The Pilot

Chapter Twenty Three

ok... so my adopted name was DeLuca...

Danielle held her breath for what felt like an eternity waiting for Stefania to speak. "Danielle, I can see you internally panicking but I don't understand why. Why would you being called DeLuca change things between us?" She asked somewhat confused. "Oh wait... DeLuca, as in the North Bay Business Plaza DeLucas? The DeLucas I had a very successful meeting with yesterday?" She asked, beginning to understand the situation a little. "Yeah, Matteo DeLuca is my mom's husband and my adopted father." Danielle said almost inaudibly. Stefania could feel Danielle starting to inch away from her. She reached her hand out pulling Danielle back in close again. "Uh uh Bambina, you don't get to worry about this. This does not change a single thing between us, you hear me? There's obviously a reason you didn't tell me yesterday and also why you didn't come in to see anyone when you dropped me off. I don't need to know the reason if you don't want to tell me. But just know that I am 100% here for you ok. I get the feeling there's a lot you're carrying in that beautiful little mind and heart of yours. I hope one day you feel comfortable enough with me to let me in but until that day, I am here with you. No judgment and no expectations. Just you and me, having fun and getting to know each other better. Ok?" Danielle couldn't speak, she just nodded against Stefania's shoulder letting her tears fall.

"Stefania, you're so amazing you know that? She finally spoke up "I hope one day that I'll be able to share every single second of my past with you. But, there is one more thing I should tell you though. Andrew is also a DeLuca. I only found out yesterday that his parents died of a drugs overdose after I left town and he was sleeping on the streets. My mom found him one day and took him home. Then after a while they adopted him. So I guess technically he's my brother now? The blonde laughed. "His bar used to my Uncle Gino's but he went back to Italy and signed the bar over to Andrew." "Wait, the bar... It's also called DeLuca's isn't it?" Stefania asked wide eyed. "Um... yeah... how did you know that?" Danielle asked. "I know why Cooper wanted it. That's where we first met. He's an absolute psychopath, why would he do that?! What did he think he would achieve by buying it? Is it some twisted way to get back at me?! Stefania was ranting now. "You know I'd have been married to him now and my life would be miserable. He's an arrogant prick and I don't know what I ever saw in him. I really should be thankful that I caught him fucking my best friend!" Stefania said very matter of factly. "Will that be weird for you, me owning it?" Danielle asked. "No bambina, absolutely not. I was only in it that one time. It had a good energy though if I remember correctly. I'd be more than happy to spend time there with you now" she said as leant forward giving Danielle a kiss. "Should we get some sleep now though?" "Hmmm, yes please" Danielle sighed gently.

The two women slept peacefully until Danielle was awakened with her phone buzzing. She reached over Stefania to the night stand, picking up her phone and looking at the caller ID.

DS: "Andrew... why are you calling so early?!" she whispered.
AD: "Early?! Dan, it's 9:15!" he laughed. "And why are you whispering?"
DS: "Stefania's still sleeping, we had a late night"
AD: "oohhh, do tell..."
DS: "Noooo, not like that. We ended up spending the day together. She's so sweet Andrew, she really is. She planned out the whole afternoon just in the hope of getting to spend time with me and getting to know me better."
AD: "Oh yeah... I bet you got to know each other alright" he laughed again.

At this point Stefania had woken up but she didn't make it obvious to Danielle. She just lay there with her eyes shut listening and wondering what the blonde beauty would say about her...

DS: "Andrew no, we didn't. We've had fairly heavy make out sessions but, 3 times now I've freaked out about it going any further. Stefania is very understanding though, and keeps telling me that she'll wait until I'm ready. I'm terrified that she gets bored waiting too long though and I ruin this."
AD: "Have you told her what's holding you back?"
DS: "You mean have I told her about the she devil and how she turned me in to this person that I don't even recognise anymore? No I haven't but I have told her that I'm buying the bar and my family are the DeLuca's and that you're technically now my brother" she laughed.
AD: "You know you'll probably have to tell her about Paula eventually don't you?"
DS: "Yes, I know. And I will tell her. I just don't know how to explain it without reliving the trauma she put me through."
AD: "You'll figure it out D. And by what you've told me, it sounds like Stefania will support you through it"
DS: "Yeah, you're right. I'm just worried that I unintentionally push her away because I really want to keep her around. I could see myself having real big feelings for her if I let her in and that scares the living shit out of me!"

Stefania thought her heart would beat out of her chest listening to the blonde talking this way. She was a mix of emotions. She was sad that Danielle had so much hurt and sadness in her past but she was happy that there could potentially be a future here between the two of them.

AD: "Just take it one day at a time and everything will work itself out. About the bar though, do you think you could be here by about 11:30am?"
DS: "Yeah I would think that will be fine. See you then"

She threw her phone gently back down on to the nightstand and looked at Stefania. Her hair was spread over the pillow and falling over her face. She was the most beautiful thing Danielle had ever woken up beside and she began to imagine waking up every morning like this for the rest of her life. She brushed the loose hair from the Italian's face and leant down giving her a gentle kiss on her forehead. She climbed over her and pulled on some fresh clothes. She made her way into the bathroom to wash her face and clean her teeth. She was lost in her own world when she jumped with fright, feeling two slender arms slide round her waist. Stefania gave her a loving peck on her shoulder and whispered "good morning Bambina. Did you sleep well?" "I did, I think I like sleeping with you beside me" the blonde smiled at the brunette through the mirror. "Why didn't you wake me though?" Stefania asked, even though she was actually lying awake already. "Well I need to go meet Andrew at the bar at 11:30 but you don't have anywhere to be so I figured I would let you sleep." "That"s very thoughtful of you Bella, but I'm coming with you to the bar." "You are?" "Of course I am. Especially as you're using my lawyer free of charge" Stefania winked. "Ha, ok then. Get dressed then and let's grab breakfast first so I can brief Chandra" the younger woman said.

Less than 10 minutes later, both women were dressed and ready to leave the room. They got to the door and just as Stefania was about to open it, Danielle grabbed her, pinning her up against it. In a flash she had crashed their lips together and stuck her tongue in Stefania's mouth taking her by surprise. The kiss was hot and heavy and over as quickly as it had started. Danielle disconnected their lips and said "ok, we can go now." Stefania stood there trying to compose herself. "What was that in aid of?" She breathed out heavily. "Well, I wanted to give you something to keep you going for a while. It's going to be hard keeping my hands off you when we're on the other side of this door." Danielle said. "Oh, you don't want anyone to know?" Stefania asked. "Well, that makes it sound like I'm ashamed of whatever this is but that couldn't be further from the truth. We've been more than friends for literally 12 hours and we've only known each other 3 days. I just don't want anyone else in our bubble right now. Can we just figure us out before other people weigh in with their expectations and opinions? I'm not saying you can't tell anyone. I would never try to control you like that but I'd prefer if not everyone knew just now. I've told Andrew so it's only fair you have someone to speak to too." "Well, I'm very glad you said that because I may already have told Caterina that there's been moments between us. Not only is she my PA, she's also my best friend. She won't tell anyone though." "It's ok. I don't mind people knowing. Honestly. I just want to keep it just for us for as long as possible." Danielle reached up and gave Stefania one last kiss as they stepped through the door.

***A/N... just a quick, short chapter tonight as I didn't update yesterday. I'll hopefully get a longer chapter up tomorrow or Friday.***