Lessons Learned, Healing Hearts

Introductions (Chapter 31)

After a restful sleep, Marlow woke with a flutter of excitement. Today was the day Piero had promised his surprise, and while she played it cool yesterday, she couldn't wait to find out what he had planned. By midmorning, she found herself back in the car, ready for whatever came next.

Travelling through mountain tunnels again, she assumed she was heading back up north. Coming out of the dark and descending an incline so steep that the road was a series of switchbacks, Marlow saw it.

"Is that the ocean?" she said excitedly, pointing to the expanse of blue that went on forever.

"That is the Ligurian Sea," Piero said, his smile wide. "I have rented a yacht for us to sail along the coastline for the next four days. We'll stop wherever and whenever we want."

"No way!" Marlow squealed, bouncing in her seat, unable to contain her joy—until the weight of the gesture hit her.

"Piero, you shouldn't have." Excitement quickly gave way to concern.

"It's okay..." He started to speak, but she interrupted him.

"It's not okay. I am going to feel so horrible all the time knowing just how expensive this must have been."

Marlow saw the crease form between Piero's brow, a telltale sign of his frustration.

"Marlow, trust me, it's fine," he repeated, firmly, "Our Captain is a long-time family friend. Whenever I want to get away, he's the one I call. I want to do this. I can afford to do this, and it would make me so happy if you just enjoyed it too."

Marlow sat quietly, remembering a previous discussion about money and the vastly different spending power between them. Agreeing to make compromises, Piero promised to only plan for one big surprise, and this apparently was it.

"Sorry," she said, her features softening. "I can't help myself." Stroking Piero's beard, Marlow kissed his cheek. "Thank you."

Piero's smile widened and his eyes twinkled. "I got you."

***

Pulling up to a parking pad on a tight, windy road, Marlow followed Piero up a steep cobbled stairway. At the top sat a salmon-coloured home, flowerpots flanking the door and additional blooms spilling from the balcony railings. Piero knocked on the door. Told little about Nicolo and his family, Marlow smiled as a little girl greeted them with laughter, running into his arms.

"Sofie, chi è?" a woman called from inside.

"Lui è Piero, Nonna."

Moments later, a petite older woman appeared, arms outstretched.

"Piero, perché tanto tempo non sei venuto a trovarci?" she scolded, before kissing both of his cheeks.

Apologizing for not visiting sooner, Piero brought Marlow forward. "Evangelina, I would like you to meet Marlow. She has come to visit me all the way from Canada."

"Canada?" Evangelina repeated, greeting Marlow with the same warm kisses. "Benvenuta." Then, in her best broken English, she said, "Beautiful name for beautiful girl."

A flush of warmth spread across Marlow's cheeks as she exchanged a quiet grin with Piero.

Motioning for the two of them to come into the house, Marlow smiled as she looked around. Now, this was a home that looked like what she envisioned an Italian home would be. Warm and cozy, the mix of wood, plaster, brick, and tile complemented the large fireplace in the main area.

"La tua casa," Marlow started, "è molto bella." Looking to Piero for confirmation, she asked, "Did I say that right?"

"Si, si," Evangelina answered before Piero, giving her an approving smile. Hooking her arm into the crook of Marlow and Piero's elbows, she led them out to a terrace that stole Marlow's breath.