30: I've Made A Mistake

Dominic sat with his father in silence for a long time as they contemplated Zola, Cora, and God. "Papa, I don't completely understand Cora's religious beliefs. But I do know that she is a good person. ."

Alberto sighed deeply. "Dominic, it's Zola, my . Her . Who will fight for it if she's not willing to? I don't want to lose her to Cora's viewpoints."

"Zola believes in God and Heaven just as you and I do. She is Catholic, I don't think that will change. And, I don't think Cora would ever try to change her mind."

"Dominic, Cora does not believe in God or that she will go to heaven. Even if they love each other in this world, they will never be with each other in eternal love. The way your mother waits for me. For me to even consider Cora's belief system would be to lose my wife forever."

Dominic sighed with sorrow and contemplation. His father's perspective sharpened when he spoke of his late wife.

"I don't know Papa. I don't have all the answers. She might not believe she's going to heaven, Papa, but I will believe for her."

----

Cora sat in the car, the Basilio driver quiet and unobtrusive. She was deep in thought and hurting. She was not entirely surprised by Alberto's hesitation. She had sensed it in him on a few different occasions. It was painful to feel unfairly judged. As they moved through traffic, Cora realized that the growing knot of guilt and uncertainty had less to do with Alberto and more to do with Zola.

She heard Erin's voice in her head. "

Cora gasped in epiphany and whispered to herself,"You're running." She leaned forward in the car, "Sir?! Please turn around. Please, ."

----

Marie sat with her arm wrapped around Zola, comforting her in silence. When she heard the buzzer, she was surprised and moved quickly to the front door. "Yes?"

"Mrs. Basilio, your guest Ms. Sims has returned. She's on the way up."

"Thank you." Marie opened the inner door and waited for the elevator to open. As soon as she saw Cora she smiled and nodded. Marie's eyes sparkled with joy and affirmation as she let Cora move wordlessly past her.

Cora moved down the hallway and caught Dom and Alberto in her peripheral vision walking toward the kitchen from deeper in the apartment but she ignored them and continued. When she stepped into the dining area, she dropped her bags and watched as Zola's eyes lifted to meet hers.

Seeing the evidence of her emotional pain in her eyes and her tear-streaked cheeks cut Cora like a knife. Regret washed through her.

"?" Cora moved to Zola and kneeled down in front of her, looking up and into her eyes. She sensed they had an audience, but she didn't care.

"Zola, Baby. I'm sorry. I should not have left you. I shouldn't have run. I won't ever do that to you again."

Zola's eyes welled with tears again. She searched Cora's eyes, whispering, "It's okay. Your interview?"

"It is most certainly not okay, Zola." Something in the statement sounded familiar and Zola washed with deja vu. "The interview doesn't matter. You matter so much more. I shouldn't have left you. You're hurting. Please, , Baby. Please don't cry. It breaks my heart."

Cora reached up, framing Zola's face with her hands and kissed her softly on the lips. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. Please forgive me. I'll stay with you tonight."

Zola shook and her tears were of relief. She buried her head into the crook of Cora's neck. Zola breathed deeply, holding onto Cora and listening to the soft, comforting timbre of her voice.

"Zo, we will find a way. I promise. The love in your heart, it's powerful and transcendent. I promise you there is no obstacle in this world that you can't rise to meet. '" Zola nodded and shook with a wave of emotion. Cora lowered her voice and whispered only for Zola. "' Let's get some rest and tomorrow we can look together."

Zola melted into Cora's arms. ""

Cora laughed lightly. "Come on, let's get you to bed. There's always tomorrow. And apparently I need more Italian lessons." Cora stood gently, pulling Zola with her. She laced her fingers into Zola's hand and as she turned to retire back to their room, she saw the Basilio family standing at the edge of the space, entranced by what they just saw.

Cora hesitated. She looked to Zola who was scanning the eyes of her family. Zola said nothing. Alberto's gaze was piercing and he examined Zola with intensity. His eyes drifted to Cora's and he saw compassion and conviction occupying the same space.

Alberto spoke softly, "My daughter said, '"

Cora smiled and nodded. "Yes, Alberto, I understood the nature of her statement. Please let me get her to bed." Cora turned to Zola. "Okay, Baby?" Zola nodded. Cora turned back to Alberto,"Please, she's exhausted."

", Cora, you're right. We'll talk soon." Alberto stepped to the side. He kissed his daughter on the head as she passed slowly by. ""

"I love you too, Papa."

----

Cora held Zola gently, pulling her fingers along her arm and shoulder, occasionally pushing them gently over her scalp and through her hair.

", you've got to get some sleep."

"I will soon, Baby. I just want to listen to you breathe a little longer." Cora felt Zola shaking and initially she thought she was crying again. But she heard Zola hiccup with laughter.

Cora grinned. "What is it? What's so funny?"

Zola was rolling with laughter. "It smells in here!"

Cora burst into laughter and rolled over, holding herself over Zola, staring into her cinnamon eyes. She poured herself into them. "Zola, I'm going to be useless tomorrow."

Cora relaxed into Zola and with the last of her energy, she pressed into Zola's mouth deeply, exploring and rolling and folding her lips and tongue over the flesh. Zola whimpered, grasping Cora's hips, creating heat and friction. Zola's eyes rolled, her delicate emotional state intensifying her body's response.

Zola battled for cognitive control. She whispered into Cora's ear, ", I love you. I love you so much that I will let you sleep. For now."

Cora chuckled and did not argue. Zola created space in the bed and Cora was power napping within minutes.

----

Zola woke and Cora was already gone for her day at Sloan Kettering. Zola lingered in their room, taking her time getting ready for the day and packing up. When she finally stepped out into the kitchen, she found Marie. ", Marie, where's my ?"

"Matteo goes to daycare everyday. It's Monday."

"Oh, yeah. I guess I forgot about that."

Marie smiled softly. "It's okay, Zola, you had a rough night. When are you leaving?"

"We fly out tonight. Cora has to work tomorrow." Zola grimaced. "She's been running herself ragged since Rimini."

"Hmmmm. How does Cora feel about the idea that, with you, she might never have to work again?"

"Oh, she hasn't even considered it Marie. I mean, first, she what she does and she's good at it. It's not a job. It's her . And the money, she obviously knows, but she doesn't see it. The money, I mean. She sees me. It's ." Zola's brow furrowed in thought. "But I don't think she really understands the . I've been pretty careful to 'pull back' a little bit."

"So, no shopping? Flying out to L.A. for dinner? A-List events?"

Zola laughed. "No, I don't think that's really her speed. I've had the estate manager and Marge make sure she has things at my place, but they are discrete and she has no idea. I'm not sure that she realizes that for me, I'm still living in a 'college apartment.' I haven't told her about my grown-up place here or any of our family homes. She might assume. But honestly, I don't think the thought has even entered her mind."

"That's good, Zo. There have been plenty of people in our lives that are all about the money and the party."

"."

"If she comes to New York, will you move here?"

Zola grinned. "How much fun would that be?! I miss But, we're still living in our own places. Things are changing so fast for her now. She'll make a decision in the next two weeks. So I guess I will too."

Marie glanced at the clock. "Nonno and Dom will be here for lunch in a little bit, to see you before you leave."

Zola sighed. "Okay, so I guess I better mentally prepare for round two."

"Zola, it doesn't have to be a battle. I don't think what you want and what your father wants is mutually exclusive." Marie grinned at Zola. "If there was a battle, I'd be in your corner. I'm on 'Team Cora.'"