by Alexa Kang
She put the wooden heart back on top of her desk. Really. She was doing Ellie Swanson a favor. Brent Doyle was right for her, even if Ellie herself couldn't see it yet. If the girl must endure a little temporary disappointment, so be it. Her disappointment would pass. It wouldn't matter in the long run. What mattered was that everything would be set right. Everyone would get what they deserved.
Toward evening, Tessa sat alone on the steps in front of an abandoned church across from the hospital. It was time for dinner, but she didn't feel hungry. She only came outside to get a break from boredom and pass the time. Old grouchy Milton had decided to keep her and Gracie on site, despite having nothing for them to do. Almost everyone not under Milton's direct supervision had gone out, either to prowl the streets or to visit the local bars. Others who were too exhausted after their long journey to Rome had turned in for an early night of sleep.
She took a piece of bread out of her bag, tore off a small piece, and threw it onto the ground. A pigeon swooped down and pecked at it. More pigeons followed. She tore more pieces and tossed them at the birds.
A shadow approached her. "Welcome to Rome."
She looked up. Before her, Jesse stood with his hands casually tucked in his pockets, his handsome face basking in the early evening sun. His radiant smile almost as dazzling as the golden sunlight shining behind him.
"Jesse!" She was so glad to see him.
He sat down on the steps beside her. "Why are you sitting here by yourself?"
"Milton wouldn't let me leave. She made me and Gracie remain on the premises." Another pigeon flew down. She swung her arm forward to throw a piece of bread at it. "Are you looking for Gracie?"
"I'll find her later. Actually, I came to see you." He took a sealed envelope from his pocket and handed it to her. "Ardley wanted to give you this."
Excited, she took the envelope. She wanted to open it right away, but didn't because she wanted to read it in private. "Thank you."
"How do you want to thank me?" He sidled up to her. "Want to come dancing with me one night? We can plan a night out like we did back in Naples."
"If Milton will let me off." She laughed. She had her three-day pass, but she didn't mention it. Anthony might have plans for them already.
"She has to let you off some time. She can't keep you trapped here."
More pigeons swarmed in front of them, cooing loudly, demanding food. Tessa broke the rest of the bread into halves and gave some to Jesse. In silence, they fed pieces of bread to the pigeons. When the bread was all gone, he stretched out his legs, showing no intention of leaving.
"Don't you have anywhere to go?" Tessa asked. "The whole army is out celebrating. Don't tell me you have no plans for the evening."
"I don't," he said. He almost sounded shy. "I like sitting here with you. It's peaceful."
Across the street, Gracie ran toward them. "Jesse!"
His smile disappeared at the sight of her. Nonetheless, he stood up to greet her. She ran up to him and threw her arms around him. "You found me!"
"Hi Gracie," he said, sounding less than enthusiastic. He took her shoulders and lightly pushed her away.
"I'm so happy you're here. That old hag Milton wouldn't let me leave, so I wasn't able to come look for you."
"That's all right."
"But I'm free now. She finally let me off for the evening. I don't even know why she kept me here in the first place. The staff already set everything up, and our patients haven't even arrived yet." She took his hand. "Let's go. I've got so much to tell you. We'll go to the bar down the street. Everyone's there." She turned to Tessa. "Tessa, do you want to come too? Milton said she doesn't need us anymore."
"No," Tessa said. What she wanted was to read the message that Anthony had sent her. "You two go ahead."
"Okay! We'll see you later." Gracie pulled Jesse along. Helpless, he looked at Tessa, his eyes begging for her to rescue him. Tessa only smiled. With mischievous delight, she watched him suffer the consequence of a mess of his own making.
After they left, Tessa opened Anthony's note. Reading the short message inside, her heart swelled with sweetness.
"Meet me in front of the Trevi Fountain day after tomorrow. 1800 hr. Can't wait to see you. — A.A."
II
Part Two - The Eternal City
4
"Meet me in front of the Trevi Fountain."
