When it was time for the meal, everyone gathered in the dining room. It had been a long time since Alessandro last had his whole family together. He raised his glass high and said, “I propose a toast to this gathering.”
Cassian lifted his glass and said, “To the reunited family.”
Everyone held their glasses aloft, even Lissana and Uzziel, who raised their glasses with juice to join the others. The meal was joyful and lively. Lissana felt extremely happy and, for the first time, complete, because her family was now whole.
After eating, everyone went for a walk in the garden. Lissana and Uzziel ran everywhere, admiring the flowers. Abril sent one of the maids to fetch Koda, her pet fox, because she wanted to show him to Lissana.
When the maid brought her pet, Abril called them.
“Lissana
