The Pilot

Chapter Forty Six

There should be a couple of leather jackets and bike helmets there. Go grab them.

"Hey Andrew. Would you mind if I borrowed your bike for a few hours please? I'm going to take Stef to visit Patricia. She needs the closure. I think it would be good for her" Danielle asked walking in to the bar as Stefania went through the back. "Um Yeah? I guess... but... since when did you know how to ride a bike. You hated that old dirt bike I had when we were kids" he said with raised eyebrows. "Well firstly, that thing was a death trap and more than likely illegal to use in the city. And secondly I got my licence when I decided I wanted to be a pilot. I thought I'd be cool like Maverick" she laughed. "I'm just running up stairs to grab some jeans. Stef is through the back grabbing those old leather jackets and helmets."

10 minutes later they were geared up and ready to go. Although Stefania was very nervous, she was also very turned on right now by how hot the blonde was looking. "Bambina, look at me quickly..." she quickly snapped a photo to capture the moment

"What was that for?" Danielle asked confused. "You look hot. I wanted to capture it" Stefania winked. Danielle laughed and took Stefania by the hand leading her outside to where Andrew's bike was parked. "Ok Baby. Where we heading?" Danielle asked as the climbed on to the bike. "South 125th Street. Over by the Skyway Park." Stefania said wrapping her arms around Danielle.

A while later, they pulled up outside George and Patricia's house. Danielle turned off the engine and flicked out the kickstand. "Ok Baby. I'll be chilling in the park waiting for you just phone me when you're done" Danielle said, giving Stefania's lips a peck. "What do you mean? You have to come with me. I can't go on my own!" Stefania said, panic beginning to flood her body. Danielle cupped her face "breathe for me beautiful. It'll be fine. I will come with you if you need me to. I'll always be there when you need me" Stefania let out a deep breath. "Ok" she whispered taking Danielle's hand and leading her towards the front door of George & Patricia's home.

Stefania nervously knocked on the door and waited for what felt like an eternity. Suddenly the door swung open & there stood Patricia. She had grown older since Stefania had last seen her but her eyes still sparkled with life and kindness. "STEFANIA! Oh my goodness. Stefania, darling, what a surprise! Come here!" Patricia shrieked as she grabbed the Italian by the shoulders & pulled her into a bone crushing hug. "GEORGE! GEORGE LOOK WHO'S HERE!" She yelled through the house to her husband who was out on the back porch. "Come in, come in, can I get you a glass of lemonade? Have a seat. I'll get some chips for you. Oh I'm all a fluster. I'm sorry. Stefania who's your friend here?" Patricia flapped about in the kitchen. "Mam... uh, Patricia, please. It's ok. Just relax. We'd love a glass of lemonade. And this is Danielle... she's my Uh..." "Pilot & part time driver, it's lovely to meet you" Danielle smiled as she shook Patricia's hand.

"Well hot damn, look who it is. I swear you get more beautiful with every passing year. Hey there Pineapple" George said as he walked into the kitchen scooping Stefania into a hug. "Buongiorno Pa... Uh... George." Stefania beamed. "Stefania. I heard you stop yourself calling me Mamma & George, Papa. Just because our good for nothing son let you slip through his fingers, doesn't mean we don't still think of you as the daughter we never had. You can still call us Mamma and Papa" Patricia smiled as she poured the lemonade. Stefania's eyes started to cloud with tears as she smiled at Patricia and whispered "thank you". "And who is this beautiful girl?" George asked shaking Danielle's hand. "Hello sir, I'm Danielle" Danielle smiled at George. "It's lovely to meet you Danielle but please just George is fine. None of this Sir nonsense" he smiled warmly with a wink.