Tessa folded Anthony's note into her pocket and looked at the landmark where Anthony had chosen for them to meet. The magnificence of the Baroque masterpiece took her breath away. Legend had it, a young girl had once guided a group of thirsty Roman soldiers to a source of pure water at a spring not far from the spot where the fountain now stood. Afterward, the Emperor Augustus had ordered the construction of an aqueduct that channeled the water from the spring into Rome. The fountain was built as a tribute to that legend.
At the top of the fountain, the sculpture of the Roman sea god Neptune towered mightily above the sea in his shell-shaped chariot. Below him, a scene depicted by statues unfolded, telling the story of his son Triton taming the wild seahorses. The fountain's images were glorious. The entire structure was a symbol of triumph. No doubt, Anthony meant for them to remember their reunion with a picture of victory.
Tessa took a step closer. She wished she could reach out and touch the ancient characters. So soft were the lines of the sculptures, they created an illusion of movements of the gods and mythical creatures themselves. The rocks that surrounded the sculptures were purposely layered and stacked in a way that resembled ocean waves. Combined with the rapid outflow of water in the center, she could almost imagine the scene coming to life.
The majestic wall of the Palazzo Poli that served as the fountain's backdrop was equally impressive. On the wall, a statue flanked each side of Neptune. The one to his left symbolized Abundance, and the one to his right represented Health. Above them, the story of the fountain's origin was told in scenes of sculptures. Still higher up, a row of four statues stood, each of them representing one of the four seasons. At the pinnacle, Pope Clement XII's papal crest reigned over the entire city. As Tessa looked at this crown jewel of the fountain's façade, she realized, Anzio was over. It was truly over. The Germans and the Nazis did not win. This fountain was the proof. The glory and triumph that it represented still remained.
With a sigh of relief, Tessa returned her gaze to Neptune and his son. Looking at the sculptures, her thoughts turned naturally to Anthony. His body was no less powerful than these sea gods when he swam. As she remembered him rising out of the water after a swim back at Anzio beach, an irrepressible yearning rose from within her. Any moment now, Anthony would be here.
A familiar tug at her elbow distracted her thoughts. She knew right away who it was. The one she longed for, the one whom she thought endlessly of, was right before her eyes. He swept her into his arms and kissed her. Before the mightiest god of the ancient sea, before all the forces of nature and the four seasons, and all the souls of the world under the papal coat of arms, he kissed her to declare his love.
He took her hand and led her down the marble steps to the street. For the next three days, she would not have to count the hours until Anthony must leave. She would not have to worry about what dangers tomorrow might bring. For the next three days, their time belonged only to them.
They stopped briefly at the hotel to drop off her belongings. When they got there, Tessa was glad to see that Anthony had chosen a hotel with an impersonal atmosphere instead of a small, cozy inn. Among the whirl of guests, mainly British and American officers, and a few civilian reporters and special consultants attached to military operations, she felt inconspicuous even though there were not very many women here. The desk clerk, too, went about his business, paying little attention to anyone except when his service was needed. The only one keeping a watchful eye on them was the hotel's house cat. It lay like a sphinx on top of the reception desk, observing every coming and going while snubbing its nose at every person who passed.
Tessa couldn't help noticing it. "What a grumpy looking cat."
"That's Galileo." Anthony smiled and put his arm over her shoulders. "He's old. The hotel manager said he's twelve."
As if he understood what they said, the cat blinked and proudly turned its head away.
In the hotel room, Tessa quickly changed her clothes and freshened up while Anthony waited. From the dresser, she glanced at him staring out the window. It was such a strange new feeling to be alone here with him. She felt excited, but awkward too. They hadn't seen each other since her birthday, and they had never talked about what happened that day at the underground shelter. What would the next three days be like now that they could be alone?
"Ready?" he asked and turned around.
"Yes." She picked up her handbag.
