Hi fam, i hope you are all alright. This week's episode was soothing to write. Hope it's the same for you.
Happy reading  XO Ama.

Home was the brilliant blue skies. Home was the miles and miles of vineyards. Above all home was where the heart lives. Home is family.

Cassy had not told anybody of her return to Italy yet. Not to her parents, or her sister. Mainly because she didnt want to cause commotion. She knew that if they did know she was coming, her nonnina would cook up a feast, her dad would open the winery, her mom would call all their relatives and Sofia would hold a welcome home party for sure.

She knew this because Sofia had been asking when she would return, talking excitedly about how she would throw the biggest welcome home party in all of Tuscany for her.

Cassy herself wasn't a party person, in fact she was quite the opposite. She did enjoy cooking for parties with Nonnina and her mom but when the crowds came she would, talk to them to be polite and slip away into a quieter place. It was usually to her room or sometimes to a quiet Café.

But that had been many, many years ago. She was much older than that shy teenager. She knew she would have to stick around at home to entertain guests, serve food and drinks and see if things were in order.

But she still preferred the quiet, especially because of her recent heartbreak which she prefered not to talk about but would have to be reminded of it, if her relatives who cared so much of her marriage would not rest until they've convinved themselves that they were able to convince Cassy.

This is exactly what she had told Lucia when she asked Cassy, if she had told Sofia that she was coming home.

Interrupting Cassy's long train of thoughts, the flight attendant's voice came through the plane's intercom. They were ready to land she said. Cassy looked around the plan, noticing that half the people were still fast asleep some others were stretching stiff limbs, others were already freshening up getting ready for landing.

Stepping out from the airplane, Cassy felt the homeliness bathe her with the sweet essence of home. It felt awesome to be here after a long time. She had been so busy with work that she couldn't come home since she left. But now standing there in the busy floors of Florence Airport, she finally felt the missing pieces fit in.

She stood there, standing in the middle while people rushed around the floor attending to their many businesses. Cassy felt relaxed, as if she had just released something that she had been clinging onto tightly. Looking around the airport, she searched for glimpses of familiar faces. There were hardly anything that looked familiar. Everything seemed so foreign and unfamiliar that the years she spent away from home suddenly felt like an eternity.

Luca came to stand beside her, lost in the beautiful familiarity that had unfolded in front of them. Somehow even the air felt different. Homely.

In the sea of locals who came for the passengers who just arrived, Cassy suddenly spotted a face that seemed oddly familiar. Despite being sure of not having met him, he was strangely recognisable.

He was a man in his 50s, standing confidently in a crisp white polo shirt, it's smooth fabric snug against his round, protruding belly. It was paired with beige shorts that ended slightly below his knee and was complemented by brown loafers giving him a the casual yet gentlemanly look. His round, friendly face wearing a cheerful smile.

Beside him, stood a woman dressed elegantly in an ivory-coloured silk blouse, paired with pale brown capri pants and nude flats. A pastel blue scarf draped gracefully around her neck completed her sophisticated look as she stood patiently beside her husband.

Within a few minutes, both their faces split into dashing smiles as a younger man walked towards them. It was fairly easy to say that the younger man was their son as he had the built of his father but the younger man was taller by a couple inches and a sharper appearanced that echoed his mother's features in a more masculine way.

As Cassy watched the family of three embrace and share their excitement with one another, she felt a tug on her arm.

"Come Cassy we need to leave" she turned to see Luca who was already walking ahead.

They chose to take a cab home. They were driven through the breathtakingly beautiful views of Tuscan hills where miles of lush green hills unfolded as if from a painting. Neatly arranged rows of vineyards that extended for beyond what the eye could see, glistening with plush fruit in the afternoon sun.

Cassy settled in the backseat of the cab, sighing happily as the familiar sights of her hometown stretched outside her car window. The scent of ripening fruits and earthiness filled the air tugging her childhood memories.

Beside her, Luca who was quietly drumming his fingertips on the bag resting on his lap, was gazing out the window, with a serene smile on his lips, lost in thought. Perhaps he too was reminiscing of the thousand memories of their childhood.

The tall shadows of the Cypress trees bathed in the golden afternoon sun stood like soldiers on either sides of the road making Cassy feel like Royalty who was welcomed by the military.

