Chapter Twenty Five - Love in the Eternal City

"Elena, are you ready to go?" Roman knocks on the door of my bathroom.

"Yeah, just give me a minute!" I reply as I struggle to get my earrings in.

Our two-week trip is coming to an end and I'm sad to be leaving in two days but it's truly been amazing. Me and my family have spent the time showing Roman around the city I grew up in. We've also managed to do some road trips to Florence, Milan and Venice too which was so much fun.

But Roman surprised me this morning after breakfast by saying that he's planned a date night for us in the evening. So, when six o'clock rolled around Marissa and Madelyn entered my room with a stunning lilac dress. It has an open back with delicate, thin spaghetti straps resting against my skin. The dress has a slight plunging neckline but it's tasteful instead of trashy.

"Where the hell am I going in this? A ball?" I had joked only to be shut up when they dragged me to my desk so that they could work on my hair and makeup.

I demanded it to be kept simple since the dress is so elegant and they agreed. My hair is in loose curls and the only bold part of my makeup is the sharp winged eyeliner and nude lipstick I'm wearing. After finally getting my silver earrings in I put on my heels and check that I have everything in my clutch before spritzing on some perfume. Satisfied with my reflection in the mirror I open the door and my breath hitches at the sight of Roman.

He's dressed in a white shirt underneath a navy blazer with matching pants and black shoes. I blush when his eyes widen as they roam over my figure before he stands from my chair. He steps over to me and rests his hands on my hips but still unable to take his eyes off me.

"Is it too much?" I bite my lip as I squirm nervously.

"No, you look so beautiful Lena." He breathes and I feel my nerves calm as I smile up at him.

"Thank you. You look very handsome yourself."

"Ready to go?" He asks and I nod as I loop my arm through his.

We make our way towards the front door and I wave at everyone with a smile as we head out. Everyone's staring at us with happy smiles and I spot my mom becoming teary eyed which makes me frown in confusion. She waves me off when I step towards her and laughs as she tells me that they're "happy tears." I roll my eyes playfully and blow her a kiss before leaving with Roman.

"It's like she's never seen me in a dress before." I chuckle as I get into the car and the driver pulls out of the neighborhood.

"Well, you certainly look breath-taking." He brushes his lips against my knuckles in a feather light kiss which makes me smile giddily.

I peck his cheek before laughing when I accidentally get lipstick on his skin. Wiping it off we chat about returning home soon for Ariel's first birthday. We've yet to get presents for her but I know she's going to be absolutely spoiled by everyone.

Eventually we arrive at a hotel and Roman guides me up to the restaurant on the top floor. My eyes widen when I realize the entire rooftop section is booked out just for us and he chuckles at my reaction. I smile widely as I sit down and he pushes my chair in before taking a seat opposite me. We get to see amazing views of Rome from here and I sigh in content.

"Oh, there's the Vatican!" I perk up as I point it out to Roman. "And look, there's Saint Peter's Basilica."

We spot some more familiar places that we remember from our sightseeing while ordering our drinks. Both of us order pasta, although Roman orders a seafood one. I can't resist ordering a pizza too and grin at Roman when he chuckles in amusement. The waiter leaves with our orders and I take a sip of my white wine.

"So...how do you like Rome so far, Rome?" I joke as I set the glass down.

He chuckles before smiling with a faraway look in his eyes as he stares out at the rooftops of buildings. "It's beautiful. I'm glad I got to see where you grew up."

"Yeah, I never realize how much I love being here until I come back."

"Do you miss it?" He asks as our food is served.

"Sometimes I get quite homesick, not just because I miss my family but because I miss living here. But I know I'm meant to be in Houston with you, it feels more like home to me." I laugh as he can't resist taking a slice of pizza.

"Houston wasn't ever home to me until you came along. I'd always want to have any excuse to go back to Dallas and see my family." He replies as he takes a bite. "It would just be empty and quiet, very unlike the ranch where every day there's new chaos."

"I love it there, especially when Ella and Zoe's families come to visit." I grin as I recall the memories. "The kids are so adorable and it's much livelier when they're around."

"Would you ever want children?" He asks as he takes a sip of his wine.

"Yes, but I'd like to travel first. The idea of labor terrifies me so I'll certainly need some time to warm up to it." I snicker and watch him smile in amusement. "How many do you want us to have?"

"Two or three. Depends on whether you want more after our first one." He teases which makes me roll my eyes.

"We'll see!" I brush him off before changing the topic. "Would you like to travel too? Have you been to any countries besides the UK?"

"I've been to Russia, Spain, Canada and Tokyo but those were just for cases. I would love to travel so we can go wherever you want as soon as I'm free again." He suggests as he finishes his pasta.

"Oh no, we came to Italy because of my birthday and my family. Now it's your turn to pick." I point out and he nods as his eyes take on a thoughtful look.

