Secrets & Lies

Chapter Nineteen

Gia finally arrived home and was excited to see her family after three months away. Gia walked off the plane happy yet unsure how they would respond to her bringing Alex home.

"Principessa!" Her daddy yelled. Gia ran toward him and gave him a huge hug.

"Mom! Nonna!" She exclaimed kissing and hugging each one of them in turn, "I'm so happy to be home and this is my friend Alexander." Gia said.

"Welcome to Colorado." Her dad said extending his hand toward Alex. Her mother gave him a look and a nod of skepticism.

"You look tired." Her mother commented looking at Gia and pulling her close putting her arm around her shoulders.

"I am. It was a very long flight, but much better because I got to sit in first class." Gia responded as they began walking through the airport toward the baggage claim.

"What do you mean you got to sit in first class?" Gia's dad asked, "Did they upgrade you for some reason?"

"Yep, I got upgraded." Gia agreed looking up at Alex to make sure he didn't mind the little fib to her parents because she didn't want to tell them that Alex had paid for it.

"How many bags did you bring home?" Her dad asked.

"Just one." Gia responded.

"So tell us about school." Gia's mother prodded.

"It was harder than I anticipated." Gia answered, "Very little class work and lectures and all types of papers and research done on my own. It's different but really great."

"You can always come home for good." Her mother said hopefully.

"No I like it, it was just hard to adjust to, but now I like it."

"Alexander, how are your classes going?" Gia's mother asked trying to be friendly. Gia had told her a little about Alex on the phone previously because she really wanted her to like him and understand how much she liked him.

"Very well, thank you." Alex responded politely.

"Are you two taking the same classes?" Her father asked.

"No, sir, we aren't in any classes together."

"Gia said you were from Denmark, so the language differences must have been difficult for you, but you don't seem to have an accent that I can hear." Gia's mother added trying to sound nice.

"Thank you, I've been working very hard." Alex answered.

"Well I don't think you will have too much to worry about dear, you are very handsome and tall." Nonna added as she grabbed his arm. He accepted it gracefully and helped her onto the escalator.

They gathered their bags and walked out to Gia's father's black Escalade. Alex and Gia sat in the far back of the SUV holding hands where no one could see them. Gia pointed out little things to Alex as they drove by them. He looked around but didn't say much. When they finally turned into the neighborhood Gia was thrilled to see all the Christmas lights and to know it was going to be so wonderful. Her first Christmas with Alex! Gia was thinking about what she should get him for a present when they pulled onto their street and she saw her childhood home. It was as beautiful as ever. Gia was suddenly very happy to be home. It looked so beautiful with the Christmas tree all decorated and lit up in the front window and all of the lights around the house and on the trees. The garlands on the columns all lit and a beautiful wreath on the door. Gia knew everything inside would be just as elegant as outside.

"Are you happy to be home Tesoro?" Nonna asked as they got out of the car in the garage.

"Absolutely!" Gia said with a huge smile on her face. Alex helped Gia's father gather the bags from the car and they all went into the house together.