The world continued on as the investigation into Matteo's tragic past started. It wasn't long before Stephen had decided to do the right thing and turn in his father. Unfortunately, Stephen decided to escape to a far off place. Mary opted to not complain too much since both she and Matteo would never see him again. If she did, she couldn't promise that Stephen would remain unharmed.
As the trial came and went with very little press, thank God. Matteo didn't need to be put out in the spotlight. He had earned his right to privacy a long time ago. Luckily, the verdict worked in their favor and Matteo's abusers would be locked away for a long time. With the money Matteo received, he helped out with rent and the bills. Mary tried to refuse at first but she could not resist those beautiful puppy eyes that he did sometimes. With that, she allowed him to help out. With her help, he started a business. She helped him with the numbers and everything else while he did all the crafting. She let Matteo do as much as he could and she did the rest. SHe had grown fond of him and those feelings of fondness developed and went deeper.
It was with the deepened feelings that Mary had started to notice the little things about Matteo that she particularly enjoyed. The smile on his face once he completed his crafts or the joy he felt when he made a sale. Or even when she came home to a clean house with him grinning at her and greeting her. She grew to love his innocent joy and his love for life itself. She loved how his hair fell that certain way or his wings in the sunlight. Matteo had always been kind and sweet but something about it just started to please her even more. She wasn't sure what about it made her feel that way, but it just happened over time.
She remembered the time when he had asked her about love. It confused her at the time until she realized that he loved her romantically when she mistook it for a platonic love. That night, she had a dream about her and Matteo living the rest of their lives together and that's when it all clicked and the subconscious thought became conscious. She loved Matteo. There. She said it. Now all she had to do was tell him.
Mary had awoken to the smell of breakfast. She smiled for she knew that Matteo was out there cooking it for her. He was sweet like that. Now she knew that this was just one way he could show her his love. She smiled to herself and got out of bed. She walked over to the kitchen and smiled at Matteo. "Good morning." she said cheerfully. She walked over to Matteo. "Matteo... there's something I want to tell you that I should have told you awhile ago." she said. She then wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him to her for a gentle kiss. "Matteo, I love you." she whispered once she broke off the kiss. She blushed as soon as he said it but he had to know. It had taken her a bit but she finally realized it. She loved him.
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