The Mafia’s Good Wife
Chapter 80

~ Violet -

---ONE MONTH LATER-

There's really no place like home.

Violet sat back in her chair as she held baby Zachary in her arms. He was fast asleep and she was sitting on the lounge chair in the backyard. It was a warm summer's day and she was making the most of it.

Violet threw her glance up and saw the sprawling mansion standing before her. The house was lighting up, bustling with life. All the windows were open, the maids were busy cleaning and cooking, and the guards making their rounds. A month had passed since the incident with Celina and finally, everything was back to normal.

Violet took a deep breath and let out a smile. To the outside world, this looked like any normal day for the lady of the house, but this moment was not something Violet would take for granted. She knew how difficult the journey was to get her here. To sum it up, it took her almost five years since the day she first met Damon. Several contracts, kidnappings, break ups, and shootings later, they finally arrived to this day. Violet glanced down at the sleeping baby in her arms and her heart was full. It didn't matter to her how she got there. All that blood, sweat, and tears were well worth it.

Violet's eyes then traveled through the gardens and she spotted someone in the corner of her eye. Talia was standing behind a tall pillar. She was talking to someone. She was laughing and giggling, and Violet peered her head to see who she was talking to. Talia was blushing and smiling again, and the person in front of her was doing the same thing. It was Liam. Violet rarely saw Liam blush, but here he was, blushing as he was talking to her.

Violet didn't mean to be watching, but they were right there. Talia took a step closer and put her hands around Liam's neck. Liam responded by putting his hands on the small of her back. He then leaned down and pressed his lips onto hers. This wasn't the first time Violet caught them kissing, but it still made her gasp.

Maybe there was something in the air or that Talia had really good hearing, but somehow she noticed that Violet was looking at her. Talia quickly stepped back and Liam knew something was off. Liam glanced back to see Violet and he looked away again. Violet realized she just breached into their moment. Liam and Talia then took some time talking before Liam took off. Talia then started walking toward Violet, giving out a weak smile.

"I guess I'm busted, huh?" she said sheepishly. Talia was also carrying something behind her back, but Violet couldn't see what.

"Tal, you know I've known for a while now. You don't have to hide anything from me," Violet said meaningfully.

Violet and Talia just stared at each other for a moment. No one said anything. But finally, Talia broke the silence. She sat down next to Violet and said, "Oh, man. I really hate hiding things from you,"

Violet let out a dry laugh. Talia peered closer to see baby Zach. She smiled at the baby, although he was still asleep. She then gently caressed his head without waking him up.

"Why are you two keeping it a secret anyway?" Violet asked.

Talia paused for a beat and let out a sigh.

"I guess I just don't want people to think that I've moved on so quickly..."

Violet looked up to see Talia's glassy eyes. She was staring into the office. The very room where Adrian and Damon would usually be found.

"Talia, none of us would think that way," Violet said reassuringly.

A single tear fell off Talia's cheek and she quickly wiped it away.

"Vi, I loved Adrian more than I've ever loved anyone. But... there are all kinds of love in this world and I... I love Liam too,"

Violet fell silent for a moment. She saw the pain in Talia's eyes, but also the look of hope.

"He's been there for me throughout everything... he's my rock..." Talia continued.

Violet never knew how it started between Liam and Talia, but she knew they had a special bond. Especially after Adrian's death. Liam took his death quite personally. He felt like he was at fault. Liam changed his attitude completely after that day. He got more serious and protective over Talia. So maybe that was how it started.

"Hey," Violet said as she reached for Talia's hand. "You love who you love and that's okay. There's nothing wrong with that,"

Talia fell silent now. Her lips curved into a smile and she squeezed Violet's hand back.

"Wow. You're using my words against me," Talia said with a laugh.

"It's the truth," Violet shrugged. "Besides, I know Adrian would want you to be happy too,"

Those words meant a lot for Talia. She put her hand on her chest and then on her stomach. She was almost nine months along and the pregnancy was probably affecting her emotions too.

"Thank you," Talia said meaningfully. "You've been such a great friend to me, Violet. I don't know what I'll do without you,"

"Are you kidding?" Violet laughed. "You've been such a great friend to me. Ever since the first day I came here, you were the only one who kept me sane,"

Violet still remembered the first time she met Talia. She was terrorized by Damon and his antics, but luckily, Talia was there to help. Yes, Violet got into some trouble because she took Talia's advice to take control of Damon. But their story wouldn't be the same without Talia's help.

"Speaking of the good old days, I got you something," Talia said as she pulled out something wrapped in gift paper from behind her back. "Actually, it's for baby Zach. To welcome him home,"

Violet looked at Talia quizzically. Slowly, she put baby Zach down on his carry-on crib. She then took the gift from Talia and eagerly opened the wrapping. Inside, she found a brown leather book with the engraving "The Van Zandt Family".

