The next few of weeks went smoothly as we found a peaceful pattern to life. Each night I slept held tightly to Luca, safe in his warmth and strong arms.  By morning, he was gone and his side of the bed was cold but still held his lingering scent.

Luca would be gone all day handling "the business" while I would spend all day with the fiery Carina, laughing, playing dress up, painting or whatever she wanted to do.  We would cook dinner, she would have her bath then off to bed Carina would go with Martina.  It would leave me some time to continue my degree classes online before going to bed. If I passed these classes, I'd finish by June.  Luca would slip in late at night and pull me to him.

Another adventure Carina and I did was plant a small garden of vegetables along the ocean facing side of the house.  It didn't take long before we had baby cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, strawberries and various herbs.

Dom kindly obliged and purchased large planters, tools, soil and seeds of several flowers, too.  Carina and I planted them the same day.  By the end of the month, we had sprouts that quickly matured into small plants.  That's when we transplanted them to a corner of our fast expanding garden.   Once we had a few blooms, Carina picked them immediately and I showed her how to dry them. The once empty stainless steel refrigerator was now decorated with Carina's floral art projects.

I also had Dom bring in some floral shrubs for the front of the house to add some color.  We enjoyed picking the fresh blooms and arranging the bundles in small vases.  Carina was in charge of choosing where to put them around the house.

Shells and sand dollars were always washing up on the shore of the private beach. We would fill at least one bucket of the treasures each time we did our morning walk along the shoreline.  Picture frames were covered in the smaller shells, while some of the larger sand dollars I was able to frame and used as wall decor throughout the house.  Carina insisted that some had to be painted pink.  I simply couldn't deny her sweet, smiling face.  Instead, I suggested adding glitter.

I was overjoyed when I discovered Aza was Luca's cook! One afternoon while Carina was napping, she filled me in about the other girls from the club. 

"Total there were 50 girls," Ava explained.  "We lost seven that night."

Eyes pressing closed, I exhaled through my nose.  "Who made it?"

Pausing her chopping, Aza gave a sympathetic smile.  She must have known I was asking specifically about a few who I had been able to call unlikely friends.

"Lucia was shot because she went after Brayden.  Makenzie was one Dom got out. She was relocated.  Lily was found later, shot..."

I couldn't take anymore.  Waving Aza off, I pivoted and quickly exited the room.  Out on the back porch, the fresh ocean breeze dried the tears that stubbornly continued to stream down my cheeks.  Sitting on the porch swing, legs tucked beside me, I spent some alone time on the back porch mourning for the unlikely friends I had made down there, mourning not ever being able to see them again.

Aza had quite a talent for cooking.  She was more than willing to let me help or teach her recipes and Carina was our special helper sitting on the counter just like I had done with my mom.

All in all, we easily fell into a peaceful pattern.

One particular night, I couldn't sleep.  It was late. The table clock said it was after midnight. Some nights my mind would not turn off, keeping me from sleeping.  Positive the rest of the house was asleep, except for the perimeter patrol Luca had around the clock, I padded down to the kitchen in my pajama pants and tank top to maybe cook something.

I roamed through the cupboards and pantry which thankfully Luca had very well stocked.  There was a pasta dish my mom always made that never failed to cheer me up.  With a smile at the fond memories, I set out to make it.

Rhapsody in Blue currently played in the background of the kitchen thanks to Nicole.  Yep, she was a part of this house, too.  I hummed along, lost in thoughts so deep, I didn't hear Luca's footsteps. 

"You know," His silky baritone voice greeted as his hands circled around my waist. "I have a chef to cook for you."

"Mhmm," I hummed as I continued slicing tomatoes. "You know...you need to start doing more things for yourself."

Luca scoffed then brushed my hair away from my neck and placed soft kisses down the center.  "I remember having to do something for myself..." He brushed his lips down the curve of my neck.  "In the shower this morning..." then peppered more along my bare shoulder. "because of our interruption..."

I had to attempt to cover my laugh with a cough as I recalled the moment this morning.

****
Earlier that morning

I stirred in bed and rolled onto my back, fidgeting because of a pressure in my belly.  A warm sensation slid up my stomach and gently massaged my breast. This finally got me awake and my eyes flew open.

"Luca..." I groaned sleepily.  Now it registered slowly that he was the cause of disturbing my sleep.

"Good morning, Gattina," He hummed over my stomach.

"Ohh, What...are you doing?" I moaned, gripping at the pillow under my head.

I could hear the smugness in his smirk as he answered, "Giving you a good start to your day."

Open mouthed kisses made their way closer to my center.  My back arched and breathing sped in anticipation.

"Sei così bagnata per me, Gattina," He growled, sending vibrations to my core.

(You're so wet for me, Kitten)

"Ahhh!  It doesn't...take much...from you!" I moaned, gladly parting my legs more for him.

"Voglio assaggiarti," He begged, gently rubbing a thumb on my nub.

(I want to taste you)

"Ohhh..." I moaned softly, biting my lower lip.

"Perché vuoi mangiare Madison, papà?" An innocent voice asked from the doorway.

(Why do you want to eat Madison, daddy?)

