I opened my eyes, and of course, the first thing I feel is the awful feeling in my stomach. I rushed out of the bed and into the bathroom.
I groaned. 'Why? Come on! There is something wrong with me! No one throws up for weeks! Maybe it was some weird Italian food, but I doubt it. I'll have to go check out to see what's causing all of this.'
I headed back to the room and noticed that Alexander was still sleeping soundly. I smiled as I looked at him, so peaceful. We did sleep in the same bed, but I was glad that I fell asleep before I noticed it.
I remembered the plan for today: tour Rome. I quickly went to get dressed for the busy day. I decided a simple white top and a tight camouflage green skirt would look well, and be comfortable for the long day. I put on some brown lace-up heels and some leopard print studs in my ears. I took a dusty orange hat and a leopard print purse for later.
There was a knock on the door and I quickly went to open it. A tall Italian man stood at the door with a tray of food.
"Room service, madam. This is your breakfast."
I frowned. "No, sir, we didn't order anything."
"Yes, this was ordered for you, a gift from one of our guests." He walked into the room and placed the tray on a glass table. With a bow, he left the room.
There was a little vase with a single rose in it. Under the vase was a note, and I gently picked it up.
What a coincidence to be in Italy with you, Maria Vasilievna!
I gasped and dropped the note. No way. The threatener was in Italy right now! In the same hotel! I quickly rung up the room service and asked them to take the tray down, we were not hungry. I had lost all appetite and was feeling sick to my stomach again.
At that moment, Alexander woke up. I swallowed, trying to keep my stomach intact. He didn't know that I still had a little bit of sickness, and I wanted it to be kept that way.
Thankfully, my stomach listened to me.
"Maria, good morning."
I smiled at him, trying to seem as normal as possible.
"You're already dressed, that is good. Let me quickly get ready and then we shall head out. We have a train to catch to get to Rome."
I nodded, and Alexander hopped into the shower. I went out onto the balcony and stared out as he got ready. I closed my eyes and mumbled a quick prayer. I was so absorbed in the sweet sunlight and my prayer I didn't notice somebody behind me until I felt a hand at the small of my back.
I gasped and whirled around, but it was just Alexander.
"Alexander!"
"Maria... why are you so on-edge recently?"
"You just keep startling me, Alexander."
He laughed and took my hand, gently rubbing circles with his thumb. "Are you ready to start the day?"
I smiled at him and nodded.
He took my hand, and we walked out after I grabbed my hat and purse. We walked through the streets of Florence hand in hand, as the gentle warm air beat against us.
We hopped onto a train that was headed to Rome. Alexander and I were sitting awfully close. Half-way through the ride, he even placed an arm around my shoulders.
This was so strange. We were riding a normal train, with normal people. He has an arm around my shoulder, and we were acting like a normal couple whose world was... normal.
Soon, the train stopped, and we exited. I gasped as soon as I saw the sight before me. I couldn't even put it into words, how breathtaking it was. I had always wanted to actually go to Europe and see it all for my own eyes. It was indeed, just like stepping into those beautiful pictures and paintings!
Alexander tugged me along, and for a little while, all we did was simply walk in silence. Then, he turned me around, so I faced him.
His deep, brown eyes looked into my eyes, staring longingly and passionately. His hands were gently resting on my face, cupping it so I would look into his eyes, and focus on just him.
"I'm glad you're here with me, Maria," he mumbled softly.
He rested his forehead against mine and then mumbled against my skin again, "I am really glad you're here."
I smiled at him. "Me too, Alexander. This is a wonderful experience."
He gave me a kiss on the cheek, but some of his lips touched mine. The touch sent a warm, butterfly feeling into my stomach and it carried all through my veins.
"Let's go." He took my hand and we continued to walk.
He walked up to an Italian man who was selling ice cream cones.
"Maria, what flavor would you like?" He asked me.
I laughed and then shaking my head replied, "Vanilla."
This was the weirdest day of my life. Buying ice cream may seem normal to any person, but it was the strangest thing in my life. This entire experience, in all, was just so spontaneous and I was not used to such things.
With an ice cream cone in my hand and my husband's hand intertwined with mine, we walked through the beautiful, multi-colored streets. We laughed and talked about random things.
