It's So Much More Than That (A Selection Story)

Chapter 15

 Chapter 15:           

We’ve been on our honeymoon for two weeks now. It’s been the best two weeks of my life and I couldn’t be happier. Every day and night is like a dream; I can’t believe I get to spend all of it with the person I love the most. There’s no one to interrupt us, and Maxon hasn’t even picked up his phone for days. Things must be stable in Illea for the moment.

We’ve spent the last couple weeks exploring the numerous beaches around Italy as well as tasting all of the food (my favorite part). Last week we also briefly met with the Italian King and Queen to finalize the treaty. I got to spend a short time with Nicoletta as well, which was as she said, was good because I needed to get back to my Husband. Her cousins also took us sightseeing in the countryside one day. We saw more beautiful towns, vineyards, and quaint houses and farms. Everything was so different from Illea, I almost forgot about what it was like back home.

Today, we were going to go on a little excursion to one of the local towns again.

“Let’s go down to the market a couple blocks down.” Maxon suggests. We’re both wearing sunglasses so we are less recognizable. Italy is so warm and sunny as well. I’m wearing a light sundress with my hair braided up into a loose so I’d look less like myself, more or less. I don’t know how much these people hear about us here in Italy…

“Okay. Let’s go.” I say, looping my arm into my husband’s. I know that there are probably guards around somewhere. Or maybe they didn’t notice us leaving this morning…We both walk down to the market area which consists of many vendors outside on the streets selling trinkets and food. “Mmmm...smells good.” I say. Maxon laughs.

“You seem to love food almost as much as you love me.” He mocks.

I agree. “You’re right. I love food, but I love you more.” We stroll up to a vendor that is displaying all sorts of jewelry made out of different colored stones and beads.

 “That would look so pretty on May.” I say, pointing to a necklace with a lovely light rose stone on the end.

“It would.” Maxon agreed. “Let’s get it for her.” We spent the rest of the hour casually milling around. I also purchased some lovely wooden bowls for my mother’s kitchen and got Kenna and Gerad some other goodies as well. All was going well until Maxon’s phone rang.

“Hello?” He said, as he pulled it out of his pocket. I had almost forgotten what it sounded like. There hadn’t really been any contact from Illea for the last couple weeks. I knew that Stavros had everything under control and that he would only call if something major was happening.

Maxon listened to what was happening on the other end of the line. I saw his face drop, and I knew this couldn’t be good news.

 “Yes. America and I are still in Italy.” He reassured whoever was there. His brow was creased in worry and he pulled me over, out of the street and into an alleyway. “Stavros, are you sure that this is right? They haven’t been active in weeks, and now they decide to attack?” I shutter, knowing that this is about the Southern Rebels. Out of all of our problems, this one hit home on a more personal level. These people had been the reason why so many others had died… Even the war in New Asia was settling down right now. We had been pulling out some troops, but leaving a smaller number on bases just for safety.

Maxon pales. “Okay. We’ll be there as soon as we can. Make sure Aspen double-checks all of the entrances and exits. He probably already knows that. We need to get home and reassure the people. We need to let them know what’s happening. If you could have someone draft a statement, that would be great.” Maxon listened to Stavros speak for a couple more minutes, and then ended the call. Maxon runs his hands through his hair, and I hate to see this stress coming back to him.