1
* * *
Siri
* * *
In the early morning darkness, the world seems like a small place.Only the occasional sounds of cars passing tell me the world is still here.My eyes are closed, and my head lays sleepily on my Golden God's pillow of an arm as he drives us into the country to his family's Villa.I hear him humming to himself.
I think it's "Dark Side" by Kelly Clarkson, but I can't be sure.He isn't humming enough of it to identify, but it doesn't matter.He's happy, and I'm happy.Life is good.
He leans over and kisses the top of my head."Time to wake up, Sleepy Thang.We will arrive in about 20 minutes."
I turn my lips to kiss his arm.His skin is warm and soft against them.Umm.He tastes good.I put my hands over my head and stretch my legs out on the front floorboard."I'm really nervous about this, Aurei."
"Don't be."
"What kind of crazy advice is that?"
"That's good, sound advice."
"Of course, I'm nervous."
"Don't be.That's simple advice too."
"It's more complicated than that, and you know it."
"It shouldn't be."
"And yet it is."
"Don't be dramatic, Siri."
"What?"I cut my eyes at him.
"Don't make it more than it is."
"I'm not being dramatic, Mr.Moore.I'm being wise.It is more than it really is.It's not you bringing a girlfriend to meet the parents and family.It's not even you bringing a Vegas star to the Villa for a romantic interlude.It's you bringing a stripper, you know the word, to the compound and on the weekend of the family celebration at that!The press blasted you, and for that, I'm truly sorry."
He rolls his eyes."Don't pay them any attention."He opens his hand, and I automatically slip my fingers between his.He cinches us, and I feel grounded in his touch, but the nervous butterflies remain.We are heading straight to his family, and it feels like I'm the lamb being led to the slaughter.He brings my hand to his lips and nibbles the back of it.I sigh, and my heart lurches with his love.He states simply."I got this.Stop worrying."
My heart begins to race when he hits the turn signal and slows the roadster down to make the turn.I pull the visor down, and it illuminates my face.I smack my cheeks with my palms, trying to wake my skin, then fuss with my hair.Even though no one expects us, I don't want to look bad if we are caught coming in."How do I look?"
"You look stunning, Siri.Simply stunning."He teases me."You always do."
I sigh and look at him."You're such a beautiful, sweet man!"
As the first rays of light find their way over the horizon, we travel down a small country road.To the left is farming country and to the right is a solid wall that looks like an old castle wall.Its height ranges between 8' and 12' tall, and the top edges flow with the landscape.It adds to the view, like an ancient architectural design.I see the big arching entrance as Aurei slows down to enter the gate.Over two large stone columns is a sign that reads "Big AL's."
"Who is Big Al?"
"My Grandpa, of course."
"How do you get Al from Aurelius?"
"The A is for Aurelius, obviously, and the L is for Liotine and Big because he was larger than life."
"Big Al," I muse."I like it.I wish I could have met him."