He took her to the Fagiano, a restaurant at the Piazza Colonna that served exclusively American officers and nurses. It had been so long since they had walked the streets together as a couple on a normal date. She tightened her hand around his and walked closer to him. Touched by her affection, he pulled her even closer and gave her a light kiss.
Ever thoughtful, Anthony had arranged a whole evening of activities for them. Dinner followed by a show at the Royal Opera House. A classical Mozart performance by a symphony quartet that he thought she might enjoy.
Back at Anzio, they had often talked about what they would do when the Allies captured Rome. What they wanted was so simple. So ordinary. A dinner and a show, and to spend time with each other. In the besieged hell of Anzio, this had been their dream.
Tonight, it was no longer a dream. They were doing everything they always said they wanted to do. They were together again. For a short while, they could leave all their duties and burdens behind. A night of music awaited them. The evening was going exactly how they had planned. And yet, it soon became obvious, this was not what she wanted.
And maybe, this wasn't what he wanted either. All through dinner, he wouldn't stop looking at her. His hand almost never left hers.
"Tell me more about the Montellos," she said, twirling her fork in her plate of pasta. "It must be a wonderful change to live in a house with a family after how you have been living the last few months."
"Wonderful doesn't begin to describe it." He held her hand from across the table. "I can't wait for you to meet them. You'll like them. They treat me like family."
A wave of laughter broke out from the table next to them. Apologetic, he looked at her, as though the noise was his fault.
She gave him a reassuring smile. Why were they out here? What she really wanted was to be alone with him.
After dinner, they walked hand-in-hand along the streets toward the Royal Opera House. Neither of them had said a word since they left the restaurant. All around them, merry groups of local girls and servicemen shuffled by.
Finally, he stopped and asked her, "Do you want to go back to the hotel?"
It was the same question that had been on her mind all night.
5
Back at the hotel, Anthony passed by the reception desk with Tessa without greeting the hotel receptionist or the British officer who was checking in. Manners were the last thing on his mind. He led her by the hand and hurried up the stairs into their room. Once inside, he could no longer resist the urge to take her. He pulled her into his arms and pressed his lips on hers. He wanted to smell her and feel her body against his. Ravenous, he unbuttoned her uniform and pulled her clothes off her while he removed his own uniform all at once.
Lying on top of her on the bed, he kissed her, tasting her lips and her skin. He was completely lost in the moment until he realized, this was the first time he had truly seen her naked.
Back in Chicago, he had seen her without clothes on once, when she stood naked under the moonlight before she walked into the lake and swam in the dark. That time, he didn't dare to look directly at her. All he saw were glimpses of her silhouette when she stood on the shore of the lake. Later on, she came up next to him, bickering with him without a thread of clothing on her body. Thoroughly embarrassed, he had turned his head and looked away from her.
And then, there was Anzio, where they had first made love. In the dugout underground, illuminated by nothing but his small flashlight, passion overwhelmed them and they made love with their uniforms on.
He stopped and kneeled on the bed. She was the most beautiful girlfriend he could ever have asked for, and he had never looked at her in the nude. This could not be. He wanted to see her. All of her.
Confused when he stopped, Tessa kept her hand on his arm, but didn't question him. He moved his gaze from her face to her body. Every part of her was beautiful. Her body was a picture of perfection. He looked further down and fixed his gaze where he wanted to see her most. His heart throbbed in rapid pace at the sight.
Her face flushed red at the way he looked at her. Shyly, she closed her legs and turned her body away.
No! He put his hand on her, silently pleading for her to stay as she was. He didn't mean to be lewd, but he wanted so badly to see every part of her. He couldn't bear her pulling away from him.
She faced him again, staring at him as if trying to understand something. Then, her expression changed. He could not tell what thoughts had run through her mind, but her girlish embarrassment disappeared. She looked at him with deeper emotion, then rose to kiss him, soothing him with the caresses of her lips. When she reclined again, she took his hands and guided him down her inner thighs so he could see her, completely naked and exposed.
