FanStory.com - Miracles - chap 9by Begin Again

Background
The powerful Judge Doyle vows revenge against those who brought him down. As his reach extends beyond the prison walls, a grieving Eleanor, armed with ghostly powers, is ready for battle.

As Rebecca left Phillip Henderson's office, she felt like she'd stepped into another life — someone else's. Her mind swirled as she tried to understand what had just happened. The words "Angela Giordano," "twin sister," and "inheritance" were bouncing through her mind like a pinball machine.

Adopted!

That one cut through her like a sharp blade. Her parents, Patrick and Lucille, were the only family she'd ever known, the ones who'd raised her, loved her, and shaped her entire world. She could still hear her mother's gentle laughter and feel her father's steady, reassuring presence. Yet, here was a history hidden from her, a world of vineyards and Italian ancestry she'd never known existed.

Why hadn't her parents shared any of this with her?

Phillip Henderson had delivered an unexpected message that shook her to the core. An estate? A vineyard? It felt like a story out of a book — except this was her life, her history. Nothing seemed real.

She stood on the sidewalk, clutching her purse with knuckles turning white, as her mind began to buzz with questions.

Who had Angela Giordano been? Why was she given away? And what secrets did that abandoned estate hold?

She needed time to think, and a walk in the park to clear her head seemed like a good idea.

*****
The mystery of the man Miriam had rescued remained unsolved. He drifted in and out of consciousness. Miriam watched over him, hoping his memory might return each time he awoke, but it never did.

Donatelli stirred, his eyelids heavy. Questions bounced through his mind.

What had happened? Where was he, and who was the woman tending to him? But most of all, who was he, and did that badge belong to him?

Light filtered into the room and across the bed as he attempted to sit up, only to fall back, pain radiating through his body.

Sensing his movements, Miriam hurried into the room. "Easy," her soft voice urged. "You're in no condition to be moving around." She checked the bandages and could see a few were bleeding again.

He squinted at her. His thoughts were a foggy, jumbled mess. "Who — who are you?" His voice was hoarse, and his eyes narrowed suspiciously.

Miriam chuckled softly, her tone gentle yet cautious, considering the circumstances she'd seen unfold. 'You were hurt — badly. Me and Willow — that's my mule — we found you." She held up the badge. "With this."

Donatelli's gaze flicked to the badge, confusion etched into his features. "A detective?" he murmured as if the word should have meaning. He tried to sit up again, his stubbornness apparent, but collapsed back into the pillows with a grimace.

"Seems like you don't remember much," Miriam observed, a touch of sympathy in her voice. "I don't know who you are, but someone didn't want you to live to tell your story. I've been in your shoes."

"Don't need — anyone's help," he muttered, his jaw defiant even as exhaustion overtook him.

Miriam smiled. "If you say so, Mr. Tough Guy, but some might have a different opinion. But for now, resting is all you can do." She placed the badge on the table beside him. "Whoever you are, you're safe with me."

He stared at the badge as though willing it to unlock some buried memory. "I don't need — saving."

"Saving? I'm no missionary, son — just an old woman who pulled you out of a ditch and brought you here. Better than the other guy in the car, I'd say. But that's a story for another day."

As he drifted back into sleep, his hand unconsciously clenched the edge of the blanket. His mind was still struggling, though his body surrendered to the rest he needed.

*****

Having lost track of time, Rebecca was startled when her phone buzzed in her pocket. She fumbled for it and saw Jenna's name on the screen. She took a deep breath and answered, "Hi, Jenna. I'm so sorry time got away from me."

"I was getting concerned. Are you okay?"

Rebecca took a shaky breath, swallowing hard as she tried to deal with her tangled emotions since she left Henderson's office. "I found out something — it's huge." Her voice wavered. "I could use a friend. Could you meet me at my apartment?"

"Of course, Rebecca. Is it alright if my mom comes too?"

"Sure — I need the company."

"Hang in there. We'll be right there."

As Rebecca ended the call, her thoughts returned to Phillip Henderson's words: 'Sometimes the past has ways of surfacing in unexpected places.'

She still felt like she was caught in a dream, but one thing was becoming evident — if she wanted answers, she'd have to go to that estate and see for herself.

*****

When Rebecca made it home to her little apartment, her nerves tingled full tilt again. She was pacing the floor, clutching the papers from the lawyer while she waited for Jenna and Eleanor.

It seemed like an eternity, but minutes later, Jenna knocked on the door. As soon as Rebecca opened the door, she found herself sobbing in Jenna's arms.

"Rebecca, what happened at the lawyer's office? I can't believe you're this distraught." Jenna hugged her friend.

Rebecca stepped back, wiping her eyes, as she realized Garth and Eleanor were standing in the hallway. "Forgive me. Please come in."

As everyone filed into the apartment, Jenna spoke, "I hope you don't mind that Garth came too. He arrived as we were leaving and offered to drive since I haven't been feeling well."

Rebecca's eyes met Garth's, and she smiled. "Mind? Of course not. I'm happy to see him —" She choked and added, "Everyone. The more heads, the better, I hope."

"So let's sit down, and you can tell us what's upset you. Was it bad news?" Eleanor asked.

Rebecca took a deep breath before answering, "Not bad, I suppose, since I am now the owner of property in this community."

"Property! Well, that sounds like great news to me. Was this something your parents owned and failed to tell you about?"

"I don't know how to begin except to say I discovered I am adopted. Patrick and Lucille were my adoptive parents."