"I figured you can use this to tell Zach and his brothers and sisters someday about their mom and dad,"

Violet flipped over the cover and she gasped in awe. It was a scrapbook. Talia had pictures of Violet and Damon when they first went to Italy. She also attached a torn-up copy of their contract. Then there were many other pictures after that, including with the whole family. There were pictures of their almost wedding, and there were pictures of their last wedding too.

"Talia, this is... so wonderful..." Violet said breathlessly. Her fingers went to trace all the pictures. They meant so much to her.

"I'm glad you like it," Talia said triumphantly. Violet's eyes were glazing over so this gift was a great success.

"Like it? Oh my God, I love it!" Violet said as she pulled Talia into a hug. "Best welcome home present ever!"

Talia and Violet laughed and giggled as they hugged each other. When they pulled away, they could see tears in both their eyes. They both had come so far. This scrapbook was the literal proof.

"But hey! You still need to tell me all about you and Liam," Violet said as she pointed a finger to Talia's face. "I wanna hear all the details,"

"Alright, alright. I'll tell you about it later," Talia said with her hands up. "It's a story for some other day,"

"Deal!"

Violet and Talia shared more laughs as they continued flipping through the pages of that scrapbook. The final picture in that book was a photo they took a couple of weeks ago. They had just returned home and Talia asked everyone to stand outside of the house and take that photo. Damon, Violet, Baby Zach, Barbara, Dylan, Ivy, Talia, Liam, Beau, Elena, and Dr. Lee. Everyone was there. Violet's hand went to trace all the faces as she let out a smile. Home.

It's the story of who we are and a collection of all we love.

And how lucky are we to have that.

- Damon -

It was a long day for Damon. He was stuck in the office from sunrise to sundown. There was a lot to be done in terms of his mayoral campaign and the legitimization of his businesses. One would think that he'd take some time off after the series with Celina, but Damon never slowed down. He was focused on his goals, delivering on his promises. Especially now that his baby was born, Damon didn't want to waste any time. He worked very hard and the results proved it. The numbers on his mayoral race were looking good, he was gaining a lot of support from fellow government officials, and his businesses were expanding at an amazing rate. In just a few weeks' time, it would be announced that Damon Van Zandt was the new mayor of Jersey City. All of those achievements were very exciting, but for Damon, nothing felt better than that feeling of going home after a long day.

Yes. That feeling of taking off his suit and opening the door to see Violet and their baby in the room. That was the best feeling ever.

"Hey, sweet girl," Damon said with a smile spreading across his face. "How was your day?"

He stepped into the bedroom where Violet was lying next to Zach. Zach was playing with a toy and Violet was stroking his head. Damon went to the bed and took the spot next to Zach. He kissed Zach's forehead before moving to kiss Violet's lips.

"It was great," Violet beamed. "Zachie just kinda slept most of the day. Then we had a picnic with Talia out in the garden and it was nice,"

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. I mean, I really like the Hampton house, but I'm so glad that we're home,"

Damon nodded his head knowingly.

"Yeah. Me too,"

"Oh, and Talia made Zach this scrapbook. Do you wanna see it?"

Violet pulled out a brown leather book from the bedside table. Damon looked at it quizzically, but he took it anyway.

"Uh, sure,"

Damon didn't know what to expect when he opened that book. But as he saw the pictures, documents, and other souvenirs collected in that book, he felt a wave of emotions going through him.

The scrapbook was pretty much a summary of Damon and Violet's love story. Everything from the moment they first met to their wedding day, and now here, with baby Zach. All those five crazy years were compiled in a book. "Wow," was the only word that Damon could say.

"It's fascinating, right? Looking at all these photos," Violet agreed.

"Yeah..." Damon said as he continued flipping through the pages. "It really is,"

Damon scoffed out a laugh when he saw the copy of the contract posted there. He thought he already got rid of it, but of course, Adrian kept copies of everything. His eyes glanced to the dotted line and he saw his signature next to Violet's. This is where it all begins.

Damon remembered that night like it was yesterday. Violet was sitting across from him in his office. He thought she was amusing. He couldn't stop thinking about her. So he gave her that contract, basically buying off her virginity. Little did he know, Damon ended up paying with his soul.

Damon looked up from the book to see baby Zach. Then his eyes traveled further and met Violet's. His lips curved into a smile as soon as their eyes were locked. It still amazed him how crazy their journey had been. And how lucky he was to be here as the story continues still.

This is where it begins... but shall never end.