Page 42 of Finding Love in the Clouds

“At least you know they’re there. I have no idea about my family history.”

“We’ll work on that. The internet can be an amazing thing, and now you have me to help you when the time comes,” she assured him, wrapping her arm around him as she settled into their seats on the boat for the return trip to Venice.

Fernando kissed the top of her head, which she lay on his chest, tucked comfortingly under his chin. This was fast becoming his favorite position. Sophie was wrapped securely in his arms, her hair running through his fingers as he stroked her head.

Contentment filled him as they glided across the lagoon under a moonlit sky. The stars shone like diamonds on the clear night. That observation sent him down the path of engagement rings, which led to wedding gown designs, plans to increase security, potential wedding venues, and tough conversations with his brothers. In no time, the boat trip was over, and he was escorting Sophie to the door of their shared suite.

Unlocking the door, he held it open for Sophie, who entered the shared sitting room rubbing her eyes after having dozed off during the trip back.

“I’m so tired I may not even change my clothes before I hit the mattress,” she commented as she walked towards her bedroom door.

“Good night, Soph, sweet dreams,” Fernando said from his place at his bedroom door.

“Good night, Andy. I hope you dream of that less-than-enjoyable kiss in Naples. Maybe we can try again tomorrow and see if your memory serves you well.”

The mischievous grin that lifted her lips before she closed the door made him chuckle. One thing was for sure: life with Sophie was not going to be boring.

Chapter Forty-One

The golden hues of dawn cast a serene glow over Venice as Sophie and Fernando boarded their tour bus, bound for the historic city of Verona. The crisp air was filled with anticipation as they settled into their seats, eager to explore the final cities on their Italian tour.

As the bus hummed through the rolling landscapes of the Veneto region, Alicia prepared the group for their first stop. “We’re about to step into the pages of history, to the very place rumored to have inspired Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet.’ Get ready to feel the romance,” she announced, clapping her hands excitedly.

Their first destination was the iconic Juliet’s Balcony. As they walked through the ancient gates, the charm of the old world enveloped them, enhancing the enchanting atmosphere.

“Welcome to Casa di Giulietta. Built in the 13th century and once home to the Cappello family, whose name intriguingly resembles ‘Capulet,’ Shakespeare’s fictional family,” Alicia announced with an air of excitement as she gestured towards the stone balcony that seemed to await the presence of its lady. “This is Juliet’s Balcony. Thoughthis is not truly Juliet’s home— the Capuletis’ house being purely Shakespeare’s creation, nor can this then be her balcony — it does, however, draw lovers from around the world, believed to inspire the same love in visitors that Juliet bore for her Romeo. It’s a testament to the story’s impact, even though it is based solely on fiction,” Alicia continued as they moved into the courtyard, where a bronze statue of Juliet stood. “It’s a tradition here to rub Juliet’s right breast for luck in love,” she pointed out, nodding to the statue’s polished surface, worn smooth by countless hopefuls.

“Why the right one?” Fernando wondered aloud.

“Why indeed?” Alicia replied with a raised eyebrow. “Superstition is an interesting thing, is it not? Many believe rubbing the feet of a crucifix also holds a special power.” Placing a hand on the bronze statue, she continued, “This is actually a replica; the original was retired to protect it from further wear when small holes were worn into the metal from repeated rubbings.”

Alicia drew their attention to the Love Wall. “Visitors leave messages of love here, hoping for a touch of the romance that Juliet represents. And though Juliet and her Romeo are creations of Shakespeare’s genius, the emotions they invoke are as real as the stone beneath our feet. Many believe that the power is not in the location but the hope it brings, for what you believe strongly enough can many times become a reality.”

Turning and making her way back to the entrance gate, she added, “Take your time, snap a few pictures, and then meet me out front to continue our tour.”

