Outlander: imperium Romanum

II. The journey.

I was wrong. I didn't sleep like an angel. I kept waking up several times because of the constant nightmare that seemed to haunt me, but now that I think of it, I can't remember what it was really about. I woke up bathed in my own sweat and with a rather high temperature, but it was the day of the study visit, and although it seems I am a little sick, I was feeling well enough to make the long trip to Italy.

I looked to the side, seeing David with a smile from ear to ear and a tray with food in his lap. He gives me the "good morning" speech, followed by a kiss on my forehead and feeling, as well, my high temperature.

"Nothing a good bath won't solve." I say, before he begins his typical speech of concerned husband. A cute and adorable speech, I must say... but annoying.

I ate the croissant and drank the milk in less than three minutes under David's watchful eye. I was hungrier than I thought. Then I got up from the bed and picked up washed clothes to wear after the shower. Sleep seemed to follow my body because I was really exhausted. What else could I expect anyway? I layed down late and didn't sleep much.

I opened the water at the same time I was undressing myself so that it would warm up in the meantime. I waited for about a minute until I saw the steam beginning to appear, and only then I went into the cabin and started my bath. I caught up quickly with my thoughts wandering about the matter I will speak to my students about the Romans, which actually ends up relating in a way to the bath and the sewage system. The formation of aqueducts, to be more precise. Means created by them to carry water from distant sources to cities, to take public baths or for private residences, for example. 

It's funny. The Roman Empire is so old and yet, so many centuries later, we use their techniques. I know history is fixed and precise, but I wonder how the world would be if the barbarians hadn't finished with such a vast empire. Things happen for a reason, I suppose. And as the church claimed at that time, maybe that was God's will.

I got out of the shower and dressed as quickly as I could when I looked at the time. I got too distracted and time was passing. That's my problem, mine and everyone else's in fact, Time. He's always in motion, always passing, never stopping and, as much as we want to have more time and go back a little, we can never. 

Or so I thought.

I took Michael out of the cradle and, after placing a kiss on his forehead, I placed him in the stroller and hurriedly grabbed the bag full of fast and ready-made food prepared by David this morning as we had arranged last night before bed. I hear my husband honking and I roll my eyes, smiling simultaneously.

"Coming" I said with a low voice in a fake angry tone, which made the baby in front of me laugh like there was no tomorrow. I was getting ready to leave, but my heart sped up and the wind gave me a shiver. A feeling of nostalgia hit me suddenly and I decided, before closing the door of the house and embark on this trip, to look around one last time, the living room, the corridor that leads to the other divisions. I was flooded with a wave of insecurity and fear, but I still made my decision. I closed the door of the house and went towards the car.

Little did I know that it would be the last time I would see my house.

When we arrived at the airport, mine and David's heart were suddently filled with joy, some teachers and the two classes I teach were already waiting for us. Some of the parents had come, too. I was the last to arrive and I admit that in front of my fellow teachers, that gave me a little shame. After we all took care of having the plane tickets, we talked a bit and made sure everyone had food and water to eat during the visit. I told them that we would visit the ruins and there would be only a few breaks so they would have to eat during my explanations at times and it was important to have a bag with food always at hand there.

When I heard the name of our plane, I quickly caught everyone's attention and asked them to line up. The teachers and parents were in the front together. I, however, stayed behind, to make sure that nobody would be missing. David joined me, along with Michael in his shoulder.

"I can't wait, love" he says, trying to kiss me.

"Not in front of the children" I provoke, laughing evilly.

"Oh, come on!" he pretends to sulk, eventually bursting into laughter as well.

We showed the tickets to the flight assistants and so began the journey.

And what a journey.