"And you had no idea?" Jenna gasped. "Why would they keep something like that from you?" Immediately, her eyes shifted to Eleanor. "That was dumb of me. There could be lots of reasons."

Garth had remained standing, but now he moved closer to Rebecca, standing behind her chair. "Not to play the bad guy here, because inheriting land is awesome, but was this guy sure of his findings? It's not a hoax, is it?"

Rebecca held up the envelope. "He gave me my birth certificate, copies of the adoption papers, and some other research. He said I'd get the deed next week."

Jenna couldn't contain her excitement. "So, did he tell you whether you had family here?"

"Unfortunately, my family was from Italy."

"Italy? That's strange, with property in Bayside. That's a long way away."

"You're right, Jenna. And what's even more surprising is I had a twin sister. Her name was Alyssa, but unfortunately, she passed away a few years ago."

"Oh, that's heartbreaking. So, is there any family living here or in Italy?"

"I don't know about cousins or aunts and uncles, but my mother and grandparents are dead. According to Mr. Henderson, my grandmother came to the U.S. to marry Trevor Cascio, a family friend. That's all I know now unless there is more information in the papers. I haven't read all of it yet."

Eleanor was intrigued, "An estate? That's wonderful! Do you know where it is?"

"I don't yet, but the lawyer is supposed to send me the details. Can you believe it? I didn't even know I had a family!"

"That's amazing news!" Garth added, a proud smile spreading across his face. "You deserve to find out more about your past."

Rebecca felt a rush of gratitude. "Thank you! I thought I was alone in the world. This changes everything."

Still processing the news, Jenna placed a hand on Rebecca's shoulder. "I'm so happy for you. We need to celebrate! Let's go out for lunch."

But just then, a wave of nausea hit Jenna, and she quickly turned away. "Actually, I'm not feeling great. Maybe it's the stress —"

Concerned, Rebecca scowled, "Or you're pregnant. You need to see a doctor."

"Are you okay?" Eleanor asked, her concern deepening.

Jenna took a deep breath. "I think I'll stay here for now if Rebecca doesn't mind. I don't want to ruin the celebration."

Rebecca's excitement dimmed slightly. "Are you sure? We could celebrate another day."

"Absolutely not! You and Garth should celebrate. I'll be fine here," Jenna insisted, forcing a smile. "Mom will stay with me."

Garth glanced at Jenna, then at Rebecca. "How about I take Rebecca out for lunch? You can rest here, Jenna."

"That sounds perfect!" Rebecca agreed, her spirits lifting again. "Thank you, Garth!"

Eleanor smiled at the two of them. "That sounds like a great plan. You two enjoy yourselves. We'll talk more when you get back."

As they prepared to leave, Rebecca felt the excitement building inside. She was on the brink of a new chapter in her life, or maybe it was Garth's hand against her back.

*****

The restaurant buzzed with people talking and the silverware clinking against plates. Sunlight streamed through the windows as Garth and Rebecca settled into a booth.

"Can you believe it? An estate!" Rebecca exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I can't wait to see what it's like. What if it's a mansion? Or maybe a cottage in the countryside? Though that's probably silly since he did say it had been abandoned for a long time. It's probably a pile of rotten lumber."

Garth chuckled, enjoying her enthusiasm. "You'll have to invite us all over for a housewarming party," he replied. As he watched her animated expressions, a familiar tug at his heartstrings caught him off guard.

As Rebecca gestured enthusiastically, laughing at her ideas, Garth felt an unsettling guilt. He was mesmerized by her beauty and how she moved her hands, and her laughter echoed a sound he hadn't heard in years. It sent a rush of memories flooding back — images of Allie, her bright smile, and how she would twist her mouth when she teased him.

Caught in the moment, Garth stared at Rebecca, a wave of longing washing over him. She resembled Allie in more ways than one — her laughter, her hand gestures, even the way she tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. The resemblance was uncanny, yet it felt like a betrayal, igniting a battle within him. Was all this just wishful thinking?

"Garth? Are you okay?" Rebecca's voice broke through his reverie.

"Uh, yeah. Sorry, just lost in thought," he replied, forcing a smile while struggling to shake off his conflicting emotions.

"You know, I've been told I'm a bit of a daydreamer," she said, a playful smile twisting her mouth just like Allie's used to. "I get caught up in my own little world sometimes."

Guilt washed over Garth at the sight of her smile. "I can see that. It's one of your many charms," he managed to say, but his voice faltered.

Rebecca chuckled, brushing off his reaction. "Well, I guess I'm just excited about everything. It feels like a whole new beginning."

"Yeah, it does," Garth replied, trying to steady his heart. He looked at her, really looked, and for a brief instant, he saw Allie in her eyes — a reflection of the past he thought he had long buried.

As they chatted, Garth's gaze wandered, drawn to the similarities between the two women. But he hesitated, not wanting to betray Allie's memory, feeling as though every smile he shared with Rebecca was a step further away from the love he once held.

"Thank you for coming with me today," Rebecca said, breaking through his thoughts. "I appreciate your support."

"Of course," Garth said, forcing a smile that felt genuine. "I'm happy to be here. You're family, after all."

Rebecca's eyes sparkled with joy at the word "family," and Garth's heart swelled again. As they continued to talk, he couldn't shake the feeling that every moment spent with Rebecca reminded him of the love he had lost.
But as he caught himself admiring her laughter, he couldn't help but wonder — was it possible to feel this way about someone new while still holding onto the love of the past?