“I guess she wants you!” Alex said as he patted Caleb’s back. He handed Genni to the boy who had previously been barred from most human touch, and tears sprang to Valeria’s eyes. “Use both hands, please,” Alex warned and Caleb complied.
“Hi, Genni! I’m going to teach you how to play really cool video games when you get older. Some people call me Raiden. But you don’t have to...you can just call me Caleb.”
Paolo sat alone on the porch still brooding...he had been brooding for weeks. Valeria walked out the door and sat down next to him. He glanced over briefly and nodded.
“I owe you an apology...and a thank you, again,” she said.
“Be happy and live a very long life. That is all the thanks I need,” Paolo said with a wistful smile.
“I intend to.” Glancing at Caleb who was making faces at Genni—who would then giggle—and Alex, who had picked up his copy of Walden, Valeria smiled, perfectly content. “I am so sorry about Daphne.”
Paolo stared into the distance so that he could say the words without completely feeling them. “I had decided it was time to marry. She was not interested—I did not expect that. And now, she is gone.” His eyes flashed intensely, and with a sigh, Valeria watched as Paolo continued to battle his emotions.
“She wanted to go,” she said. Paolo shrugged and tightened his jaw. “Paolo, Daph wasn’t for you.”
The discomfort on his face was evident. “She was a good woman.”
“She is a good woman…but you don’t love her,” Valeria said.
Paolo swallowed and said, “I will never love anyone as I have loved you.” He glanced away and then, seeing Alex approaching, he instantly regretted his words.
She reached for his hand and squeezed it. “Yes, you will.” He looked at her in pain and then turned his head. “You will find love.” She leaned forward and he turned toward her. “You will love her far more than you ever believed possible.” Paolo tried to look away but her intensity pulled him back in. “She’s waiting for you.”
“Do not tell me that...”
“She is lost...like I was...like you are. And when you see her, your life will be transformed, as mine has been. She is waiting for you, Paolo. Don’t give up.”
He closed his eyes and clenched his fists as Alex sat down next to Valeria.
Paolo rose, unable to meet their eyes, and mumbled, “I am going for a walk.”
Watching Paolo’s sudden exit, Alex said with a hint of concern. “Everything all right?”
“Paolo needed a bit of direction.”
“What’s new?” Alex said with a laugh, as he pulled his wife into his arms and kissed her temple.
EPILOGUE
Walking through Central Park, Valeria wrapped her camelhair coat tightly around her waist and then linked her arm around Alex’s. He walked beside her, pushing the stroller where Genni was fast asleep. The leaves were brilliant shades of gold and reds.
Valeria no longer had “birthdays.” She had stopped aging and healed immediately from any malady—as they had discovered one afternoon when she sliced her finger with a knife and the cut healed within seconds. But today, they were walking from Alex’s birthday surprise for her—he had purchased the apartments on either side of Valeria’s former brownstone on 95th and Columbus and converted it into a home large enough for the entire family.
The crispness in the air, the brilliantly covered trees, and the view of the architecture over the reservoir never failed to thrill Valeria. She brushed a gloved hand over Alex’s. As they turned on to 5th Avenue, Rosendo was working his booth and selling his brother’s paintings.
“Hey, Rosendo!” Alex said with a friendly wave. Rosendo was helping a slew of customers, but stopped and stared as he recognized Valeria from two years before.
“Holy...” he said, and then a customer demanded his attention, New York style, and he went back to taking her money.
A few blocks over, they turned into the restaurant with the green awning. Valeria picked up a sleepy-eyed Genni as Alex folded up the stroller.
Inside Sarabeth’s, they went to the table in the middle of the crowded restaurant and joined Weege, Kenny, and their little boy, Morgan. Lars and Ava, Mani and Lita, Tavish, Paolo, and Caleb were all there, too, and there were still a few empty seats.
Valeria gave Alex her coat and then sat Genesis in the high chair. On the other side of the table, Kenny held Morgan, who seemed entranced with baby Genni.
“Whadaya say?” Kenny said, wearing plaid ill-fitting pants and a polka dot shirt.
Morgan raised his hands and said, “Hubabuba!”
Kenny shined with pride as he said, “He’s a chip off the old block!”
Alex pulled the wool scarf from around his neck and handed that and their coats to Katie, the waitress who still couldn’t seem to keep her hands off Alex.
Noticing this, and Valeria’s near-irritation, Alex kissed his daughter’s forehead, and then pulled his wife into his arms followed by a lingering kiss that made Valeria’s knees weak and brought a blush to her cheeks. He pulled away a few inches and offered her a playful wink. Valeria noted that his timing had been spot on as the waitress—now with her jaw hanging open—stood directly in front of them with two pots of coffee.
“Sorry, just can’t keep my hands off my wife!” Alex said, as the corners of his mouth turned up in the delicious smile that Valeria so loved.
With a smug grin, Valeria said, “Is that coffee for us?”
The waitress mumbled a polite, “Yes.”
Valeria pointed to the pot and said, “Caffeinated, please—and make it a large one!”
