Granny here,
How could he have let himself get into a predicament like this, of course you don't always know what your heart is going to do? This had certainly been poor judgment on his part, but he couldn't change it nor did he want to, the memories he had made with Cesca were worth the pain he would carry the rest of his life and he was sure she felt the same.
Cesca was looking forward to the next few weeks, not for the scenery but for the time she would be spending with Alex, he had made her happier than she ever thought she could be, although the thought of leaving him brought tears to her eyes and pain to her heart. He was so wonderful, so different than any man she had been involved with before. She would leave him reluctantly, but with her heart full of lovely memories of the man who gave her a few weeks of bliss at a time in her life when she needed them most. No matter what happened in her future, he would always be there, in a special place in her heart that nothing could touch and no one could take away. She would spend as much time as possible with him, making as many memories as possible, they would have to last her a lifetime. She wanted to be alone with the only man that had ever made her feel loved and she knew her heart would never give him up.
The next few weeks were filled with days of laughter, food and time together that only they shared in a world filled with war, pain and uncertainty. The time spent alone was like being in another world, another place that was theirs alone. A place that no one else could enter, the villa became their escape from a world that only made them more aware that the day of their parting was swiftly approaching. They spent time on the mountains, in the valley, at the winery, on the beaches, in the villages; it was as if the world was all theirs to do with as they pleased.
The day was gorgeous as Alex made his way to the hotel just as he did all the other days; he was humming a love song to himself as he thought of her and how much he loved her. He thought of all the time they had spent together thus far and what the days ahead would hold in store for them.
Today, Alex was taking Cesca to the ruins of the ancient temples of Roman gods on the sun kissed hills of Catanzaro, some of them were still standing and some were being excavated by those looking for clues to a time gone by. It would be a lovely day spent with each other alone on the hills surrounding an area filled with history and intrigue. In a way that was how he saw Cesca, full of intrigue, full of life that may never be lived or at least not the way she wanted to live it. He wanted to surprise her so she had no clue where she was going; she was never disappointed, just being alone with Alex was enough for her.
Their routine had become just that, a routine, Cesca could hardly wait to get to the place where Alex would stop and let her get into the front seat close to him where she could feel his presence, smell his cologne, and let him know how happy she was just to be near him. This day was no different, she jumped into the seat beside him, laughing as she did so, "This day is so lovely, Alex, where are we going?" "I have a surprise for you Cesca, just hold on tight and the day will take on a life all its own. I love you so." Said Alex as he kissed her on the lips. Without hesitation Cesca threw her arms around his neck and put more passion in her kiss than Alex was expecting, this was her playful way of teasing him knowing that he had driving to do and couldn't take advantage of her invitation. He laughed and returned the kiss as he pulled onto the highway.
As he drove along the shore leading along the winding highway, their conversation centered on their love for each other and how happy they were spending these few days together. Cesca continued to play her love games, running her fingers through Alex's dark hair, kissing him on the ears and neck, squeezing him on the leg, he enjoyed all the little touches that she gave him even though it made his male instincts kick into high gear and he desired to have her but knew that would not happen because of the respect he had for her. Although he couldn't be sure that it wouldn't happen if she chose to make that decision herself.
The day was so lovely and Cesca enjoyed her excavating adventures on the hills of Catanzaro. The food they enjoyed was grown locally in the area by the farmers and the fish was caught fresh daily by the local fishermen, which made them taste even more delicious. The wine was made from grapes grown in the beautiful vineyards there in Calabria and surrounding areas. Cesca couldn't have asked for a more exciting day and being with Alex made it extra special for her.
Each day brought something new and exciting for Cesca, Alex took her to all the sights of the country side and all the sounds of the city but the most exciting for the both of them were the hours spent at the villa in each others arms. They had one more week together and it would all be over, their arms would be empty, their hearts would be hurting and memories would be all that would be left for him and Cesca. All they could do now was make every day a day to remember. They had discussed their plans for the following week and decided to spend each day at the villa alone with each other, with their dreams, with their memories. Alone to talk, to laugh, to reminisce of the days that had spent together, the happiness they had brought each other if only for a moment in time, to melt into one another in spirit and with a love that was theirs to take with them when they parted, a love that was theirs alone that would live in their hearts forever.
Everyday when Alex picked up Cesca he thought she was more beautiful than the day before, she really wasn't of course, it was just his love for her that kept getting stronger and stronger with each passing day. The days spent at the villa became more and more important to them and it was getting more and more difficult for them to leave each other in the evening when Cesca's curfew was near. The villa had become a haven for them , a refuge where Cesca could be herself, a girl in love with a boy with no strings attached , with no expectations, sharing the love that they had for each other.
