Dearest One

Chapter 12. End!

Nayelli ran her fingers lightly up and down Piero's arm. They were sitting out on her porch, watching the sun mingle with the moon in the sky. She smiled and pecked his lips softly.
"I had an interesting conversation with your brother today," Piero said, hugging her closer.
"Oh, about?"
He smiled and kissed her lips before speaking. "He told me Mr. Woods was very happy with Jeff's recovering health."
She smiled up at him.
"He also gave me something from him." Piero continued.
"What was it?"
"He gave me a check for five hundred thousand dollars!" Piero smiled.
"What?" Nayelli looked at him incredulously. "Seriously?"
Piero nodded. "Do you know what that means?" He asked.
"What?"
"Sicily will finally have an actual hospital." He sighed in content. He leaned back taking Nayelli onto his lap.
She sat up straight. "What do you mean?" She asked, confused.
"I can finally go back to Italy and start building the hospital that is so needed." Piero's smile fell when he saw the sad look in Nayelli's eyes.
"You're leaving?" She whispered, clinging to his hand tightly.
Piero sat up and held her close. "I was going to wait for when everything was ready," He kissed the top of her head. "I want you to go with me." He pulled her away, keeping her close enough to look into her wide eyes.
"What did you say?" She trembled.
Piero gave her a small smile. "I can't leave without you Nayelli. I want you to go with me back to Italy." Nayelli's eyes swelled up with tears and small droplets slid down her cheeks. She stared at Piero in shock, not registering his words.
"I love you, Nayelli, I can't be without you." He wiped her tears away softly with his thumbs. "All I ever wanted was somebody like you. Every night I want to hold you tight, wake up to your beautiful face and have you close. What I feel for you, words cannot explain. You're my best friend and I want to be forever yours." He connected their lips in a passionate yet sweet kiss. Nayelli trembled under his touch. She had no doubt in her mind that she loved him too. She had known it since their first kiss. She didn't want to be away from him for any amount of time and she knew she would follow him wherever he went with no hesitation.
They pulled away slightly, keeping their foreheads pressed together.
"Besides," Piero said breathlessly, squeezing her waist. "I'm going to need a trustworthy and dedicated nurse to aid in my quest to cure Italy of disease." A bit dramatic of his part but it was true.
"I will follow you anywhere in this world." She breathed. Piero smiled widely and dove back in for another breath taking kiss.
"I love you." Nayelli smiled wrapping her arms around Piero's neck loosely.
"I do more." Piero's smile was dazed and lit up Nayelli's world. There lives were about to take a different course. Moving countries, having to start all over and leaving everything she'd known behind, and starting a whole new project. It was a lot to take in at once and if it was any other situation, she would be terrified and apprehensive, but with Piero's hand holding hers and his sparkling smile guiding her, she knew she could take anything that was coming. He had never been more sure of anything in his life and even though his original plan was just to, come to America, save up some money and return to Italy to construct his hospital without any detours or distractions, meeting Nayelli and working with all the new friends he had gained was the best experience he could have asked for. And he wouldn't change any part of it. He had been here less than six months and he had gained friends, perspective, the love of his life and so many lessons he would take with him anywhere he went. His departure didn't mean just packing up and losing all the connections and friendships he had made over these few months, no, he had already spoken to Pablo and James and they had agreed to keep in touch and after the hospital was up and running, they would be the first ones there to help with the purchasing of equipment and on call for any medical emergencies there was. James, being Nayelli's brother, was also keen on staying in contact with his baby sister and frequently visiting. n Piero had made Him and Pablo co-owners and lead researching doctors of the hospital. This meant they would see a lot of each other in the years to come.
They were there during the construction, they were there to help Piero during the grand opening of the Grande Amore Hospital in Sicily Italy that following year, and they were there during every important treatment and decision that needed to be made regarding the patients or hospital.
They were especially there during the spring wedding of the Accardi's. James walked his sister down the isle and gave her away to Piero, threatening severe bodily harm if he ever hurt her in any way. Pablo stood as Piero's witness and Jeff and his parents had flown all the way from Colorado to be the ring bearer and witnesses.
The Gomez, Accardi, and Marquez relationship only grew and strengthened with time and the Sicilian people were given the care and treatment they needed and deserved. Lives were saved and others tragically lost but lessons were learned and love was given.
"You have made me the happiest I have ever been." Piero rested his head atop Nayelli's head and held her tight. They stood in front of the ocean looking out into the Sicilian sunset. They had sneaked away from the others for a bit. The party was in full swing on the other side of the beach side and all their friends and family were enjoying themselves.
Even though they had been together for six years now, Piero still couldn't believe that Nayelli was a reality. He still felt as if he was dreaming whenever he looked at her and felt like the luckiest guy in the world.
"I love you." She said, clinging to him as hard as she could. It had been a fantastic year for them. They had worked hard and given hope to so many patients, they had purchased their own home along side James's vacation home and finally had set a date and place for their long awaited wedding. Everything was perfect. Nayelli still felt like she was in a dream of which she didn't want to awake. Every day with Piero was better than the last and every kiss still felt like the first. What was there to say? They were meant for each other in every way.
They connected again in a passionate kiss, giving one another every ounce of their love and holding on to each other for dear life.
"You know it's extremely rude to leave your party guests on their own!" Pablo called out to them from a ways across the beach. "We are left with no couple to celebrate over here." He gestured behind him where a crowd of guests were toasting and cheering for them.
Nayelli and Piero laughed. Taking each others hands; they ran down the beach back to the party.