Alexander would randomly touch me; he would place a hand at the small of my back, or wrap his arm around my shoulders, or give me kisses on the cheek.
"Alexander, do you want children?"
I expected him to choke on his ice cream, but he remained a very cool and controlled composure. He simply raised an eyebrow, clearly waiting for an explanation.
"Your mother and I briefly discussed it yesterday."
He smiled, with understanding. "Of course I do, Maria. I happen to like children."
Now it was my turn to raise an eyebrow. "Really? I would have never expected that."
"What about you, Maria?"
"Of course. It is every woman's dream to have a family of her own."
We walked in silence for a while longer. Soon, it was getting dark already, but we did not head back, we kept walking. I assumed that he had one more sight that he wanted to visit, as did I. It was always my dream to see the Colosseum.
"Maria, are you content with your life, or do you sometimes wish for more?"
I turned to Alexander with a frown. He stood silently and with dead seriousness. He did not seem cold, rather concerned and... nervous?
"Alexander, of course, I am content! I wish for nothing more, I have everything my heart desires, and even more."
He closed his eyes and quietly whispered into the night air, "I do apologize that I cannot give you the life you deserve."
I reached out and touched his face very gently. I felt his body shiver at my touch.
"Alexander, you do not need to apologize. You have given me everything that I could ever want, and I am happy to be your wife."
He touched my hand and pressed it tighter to his face. He looked right into my eyes with such a kind look, it nearly melted me.
"I am happy to hear you say that. I am also very glad that you are my wife." With a brief pause, he said, "Come."
He took my hand and we walked along the stone streets.
I looked at him and that fire I longed to feel lit up. I loved him so much. I wanted to kiss him and shout at him that I loved him, but I tried to contain my feelings and emotions. He knew how I felt, and I knew exactly how he felt too.
He opened up to me, just a little, but it was more than enough, and I understood exactly what he had been trying to express. He did love me, he did, he did!
A large grin escaped onto my face, and I couldn't suppress it no matter how hard I tried.
We finally approached a set of stairs and climbed up. When we reached the roof of the building, I gasped and covered my mouth with my hand.
In the middle of the roof was a little table with a lace white tablecloth. Two glasses of wine and berries stood, accompanied by a platter of chocolate covered strawberries and a glass vase with red roses, and candles.
But the prettiest sight by far was the Colosseum in the background. I stared at it, my dreams finally coming true! This was even better than how I ever imagined this night to be!
I couldn't hold in my feelings anymore and wrapped my arms tightly around my husband's neck.
I whispered against his neck, "Alexander! This absolutely... just amazing. Oh, thank you, thank you!"
He wrapped his arms around my waist and held me tightly.
"You're welcome, Maria. I am very happy to be here with you."
I let go of him, but he kept his arms around me. With one hand, he brushed a strand of my golden hair behind my ear and then rested his hand on my cheek. He very gently bent down and placed a soft kiss on my lips, and I kissed him, placing my hands against his chest.
We stayed like that for a minute; there was no lust or hunger in the kiss, just a touch of romance and love.
We pulled apart and sat at the table, our hands intertwined. We dined and drank wine, laughing and engaging in deep conversations. It was so perfect, so beyond perfect, I almost ruined it by admitting the threats that had been coming in, but I was able to bite my tongue before letting out the horrible truth.
I couldn't ruin the night with this. And besides, I couldn't tell him. Who knew what the threatener would do. He was right in our hotel; maybe he was even here with us, not far away.
I didn't even notice us end the night and arrive at our hotel room, but suddenly, I was in my pajamas, and Alexander stood before me in his simple white t-shirt and plaid pants.
I took a bold step towards him and mumbled quietly, "I loved it tonight. Every single detail was just..."
I trailed off. There were no words to describe all of my feelings and emotions. There were too many of them to describe exactly how I was feeling.
But he knew, he understood. He leaned down and placed a kiss on my lips once more, and I responded immediately, wrapping my arms around him.
It was just one kiss, but it was another romance and love filled kiss that allowed me to express all of my emotions, and him to express all of his.
We climbed into bed, and there was no awkwardness this time. I felt his hand on my waist and breathed a sigh of relief.
I closed my eyes, and whispered softly to myself, "I love you, Alexander."