Chapter 9 - The Final Choice
That evening, the private airstrip outside Teterboro Airport was quiet under the starlit winter sky. A sleek private jet stood waiting on the tarmac, its engines humming softly, ready for flight to Italy.
Elena stood by the boarding stairs with Lily, looking back at Dominic, who had driven them in his own car.
"The pilot will take you straight to the villa in Tuscany," Dominic said, keeping his hands clasped behind his back, maintaining a respectful distance, though his dark eyes betrayed a deep, aching reluctance to let them go. "Everything is paid for. You'll never have to worry about rent, or jobs, or fake letters ever again."
Elena swallowed hard, her voice cracking. "Thank you, Dominic. For everything. We... we will never forget you."
She turned to lead Lily up the stairs.
Suddenly, Lily pulled her hand away from her mother's, turned around, and sprinted back across the tarmac straight toward Dominic. Before he could react, the six-year-old threw her arms around his long legs, hugging him fiercely.
"Don't stay here, Dom!" Lily cried softly into his coat. "Come with us! We have pancakes in Italy too!"
Dominic closed his eyes, feeling a heavy tear slip down his granite cheek for the first time in twenty years. He knelt down, lifting Lily into his arms and holding her close against his chest.
He looked up at Elena, who was standing on the stairs, watching them with a heart full of love and longing.
Dominic stood up, carrying Lily, and walked up the steps until he stood right in front of Elena.
"I told you I couldn't leave my responsibilities behind," Dominic whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "Because my responsibility—my only responsibility from now on—is right here."
Elena gasped, a radiant, tearful smile breaking across her face. "Dominic..."
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"I'm coming with you, Elena," he said, taking her hand and pressing a gentle kiss to her knuckles. "If you'll still have a scarred, dangerous old mob boss... I want to learn how to live in the sun."
Elena threw her arms around his neck, burying her face in his shoulder as Lily cheered loudly, holding Mr. Buttons up in the air.
