Your Heart is my Heart. (Stefanielle)

Chapter Forty-Three

With Stefania out of the picture for a few hours, it gave Danielle time to prepare.

Stefania's father told her that he was going over Giovanni's to help with a plumbing issue, when in reality he was staying with the American to help.

Danielle started pacing the back deck when the flowers hadn't turned up on time. "Danielle, please sit" Mr S smiled guiding her to the outdoor benches.

He pulled out a bottle of what looked like very very expensive whiskey, he placed two glasses on the table between them and started pouring the liquid.

"Sir I would love to have a drink with you but I'd better stay sober for tonight" Danielle smiled trying not to disrespect the man.

"Nonsense Danielle, please have a sip"

The duo looked out at the water, watching the waves breaking just before they hit the shore, sipping on their whisky.

"You lover her yes?" He asked. His English wasn't as good as Stefania's but it was very impressive considering he had never left Italy.

Danielle let out a little breath "I do sir, more than you will ever know, I have never loved anyone as much as I love her"

He took a deep breath, "I have always imagined this moment, in my head I would be sitting next to a man but-" he choked "I can see Danielle that you love my daughter very much and she absolutely worships everything you do. They way you look at her, even when she's talking to us in Italian and you clearly have no clue what's going on, but that look is a look of pure love"

Danielle had a few tears slipping down her cheeks, if only her father was as loving and accepting as Stefania's. It broke her heart knowing that he would never be at her wedding.

"What are you thinking about Danielle?" He asked noticing the change in her.

"Uh nothing nothing" she lied.

"How are your parents? Are they in the picture at all?" He asked taking a sip of his drink.

"Uh... No no they're not" the American choked out, she took a big gulp of her drink.

The Italian poured her another glass before speaking "Can I ask why?"

"It's complicated I guess" Danielle shrugged, she let out a deep breath "My parents are very... traditional, old fashioned. Man, woman, you have a good job, you buy a house, you get married and then you have babies. They found out about me being gay when I was about 21/22, luckily I had already moved out by then, I had a job. But they didn't like it, they called me every name possible, told me how disappointed they are in me. How they didn't raise me what way, I should be with men" Danielle could feel her breathing getting worse, she paused and tried to control herself. "I've never told Stefania what happened, she asked but I couldn't do it, I couldn't tell her. I just told her that we don't speak. It's more complicated than just that but I'd rather not go into it"

The Italian father turned to face the American, "Can I just say this"

Danielle nodded

"Your parents are wrong, I would be so proud to call you my daughter. I mean now I can. Look at everything you have accomplished, you have a great job, a beautiful house, a beautiful bambino on the way, you have an amazing girlfriend, soon to be wife. You're doing great Danielle, be proud of that" he gave her a loving smile, a few tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Thank you" she mouthed.

"Now come and give your father in law a hug"

They both stood up and he wrapped his big arms around Danielle, pulling her in close "You're doing great kid" he whispered.