All the Way to Heaven

Chapter 42

"Oh. My. Goodness," I gasped. "Is that it?" I pointed, open mouthed, at the towering brick and mortar monstrosity that marched across the countryside in front of us. I straightened, leaning forward as we drove closer. The road we were on passed right under one of the huge arches. Less than a block away, Paulo pulled over, parked the truck in front of a boarded up shop, and turned off the engine. He turned slightly, hooked a finger under my chin, and kissed me, thoroughly, until my heart was pounding so loudly in my chest I was sure he could hear it.

"Mi lasci senza fiato, Ani," he rasped, placing both hands on the steering wheel and gripping it tightly. I clenched my own fists in my lap, slowing my breathing with great effort, afraid to ask him what he'd said. "We will get out here and walk a little," he began, his voice still a little rough. "We are at the Temple Cistern of Guamo, the beginning of the aqueduct where the water is drawn from the ground." He opened his door and scrambled out, his haste making me giggle, a slightly hysterical sound.

"What aqueduct?" I muttered to the empty cab as I waited for Paulo to bring my wheelchair around. I couldn't stop thinking about kissing him long enough to remember why we were here.

But out in the afternoon sunshine, a soft autumn breeze cooling my flushed cheeks, I found I could breathe easier. And once oxygen started getting to my brain again, I was soon enthralled by the magnificence of the structure. Built a couple hundred years ago, the arches were still in excellent shape, and with its status as a monumental park, great pains would be taken to keep it preserved for generations to come. I could see the line of arches stretching on and on across the countryside, straight and sure, the two-mile walking trail a constant companion. If I had my legs under me, we'd be heading back to Lucca that way. It was truly an amazing monument to man's ingenuity.

We took a few more pictures with Paulo's phone, and then made our way into the open field beside the temple. "We usually picnic up there," Paulo pointed up the terraced hillside to a level spot in the shade near the temple. "And play football—soccer—or Frisbee here in this field when we come." Paulo spread out the blanket he'd grabbed from the truck and we stretched out side by side in the sunshine, our trusty basket of food at the ready beside us.

Rolling onto my side, I propped my head up on one arm so I could study Paulo. He lay on his back, ankles crossed, fingers laced together over his chest, completely relaxed. His face was smooth of the lines of worry he usually sported, and I could see a pulse beating slow and steady just under his jaw. One corner of his mouth was hitched up in the beginning of a smile, so even though his eyes were closed against the sunlight overhead, I knew he knew I was looking at him. I reached out and ran my finger along the angle of his jaw, unable to keep from touching him. Just as it reached his chin, he dipped his head and caught my finger between his teeth, making me squeal more in surprise than pain. It did hurt though, and I pulled my hand free, but he grabbed my wrist and rolled onto his side to face me.

He brought my hand back to his mouth and began kissing each finger, one at a time, then my palm, my wrist, the inside of my forearm, the crook of my elbow.

I watched, transfixed, as he bent to the task, his lips trailing a path up my inner arm to my shoulder, his dark curls falling forward to cover his face. Then I closed my eyes and tipped my head back as he ran kisses up my neck and along my jaw.

"Ani." His breath was warm on my throat.

"Hmm?" The sound came out slowly.

"How do you feel about long distance relationships?"

I took a deep breath in, held it, and lay back on the blanket before letting it out. Turning my face so I could look at him, I said, "Honestly?"

"Honestly. I only want honesty from you, Ani."