Intertwined

Chapter 55: You Feel Like Home part 2

23rd April 2025

The old Italian chef bounced around the kitchen like he was twenty years old again and, he felt it. Love had a way of helping you feel lighter and stronger at the same time. Antonio wouldn't say that life had been unhappy before he met Lily, but now it had this verve, this energy that he never thought he would feel again after his wife had passed.

He turned his record player up and began to sing as he added the ingredients to the sauce for lobster ravioli. They were Bella's favourite and it was the first time his daughter was bringing the new man in her life home for dinner. He wanted her to feel comfortable, and he thought food was a good way to see how compatible Morgan was with his Bella. For his granddaughter he made a little meatball and pasta dish that she could explore and eat with her hands. She would get messy, but then that gave he and Lily and excuse to spoil her with a bubble bath and snuggle her in the new sleep suit Lily had bought her that morning.

Antonio heard Lily walking in the kitchen, talking to Mia on the phone, 'I'm sorry she has been having those episodes Mims, let me know if we can help in any way. I know. I understand that too. Let me know how things are later and good luck for tomorrow,' Lily smiled as she spoke to her goddaughter, concern and love in her voice. Antonio beamed when he saw her, and placed a quiet kiss on her cheek, watching her blush as she ended the call, 'I love you too Mimi. I'm so proud of you. Always. Bye little love,' the Italian man wrapped his arms around the grey-haired woman, and she looked up at him with an adoring smile.

'Need any help my sweet?' she knew he didn't, but Antonio loved having Lily in the kitchen with him. Cooking with her felt like returning home, it was light, peaceful and easy, a dance that was innate to them both.

'Of course, Vita Mia,' Lily felt her body tingle with warmth at the Neapolitan phrase, meaning 'my life', every time her fiancé used it. Being with Antonio didn't feel like being possessed by someone, it felt like being alive and free. Lily found herself more at ease as she fell more in love with the kindest man she had ever known. He helped her find her way through grief and when it returned without a moment's notice, Antonio was there again, beside her without judgement as she spoke about Michael and how she missed her best friend.

It was the most romantic love she had ever experienced, and also the safest and most peaceful. Finding love was not something she realised she wanted until a spark lit up inside her, when they had met at Charlotte's homecoming last year.

Antonio showed her how to fill the ravioli and press the pasta together, and they glided through the kitchen as though it was the most natural thing in the world.

By the time the doorbell rang the pair had the meal ready and were covered in flour, and filling. Antonio wiped a few dots of flour from Lily's nose, and kissed it, before wiping his hands and turning to the front door.

The grey-haired woman made her way upstairs to find a new top to wear that didn't have flour, cream or lobster filling stains on it. She couldn't help but smile. A smile that felt as big inside her heart as it did on her face.

When Lily returned to the kitchen Antonio looked stressed and frazzled and was busy washing bowls and wiping down benches. Lily looked at him curiously, 'My love what's wrong? Are Bella and Morgan here?'

The normally joyful man looked at her red faced, sweat on his brow and his voice shaken, 'I forgot he's allergic to shell-fish! Morgan can't eat lobster ravioli!' he exclaimed as though he had committed a crime against humanity. 

'Oh,' Lily quickly joined in to help, pulling out some beef ravioli filling she knew was in the fridge that her fiancé had made yesterday for baby Eva.