As I stare at them, I realize that this is one of the most amazing things I've ever witnessed, and I can't help but feel proud.
Not for me, but for Leni.
Because Elena survived.
She survived hell, and she came back to them.
"What happened?" Ioana finally asks, pulling back slightly to cup Elena's face. "We thought you were dead. They told us you were dead. The police showed us?—"
"I know," Elena says through tears. "I know what they told you. But I wasn't. I?—"
She glances at me, and I step forward, nodding.
"It's a long story. We thought it best that maybe once everyone's nerves calm down, we can share it with you."
"I don't care about any story. You're here. My daughter has returned. Thank God that's enough for me," Andrei says.
"He saved me, Daddy," Elena says. "Tracked me down two months ago and brought me home."
"Oh my God, I can't believe it. Why didn't you tell us sooner?" Andrei asks, turning to me.
"Because it wasn't safe," I say. "The people involved were still out there. We had to make sure she was protected before we brought you here."
Stefania wipes her eyes, staring at Elena.
"You've been alive this whole time?" she says.
Elena nods, tears streaming down her face.
"I'm so sorry," she says. "I'm so, so sorry."
"Don't apologize," Andrei says firmly. "You're here. That's all that matters."
He pulls her into another embrace, and the family surrounds her again, holding her tightly.
I excuse myself and have one of my staff clean up the wine.
After about 30 or 45 minutes, the initial shock burns off, replaced by frantic, overlapping questions, laughter, tears, and a thousand touches to prove she is real. We move to the table, but nobody touches the food.
I sit beside Elena, watching the color return to her face. Watching the light fully return to her eyes.
I know she was happy with me, but this, this is family, and they were so close. We all were, and I knew for her to be back 100%, this had to happen.
There's a break in their conversation, and I lean over.
"You okay?" I ask.
She nods slowly.
"Yeah. I just... I can't believe they're really here."
"They are," I say. "And they're not going anywhere."
She smiles and leans in and kisses me.
I push my chair back and stand, drawing the table's attention.
"I'm very glad to see you all together again. It's been at the top of our list since I was reunited with her myself," I say and put a hand on Elena's shoulder. "Also at the top of that list was something I spoke to Andrei about almost two years ago."