He didn't know what changed her mind, but when she gave herself over to his desire, he felt ecstatic. He wanted to embrace her and give her all the love he felt for her. He lay on top of her again and kissed her, on her lips, her face, her chest. As he kissed her, the rose pendant he had given her fell down her neck. Seeing the pendant, he felt an overwhelming wish to claim her, to do something that would make him feel she was all his.
Maybe it was the war. It had taken so much from him. His life, his dignity, his privacy, his sense of self. Even the clothes he wore and the food he ate didn't belong to him. The army determined and dictated everything. Until the war ended, until he had his life back, nothing belonged to him.
Except her. Here, Tessa was the one thing he could claim as his own. The war and the army could take his life away, or even hers, but he was the only one who could have her.
He ran his hands over every part of her, wanting not only to feel the softness of her body, but also to affirm that he was the only one who could touch her this way. But touching her was not enough. He needed more. He kissed her below her neck, inhaling the sweet fragrance of her rose perfume as he left on her skin visible red marks of love.
He kneeled and looked at her again. This time, she yielded to him with no reservation. It excited him to see her open and exposed, to know that no part of her was off limits to him. He planted a kiss between her legs, inhaling the natural scent of her sex. He explored every inch of her body, stroking her inside and outside while he watched her shiver in pleasure. She almost turned away from him again, but this time, he wouldn't let her. He kept her in place and continued. He wanted to know what excited her. He wanted to see her respond to his touch. Her quickening breaths and moans were the most sensuous sounds he had ever heard. They set his body on fire. He could not withhold himself any longer. He needed to be one with her. Falling on top of her, he took her. Her silken warmness enveloped him, inviting him to release into her every emotion that had built up inside him since his life had been overtaken by this war.
Calmness settled into his mind as he held her under him. He felt renewed. Serene. Through her, he regained a sense of peace that he hadn't felt in a very long time. He kissed her lips one more time before he rolled off her to lay beside her. His mind finally at ease, he held her hand and relaxed into sleep. She was all his, totally and completely, in every way.
Lying on her side with Anthony's arms around her, Tessa opened her eyes. The room was quiet and it was still dark. Onl
y the small candle on the coffee table provided a glimmer of light. They had fallen asleep and never put it out. She looked at the clock on the dresser next to her side of the bed. It was three past midnight.
Thump-pum. A light, muffled sound came from the wooden floor by the window. She looked in the direction of the sound. Galileo, the hotel's house cat, had climbed through their window from outside and come into their room. It strutted around like it owned the place, sniffing at their clothes which, in the heat of passion, they had taken off and strewn on the floor.
She looked at Anthony, who was sound asleep. Careful not to wake him, she turned to lie on her stomach and reached her arm out to the pompous cat. "Come here," she whispered. It ignored her at first, but then deigned to come and sniff her fingers before walking away to investigate the rest of the hotel guests' belongings.
Tessa pulled her arm back. Watching the flame of the candle flicker in the night, she thought of everything that had happened earlier, those sweet memories that paralyzed her and left her feeling breathless.
She remembered Anthony kissing her, hungering for her. She remembered the way he had looked at her when they were naked before each other. At first, she felt embarrassed. It was not that nudity bothered her. Growing up in the theater environment, she had seen actors and actresses use their bodies to express their characters. They skillfully used body language to practice their art. Watching them, she had learned that the body was a beautiful thing. After she became a nurse, she saw the body in a different way. She began to see it as something that she tended to, nurtured, and cured. She didn't consider the body as something she had to hide.
The way that Anthony had looked at her though was something different. He wanted to see her, all of her. He wanted nothing hidden from him. She had never shown herself this way to anyone. She felt so bare. So wanton. Her natural instinct made her want to turn away, but he held on to her. A pleading look of disappointment came into his face when she tried to conceal herself. There was so much yearning in his eyes, like she was denying him the last and only thing he had ever wanted.