"Merda!" Luca cursed, scurrying up the bed and flopped onto his stomach. I was trying so hard not to laugh.

(Sh!t!)

"Yeah Papà, why?" I asked, losing my battle against the giggles.  Especially after the glare I received from Luca.

"I wasn't, Principessa...there was a...Um..." Luca stammered, his neck and cheeks reddening deeply as he struggled for an explanation.

"There was a spider!" I offered.  "Yeah, a spider...a big spider and your Daddy killed it." Luca nodded in silent agreement.

"Oh good," Carina sighed.  "I need Madison."

"What for, Dolcezza?" I asked, starting to throw the covers back but Luca's hand on my thigh stopped me.

(Sweetheart)

"I can't pick which shoes to wear for our tea party today," She pouted.

"Can't that wait a few minutes?" Luca groaned then buried his face in the pillow.

"Oh no, of course not!" I pouted sympathetically to Carina who grinned. "No outfit is complete until you have the perfect pair of shoes!"

Luca's drop jawed look of shock had distracted him long enough for me to slip out of his grip on my thigh.  I was out of the bed and out of his reach at record speed.  Carina squealed in delight then took my hand.  Luca glared, the promise of revenge in those eyes excited me.

"What am I supposed to do now?" Luca half whined from the bed.

I stopped in the doorway to look back at him, an evil smirk tugging at my lips.  "You'd better hurry up and shower, miele, or you will be late for work."

(honey)

****
"OK Fine," I laughed, feeling his glare at my back.  "My cooking is much better."

"Now that," Another kiss lower on my neck, "I'll agree with." Luca kissed from one shoulder across to the other. "Do I...get any?"

"That depends," I smirked.  "Would you drain the pasta with cold water,  please?"

One more lingering kiss was given on the center of my neck.  I rolled my eyes closed from the tingles it sent down my spine. 

"Of course."

After removing his tie and jacket, unbuttoning a few buttons and rolling up his sleeves, Luca drained and rinsed the pasta then poured it into a large bowl.  I already had the broccoli blanched which he added, the black olives were already sliced so Luca added those as per my direction, and next were the baby tomato quarters and sliced carrots.  I added the italian dressing then tossed the salad and scooped some into two smaller bowls Luca had gotten for us. We ate in a comfortable silence, except for his soft moans of enjoyment.

"That was delicious, Gattina," Luca complimented just before he stabbed his last bite with a fork and placed it in his mouth.

I finished up soon after.  "It's one of my favorites of Mom's recipes."

"So that's where you learned how to cook, hmm?" He asked, taking my bowl to the sink for me and washing it.  I joined next to him to wash the cooking pots I used. "I thought you had said she only baked?"

I shook my head as I handed Luca a pot to dry.  "Nope, she cooked everything until she got sick.  She sat me on the counter next to her and let me stir, pour and lick the spoons."

"Lucky spoon," Luca chuckled as he nuzzled his nose into my neck.  I rolled my eyes and bopped his hip with mine.

Once the dishes were on the rack, we dried our hands with the towel then set it down. This felt so normal but I didn't dare comment for fear of letting myself hope. It would only lead to heartbreak again, like before.

As if reading my mind, Luca drew me into an embrace and held me around the waist.  I loved it when he kissed the top of my head.  It was so lovingly intimate. I always felt the warmth of tingles spread down through my body.

"It's nice doing normal things with you, Madison," Luca commented while resting his cheek on my hair.  My heart skipped and my stomach did a flip knowing he felt the same way I was.

I tilted my face up toward his and offered a warm smile.  "Movie?"

The wicked grin spreading across his lips made me regret that suggestion.  Movies with Luca were dangerous. "Yes," he agreed.  "Let's play a game, though."

Luca took me by the hand toward the TV room, the smaller living room, or den, I had only walked passed before.  Carina wanted to stay mostly in her playroom or go down to the beach.  Dom, of course, was never far behind if we left the house even though the mile stretch of beach in front of the house was privately owned by Luca, for optimum safety of course.

This room was lightly colored like the others but the sofas were a teal and sandy beige pattern. The pillows were two tone colors in solids with sea stars or various shells in the opposite tone. Luca released my hand near the couch and crossed to the small wet bar in the far corner.

"The game is," He grinned while searching for a bottle of liquor.  "We will pick a movie and whoever of us jumps in surprise, takes a shot."

I flopped down onto the couch with a loud groan.  "This is not fair!  I'm at a severe disadvantage!"

Luca's rumbling chuckle accompanied by him wiggling his eyebrows, told me he was well aware of this handicap.  Still, he carried several shot glasses in one hand and a bottle of Italian whiskey in the other.

This was going to be a dangerous movie.

Here they go again watching a movie! LOL

We know where this could lead *wiggles eyebrows*

Don't forget to go comment in the Cliche Madness Competition why the title, cove and blurb of Weekend Getaway is so awesome and deserving to move on to round 2!

My momma leaves Sunday to go back home. This past week would have been impossible without her.  Munchkin has been an incredible help.  The stress at the beginning of the week took its toll in her but she such a trooper.

Thank you for your support!

Enjoy, vote, comment and share!

❤️