Hello, again!

This chapter is mainly Bella remember something. The italic is the memory.

My mind drifted to the past once more, as I watched Natti and Santi run around with their cousins as Gio chased them around, growling like a bear around the yard.

(Memory):

I smiled constantly as I felt the wind blow through my hair, and the sun-kissed my skin while I sat in the grass watching Edward as he played soccer with the children in the park, constantly encouraging them, as they fumbled with the ball.

When it was finally time for the children to go home, he walked over to me, covered in sweat and dirt, groaning as he sank down and drenched himself with the water I offered him.

"Do you ever think about the future?" I asked him, curiously.

I saw his brow furrow as he turned to look at me, confused. "What do you mean? Like career-wise or for you and me?" He asked, carefully his eyes flickering to me for a moment before flicking away.

"You and me…" I replied quietly, resisting the never to roll my eyes at the uncomfortable look in his eyes.

"Well, I think it really depends on how well we finish school here, you know? I mean, I can't really plan a future with someone when I myself don't know what I am going to become. For all, I know my soccer career may never take off, so I supposed I would go back to Italy to live with my Nonno and Nonna, and my parents, probably study law or something dull like that.." He replied with an indifferent shrug as I flinched at his response.

Shortly after graduation that year, Edward's mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and he went back to Italy to be with her, but not before he proposed to me.

She passed away shortly after we got married, and then it was like a pail of water had been dumped over my head, reality had set in, and for the next three years, I forced myself to believe that he would change, that this wasn't really happening.

But oh how wrong I was, and I realized the only way to be happy again was to leave.

(Present):

I felt like I had gotten slapped in the face, as I stared blankly/with bleary eyes at the lowering sun. The signs were really in front of me all along weren't they? How could I have been so stupid? So naive?

He really never cared for me or my well-being, he only cared about himself, and his needs. If he was happy nothing else mattered.

"Isa?" I heard as a hand landed on my shoulder, causing me to flinch away.

"¿Cuánto tiempo ha estado sentada así?" I heard a voice softly ask. (How long has she been sitting like this?)

"Aproximadamente una hora y media." I heard my sister reply, in the same soft tone. (About an hour and a half)

"Estoy bien," I mumbled as I blinked back into the present, sighing as I shook my head to clear it. ( I am fine.)

"¿A dónde fuiste hace un momento?" Gio asked me, concerned as he and Cris sat beside me. (Where did you go just now?)

I tried to suppress the recoil in reaction to his question, as I turned to look at him.

"No te veías bien hace un momento." Cris commented, as I scoffed and turned to look over my shoulder at the kids. (You didn't look fine a moment ago.)

'Just how lost in thought had I been?' I thought with a frown.

I shrugged, before moving to get up, only to be stopped by Gio. "Háblanos." He said, gently. ( Talk to us.)

"No es nada, de verdad," I replied, tiredly as I realized their guests were starting to arrive. (It's nothing, really.)

"Muy bien, puedo ver que no quieres hablar. Eso no significa que no hablemos de esto. Más tarde lo haremos. Algo te está molestando, y es mi trabajo como tu cuñado segurarme de que estés bien." Gio said, motioning for Cris to follow him back inside. (Alright, I can see you don't want to talk. That doesn't mean we won't talk about this. We will later. Something is bothering you, and it is my job as your brother-in-law to make sure you are alright.)

"You're being a pain in the ass, again," I muttered, dryly, dropping my head into my hands in exasperation.

I heard Cris begin to chuckle in amusement as they both began walking into the house only for Gio to call back. "Deal with it!"

"I don't want to!" I called back too.

"Too bad! You're stuck with me, 'manita!" He called as he walked deeper into the house, with Cris laughing his ass off at us. (little sister.)

"Asshole," I muttered, pouting as I rubbed my face once more, before heading inside to shower and change before Pilar walked out here and began another inquisition.

"This is going to be a long night." I sighed, as I rushed inside.

After heading inside, I quickly went to my room for a quick shower and to change.

I could feel my muscles relax under the hot spray of the shower, sighing as I rinsed the grime of the past three days off my body and hair.

I felt practically new when I stepped out of the shower. I allowed my hair to fall in the natural ringlets, after drying it, pinning the sides back. Then I put on a little eyeliner and mascara, before applying a dusty rose matte lips.

After exiting the bathroom, I debated on what to wear before deciding on a deep navy blue, cold-shoulder, blouse, and a pair of high-waisted jeans.

As I fought the urge to strip the clothes and replace them with my sweats, I stepped into a pair of black ballet flats and exited the room with a deep sigh.

The laughter quickly informed me that some of the guests had arrived, as I walked out into the wide living room.

Gio, Cris, and a few of his friends were laughing at something, as I walked into the room.

As I walked, I noticed Cris turned.

His eyes widened, and his jaw dropped, as I walked towards them.

"Hello, boys." I greeted, amused.

They all greeted me with a wide smile and wave, or head bop.

"Is Pilar in the kitchen?" I asked Gio, who was biting his lip in amusement.

"Er, yeah, she is." He replied, elbowing Cris.

I winced as he flinched, before noding in response, "I'll just — go and see if she needs my help. It was nice seeing all of you again." I said, before quickly making my way into the kitchen.

'Dios mio, ayudame.' I thought as I walked into the kitchen. (My God, help me.)