Bella Notte (18 page)

I refused to drink
any alcohol beverages in case something odd happened, but I ate until
I was near popping. Dominic's dad made a speech about the happiness
of having his entire family together on this lovely holiday for
giving thanks and then my Dad made a similar speech. It all made me
want to gag.
Why
are they so destined to unite these two families?

As I finished up my
hot chocolate and the room started to clear out, I thought it was a
good idea to try and head for my room – but, once again, I
couldn't remember my way through the throngs of people we had talked
to that had landed us in this room.

“
Dominic, I
hate to bother you, but could you please show me how to get back to
my room? I am terribly tired,” I said as I stifled a yawn.

“
Are you sure,
Emma? There should be some sort of entertainment going on about now.”
He looked at me with hopeful eyes.

“
I'm sorry,
but I am not used to all of this and I am sorry to say it has made me
exhausted. You don't mind do you? I mean you can come back after you
get me to my room.” I smiled at him in hopes of convincing him.

“
You never
have to convince me,
mia
bella
.
I will take you. And I will make sure you are comfortable before I
continue to entertain my family's guests.” He smiled and took
my hand.

“
Good night,
you guys,” I said to my family as I once again tried not to
yawn.

“
Night, Emma
darling.” My grandfather returned with the mixture of “nights”
from the rest of my family.

I heard them talking
about the progress they had thought Dominic and I had made as we
walked away, but I was too tired to care.

Dominic got me to my
room and even helped me get my boots off. I crawled into the bed in
my dress shirt and fell asleep. There was a gentle pressure to my
head and then the words “
mia
bella
”
drifted around my sleepy mind.

I woke up the next
day and felt like I never wanted to meet another person for the rest
of my life. I knew that Dominic and I had successfully answered or
avoided all the questions asked, and given off the impression that
things were headed in the direction that everyone wanted. He never
mentioned anything about the dream and I never asked. I wasn't sure
how to approach the topic or even if I was ready to. Today was a
different day, and I figured since he was already supposed to take me
to the mainland, so I could do some site seeing, he could answer my
questions there.

I got dressed
quickly in jeans, an over sized sweatshirt, my boots, threw my hair
into a messy bun, and I was ready to go. I went down the stairs,
found my way to the breakfast area, and grabbed myself something to
snack on as I searched for Dominic.

I walked through the
rooms, wondering if I took a bunch of pictures of these rooms, would
Mike really believe someone lived like this.
They
are so different- Mike and Dominic. How will we get passed the
problems of our parents? Why does it feel so right here? Why did I
come?
I felt a cloud of depression begin to settle around me.

I walked into a room
that was covered in wall to wall books and it looked to be modeled
after some place in
Rome
.
This is where I found Dominic.

“
So, are we
going out today or what?” I asked as I walked over to the couch
he was lounging on.

He jumped. “Oh,
Emma. You startled me. I was waiting to wake you until a bit later.
It is still a bit cold, but if you are ready now then we shall go
now.” Being in Italy had brought out his accent to a full
roundness and it licked at everything he said.

“
Yes, I am
ready. I would like to see
Castiglione
della
Pescaia
today and have lunch somewhere in town. Perhaps we could drive back
up to the other places too.” I smiled at him.

“
Unfortunately,
today we do not have a car we can take, but we have the boat and our
legs. Wherever they can carry us we can go if you desire it.”
He smiled back.

It took Dominic
about half an hour to get ready and get us down to the boat. I was
frightened, of course, as the thing looked like it would tip over at
any moment. But he assured me that it was safe. I walked to the edge
of the wooden dock and put my foot on the edge of the white sail
boat. It wasn't a very large one, something for two or three people.
The mainsail was absolutely lovely with the sun breaking through the
clouds and hitting it dead on. It was as though the heavens were
highlighting it. Dominic got in, helped me in, got back out and
untied the aft and stern cleat knots, and then pushed off from the
dock and jumped in. I thought he would surely fall, crack his head
open, and die right there- but he didn't, and landed perfectly where
he wanted. I talked as he got us situated to set sail over to the
main land.

“
The water
here is very pretty. It's like unpolished emeralds and then when the
sun hits it, it sparkles like a highly refined emerald.” I
stuck my fingers in the water-
Man
that is cold!

“
I am glad you
like it,” he said as he adjusted the mainsail with some wench.

“
Dom. I was
wondering if you would tell me how you know about the dream that Mike
and I share.” I looked up from the sea and over at him.

“
Emma, it is
hard to explain something that you are trying to understand
yourself.” He looked at me with pleading eyes.

I pouted and looked
away.