The farther away from the hotel they got the happier Cesca became, with a day of skiing planned the drive to the heights of the mountain was breathtaking, and they enjoyed their conversation all the way. Cesca used the time to tell Alex of her love for him and how she was going to show him as much as possible in the time they had left. She loved laying her head on his shoulder and caressing him in the small ways she could as he drove without causing too much distraction. The ski slopes were in good condition and the skiing was excellent, Cesca was an expert skier while Alex expertise was lacking to say the least. Cesca couldn't help but laugh at him as he made his way down the mountain stumbling in all directions. He was willing to be the fall guy if it brought her laughter ringing out, echoing through the valley and over the mountain tops. There was no happier sound to Alex's ears than that of Cesca's laughter.
The moonlight shown over them as their desire led them from one moment of ecstasy to another each one more intense than the last. As the evening came to an end Alex and Cesca could hardly face the separation they knew lay ahead of them, how they wanted to spend the night wrapped in each others arms but knew that was impossible. Cesca put her arms around Alex's neck and pulled his identification chain out of his shirt and kissed it as if to add her love to it , them she took off the beautiful ring she was wearing and placed it on the chain, it was the only part of her she had to give that he could have forever. "I want you to have this Alex as a reminder of my love. It will be a constant reminder of our time together and the love that we shared that no one can take from us, a love that we can hold within our hearts from this day forward."
It was almost time to say goodbye and their hearts were breaking, how could they say goodbye, how could they turn away from each other and walk away? Alex took Cesca in his arms and held her as long as he dared, he knew that he had to take her back and the thought left him with an ache in his heart that was so intense he could hardly bare the pain.
He lifted her up to his lips and with the softness of new fallen snow he pressed his lips on hers, he tasted the salty tears that had fallen from her eyes and across her lips, this was just too painful he thought as he carried her to the door. The end was here, an end they always new was coming but wouldn't let it destroy the love they had found for one another.
It was a gorgeous day, their last day to be together. As Alex made his way to the hotel, singing to himself as he thought of Cesca and his love for her. The thought of leaving her cast a shadow over his excitement, but he would ignore it for the remainder for their time together. He couldn't let anything jeopardize that , it had to be perfect and it would be if at all possible.
The villa would be their haven for the day, theirs alone to spend their last hours together. There they would be free from staring eyes, the stress from having to look over their shoulder they would have a freedom that allowed them to enjoy each other, to express their feelings maybe for the last time. Alex would have these memories to comfort him for his remaining months in the military, and then he would take them home to America where he would cherish them for the rest of his life. Cesca would hide them in her heart as she returned to the stuffy life of her royal family where her life was synchronized down to her every move. These few weeks would be a time in her life she would remember as hers, a time that she made her own decisions, a time when she was her own person, a time when she was just a girl, a girl in love, in love with a soldier, in love with a time, just a woman in love.
As they arrived at the villa, Alex opened the door, lifted Cesca from the car and carried her over the threshold, his lips coming down on hers with
all the tenderness that was in him. The flame of desire engulfed the two of them; their kisses became more passionate as they crumbled to the floor. The fire was roaring in the fireplace and the aroma of fresh coffee filled the room but they hadn't noticed, Alex's buddy had made preparations for them as his contribution to their last day together.
Their lovemaking lasted until the fire had dwindled down to ashes and Alex noticed it was time to add more logs, the villa, made of stone always had a chill inside so the fireplace came in handy in any season. Although fire was not needed to keep them warm it did add to the ambiance of the moment. Alex added a log and returned to his place beside Cesca on the soft, furry rug that had made the perfect place to spend their last hours together.
After making love to the point of exhaustion, Alex took Cesca by the hand and lifted her from the floor kissing her as her lips came close to his, why miss an opportunity when it presented itself, he laughed to himself. She freshened herself and took a seat on the Victorian sofa facing the beautiful stone fireplace. Alex retrieved coffee for the two of them and some cookies his buddy had made the night before. they sat facing each other for maybe the last moments they would be together, their conversation went on for hours, and there would be nothing they wouldn't know about each other by the end of the day.
Their escapade on the floor had left them famished so Alex led Cesca into the kitchen where food had already been prepared compliments again of his friend and roommate. It was spread out on the table, a feast fit for the countess and her count, there was an assortment of cheeses, breads, and fruits, a pot of soup was simmering on the stove and it filled the air with a delicious aroma and of course there was a choice of local Italian wines.
After having their fill of good things to eat, Alex poured two glasses of wine and they made their way out to the veranda where the evening view was so breathtaking that tears filled Cesca's eyes. "It is so beautiful here, Alex." "Only because you are here, Cesca," commented Alex. as he kissed her on the cheek feeling the tear that had just fallen from her eye. As he looked into her eyes, through the tears, he could see a love that he knew was for him and him alone, their time together would soon come to an end but the love they had for each other would live forever.
