forever, Martin." She said as her face changed into Alaina's facial features, the light, champagne colored hair replaced by a shock of dark, chocolate color, the blue sapphire eyes replaced by vivid emerald green eyes. Martin woke up from his slumber abruptly. "Huh!?" he heard himself mumble, as he sat up.
Theodore opened the doors for Alexa and Alaina and was taken aback by the friendly hug Alaina gave him. "Oh, Teddy, it is so good to see such a friendly, familiar face, finally." Alaina said. Theodore patted her on the back as his face contorted into a happy but somewhat uncomfortable expression. Alexa didn't even flinch with Alaina's demeanor towards the butler as she is used to her sister's friendly nature. She walked towards the portrait that Nicky was inspecting yesterday. "Lain, come here, look at this portrait. This woman on the painting is so beautiful, Nicky was crushing big time yesterday." She called out to Alaina. Alaina followed her where she motioned to look at the portrait. "Oh my god, she's breathtakingly beautiful." Alaina gasped upon seeing Miranda's portrait. "Look at her eyes, so light and clear," she continued. Alexa was nodding in agreement and admiring the woman in the portrait, once more. "Who is she?" Alaina asked. "Her name is Miranda, according to Theodore" Alexa answered. "Oh?" Alaina said, "Her name is Miranda, but who is she?" Alaina asked again, impatiently. Alexa shrugged her shoulders. "Probably an old relative, Lain, I don't know." She replied. "I mean, look at the setting and the condition of the portrait, it's very old, almost antique." She offered as explanation to Alaina's questioning eyes. "Geez, you have never heard of old processing in portraitures, vintage processing?" Alaina questioned her, her voice sounding somewhat irritated. Alexa rolled her eyes in frustration. Sometimes, her sister has a way of condescending her and very often she can be a real smartass. "Well, our Nicky would be thrilled if you tell him that, since he seemed disappointed yesterday, guessing that woman might be old or dead, by now!" she snickered sarcastically at Alaina. Alaina didn't hear her anymore as she studied the woman in the portrait intently. She is too beautiful for words, her alabaster skin, the dark, long lashes, her almond shaped eyes, the intricate detail of her lace gown and her long fingers that bear a huge, diamond and Sapphire ring on her left hand… "Engagement ring?" Alaina gasped immediately, unable to finish her own thoughts. "Ms. Alaina, Master Green has left instructions for me to show you the room where your clothes are placed. They are upstairs in his bedroom and if they are not satisfactory, we can call the Nordstrom's lady assigned to bring what you need." Theodore's voice interrupted the questions building in Alaina's mind. Alaina can only softly say, almost whispering, "Thank you, Teddy." Alexa's eyes met hers, questioning why Martin would have wardrobe on order for her, let alone clothes prepared for her in his home. It was Alaina's turn to shrug her shoulders at her sister.
The private jet of Martin cleared with the tower and taxied onto the private runway in Sea Tac International Airport. Martin asked Eric to drive him to the terrace as soon as they boarded off the jet. He did not want Theodore to send either Sonny or Geno to pick him up since he wanted the Italians to be at Alaina's beck and call. His mind was racing at the thought of seeing her again. He was sure she has questions for him since that fateful call was disconnected in a dubious circumstance. And he was prepared to answer any questions she may have. He was prepared to let her in on his "secret". He was prepared to follow through on his suggestion of exploring the word "abandon" and hoped in his heart that she feels the same way, once she is clear on the situation surrounding Miranda. Martin inhaled deeply. The last few days he discounted as the perspective distance they may both need no longer has any bearing on his connection with her. He needs her and he needs to see, hear, taste her and feel her in his arms again. And at this moment, that is all he knows. And that is all he needs to know. He has learned from Miranda that love has no timeline, no protocol and no schedule. Twelve years ago when he met her and he wasted six years of her life, before he proposed and it took the disease a much shorter time to take her away from him. He will not repeat the same mistake again.
