Chapter 27

Italy was amazing. It was better than amazing. It helped me take my mind off of the crazy that had happened in New Jersey.

Can we talk about the house that a family member allowed us the use since they were away on business? It was right on the coast, as in, I could walk to the beach from the backyard.

It had a beautiful stone exterior, these huge trees that surrounded it, a patio with a hammock, the grass looked like carpet, it had a second patio area, where there were tables and chairs with a nice view of the ocean below.

On day one, after we got settled, we headed to Neapolis archaeological park on the northern side of Syracuse. We checked out the Roman amphitheater, The Altar of Hieron II, and later walked went to The Ear of Dionysius, this old limestone quarry, huge, with an impressive echo. Alessandro said loudly, “I love Elise.” And it echoed.

I laughed and said, “I love Alessandro.”

He kissed me, “Marry me.” He said as he looked into my eyes.

I smiled, “Yeah, one day, we talked about it.”

“Marry me.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a huge diamond ring. There were diamonds in the band, the top was shaped like a square with diamonds along the perimeter and one huge circle-shaped diamond in the center. The way the sunlight bounced off that bling,

I grinned, “You’re serious?” He nodded.

“I was expecting this in like a year.”

“Why wait, we already know what we want?”

“Marry me...” it echoed.

“Yes,” I replied and he placed it on my finger. We took several pictures, but I said to him, “Don’t post or say anything until we get back.”

“Why?”

“Because, if we do now, everyone is going to be calling and I want you all to myself this week.”

He smiled, “all to yourself, I like the sound of that.”

We left and went for a bite to eat, and then went for a walk along the coast, near the house. I felt safe with him. Whenever we were out and people would stare, he’d kiss my cheek and say, “It’s because you’re so beautiful.”

The day ended with us in the hot tub, a glass of wine, me between his legs, my back on his chest, I said to him, “Thank you for making me feel safe.”

He kissed my shoulder, “I’ll protect you always, Amore mio.”

After a relaxing bath, we lay nestled under snowy white sheets, I made traces with my finger on his chest, “what are we doing tomorrow, my love?” I asked.

He turned to me with those amazing eyes and responded, “I was thinking about Ortigia Island, it’s beautiful, we can go later in the day and wait for the sun to set.”

“I like that.” I smiled.

I love your smile,” he said as he leaned in and kissed me. I eased over; his body rolled back until he lay flat. I knelt between his legs and admired him. The sparkle in his eyes melted my heart. I bit my bottom lip and he smiled.