Roman Holiday

Amore Mio

Rosa instantly looked up from the pot she was stirring when Giuseppe walked into the kitchen. Not a word passed between them but he smiled and she put down the spoon and came to hug him.

"Tuto bene - everything ok?" She said quietly incase Jess would overhear. She had been soaking in the bath but you couldn't be too careful. Guiseppe merely winked and nodded.
Rosa kissed his cheek and smiled broadly. "You are a good Papa, a really good Papa. I always knew you would be.  Now go wash up Guiseppe, OUR meal is ready." She indicated two plates of pasta in the warmer to her left. " WE need to be ready!"

Jess lay in the bath listening to music. Her life was so different now from anything she had ever imagined it could be. As she let the hot water soothe her, she thought back over the last few weeks. Graeme, Tom and the accident. It had all changed her. Mostly for the better. Even though it had all gone south, for a few brief moments she had known true love. 

It still cut like a knife, him leaving, but in her heart she wanted to believe there was a reason, a good reason. She briefly thought about the news report today. He was back in Rome. Should she try to find him? Talk to him? She chewed it over, maybe she would ask Papa and Mama later.

Mama and Papa... her thoughts turned to them and their enduring love. For each other, for her. She smiled to herself but at the same time her breath caught as she felt the pain once more. For a brief time she thought she might have found that kind of love. One that endured. One that she would cherish for the rest of her life. With a sigh, she reached and pulled the plug. Both on her bath and her thoughts. Time to put a pretty dress on and a pretty smile for the love they were honouring tonight. 

She had absolutely no clue.

It was almost 7.30pm when she came back downstairs. Her hair was loosely tousled waves, her makeup on. She wore a green wrap dress, the only formal dress she'd ever bought and carted around the world, just in case.  Of what, until now she hadnt known, but finally it was justified. As Mama said, she needed to look pretty.

Walking into the kitchen, there was the smell of carbonara sauce simmering and her mouth watered. Mama had prepared everything in advance, just the pasta to cook. Jess smiled and went through to the restaurant. The blinds were down and the lights low.  Most of the tables were pushed to the side but one was set for their meal.  She smiled as she waited for Mama and Papa to appear.

Pouring some wine, she sat at the table and put some music on her phone. The cleared floor would do as a makeshift dancefloor and she wanted to make sure Mama got the romance she so deserved.  A noise at her side made her look up and she drew a breath.

"Oh Mama you look beautiful" she gushed, standing to hug her. "Papa will love you even more " Mama kissed her on both cheeks and sat with her.

Moments later, Papa appeared dressed in his best suit. He looked as handsome as Jess had ever seen. He looked at the two women and held out his hands. Mama and Jess stood and went to him.

"Beautiful" he kissed them both and drew them into a hug. "I am a very lucky man.  Now, let us sit. " he led them to the table and sat them down.  They sat and drank a toast , Mama raising her glass looking at Papa, a beautiful smile on her lips.

"Amore" she said quietly.  They took a sip and Jess felt overwhelmed by the emotion of the moment. She was so happy for them she could have cried. She almost did. Sniffing loudly she laughed and kissed them both.

"I feel like a third wheel here with you two lovebirds!" She stood and went to walk to the kitchen. "Let me serve, you two can just sit and hold hands."

As she disappeared into the kitchen, she didnt see the look that passed between them. So far, so good.

A few minutes later, she reappeared with plates of carbonara. Placing them down, she went to sit. Papa caught her hand,
"Cara, permit me a dance?" He smiled at her and she looked at him with a little frown.
"But Papa the food...."
"Some things are more important. And we have endless pasta - we are a restaurant after all!" He chuckled and pulled her with him. "I want to dance with my daughter." He looked every inch the proud Papa and she felt herself lose control a little, a tear slipping down her cheek.

The music changed to something slower and he twirled her into his arms. As they moved slowly, she laid her head on his chest, closing her eyes and relishing his warm and comforting nearness as he gripped her small hand in his big rough one. 

"One day Cara, I will see you dance with another man and I will be  jealous." He laughed softly " he better love you as much as your Papa Guiseppe".

Before she could answer a voice to her side answered " oh he does Papa Guiseppe, he does". She would know that voice anywhere.

Jess opened her eyes and there he was, standing at the door, dressed in his blue suit, white shirt and beautiful smile.

Papa, Mama, the restaurant, everything melted away and all she could see was Tom. Her Tom.

Without a second thought, she flew across the restaurant and into his open arms. As his lips met hers, she felt herself wrapped in the familiar arms she had craved so much.

After a moment, they parted and just looked at each other. "Can you forgive me Jess?" He said quietly, resting his forehead on hers.

"Yes my love, yes. Anything, everything." she laughed, her mind reeling and her heart soaring, "but I think someone else has some explaining to do!" They turned to see Mama and Papa peeking round the corner of the kitchen, grinning like a pair of children at Christmas.

Tom pulled on her hand and she turned back to him.

"Sit my love, this " he indicated the room and the table " is all for you - for us." He smiled and kissed her cheek. "I have so much to tell you and so much to make up for."

They sat in the restaurant, waited on by Papa and cooked for by Mama. The whole evening coming together exactly as the three of them had planned. After the meal was done, Tom and Jess were left alone. Mama and Papa leaving to visit her sister for the evening. All that was left was the candles, the music and the desire to make amends. 

Everything explained, everything forgiven, almost an hour later they sat holding hands.  Jess couldn't take her eyes off him, she was so afraid he would disappear.  For his part, Tom didn't want to look away from the most beautiful woman in the world.

"Dance with me?" She said quietly "please?"

"For you anything my love." He stood and they walked over to the little cleared area. As he took her in his arms, they began to move.

Slowly, gently, he leant down and kissed her. She tasted of wine and love. His love. Suddenly he knew how to make it right.

"Jess?" He said softly, pulling back to look at her, putting a finger under her chin, "I have something I want to ask you".

She stopped dancing and looked up at him. 
"Yes Tom?"