Chapter One Hundred Twenty Eight – Reconciliation

you by our side. So please, raise your glasses - to family, to love, and to new beginnings!" A chorus of "Salute!" rang out as glasses clinked together. Amelia felt tears prick her eyes as she looked around at the sea of smiling faces. This was her family - not just by blood, but by choice and circumstance. The people who had laughed with them, cried with them, and stood by them through it all. As the toast concluded, Sofia appeared, wheeling out an enormous cake. The confection was a work of art - three tiers of vanilla sponge, decorated with fondant stars and a sugar paste stork carrying a bundle. "It's time to cut the cake!" Sofia announced proudly. Amelia and Alessandro exchanged a glance, both thinking of their wedding day and the cake-cutting mishap that had ended with frosting in Alessandro's hair. With a shared chuckle, they stepped forward together. "Should we wake Leo for this?" Amelia asked, looking down at their still-sleeping son. "Nah, let him sleep," Alessandro rep