Page 43 of Finding Love in the Clouds

Fernando claimed the window seat, alerting Sophie that he planned on having a discussion and wanted her to still be able to see the passing scenery.

Sure enough, as soon as they were settled, he started in. “Can we take a moment to revisit my statement from yesterday about our first kiss?” he asked shyly.

“Oh, you mean the one where you put your foot in your mouth and said you didn’t enjoy it. That one?” Sophie teased, her gray eyes sparkling with humor.

“Yes, that one,” he confirmed, removing his hat and scrubbing the top of his head. “I didn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it, as in I didn’t like it. I meant it was a spur-of-the-moment escape plan, and I was too busy worrying about the crowd that was about to descend on us and ruin your European adventure and less on enjoying the feeling of your lips and mine, locked in an expression of love. Love, I wasn’t fully aware of yet, by the way, so I wasn’t mentally prepared for that move either. First kisses need to be memorable and that kiss just happened. Thatwas all I meant. I intended to give you a first kiss worth telling your grandkids about.”

“Well, did your first kiss frommemeet your standards of being memorable enough? Do you reckon you’ll be willing to share that withourgrandkids someday?“ Sophie inquired with a cheeky grin.

“Absolutely! That kiss has been seared into my memory banks. If I get Alzheimer’s someday, it will be the last memory to go.” Fernando picked up her hand and kissed the inside of her wrist. “I love you, Sophie. Thank you for making today so special. I will make it up to you.”

“It was a kiss I will remember as well. But, I won’t stop you from planning another memorable one for me. It would have been better if we were standing outside the balcony of Vincenzo Peruggia or something, given you write mysteries, not romance, but I had to work with what I had.”

Fernando chuckled at her reference to the famous Italian art thief. “I appreciate the gesture and the kiss. So, now that we have had a proper kiss, any concerns with your level of attraction and whether or not we can live a life of marital bliss?”

Sophie smiled as color rose in her cheeks. “None whatsoever.”

Clapping his hands together with excitement, Fernando exclaimed, “Let the wedding planning begin! I am looking forward to a fall wedding.”

Giggles rang out from Sophie as joy overflowed her heart. “I don’t know about that, but we can definitely start working on it.”

They switched seats and cuddled as the bus wound its way through the countryside, heading towards the metropolis of Milan.

Fernando held Sophie for a long time, simply enjoying being with her and reliving the unexpected kiss that nearly knocked him off his feet. Before long, though, he started thinking ahead to their future.

“Listen, I know we aren’t supposed to be working, but as soon as we get back, I need you to check the schedule for any openings we have to meet with M.C. Before we left, Enrique and Julio agreed to do an overhaul of our systems, make sure there were no leaks anywhere. My security team will have been replaced, and all the demands will have been met for future communication with her so we can proceed. We need this all worked out by Christmas so we can have a game plan in place for next year, but I would like the initial meeting scheduled as soon as possible so we can focus on the wedding.”

“What did M.C. stand for again?” Sophie asked, watching as the landscape changed outside the large window.

“Midnight Cypher. Pretty good code name, don’t you think?”

“I think it’s a good thing you write fiction. I seriously doubt a real covert operative would use something that cheesy. Why do you think her people insisted on using a code name anyway? Do you think she is in some kind of danger, like me and Javi? Do you think your brother has one?”

“It’s something to consider. I certainly never would have thought you were connected with a cartel. Who knows, really? I can only work with the facts I’m provided. And I doubt it. I mean, Enrique is/was NSA, not CIA, and he sits behind a computer all day. It’s not like he does fieldwork. Hey, maybe that’s how our families are connected. Maybe Sarah’s a real ghost, and the author thing is part of her cover. Maybe her brother is actually her handler and not her brother at all.”

“You have such a wild imagination. Stick with the novels and leave the clandestine work to the professionals. Whatever her reasons, we can respect them and call her MC. I wonder if she will like her code name. I assume she will see it in communications if she comes on board.”

“Well, if she doesn’t, she can come up with a better one. I tried to think of something that didn’t use an S or any of the same letters as her name, but I just realized that Marie and Midnight both start with M, so maybe we need to think of something different anyway.”

Soon, the scenery changed from historic ruins to the modern hustle of Milan, and Alicia provided a brief overview of their next destination. “Milan, the fashion capital of the world, is known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and of course, shopping. Our first stop will be the iconic Milan Cathedral, followed by a visit to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and, finally, the world-famous La Scala opera house. After the guided tour, you’ll have some free time to explore and shop before we head to Stresa.”

“I can’t wait to see the cathedral. I’ve heard it’s breathtaking,” Sophie commented, sitting up and preparing for their arrival.

Fernando nodded, his excitement matching hers. “And the shopping! I have a feeling Milan is going to be unforgettable.”

“Andy, do you have some money burning a hole in your pocket?” Sophie teased.

“Something like that,” he replied cryptically, and the look he gave her told her he had something hidden up his sleeve.

Moments later, the bus came to a halt, and Alicia stood, her voice filled with enthusiasm. “Welcome to Milan, everyone! Our first stop, the magnificent Duomo di Milano!”

The group disembarked in front of the towering cathedral as Alicia continued, “It’s one of the largest churches in the world and an iconic symbol of Gothic architecture. Construction of the Duomo began in 1386 and took nearly six centuries to complete. It’s known for its stunning façade adorned with 135 spires and over 3,000 statues of saints and biblical figures. These spires reach towards the sky, symbolizing the connection between heaven and earth, and are toppedwith a statue, the most famous being the golden Madonnina, or ‘Little Madonna,’ which stands as a symbol of protection over the city. The façade is made mostly of Candoglia marble, giving it a white and pinkish hue, especially when the sunlight hits it just right. It’s difficult to realize just how enormous this structure is from the ground, but it is 108 meters tall, which is the equivalent of a thirty-five-foot building or a little taller than your Statue of Liberty, and is about as long as one and a half football fields. It can hold 40,000 worshipers and is about the size of New York’s Madison Square Gardens, and let me tell you, the acoustics are amazing. You can go up to the rooftop for a panoramic view of the city.”

The group marveled at the intricate details of the cathedral’s exterior, with its countless statues and ornate carvings that seemed to cover every surface. “The interior is just as impressive,” Alicia added, leading the way through the massive central door. “That door, by the way, is 24 meters or 79 feet tall, about six stories, and weighs thirty-seven tons. The intricate bronze carvings are of the Virgin Mary and other bible stories.”

Inside, they were awestruck by the vastness of the space, the towering columns, and the beautiful stained glass windows that cast colorful patterns on the marble floors. “The stained glass windows are among the largest in the world but also among the most historically significant. Each window tells a different biblical story, with vibrant hues and intricate details that date back to the 15th and 16th centuries. Look at the colossal columns that line the nave, each one carved with precision. The high altar, with its magnificent bronze statues, is a masterpiece in itself. The central nave is so expansive that it feels like it could stretch on forever. I always feel quite small and humble when I visit this particular church,” Alicia confessed reverently.

They didn’t have time to explore every corner, but Alicia summarized some key points. “The crypt in this duomo houses the remains of Saint Charles Borromeo, encased in a crystal coffin. He was known for his role in the Counter-Reformation and his dedication during the plague. The Duomo’s treasury is filled with precious relics, ancient manuscripts, and ecclesiastical vestments, offering a glimpse into Milan’s rich spiritual heritage. This isn’t just another church, I know we have visited many over the past few days, it is an architectural masterpiece and is very important to the Christian faith. Feel free to come back and spend more time when we finish today’s tours. For now, we must move on. I will give you all five minutes, then meet you outside where we started.

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