Back to Me

Prolog

Walking in the back door of my family's restaurant, I heard a blood-curdling scream from the storage room. I looked around. Everyone was just as confused as I was. Ella came into the kitchen carrying a box I never thought I would see again. My chest got tight. She looked shocked as she pulled one of the photos out of the box and handed it to me. "What is this?" she whispered as if the photo would come to life if she spoke too loud. I looked over my shoulder at Remy. He had a very guilty look on his face." I distinctly remember telling you to burn these." I said, holding up the photo. He put his hands up in a defensive position.

" I didn't think you were serious, Kris. I thought you would want to see them again one day. I never thought this would happen." he said, Motioning between Ella and me. " I can't say I'm surprised your life has always turned out this way," he chuckled. "What about dad?" Ella said with a concerned expression." Does he know about this?" My silver fox came strolling in with a big smile on his gorgeous face. " Does dad know about what ?" he asked. "This," she says, handing him a photo. "Wow, I never thought I would see her again," he said, shaking his head and laughing. She looked at her dad like he had suddenly grown tentacles. "What is going on?" I closed my eyes, and I started my breathing exercise. He pulled me into his chest and kissed my neck. "You want her to go?" he whispered into my ear. I nodded. "You need to tell her the story first, love ." I wanted to tell her. I started a few times, but it never felt right. It must be time she is about the same age I was, the perfect mixture of her father and me. I took the box out of her hands and put it on the prep table.

I took one last steadying breath, squared my shoulders, and led her to the office. I motioned for her to sit on the old green couch. Remy came in holding two oversized mugs with Uncle Tan's calming tea. I started to relax, just smelling it. I drank a lot of this tea back then. I felt a subtle nudge in my heart like he was telling me it was time. Remy handed me the mug and squeezed my hand encouragingly before leaving the room. " I think it is time for you to go on a trip, but before you go, Mia Gioia, I need to tell you a story."

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