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It was almost two o'clock in the morning when they got to their cars.The night was still, a brilliant array of stars above them, making her feel like there were brighter days ahead.
"Do you want to follow us to the house, Mom?"she asked.
Her mother hesitated."No.I'm going to drive back to Florence."
"Now?It's so late," she said, not liking that idea at all.
"I need to get started on my life, Isabella, and being in Rome will bring back memories I don't need in my head right now."
"We're not in Grandfather's house.We're at Anna's house."
"It still feels too much the same.I'm sure some of my mother's furniture is there."
"Then we'll all go to a hotel.You don't want to drive now."
"The weather is beautiful.There won't be any traffic.I'll be home by dawn.And then I can sleep in my place.I'll be fine, Isabella.I can take care of myself, too."
She frowned."I don't like it."
Her mother smiled."It's not a bad decision; it's a good one.I'll text you when I get there if you'll have your phone on."
"I will.But I'm not quite ready to say goodbye to you," she admitted.
"Then just say goodnight and come visit me when the time is right."Her mother turned to Nick."Thank you for saving my daughter."
"You helped, Sylvie," he said."I couldn't have done it without you."
"I'm sure you could have.You are very resourceful.So is my daughter.Perhaps the two of you should spend some time figuring out what else you have in common."
"Mom," she said warningly.
Her mother laughed."That's all I'm going to say.Except one more thing.Can I have a hug?"
Isabella wrapped her arms around her mother once more and they clung together for a long minute.She finally let go and stepped back, watching as her mom got into her car and drove away.
"It feels weird," she told Nick."I didn't want to see her, and now I don't want her to leave."
"You'll see her again."He wrapped his arms around her."I've been wanting to do this all night."
"Me, too.But let's do it somewhere else."
"Do you want to go to the house or to a hotel?"
"The house would be easier…"
"But?"he questioned.
"A hotel sounds nice, too.Maybe a room with a king bed and a big jacuzzi tub."
"They're not so common in Rome."
"True.But as my mother said, you're very resourceful, so let's see what you've got."
ChapterTwenty-Nine
They checked into a luxury hotel in Trevi where, thanks to Nick's resourcefulness, they had a king room with a beautiful spa tub in the bathroom, big enough for two.
"This is beautiful," she said, walking to the window to look out over the city.