"I've always wanted to visit Australia."

"Then Australia is where we shall go!" I grin excitedly as I put down my cutlery. "Ugh think of the flight time though."

"No backing out now!" His eyes twinkle as he laughs loudly.

"Of course not, but I don't want to hear a word out of you when I look like a zombie at some point across the world!" I laugh along before gazing at the setting sun in the distance. "It's so pretty this evening isn't it?"

"Come here, let's catch the last bit of it." He stands and holds his hand out for me to take.

I grab it and we walk over to the balcony which provides us with the perfect view. The sky has turned various shades of orange and yellow which makes it look heavenly. I remember when I used to find the highest point in the city with my friends and sometimes brothers to enjoy the setting sun until it went down.

He sighs in content as he gazes at me. "I can't believe I'm here...with you. I never thought we'd end up together when I first met you."

"But eventually you couldn't resist me." I wink at him before turning and wrapping my arms around his waist. "I never thought you'd ever be interested in someone like me. A wild woman with no filter and a sucker for trouble."

"Yet all those things made me fall more in love with you." He grins boyishly as he caresses my cheek. "All those things make me want to spend the rest of my life with you."

I smile before my eyes widen when his words fully register. He chuckles before taking my hand again and going down on one knee. My jaw drops and I stare at him in stunned silence because I didn't expect this at all. I will my poor heart to stop racing a mile a minute as he opens a square box with the most stunning diamond ring inside.

"Elena Moretti, although my heart was stubborn you managed to worm your way into it and stay. You fill it with adventure, laughter and sweetness. I want that for the rest of my life. I want you to be the one I wake up to and the one I hold every night. Will you marry me?" He asks nervously as I swipe away a traitorous tear.

"Yes!" I whisper with a shaky smile as I step closer to him. "Of course, I will!"

He laughs breathlessly and stands up to pull me into his arms. I smile into the kiss as his lips come crashing down on mine. It's filled with passion and love which makes my heart flutter. He pulls away reluctantly to slide the ring onto my finger and I gaze at it adoringly.

"It's perfect, I love it." I breathe in awe before pecking him again. "I love you."

"I love you too Lena." He smiles widely before hugging me again.

"I had no idea!" I laugh as I swipe away more emotional tears. "Wait...is that why my family were looking at me so weirdly when we left?"

"Yes, I had to ask them first so they knew." He chuckles before resting his hands on my hips. "I can't wait to make you officially mine."

"No backing out now!" I tease as I wave my hand around that holds my ring. "You're stuck with me."

"I wouldn't have it any other way my love." He captures my lips just as the setting sun disappears.

"Dessert?" A waiter asks just as we've pulled away.

"Always." Roman jokes before nodding at him.

I roll my eyes and swat his arm playfully as we're handed the menus. We order the tiramisu to share and I close my eyes in bliss when I take the first bite. God, my sweet tooth is insatiable, I think to myself.

"Remember when Dan referred to me as your tiramisu?" I chuckle and watch him shake his head.

"Thank god that's over."

"He believed in us from the start and knew we'd end up together!" I joke and he cracks an amused smile at that.

"Well, I'm glad I caught on." He takes my hand and brushes his lips against my knuckles in a feather-light kiss.

My gaze returns to the sparkly ring again and I can't help but smile. We chat for some time before finally deciding to head home. The driver takes us back and I cuddle up to Roman during the ride. I start thinking about the future and how handsome Roman will look in a suit on our wedding day which makes my heart race a little faster in excitement.

He helps me out of the car when we arrive back at the house and we thank the driver before he leaves. The doors open just as we reach them and I laugh at the cheers and hollers that erupt when Roman holds up my hand to show the ring as a sign that I said yes. We're both hugged tightly and congratulated before my mom and the girls look at my ring more closely.

"It's beautiful passerotta." [Little sparrow] My mom murmurs as she looks at me teary eyed. "I can't believe you're going to get married."

"I know mamma." I smile as I peck her cheek. "Never thought the day would come huh?"

Everyone laughs at that while she swats my arm playfully before hugging me again. I sigh in content before me and Roman decide to retire to our room since it's quite late. I walk inside and towards my bed while hearing him shut the door behind me.

We quickly facetime his family and give them the news, each of them congratulating us excitedly with Michelle and Evan being over the moon. A loud breath escapes me as I take a seat and he kneels before me.

"Is this what you meant by the trip being unforgettable?" I suddenly realize with wide eyes.

"Yes, but I've been carrying the ring around two weeks after you were released from the hospital." He admits with a shy smile. "It just didn't feel like the right time until I thought of proposing here."

"Well, I'll certainly remember this forever." I smile dreamily as I cup his face and pull him towards me for a kiss. "You're so thoughtful. I love you Rome and I can't wait to marry you."

"And I love you my little troublemaker."

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- R.W. ♡