Alaina has already said goodbye to her nurses and was checking her mobile when she overheard the hushed conversation of Geno and Sonny out in the hallway of her hospital room. "Do they always go together? Surely, one driver or bodyguard is enough to pick her up." She thought, rolling her eyes as the voices got nearer. "Ms. Gold, how are you feeling? Are you ready to leave this place with the awful smell of medicine?" Geno asked her politely. "Yes, I am. Is it just you and your brother come to pick me up?" Alaina responded. At that moment, Alexa walked in and explained that she stopped by the nurses' station to find out if there were any specific instructions on her care, once she sets foot outside the hospital. "Oh, Lexie, please stop mothering Nicky and me. Worry about your lack of sleep, your lack of fun, your lack of you." Alaina pretend snapped and winked at her sister playfully. Alexa stuck her tongue out at her and said, "Well, it looks like you are feeling better. I see Snappy Lainy is back, full force." Alaina was about to say something smartass back to her, but caught Geno's reaction in the corner of her eyes. He looked like he was shocked at how sarcastic she and Alexa were to one another, giving him, perhaps, the impression she and her sister were not close and were combative with each other naturally. Alaina decided to stop chiding her sister and switched to a more regular conversation with her. "An FBI was here before you guys came, asking questions about Martin's former driver." Alaina informed her sister. Alexa remembered what Nicky and her discussed and decided not to say anything until Nicky is sure he can get an extension from his CO, on his family leave pass. The mere mention of the driver who did this horrible thing to her sister is enough to make her shiver with anger combined with fear. Before her mind could wander to the uneasy feeling she gets pertaining to the driver, Alexa asked Geno to help her sister with her belongings, which was not much, as Alaina was basically wearing a sweatshirt and jeans only, when she was brought to the hospital. "The agent was very good looking, Lexie." Alaina spoke, shaking her from her thoughts of what has recently happened to her sister. Geno overheard what Alaina said and his heart dropped. He isn't too thrilled to hear that an FBI agent is getting fixed up with the woman he thinks is the world. And he isn't so sure now if he likes this Alaina sister. Sonny was observing his brother's reaction since he's also heard what Alaina said. Mostly, Sonny observed Alexa's reaction to the statement. She was curious and she seemed interested because she asked Alaina if she saw a wedding ring on the agent's finger. Alaina said no and finished her statement with, "Beautiful name, too. William Pepper." Alexa smiled. "I always liked the name William." She said happily to her sister. "Uh oh, here comes heartbreak." Sonny thought and looked at his brother sadly. Paulo entered the private taxi way of Linate Airport and the limousine stopped next to Martin's Bombadier. Eric came forward after Paulo has opened the door for Martin and proceeded to carry his luggage to the jet. "How was the visit, sir?" Eric asked as he approached Martin. "Both deciding and revealing." Martin replied. Eric nodded. His face was somber as he has been with Martin in his many trips to Italy. Eric knows all about Miranda. He has met her when she was still a healthy, bright and happy woman. His chest felt constricted for his employer, who has been good and kind and generous to his two daughters and wife. "It looks like our trips here will be less frequent, from now on, Eric." Martin stated. "Understood, sir." was all Eric could say to the statement made by Martin. The jet taxied out of Linate and at 10,000 feet, Martin heard Eric's voice come on the PA system announcing the hours it will take for their flight and the weather in Seattle. Martin checked his mobile phone. There was no text or voicemail from Alaina. He closed his eyes and allowed the recent events lull him to sleep. Images of Miranda singing, dancing and laughing came to him. Images that were seductive, mesmerizing and saddening as her face contorted into that panicked confusion, his dream changing into Miranda running away instead of running to him, and unstoppable streak of tears running down on her cheeks. Martin ran after her and caught up with her in his dream. She stopped by the cliff they loved watching the sun set in a very long time ago, her shoulders shaking from the fear of not knowing or remembering who he was and what his name was and forgetting her own name. As he touched her shoulders, she spoke, her voice filled with sorrow, "Will you still love me when I am old, Martin?" as Martin turned her to face him, her face looking down on her feet. Martin raised her chin to look up at him. "Do unicorns dream? We won't have forever, Martin." She said as her face changed into Alaina's facial features, the light, champagne colored hair replaced by a shock of dark, chocolate color, the blue sapphire eyes replaced by vivid emerald green eyes. Martin woke up from his slumber abruptly. "Huh!?" he heard himself mumble, as he sat up.