Sophie had been contemplating their first kiss situation all night and throughout the two-hour drive that morning. Deciding to make the moment extra memorable, she turned to Fernando, who was looking around the space. Getting his attention with a gentle tap on theshoulder, she cupped both of his cheeks in her hands as soon as he turned around and pulled him in for a meaningful kiss. It was brief, but the pressure she applied left no room for question; this was a kiss. A veryintentionalkiss.

As she pulled away, she added an extra lip-smacking sound for dramatics. Fernando looked as dazed as he felt; his hands, having found her hips during the kiss, were the only thing keeping him standing. Sophie giggled and leaned in, whispering playfully, “See if you can forget this kiss any time soon.” Then she turned on her heels and made her way to Alicia, who was standing on the sidewalk smiling from ear to ear, having witnessed the momentous peck.

When the rest of the group joined her, Fernando was still pink-cheeked and grinning like a fool. Alicia wrapped up, “I hope you enjoyed your visit to Juliet’s Balcony and took from it whatever pleasure you needed.” She winked at Sophie before continuing. “Here are the rest of the facts. The city of Verona purchased this property after it sat vacant for years. Since the names sounded similar, the famous restorer Antonio Avena had the great idea of creating a fictional relationship between the Cappello residence and the Capulet family. This marble balcony was installed in 1935, and the whole project was dedicated to Romeo and Juliet to attract visitors. This building now houses a collection of Renaissance-era costumes, none of which are historical artifacts. Even the bed claimed to have been Juliet’s is a prop from Zeffirelli’s famous 1968 film. Whether you live in a world of fact or fiction, this residence has something for everyone.”

The tour continued, weaving through the ancient city streets. They paused briefly at the public whipping post, a grim reminder of past public justice, before admiring modern apartments festooned with lush balcony gardens cascading down the old stone walls, blending the old with the new. Alicia pointed out ancient hinges and bolts thatprotruded from the walls, incorporated into the modern door frames. At one point, Alicia stopped the group and had them look down into a storm drain grate embedded into the cobblestone walkway.

“Beneath us, through those grates, you can see the remnants of an ancient Roman road, a testament to the layers of history that Verona stands on. Unlike the United States, where all your structures are less than three hundred years old, the old and crumbling are destroyed, and new is built in its place. Here, the old is made new. New is sometimes layered on top of the old. Sometimes, it is built around the old, but the old always remains. Every stone here tells a story, from ancient times to our mythical lovers to today.”

Their final stop in Verona was at the grand amphitheater, where preparations were being made for a concert.

“While it may not be as famous as Rome’s Colosseum,” Alicia began, her voice filling the space as it reverberated off the rocks around them, “the Arena di Verona is actually one of the largest and best-preserved ancient amphitheaters in the world.”

She paused, letting the group take in the impressive structure. “Built in the 1st century AD, the Arena predates the Colosseum by several decades. Although the Colosseum could hold about 50,000 spectators, the Arena di Verona isn’t far behind, with a capacity of around 30,000. Its elliptical shape and size make it a formidable venue.”

Alicia continued, pointing out the details. “Originally, the Arena was used for gladiatorial contests and other public spectacles, much like the Colosseum. However, what sets the Arena di Verona apart is its continuous use over the centuries. Today, it is famous for its large-scale opera performances and concerts, attracting audiences from all over the world. The annual Verona Opera Festival, held here since 1913, is one of Italy’s most prestigious cultural events. The Arena’s exterior,although not as intact as the Colosseum’s, has survived numerous earthquakes and still retains much of its original grandeur. Its pink and white limestone blocks give it a unique charm.”

“Imagine the tales these stones could tell,” Sophie mused as they walked around, absorbing the impressiveness of the structure. It was as if she could feel the echoes of ancient crowds and the rich history that filled the air around her.

Fernando sensed her emotion and wrapped her in a tight yet comforting embrace. Sophie leaned into him, his fragrance filling her nostrils, helping her to focus on the present, not the past. Tears avoided; they walked hand in hand back to the bus.

Chapter Forty-Two

---