March 1978

Even with a light chill in the air and the bitter cold spray of the ocean, the Italian coastline was a beautiful sight to behold. The waves crashed onto the rocky shoreline, nearly reaching the lone figure atop a large rock set on the beach. Dark, expressive eyes watched as a pair of birds simultaneously dipped down low then flew back up into the salty air. The movement was so in synch it seemed as if they were dancing. The waves crashed again and this time a small amount of sea water hit the leg of the observer's pants causing the dark material to cling to the ankle. A loud shout made the person turn their head towards inland, where a small woman was frantically beckoning from the safe distance of the footpath.

"Anna!" Came the sharp, concerned voice followed immediately by rapid Italian.

Anna Devane let out a small chuckle and slid off the rock. Her bare feet hit the ice cold sand and she hurried across it, bracing herself for a lecture.

Philomena Soltini began a rapid speech in Italian and while Anna couldn't understand more than a few words here and there she got the gist.

She was in major trouble.

As Philomena continued her rant, Anna couldn't help a smile filled with love at the tiny and furious woman.

After the horrific explosion and confrontation with Robert, it had taken several days before the she had been well enough to be released from the hospital. When it came time for Anna to leave she had been physically and emotionally scarred, completely alone, and for the first time in a long time, really frightened of her future.

True to his word, Sean had given her the "retirement" money from the WSB and thanked her again for her help. Anna had not been able to say much, other than a quiet thank you. The disappointment that Robert had not come with him and the thought that she would probably never see him again had overwhelmed all other emotions.

After her release, she had wandered from hotel to hotel for over a week, putting up with the stares and the whispers about her bandaged face for as long as she could. Then one day she found herself in the small Italian village where she had found true happiness, despite how short of a time it had lasted.

Philomena had come across her and taken one look at Anna before hustling her into her own house and her heart. It was Philomena who took care of her now and Anna knew that she owed the kind woman her life and so much more.

A sudden silence permeated Anna's thoughts and she jerked back to the present where the woman's eyes bored into her own gaze, obviously waiting for an apology.

"I'm sorry, Philomena." Anna said then repeated it in Italian, pleasantly pleased that the dictation sounded almost perfect.

Philomena opened her mouth to speak again then stopped abruptly and narrowed her eyes at Anna, who tried to school her features into one of remorse. She knew that Philomena had seen the mischievous twinkle in her eye because the older woman suddenly gave a long sigh and shook her head.

The Italian woman rattled off another phrase and while Anna didn't understand again, two words caught her attention. Il piccolo.

The baby.

Anna's arms wrapped around her stomach and she held onto herself tightly. The smile disappeared from her lips and tears immediately sprung to her eyes.

Although Robert had taken a part of her soul with him when he had left, he had inadvertently left a piece of his own behind.

It had been almost two weeks since Anna had learned that she was carrying Robert's child. And despite those two weeks, she still had trouble wrapping her mind around it.

When Anna had started feeling ill, Philomena had panicked and dragged her to a town doctor who, by some miracle, had spoken a small amount of English as well as Italian. When he had announced her pregnancy Anna had just sat there, silently staring straight ahead. She had begun twisting the small gold band on her finger, the one that Anna still couldn't bring herself to remove, and let out a mirthless laugh. The poor doctor had been utterly bewildered by Anna's response until Philomena quickly gave some sort of explanation in Italian. By the look of pity and apology he made to her immediately following, Anna had gleaned that Philomena had told him that Anna's "husband" was dead.

"I so sorry, Senorina. You make beautiful couple." Dr. Leone said and Anna flashed back to day she had become Mrs. Robert Scorpio.

Indeed the doctor would have seen them; the whole town had shown up for the bishop's wedding blessing. Anna could still hear the words being spoken by so many hopeful and loving couples, but Robert's voice rose above the others. That loving tone changed abruptly in her head to the brutal and pain filled words he had last said to her and she closed her eyes in genuine grief.

Sliding off the exam table, Anna had wordlessly taken the prescription for pre-natal vitamins in her hand and walked out the door. Philomena followed a moment later and they had made the journey home in silence.

After lighting a fire and giving her a cup of strong broth, Philomena had sat down at the table across from her. Anna had barely moved, staring into the dancing flames in fireplace. When she finally looked up at Philomena, the older woman hadn't said a word. She had only opened her arms to Anna like she had opened her front door a short month and a half ago. Before either of them knew what was happening, Anna was at Philomena's feet with her head in her lap. Philomena had held Anna close to her as all the pain the young woman had felt for the past few weeks poured out of her in harsh sobs and gasps for breath.

Again, silence brought Anna back to the present and she found Philomena staring at her. Sympathy and concern had replaced the scolding that had been in her eyes.

"I'm fine. We're fine." Anna said softly and Philomena nodded, understanding not only the words but the expression on Anna's face.

"You…tired." Philomena said, her broken English making Anna smile. At the younger woman's nod, Philomena took her hand and squeezed it.

As they walked slowly towards the house Anna kept one hand firmly in Philomena's grip and the other pressed lightly to her stomach.

Yes, somehow they would be fine.