Marcella pulled Cooper into a tight embrace and closed her eyes. "I promise...I will never forget you, Cooper..." She didn't let go until Lila announced her stop. Even then, she pulled away with clear reluctance. Her hands remained clasped around Cooper's. Uncertainty and fear swam in the dark brown pools of her eyes, but so did hope. Hope for a better future. One for all of them. Ever so slowly, the Italian let go and stepped out of the carriage. With a bow of goodbye, Marcella walked to her home, opened the door, and disappeared inside.
[@Framing A Moose][@ladyanglaise]