AU Backdarft corrie

The plane ride was long, but uneventful. When they reach Italy it was dark. She assumed Opie must have an apartment hidden away in the city somewhere. Tiredly, she blinked her eyes and stretched. SHe watched as he placed the bags in the trunk of a very nice rolls. The driver nodded ay Ope, clearly he knew him.

She sighed wearily, "How many other things do I not know?"

Opie chuckled, "Well, we happen to own a nice tract of land in Greece...and a small condo in Tokyo."

Her eyes widened "Really?"

Opie blushed, brushing his lips against hers. "Yeah...what are you thinking?"

She looked down, "Sometimes I feel like I barely know you and the things our life entails."

Opie frowned, "It's meaningless stuff, love. I didn't think you'd be interested in the material things."

She smiled, "Oh, Ope, I don't care. It's just all so strange to me, even after all these years."

Part of why she had been questioning her relationship with him was a secret she'd been harboring. Since having babies with him she had thought often of the small boy she had been forced to leave behind in Chicago. He had his father's dark, thick hair and Italian complexion, but her bright green eyes. He would be about 7 now and she missed him dearly. The guilt ate at her.

The apartment was actually a nice sized house. It was beautiful. Always there was a surprise when you were with Opie. As they got settled, her iphone rang. She was completely unprepared for the voice on the other side.

"Corrine? It's Frannie, Vinny's sister."

"Yea, why are you calling me?" her brow furrowed.

Frannie sighed," Look, Vinny, he died tonight. There was an accident. We all know he kept you from Theo, but the boy needs his mother now. None of us feel right taking him."

Her eyes darted to Opie, "Well, I'm in Italy right now, but I can be there in a day or two to get him."

"We'll be waiting," she could hear the smile in Frannie's voice.


She hung up the phone and, shell shocked stared at Opie.

"I need to tell you something, she took his hands in hers, "All those years ago in the hospital when I told you my relationship with Vinny was complicated, well, it was because we had a son and he promised me if I left he wouldn't let me take him. He held true to that promise, Ope. That was Vinny's sister, there was an accident, I have to go to Chicago and get my son."

Opie looked at her, stunned and hurt. He gently pulled his hands out of her grip, "W-what? You never told me..."

Opie usually took everything in stride, so his hurt surprised her.

"I couldn't. When I left he wouldn't let me keep him. I never thought I'd get to see my son again. You have to understand, he told me he would kill us both," she looked down, "and I know he would have."

Picking up the phone she called their pilot and made arrangements.

"I'll understand if you can't come with me, but I'm going tonight to get my son."

Opie looked down, torn, he finally looked up, "Fine, I'll go."

The hurt from his hesitation pierced every part of her. As they boarded the plane, she was silent. Fear annd raw emotion consumed her.

Opie sighed, looking down, "Does your family even know?"

She flushed, "No. He wouldn't let me tell them."
She felt the familiar, deep rooted, shame rear its head as she fretted over a bit of her hair.

Opie looked away, "Cor...you could have told me."

Suddenly, Corrie was angry.
"Yea? And you wouldn't have immeadiately tried for custody?"

Opie looked at her in shock, "Yeah, you bet I would! You think that boy is going to be normal? Who the hell knows what Vinny put him through."

She looked him deep in the eyes,"Then you would have killed my son.THAT is why I disn't tell you."

Opie looked away, "God, what are we about to walk into?"

She put her hand on his,"Vinny loved Theo. He just would not let me have him."

Opie looked at her, smiling slightly, "I must sound like a jerk."

Crossing her arms she looked at him, "Yea, you do."

Opie looked down, "I'm sorry."

In an instant her seatbelt was off and she was on her knees in front of him. She took his hands in hers and kissed each knuckle.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean that. I know this is a lot to take in and I get defensive."

Opie held her hands, "I deserved it"

She shook her head,"No you didn't."