It's a Love Story

"You are a good family. You would all fit in well here, in Rome," he smiled gently. "Family is everything to us."

Jon nodded, resting his head on Roman's. "Us, too." he mumbled.

"You are all welcome to stay as long as you like," he told Jon. "We can pay for you all if you would like to come during the summer," he offered.

"What are you saying, Dante," his mother asked in Italian. She understood the word 'summer'.

He repeated what he had said to her, and she nodded. "I insist they come after school ends," she told him, and he translated to Jon with a chuckle.

Jon smiled and nodded. "I'm sure Roman would love that." he said. "I would. I'd like to come when things aren't so sad."

"Dante, make sure you keep her happy. Pavo would not like her crying while she is here. Show her around, show her who your brother was," his mother told him. "Share all the happy things."

"I will, ma-ma," he nodded. "When she wakes up."

"I can't understand but you mom sounds like ours." Jon chuckled.

Dante laughed. "I think all mothers are the same," he grinned.

He nodded. "Maybe." he said softly.

Dante finished helping his mother and sat on the floor on the other side of Rome, watching whatever was on the television screen.

Pavo gently stroked Rome's cheek, sitting next to her. He knew his brother would watch over her like her own personal body guard.

In her sleep, Roman could feel Pavo stroking her cheek. She sighed, mumbling his name.

"Sleep well, my bellezza," he whispered to her. "Have sweet dreams."

Roman sighed, wishing that Pavo was back or that her dream was real.

Pavo smiled, getting an idea. He went to his room and inserted himself into his favorite stuffed animal he'd dragged around everywhere as a kid. He waited patiently, knowing Dante would bring her to his room to show her the stuffed animal and give it to her.

Later, Roman woke up and looked at Dante sitting by her feet. She smiled slightly. Maybe it really was him who was making her feel better.

A few months later, Dante was running around the house, making sure everything was clean.

"Dante, calm down," his mother laughed at him. "The house is spotless, you're going to be late picking them up."

He nodded and made sure his mother had everything she needed before he got on his horse and rode to the airport. They could either rent horses to ride back on, or go in a taxi. Dante knew they had horses, however, so he figured they might like to ride back and enjoy the scenery a bit more.

Roman had been talking to Dante over the internet and talked to him on the phone. She really liked him but she didn't want to fall in love again. She had gotten over Pavo as much as she could, as much as anyone could given the circumstances. She walked out of the airport with her brother and sister and Ren and Aiden.

Dante smiled as they exited the airport. "Roman! Jon! Rosie," he called, leading his horse to them. "Welcome back," he smiled happily, hugging each of them as if welcoming family. He hugged Ren and Aiden, too, considering them family as well. "Would you like to ride back or take taxi back to my house," he asked them.

"We've got lots of stuff...." Aiden said, standing next to Rosie. "You guys can take the hourses and I'll ride in a taxi with out stuff."

"The taxi will follow the horses. No need to miss out," Dante smiled at him, calling a taxi over for their luggage. "How was your flight," he asked them. He hadn't yet given Roman Pavo's stuffed animal. He would when they got there, though. Dante would sleep in his brother's room, the girls would share his room and the spare bedroom, and the boys would sleep with Dante in Pavo's room, if they could handle it.

Roman smiled at Dante. "It was long, but, uneventful." she shrugged, extremely happy to see him again. She had missed him.

Dante smiled, glad to see her smile again. He rented their horses and helped them up onto the animals, then led the way back to his house.

roman rode next to Dante and smiled at him. "so, how is your mom?" she asked.

"She is very well," he smiled. "I stayed home to finish my studies the past few months, to make sure she would be alright. She is elated to have company for the summer," he sounded cheerful and excited at the idea of having company as well.

She smiled. "good. Glad to hear that she's alright."

"She is making a very big dinner tonight," he chuckled. "Lots of meat and pasta. We might be eating leftovers over the next three months," he laughed.