Camille and Jonah entered and joined in on the festivities. Katie returned and took their orders and then disappeared into the kitchen.
Valeria noticed that Caleb suddenly looked more like a young man than the boy from before. He had sold the rights to The Third Triumvirate and was wealthy in his own right. She stared at him for a minute and realized that he had a few whiskers.
“Better teach Caleb how to shave,” Valeria said to Alex, loudly enough for Caleb to hear.
Brushing his hand along his jaw, he nodded, and then lifted his arm in a victory fist. “Shaving! Yes!”
Glancing around the table, Valeria took Alex’s hand as she thought about how deeply connected she was to this beautiful life.
Genni said, “Mama” and Valeria pulled her daughter from the high chair.
“Hello, beautiful girl!” Valeria said. Genni’s face lit with a marvelous smile—which Valeria was certain came from Alex. Then Genni pressed her face to Valeria’s leaving a slobbery kiss. Valeria laughed and then said, “I love you too! Are you hungry?”
“No,” Genni responded, but nodded her head as her eyes got wide. Alex laughed his musical laugh and then reached for the diaper bag.
“I’ll feed her,” he said, pulling out a small mason jar of blended kale and strawberries from the diaper bag. Valeria put Genni back into her high chair. Genni pounded the tray excitedly waiting for her food.
Paolo was sitting between Tavish and Caleb when he glanced up, his eyes widened as they followed a young waitress across the room. She had jet-black hair pulled into a ponytail and the tiny body of a dancer. She gracefully moved from table to table with a sparkle in her eyes. Valeria recognized her immediately.
“Oh, my gosh! Weege, didn’t that girl work for us?”
Before Weege could answer, Paolo was out of his seat and approaching the waitress.
“What do you need? Out of coffee?” the dark-haired waitress asked.
Paolo glanced at Valeria and she saw that he had the strangest look on his face—as if Cupid’s arrow had finally struck. He leaned down and whispered in the girl’s ear and the waitress jerked her head back in amused irritation.
“I’ve heard a lot of lines, buddy, but that one takes the cake! You have my tattoo do you?” she said, and then raised a delicate brow as her eyes sparkled with a playful mischievousness. “So, is that your best attempt to hit on me?
”
“No. No, I...” Paolo shook his head, feeling a bit confused by her response. Women didn’t respond this way to him, except for Valeria. “Have we met before?”
“Nope,” she said, and then took a deep breath. “And it takes way more than a pretty face and a cheesy line. But, look—I’ve got a job to do, so why don’t you sit down, Romeo, and I’ll bring out your breakfast while you think of something interesting to say—and preferably not a pick-up line!” Paolo just stared at her and she released a joyful giggle, shook her head, and veered back toward the kitchen.
Valeria glanced to see if her husband had caught the exchange, but he was completely absorbed in running airplanes filled with strawberry and kale into his daughter’s open mouth.
When Paolo returned to the table, his face was lit with a silly grin. “Bellisima...” he muttered under his breath.
“I guess that’s better than bella,” Valeria joked.
Alex glanced at Paolo’s face and his love-struck smile, and then to the back of the waitress as she headed into the kitchen. Then he said, “Sorry, beautiful. By that look, I would guess that Paolo’s over his crush on you.”
Suddenly, Weege said, “Nicky! That’s her name!”
Valeria nodded. “That’s right! She was a runner for me a few years ago. I really liked her.” Valeria smiled playfully. “Paolo, trust me, Nicky will give you a run for your money!”
“Which one was she?” Alex asked.
“Right over there,” Valeria said as she pointed to the corner. Suddenly, Alex’s jaw dropped and the color drained from his face.
“What professor? A student? Is there something you want to tell me?” Valeria teased, as Genesis reached for her. “Just a minute, baby girl.”
Valeria took a wet wipe and began to clean Genni’s face and hands.
“Can I hold her now?” Caleb asked. When Valeria turned back, she noticed that Alex seemed frozen as he watched the waitress, Nicky, pour coffee and move from table to table.
“You know that I was just teasing you.” When Alex didn’t respond, she asked, “What is it?”
Nicky smiled pleasantly when she reached their table. “More coffee?”
Alex bit his lip. “It can’t be,” he said under his breath, and then he stood. “Antonia!”
“I’m sorry?” Nicky said, clearly confused. “Do I know you?”
Alex lowered his brows and continued to stare at the girl. “It’s me...Alex.”
Valeria’s eyes widened and she smiled at Camille.
Nicky’s bright blue and green eyes lit with humor. “Sorry, my name is Nicky,” she said, and then she noticed Valeria. “Val, hi!” Nicky hugged Valeria warmly.
“Weege is here, too,” Valeria said.
“Weege! Did Valeria ever find out that you were reading her journals?” Nicky teased. “I never told!” she laughed as Weege began to defend herself.
“She left ’em there! What was I supposed to do?”
All Valeria could do was laugh. She laughed a lot lately. She noticed Alex was still staring at Nicky. “So...Antonia? You don’t mean...your sister?”