The four adults sat round the kitchen table talking for a good hour before George received a text on his phone. "Urgh, Pineapple... Cooper is on his way over. He'll be here in about 30 minutes." George said. "Ok, Well I guess we'll head on out then. I don't want to see him. Especially after what happened the other day. Danielle still has a cut on her hand from it! It was so nice to see you both though. I promise to keep in touch" Stefania said as tears formed in her eyes again. The older couple walked the two women to the door where they all said their goodbyes. Danielle was halfway down the path when Patricia pulled Stefania into a hug and whispered to her "you've got a good one there my darling. She's a keeper." Stefania was taken by surprise and pulled back with wide eyes as she said "but... what? How do you know?" "Oh sweetheart. It's obvious by the way you two look at each other. She's besotted with you, I can tell. I'm happy for you Stefania. Truly, you deserve unconditional love and that girl has it in spades for you" she kissed the side of the Italian's head and waved goodbye as Stefania joined Danielle on the back of the bike.

Stefania wrapped her arms around Danielle as they set off again. She felt like a huge weight had been lifted and her body was lighter now than it had been in a long long time. She was glad that she'd finally went to see the Maddisons and was grateful that they still loved her and accepted her relationship with Danielle. "WHERE TO NOW BABY?" Danielle yelled over the roar of the bike's engine. "WHEREVER YOU WANT BAMBINA"

Danielle knew exactly where to go. After a 20 minute journey they pulled into the parking lot of somewhere that Stefania had never been before. Danielle hopped off the bike and held out her hand for Stefania helping her to climb off the bike too. "We're at a roller-rink?" Stefania asked with raised eyebrows. "We are. This was one of my favourite places as a teenager. Andrew and I used to come here with our other friends every Friday night." She pulled Stefania by the hand walking in through the doors and making their way to the hire booth. They got their skates and headed on to the rink. It wasn't very busy which was nice. There was just a handful of other people there. The two women skated round hand in hand, cuddled together and also trying to race each other at various points. They gave each other silly dance performances and even sung along to the disco tracks being piped through the speakers. After about an hour they decided they would grab some food. They had burgers and shakes before Danielle led Stefania through to the back of the building where there was an arcade with retro games. The two women laughed non stop and just enjoyed their time in each other's company. A couple of hours later they decided that they should head back to the bar before Andrew sent out a search party for his beloved bike.

They arrived back at the bar a little while later and Danielle couldn't believe the work that had been done in the apartment. It was already looking so much better. She found Mark standing in the kitchen with the head joiner going over the plans for the next day. "Hey Mark. You're amazing. This place is looking incredible. I can't wait to see what it turns out like." "Thank you Danielle. I just wanted to pull out all the stops today to make up for the shambles that you've had to put up with over the last few weeks. I promise, you'll have the apartment of your dreams in just a couple of weeks." Mark replied genuinely. "Thank you, I appreciate that.  But there's not a huge rush. We're going to be leaving again within the next day or 2 and we'll be gone for at least a week so honestly, take your time." Danielle smiled. "Alright, that's perfect. I was just getting ready to head off now though but I'll be back at 8am tomorrow morning if that's ok?" Mark stated gathering up his things. "Yes that's fine, I'll be here. Thanks Mark." "My pleasure. Have a good evening you two." He smiled as he made his way down the stairs with the joiner.

"So I guess we should get you an Uber to get back to the hotel then. I'll come with you and have dinner then come back here so that I'm ready for mark coming in the morning" Danielle said walking up to Stefania wrapping her arms around her from behind. "Bambina no! I am not spending another night without sleeping with you. I hated being on my own last night. If you want to be here for the morning, that's fine but I'm going to be here too! There's no reason for me to be at the hotel given that there's water here now and Mark's work crew have swept up all the mess that was here." Stefania pouted turning round to face Danielle. "Ok beautiful if that's what you want. Come on then. You head back to get your things and I'll go find Andrew in the bar to discuss some things with him." Danielle said kissing the brunette's forehead. She let go of Stefania and started to walk away but the Italian was quick to grab her hand pulling her back in and connecting their lips in a slow, passionate kiss. "Ok, now we can go" she grinned as she walked by Danielle slapping her ass as she went.