It's a Love Story

"I was going to surprise you and kiss you later. Not in front of my brother," he chuckled softly, wishing she'd smile.

Roman looked up, seeing his brother was still there. She didn't know he was. the guy must thing she was crazy for talking to nothing. She thought she was crazy for talking to Pavo's ghost or whatever this was. "I don't want my first kiss to be from a ghost..." she whispered.

Dante was looking down at his brother's grave. He thought he'd caught a glimpse of his brother, saying something to Roman, but he couldn't hear. He thought he was starting to lose his mind. Maybe she was too, talking to herself and saying something about her first kiss being to a ghost. Had he seen his brother, then?

"Get to know my brother, bellezza," he told her. "He has had heartache as well. Not as bad as yours," he stroked her cheek. "But get to know him, and you will see. He is a great man, my brother. I trust you to him. I know he will take care of you."

Roman leaned into his touch and nodded. Her eyes closed and she sighed. "Don't go into the light yet. I need you." she whispered.

"I told you - I won't go until I see you and my brother happy. Whether it's with each other or someone else," Pavo smiled softly and kissed her forehead.

She nodded and looked up at his brother again. "Can you help me up please? I haven't really gotten the one armed and one legged thing down yet."

Dante nodded and walked over to help her. "Do you need anything," he asked, more concerned with her needs before his own. It was how he was raised.

Roman shook her head. "Just someone not myself to be with."

"Then it's a good think I'm here," he half-smiled gently.

She gave him the tiniest smile and nodded. "It is." she agreed.

"Let's go get some food. I don't know about you, but I'm starving. My mother cooks to make herself feel better. She is the best cook I know. I'm sure she's already made some. Would your family like to come for lunch," he asked her.

"I'm pretty sure that my mom has already made friends with your mom and they're all already there." She chuckled.

He nodded. "That is probably the case," he chuckled as well. He helped her into his car, making sure she was comfortable and safe before he got into the driver seat and drove to his house. He made sure to drive much slower than he normally did, with a girl who had just been in a car accident, he was surprised she didn't seem afraid of riding in a car. He rolled the windows down and enjoyed the scents of the vineyards on the hills in his homeland. He was going about fourty, whereas he'd normally go somewhere around eighty on this road. There wasn't a car or person in sight, only vineyards and cottages scattered on the hillsides.

"It's so pretty here." she said softly, watching the scenery go by. "I wish I could live here."

"You are welcome to stay for as long as you like," he told her. "I'm sure my mother would not disapprove."

"Mine would. She's pretty chill, but, after what happened I don't think she'll be to happy with me riding in a car yet. She made sure everyone was buckled up at least 10 times before we left yesterday."

"That reminds me, you must be exhausted from all the travel. We'll feed you and let you rest," he nodded, cursing himself for not taking better care of her for Pavo.

"It's okay." She said softly. "Can I ask you sometime?" She asked after a moment of silence.

"Feel free to ask me anything, anytime," he told her. "I will answer you to the best of my abilities."

"Will you stay with me?" She asked. "Like, let me sleep on the couch with you next to me. I know it's weird but my brother will be with his girlfriend and my sister with her boyfriend..."

"It is not weird at all," he assured her. "I will be honored to watch over you while you rest." Obviously, Dante was a little more old-fashioned than his twin, but their views were the same.

Roman nodded. "Thank you."

He smiled and nodded. "It is not a problem," he told her gently. They arrived at his house, a farm with a large garden made of trees and flowers, as well as a line of grapes made to look like a hammock between two trees.

She smiled, seeing tha hammock. "I've always wanted one of those." she said.

"A grapevine," he asked, chuckling. "I would not suggest laying on it. You will get grape juice all over your clothes."