Theodore opened the doors for Alexa and Alaina and was taken aback by the friendly hug Alaina gave him. "Oh, Teddy, it is so good to see such a friendly, familiar face, finally." Alaina said. Theodore patted her on the back as his face contorted into a happy but somewhat uncomfortable expression. Alexa didn't even flinch with Alaina's demeanor towards the butler as she is used to her sister's friendly nature. She walked towards the portrait that Nicky was inspecting yesterday. "Lain, come here, look at this portrait. This woman on the painting is so beautiful, Nicky was crushing big time yesterday." She called out to Alaina. Alaina followed her where she motioned to look at the portrait. "Oh my god, she's breathtakingly beautiful." Alaina gasped upon seeing Miranda's portrait. "Look at her eyes, so light and clear," she continued. Alexa was nodding in agreement and admiring the woman in the portrait, once more. "Who is she?" Alaina asked. "Her name is Miranda, according to Theodore" Alexa answered. "Oh?" Alaina said, "Her name is Miranda, but who is she?" Alaina asked again, impatiently. Alexa shrugged her shoulders. "Probably an old relative, Lain, I don't know." She replied. "I mean, look at the setting and the condition of the portrait, it's very old, almost antique." She offered as explanation to Alaina's questioning eyes. "Geez, you have never heard of old processing in portraitures, vintage processing?" Alaina questioned her, her voice sounding somewhat irritated. Alexa rolled her eyes in frustration. Sometimes, her sister has a way of condescending her and very often she can be a real smartass. "Well, our Nicky would be thrilled if you tell him that, since he seemed disappointed yesterday, guessing that woman might be old or dead, by now!" she snickered sarcastically at Alaina. Alaina didn't hear her anymore as she studied the woman in the portrait intently. She is too beautiful for words, her alabaster skin, the dark, long lashes, her almond shaped eyes, the intricate detail of her lace gown and her long fingers that bear a huge, diamond and Sapphire ring on her left hand… "Engagement ring?" Alaina gasped immediately, unable to finish her own thoughts. "Ms. Alaina, Master Green has left instructions for me to show you the room where your clothes are placed. They are upstairs in his bedroom and if they are not satisfactory, we can call the Nordstrom's lady assigned to bring what you need." Theodore's voice interrupted the questions building in Alaina's mind. Alaina can only softly say, almost whispering, "Thank you, Teddy." Alexa's eyes met hers, questioning why Martin would have wardrobe on order for her, let alone clothes prepared for her in his home. It was Alaina's turn to shrug her shoulders at her sister.
The private jet of Martin cleared with the tower and taxied onto the private runway in Sea Tac International Airport. Martin asked Eric to drive him to the terrace as soon as they boarded off the jet. He did not want Theodore to send either Sonny or Geno to pick him up since he wanted the Italians to be at Alaina's beck and call. His mind was racing at the thought of seeing her again. He was sure she has questions for him since that fateful call was disconnected in a dubious circumstance. And he was prepared to answer any questions she may have. He was prepared to let her in on his "secret". He was prepared to follow through on his suggestion of exploring the word "abandon" and hoped in his heart that she feels the same way, once she is clear on the situation surrounding Miranda. Martin inhaled deeply. The last few days he discounted as the perspective distance they may both need no longer has any bearing on his connection with her. He needs her and he needs to see, hear, taste her and feel her in his arms again. And at this moment, that is all he knows. And that is all he needs to know. He has learned from Miranda that love has no timeline, no protocol and no schedule. Twelve years ago when he met her and he wasted six years of her life, before he proposed and it took the disease a much shorter time to take her away from him. He will not repeat the same mistake again.