They passed charming Tuscan villages with the rustic centuries-old stone cottages adorned with colorful shutters and the terracotta roofs nestled snug amid olive groves and cypress trees. Farmers working in their fields. It was as if they were uneffected by the fast paced world. It felt good to see that some things never change.

After what felt like eternity, the cab turned into a narrow gravel lane. Approaching the tall iron gates of Cassy's family vineyard, a sense of peace settled over them. The familiar scent of aged wood and crushed grapes filled the air spreading warmth and tranquility through their bodies.

Passing through the gate, further down the gravel road, the view of a grand two story villa greeted them. The Villa appeared just as she remembered, with a fresh coat of paint her Papa had applied recently. The white rose vines have now made their way onto the tiled roof and climbing steadily across. The aroma of hundred white roses tickled her nose evoking a nostalgic smile of fondness.

Cassy asked the cab driver to park the car so that they could walk to the villa. Stepping out from the car, they started to walk towards the villa's great big doors, their footsteps crunching the gravel path. Sofia was busy arranging flowers near the entrance with her back turned. The gentle rustle of petals filled the air as she was concentrated on the task.

Suddenly breaking the serene atmosphere, the cab driver honked. Sofia startled by the unexpected sound looked up. Her hands froze midair, flowers forgotten. Her eyes widened, and she let out a gasp as recognition came over her.

"Cassy?" Sofia whispered in disbelief. She couldn't believe her eyes when she saw her baby sister who lives in California is suddenly walking towards her. It has been so long since she saw Cassy. She looked very much like their mother now. She was tall and slender like her but unlike their mother, Cassy had natural black hair, which they had both inherited from their father. 

Walking beside Cassy, was a familiar face. He was a young man around Cassy's age, who seemed to have accompanied her. His features reminded her of a boy who used to play with Cassy back when they were little. Memories of their childhood flashed through her mind as she watched them- the games, the picnics and parties. It dawned on Sofia- it was Luca, Cassy's childhood friend after all. A pleasant smile grew on her face as she marvelled at how he had turned out to be a fine gentleman since their carefree youth.

"Cassy!"Sofia's voice exclaimed louder. She ran down towards her sister unable to contain her excitement for another moment. She rushed down the pathway to her sister. As if on cue Cassy opened her arms wide as Sofia ran into a tight embrace. Her eyes filled with overwhelming tears of joy.

Behind Sofia, the rest of the family gathered outside at the sudden commotion. Papa appeared first, his face a mixture of surprise and elation. Mama who followed closely, rushed towards the sisters, joining in the embrace sobbing softly. Noninna appeared last wiping her hands on her apron.

"Cara Mia, you're home!" her voice trembled with emotion as she joined the embrace. The courtyard was filled with sounds of joyful hugs, tears and laughter at the unexpected family reunion. Luca stood back, smiling warmly at the heartwarming scene that is unfolding in front of him.

"Entra dentro, come inside" They were both ushered inside the villa. All at once the famu started to speak.

"Oh, devi essere stanca" nonnina said looking at Cassy's face as soon as they were indoors.

"Quando siete partiti?"  At the same time, Sofia wanted to know from both of them.

"Come ti sei trovato?" Mama asked Luca.

Cassy held up her hands to draw attention to herself. Taking the cue, papa intervened,

""Lasciali riposare. Sono qui ora. Parleremo con loro una volta che avranno riposato bene."

(Let them rest. They are here now. We'll talk to them once they've rested well.)

Obeying papa, Nonnina exclaimed smiling happily, her eyes glittering with giddy.

"Sì sì, Let them rest. Ma preparerò un festino!"

Cassy chuckled silently, there was no escape from Nonnina's feast. Frankly Cassy didnt want to take it away from her either as she knew it brought so much joy to Nonnina.

As they settled into the warm of the famiy  Nonnina whose eyes had a mischievous twinkle in them, surprised them.

"Oh, before I forget, I have a friend I think you'll like to meet," she hinted with a secretive smile.

Cassy exchanged puzzled glances with Luca, intrigued by the mystery that awaited.

Hi again its me, how do you like the story so far? What do you think of the new characters?

Who do you think is nonnina inviting?

Please vote and comment. It means the world to me. ♥️♥️♥️

Also, we are on our way to a 100 votes on the story. Hope we reach there soon.

I'll see you soon then.
XO Ama