Crossed fates
Epilogue
Italy 2022-2023
The whole family was waiting for Gregg at Malpensa airport: Deborah, her husband, her son, Deborah's parents, sister and brother-in-law. Deborah had tried to convince them that Gregg might feel a little choked, but she hadn't been successful.
When he arrived, Gregg was a bit confused. She approached him, kissed him on the cheek and said: "I wrote to you, I couldn't hold them back. If you want to escape I will understand you ".
He laughed and replied in Italian: " Non me ne andrei per tutto l'oro del mondo. Non ti libererai più di me "
"Is it a threat?", She said smiling, radiant because she had missed him immensely.
"No, una promessa" he replied and shook her hand.
"Here we are, this is Gregg, our new in-law and my new colleague, right mom?"
Her mother had not yet digested the news of Deborah's new job, but there was nothing she could do to dissuade her.
Deborah made the introductions and then took Gregg to their house to get to know him better, even though he had to work off the time zone.
"Don't worry, I'll rest tomorrow", he told Deborah.
They spent the whole day together and Deborah and Gregg related what they had experienced in Sweetwater. Deborah's family members asked many questions and wondered what happened to all the other children and grandchildren involved in the story.
Gregg said: "We will calmly try to track down everyone. Now that we know what to look for, we will take our time to do it, hoping to be lucky. It will be hard work "
In the evening, Deborah's sister and her brother-in-law accompanied Gregg to Milan, as they also lived in the city.
The next day Gregg rested but made arrangements with Deborah to start their new job.
Deborah hadn't returned to school yet, so they rehearsed a lot in a recording studio to prepare for their first concert.
Gregg's manager organized evenings in some of the main Lombard cities, during which Deborah dueted with Gregg in his songs and also proposed covers of famous pieces.
As the public appreciated, participation in some talk shows were set to make the new singing couple known and the concerts were also extended to other Italian regions. Whenever they were asked a question about their romantic relationship, the answer was always the same: theirs was just a professional relationship.
Gregg had kept his promise: they had never kissed and they had never been together, even though he never stopped reminding her that his heart belonged to her.
Deborah felt bad at times, guilty with her husband and sad for not being able to have Gregg, but she had found a balance.
Going on stage with him was very emotional. They always held hands and she wouldn't let him let her go for a moment. From that grip she drew her strength and when the reporters pointed this out, the answer was always the same: it was their strength.
Success came shortly. Deborah managed to reconcile rehearsals, concerts, school and family and when they could, her husband and son followed her.
Everything was going well, until the most important song festival of the year arrived: Deborah and Gregg were invited as guests of honor.
Deborah was very agitated but Gregg managed to keep her calm and in fact their performance was a success. He wore a black tuxedo and was very glamorous, while she wore a white Marilyn Monroe dress and wore her hair with curls that fell down her shoulders.
After the show, they participated in a private party with all the VIPs of Italian music.
It was a wonderful evening, they sang, danced and had a great time. When they returned to the hotel, in the elevator, Gregg told her: "It was a magical evening, you were very good and as always you are wonderful, I have never seen such a beautiful woman. There is only one thing missing to make this evening perfect "
Deborah's heart stopped. She couldn't take it anymore, she wanted Gregg with all her strength and being away from him was torture.
She replied: "My mind tells me no.". Gregg looked down ready to receive a new refusal.
Deborah, however, added: "But my heart screams YES and this time I want to listen to it".
He looked at her in disbelief. That smile streaked across his face and loosened her legs.
He took her by the hand, led her to his hotel room and they loved each other passionately all night, without thinking about tomorrow and the difficulties they would have to face. They only knew that they no longer wanted to separate.
Their love could no longer be repressed, it was something too strong and unique. After all, he was a descendant of Buck Cross and she bore the same name as his beloved wife Deborah.