Alex raised his eyebrows and nodded. As their food arrived, Alex watched the lovesick expression that washed over Paolo’s face and laughed at the irony that they might just be brothers again, after all. There were questions that would need to be answered. Had all the lost oracles been reincarnated? Could they recover their immortality as they had with Valeria’s?
There would be some more explaining to do, to help Antonia remember, but with his symbolon, and Genni next to him, all he could feel was a deep joy that permeated every fiber of his being. Alex wrapped his arm around Valeria in contentment. His family had never felt so complete.
∞
Personal message from Delia Colvin
I hope you enjoyed The Last Oracle! As much as I enjoy writing, I enjoy hearing from readers. If you enjoyed this or any of my other books, it would mean the world to me if you would send me a short email to introduce yourself and say hi. I always personally respond to my readers.
I would also love to add you to my mailing list to receive notifications about future books, updates, and contests.
Please email me at [email protected] so I can personally thank you for trying my books.
Delia
Titles by Delia J. Colvin
THE SIBYLLINE TRILOGY
The Sibylline Oracle
The Symbolon
The Last Oracle
Firefly Nights
Acknowledgements
A huge thanks to my wonderful cheerleaders and loves: my very own symbolon, Randy Colvin who has enthusiastically marketed my books to anyone that even nearly looked like they might read this genre...or not. To my daughter Jennifer, whose love and support has always been phenomenal and to Jen and Dan for bringing into my life that beautiful little red-head, Aubrey.
A special thanks to the phenomenal friends that have made significant contributions, either through their support and/or for braving the rough drafts of the book: Al Hatman, Dave Khanoyan, Irene Enriquez, Joyce Wallace, Marv Halbakken Pamela Marta, Sherry Skym and the sisters of my heart, Dr. Mary Jo Palmer and Pauline Lagana.
The wonderful people who have shined their bright light of friendship on the dull days when nothing seemed right: Aly Camacho, Amanda Elliot, Anna Gregory, Annissa Blankinship, April Morales-Santiago, Arletta Stewart, Ashley Linton, Christy Huber, Cindy Roenigk, Dawn Gillespie, Dewitt Wilcox, Dianna Baker, Diggy Modesti, Donna Marshalek, Donna Krigler, Emily Kubat, Heather Bagwell, Jackie Hague, Jackie Sultan, Janet Campbell, Jean Gilbert, Jennifer Giuliany, Jenni Schillizzi, Jessica Carrera (no relation to Paolo—I did check, lol), Jo Anthony, Joanna Mylin (thanks for your beautiful Pinterest site), Joned, Josie Cruz, Joy Grams, Judy Winston, Karen Ang, Karin Manis, Katelynn Streets, Katherine Cheeks, Kathy Mccadden, Kelly Benigno, Kristin Genso, Krissy Wright, Kris Martin, Laura Delk, Laura Sitcler, Laurie Brown, Dr. Lesli Smith, Lilly Nolta, Linda Moore, Lisa Urueta, Lisette Brodey, Marling Hardman, Marsha Marker, Mary Kutsch, Mindi Blake, Misti Prewett, Natasha Deschatelets, Nicky Pray, Nicola Thompson, Rachel Caplinger, Rorie Doty, Rosanne Eskenazi, Saima Caverly, Sarah Pruitt, Shannon Johnson, Shannon Smith, Sharon Stover, Sharon Chalk, Sheila Blanco, Sherri Goodner, Shruti Rajagopal, Sherry Christenson, Tara Massey, Tara Clayton, Toni Prince, Trisha Rodriguez, Vanessa Branch and Virginia Hughes,
Also, very special friends and family; Carol Ostrander, Camille Baker, Weege Anderson, Mona DesJarlais, and the beautiful Maelyn DesJarlais.
In any endeavor you are only as good as the people that surround you. In that I have been fortunate to have stumbled upon these fantastic seasoned professionals. Many thanks to my wonderful editor, Colleen Albert, cover designer, Natasha Brown and Rachelle Ayala for her beautiful formatting. I’m also grateful for the extraordinary talents of Nick Coppola, Kyle Culver and Jaylan Aburto for the video book trailer for the trilogy. And last, but definitely not least, the amazing Melissa Foster—bestselling and award-winning author, queen of pay-it-forward and friend to authors around the world! I owe so very much to you for your wisdom, your never-ending generosity of spirit, and your down-to-earth and up-to-date understanding of the publishing world.
About the Author
DELIA J. COLVIN
Delia has lived all over the country from Fairbanks, AK, to Huntington Beach, CA to Knoxville, TN. but considers Danville, CA home. She currently resides in Prescott, Arizona, with her husband, Randy and their two Cavalier King Charles dogs.
She has worked as an Entrepreneur, Sales, Advertising, Air Traffic Control and as a Russian Interpreter.
For more information and contact information go to: www.DeliaColvin.Com or email [email protected]
Or follow Delia at Delia Colvin Fans and Book Lovers Unite for an exuberant, book lovers experience: http://bit.ly/DeliaColvin
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