Alex took her by the hand and led her into the garden, as they strolled along together, Cesca poured out her heart,"Alex, our time together is coming to an end, I want you to know that I will never feel about anyone the way I feel about you. You are the beat of my heart, you are the light of my soul, I love you more than I could have imagined. I don't know how I will ever be able to go on without you but we both know a union between us is impossible. We knew that from the beginning but I was willing to make that sacrifice for the love that you gave me and hope you feel the same. I hope you never forget me, I hope I have won a place in your heart that will always by mine." Cesca pulled the chain with ring out of Alex's shirt once again, holding it in her hand she said, "Each time you look at this ring, remember it has all my love within it and it will never be given to another," and she placed it back inside his shirt, her hands moving over his chest and then to his face enclosing it in her hands, she looked into his eyes now filled with tears. As a tear made it's way down his cheek she kissed it away but tears from her own eyes were making it difficult, as they kissed there in the garden, their tears became one as if to say we two are now one.
Alex reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box, he opened it and there was the most beautiful cameo that Cesca had ever seen, he placed it around her neck and as he did he laid her back on the large stone that was their favorite place in the garden and when their lips met time was forgotten. The passion of the moment was too much for them and they became lost in each other but neither of them cared, it was the ending of their love affair and this was all they would have to remember.
The rest of the evening was spent silently on the lounge in each others arms, they felt that all had been said and now they just wanted their love to blend in these last moments together. Alex tried to give Cesca enough kisses to last the rest of her life, the thoughts of leaving him had brought her tears to a sob as the end of the day approached and they would have to go back to the hotel. She, back to her life as a royal, a life empty of the one true love she probably would ever know. He, to the life of an American soldier who fell in love with a countess, a woman thought to be above him by everyone but her, but for this day they were one, one with each other, one for each other, one for all time.
Cesca's curfew was quickly approaching; Alex would have to take her back soon and the moments were becoming more and more intense. He just wanted to hold her, hold her tight until nothing or no one could ever come between them, but he knew that was impossible and so did she. As he turned out the lights and kissed her for the last time their hearts became one, they felt a bond they knew would never be broken by distance, by loves, by time. They were one, by chance, by choice, by circumstance, but most of all by love.
Alex and Francesca knew that the love they had for one another would forever be part of them although they may never see one another again and chances were they probably never would. Yet, they had been willing to take this chance for a love they felt was the only one for them. It was a short moment of time in their lives that could never be forgotten and neither one of them intended to forget nor were they capable of forgetting such love that they had for each other. Francesca had never known such freedom, such bliss, she had always been confined t the desires and wishes of her family and what was expected of her as a member of the royal family. this time she had spent with Alex was so different from anything she had ever experienced, how could she not fall in love with him and he with her.
This month had been a dream come true for the both of them, finding each other under the most dire of circumstances which could have proved detrimental to both of them yet they gambled it all and came out with memories to last a lifetime although it would be hard to let go of each other and walk away with only memories but they knew that from the start.
The drive back to the hotel was somber, silent and foreboding. Alex, fulfilling his last assignment in the line of duty, returned the Countess to her hotel, as he opened the door for her exit and he leaned into the car a tear fell from his cheek; he knew he would never forget her, as the month they had spent together flashed before him, all the good times and the moments when they realized this day would come he knew she would be in his heart forever and the time they had spent together would be with him for the rest of his life. Their eyes met as he bent over to assist her out of the car, as he took her by the hand words were not spoken, their hearts were silently saying all they wanted to say, words of love and tenderness, words of goodbye without their lips having to move, at that moment they were so in touch with their feelings that the love they had for each other was as a mist that engulfed their very being and as their eyes said goodbye Alex knew that he would never forget the time he had spent with her and she too was telling him silently that she could never forget the love that he had so willing given her, a love that was forbidden but a love worth the chance. How could she forget the sacrifice that he had made for her, without him she would have never know love could be felt so deeply nor would she ever again?
As he held onto her hand never wanting to let go his heart was in so much pain that he could hardly breathe, how could he let her go, how could he give up the greatest love he had ever known or that he would ever want to know? She was the very soul of his life, she was the breath that he breathed, how could he go on without her?
As Francesca looked into the depths of his soul she could see the pain of separation that he was feeling at that moment, the tears began to fall from her eyes as Alex lifted her from the car, as the aroma of his cologne filled her senses she knew that it was over. She felt the same pain within her own heart but knew this was the end , duty calls and she must return to Countess Victoria Francesca Castalina. She must put on the cloak of duty and return to her life of responsibility not with anticipation but with dread and fear but knowing that the broken heart she would carry for the rest of her life was a small price to pay for the love she had gained in return. With his white gloved hand Alex wiped her tears as their eyes met for the last time silently saying I will always love you.
Alex lifted Francesca from the car and as she made her way into the hotel he watched her every step as she walked out of his life forever, leaving him with memories and a broken heart.
Cesca opened the door to her room and fell against it as it closed behind her, she was exhausted from the pain within her heart, she fell upon the bed sobbing uncontrollably at the thought of never seeing Alex again. She reached into her dress to retrieve the locket that would bring him closer to but to her dismay she had lost it during the evening, she was devastated, there was no way it would be possible to retrieve it even if she knew where she had lost it. It was gone forever just as Alex was now gone forever leaving her only memories to keep her alive. Her sobs became almost an agonizing groan as she lay on the bed until she finally fell asleep still dressed in her clothes.
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