“
Okay, let me
try to make it comprehensible for you. When we moved from your town
to Italy, I began getting this strange dream … but it was like
I was watching a film. I heard my voice but I could not see my body.
There were many times when I would wake and feel as though you were
right there with me. I talked to many people about it and they
explained it as the connection that the truest loves share in our
kind. Just as I call to you in the dream, Mike has his soul mate call
to him. The problem is that you two found each other before anyone
talked to you about your own kind. The dream is connected to you and
him because he is meant to push you toward your people, but he also
wants to fight it because he does not want to lose you. You see,
Emma, you are a very important person within our kind. I guess I am
making a mess of it more so now. But I have had your shared dream
because it is I who have called to you and it is Mike that has
unknowingly pushed you toward the call.” His brow furrowed and
he checked his work once more.

“
I really want
to know about
our
kind. Why am I not allowed to know? Why the devil am I important?
You're right, I feel more confused now,” I sighed.

“
I desperately
want to tell you about your kind, but I am sworn not to. Especially
after your birthday. Apparently, I could have upset the traditions
that have taken place for thousands and thousands of years on that
very night. Bastards, should tell you.
Che
casino!
Che
bordello!

Stupid
cafones
!
They should bloody well tell you! If I hadn't sworn, then I would.
They told me that you cannot know because of the life that you live
in your town amongst the other kind and townspeople. I believe that
they are afraid that something bad will happen. I am sorry I cannot
tell you more. But, please know that you are terribly important to
all of us. There is even a prophecy about you.” His intensity
was like looking into the sun- utterly blinding.

We fell into
silence. I didn't know how to respond to that. I mean a
freaking
prophecy!
How do you respond to that? Why
the
heck would there be a prophecy about me? I'm so plain
.

I watched the water
lap at the side of the boat and wished for some thoughts that made
sense.

When we reached
Castiglione
della
Pescaia
it was midday. The sun had come out from behind its cloud covering, I
snapped pictures of the sea from the shore and the view from the
docks- in hopes of capturing the beauty.

Dominic led me
around the town, telling me interesting little factoids that helped
me feel a little more comfortable. But I couldn't focus on what I had
so wanted to see. The beautiful red tops of the houses where like a
sea of red jelly beans. We walked over to the fishery and it was
interesting to see the outside, even if we couldn't go inside.

All the little homes
were so close to the other houses that it was like I was going to get
crushed by the towering house next to me when we walked down the
narrow streets. It was quite frightening.

Dominic walked me up
this hill where I could see these beautiful landscapes, and he
explained how they are protected.
It
is wonderful to see the natural beauty protected, our land is only
safe because we own it.

After we walked
around and saw everything one could possibly see, I was starving.
There was a small place by the docks that we decided to eat at. It
was delicious. The sky was fading and it splashed with color. Dominic
and I sat outside at a small circular table and ate ravioli and
gelato as we watched the sky shift in colors as the sun got closer to
retiring for the night.

“
Thank you for
today. I know that you didn't have to come out and show me around,
and I appreciate it. I am sorry I have not been very talkative. I am
still thinking about the things that we discussed this morning.”
I shrugged at him as we got up from the table and headed for the
docked boat.

“
I know, Emma.
It is difficult.
L'ho
provato sulla mia pelle
.
I
have been there too. It takes a while for those of us who are
immersed in our own culture to be told about what is going on. I
wondered greatly before I was told, so I understand. Let us go and
enjoy our time together and perhaps you will figure things out while
you are here. Or perhaps your change will occur and they will have to
tell you.” He took my arm and led me onto the boat once more.

I let him
concentrate on our return voyage as I could tell that the darkening
sky was worrisome to him.

Once we returned to
Castello
di
DeDominico
,
we parted our ways and went to bed. I was exhausted from being out
all day and from having so much to think about passed on to me. I
knew I had worn Dominic out as well.
I
wonder what we will do tomorrow.
I asked myself as sleep engulfed me in a silent blanket.

I woke with a start
the next day. My dream,
no
our dream
,
had come later than usual as I could see the light creeping around
the edges of the shutters. It was a weird halo effect- it made me
want to go out and do something wonderful. I decided that I'd ask
Dominic to take me to the catacombs today, and then I could email
Mike about everything. I didn't really want to get dressed so I went
downstairs in my sweatpants and t-shirt. I found Dom sitting in a
room with the bottom of the Eiffel Tower constructed so that you
could look up and it appeared as though you were sitting under it.
Really
weird
.
He appeared to be slumming it too.

“
Hey, good
lookin', what's cookin'?” I asked trying not to startle him.

He smiled at me.

“
So, I thought
we'd go into the catacombs today, whatcha think?”

“
Well, that
would be great if you want to be swimming. As it is raining, the
water levels in the natural springs rise and flood them. But I got an
idea if you care to hear it.” He smiled a crooked smile at me.