RICORDI:

Memories.

S H I R A ' S P O V:

Eyes as dark as tarmac with the unmissable hint of red on the coast showcased his restless nights. To say I have missed him is an understatement, each passing hour without him felt more than dull. It is truly surprising how a person can affect one's life, how Valerius De Santis affects my life. Without him, I am a lantern with no fire on a moonless night, prepared to drown in a hellish abyss.

I was controlling the tears that wanted to escape my eyes, my hands shook with adrenaline and my heart was beating faster than ever. "Amore." Only one word from him signalled the brewing dam in my eyes to release.

Valerius dropped the flowers and note on the floor before pulling me to his chest, holding me ever so tightly. I missed his embrace, his scent and his touch, it felt new yet familiar. Fisting his shirt with my hand, Valerius stroked my head, trying to calm me down yet I couldn't. I was hit with a thousand or more different unnamed emotions that swirled in the pit of my stomach.

"I've missed you so much, amore, I'm so sorry." He repeated like a mantra, Valerius's hand came up under my thighs and lifted me up, making me instantly wrap my legs around his waist. He sat on the couch and I remained sitting on his lap with my head placed on his chest. My sobs began to quieten down while Valerius continued to whisper sweet nothing in my ear.

"You're safe now, amore, look at me," He cooed but I didn't look up, I felt stupid, guilty and embarrassed. "Amore, look at me please." Valerius slightly nudged my head with his and I slowly tore myself away from his chest, not looking up at him rather keeping them focused on my fidgeting fingers.

"Hey," Valerius lifted my chin with index and middle finger but also placing his thumb on my chin, making me look at his prussian blue eyes. "Val, I'm so sorry. I-" Not getting a chance to finish my sentence, Valerius gently slammed his lips on top of mine.

Wrapping my hands around his neck, I pulled him close to me before moaning into his mouth out of pleasure. Our lips collided, removing the cold and neglected touch instead reviving them with our passion. "Fuck, I have missed you so much," Valerius said in between kisses, continuing to dot them all over my neck harshly.

"I've missed you too, Val," My fingers combed and gripped his already dishevelled hair. Valerius placed his lips back onto mine, pulling at my lower lip each time I tugged hard on his hair. His other hand roamed under my sweatshirt, moving up and down my bare back with his gentle touch. "I'm so sorry, amore, forgive me please." He pleaded against my lips.

"I'm to be blamed, Val. I shouldn't have left you." My hand cupped his face as he did with mine. "You have every right to. I promise to do better." I hummed 'no', shaking my head. "How much will you do for me, Val? You have done so much for me. As for me, I haven't done anything for you and when I have it fails." A tear slipped from my eyes and dragged down my cheek.

"You could ask me for the moon, amore, and I would bring it for you. You have done so much for me and more. You, amore, are more than enough for me." Valerius wiped the tear away and kissed my forehead, pulling the hairs that managed to plaster themselves on my face away. "Ti amo, Val." I whispered before kissing him, I moved into his embrace once again.

"Je t'aime, Shira." He said against my neck, his french was relaxing yet sometimes arousing to hear. Smiling against his neck, I closed my eyes and inhaled his intoxicating smell that hypnotised me to sleep.

-

Morning came quick, I opened my eyes to notice that I was in my bed but I wasn't alone. Valerius's arm was securely wrapped around my waist whilst the other was below my head, cushioning me.

The months of loneliness that went by seemed to disappear as I found my home. My elixir of love and happiness. Having being wrapped in his arms brought a sense of security. The sun shone in his eyes, slightly disturbing him so I opened the drawer next to me and used the remote control to close the curtains fully.

As I hauled forward to close the drawer, Valerius groaned, pulling my back against his chest. "It's too early, sleep amore." Valerius whispered against my neck, his hand travelled up to my stomach and the memories of our little bean flooded my mind. Ever since that incident, I have been disgusted by my figure.

Trying to keep my cries to myself, Valerius turned me around, his eyes were wide open and full of pain. "Come here, amore." My head was on his chest and as always Valerius stroked my hair. "Our little bean is gone, Val." Mourning, I place one hand on my stomach, feeling it like I used to but this time it was empty.

"Was our love not enough for them?" Valerius took the hand on my stomach and brought it up to his lips, kissing my knuckles ever so sweetly. "I don't know, amore, but I do know that we shouldn't lose hope." No words were exchanged instead we spent our time snuggled into each other, grieving for the loss of our child.

-

"Angelo, I am going to tell her, don't worry," Stepping out of the bathroom, Valerius was on the phone with Angelo as he mentioned his name. Valerius looked over to where I was standing, furrowing my eyebrows, I raised my head up slightly to ask what was wrong. "Shira's here, you can tell her," Valerius said, rolling his eyes before handing me the phone.

"Hello, pasticcino," Greeting Angelo was like saying hello to a puppy after leaving them at home for a long time. "Amore mio! Ah, I missed you so much!" He exclaimed, making me smile brightly, however, Valerius didn't look so impressed, scoffing he put on his joggers.

"I missed you and Sienna too." I replied, "Amore mio, I am turning seven tomorrow and I-" Angelo was interrupted by Sienna saying she too was turning seven. "Oh and Sienna too!" He mentioned, eliciting a laugh from me.

"I wanted to ask if you can come to our small birthday party." He questioned but if I was being selfish I couldn't bear to see Nailea and Matteo or Lorena, who came to visit me but I refused to talk to any of them. I didn't have the heart to upset Angelo or Sienna, I couldn't even if I needed to. "Yes, I will come," I said, locking my eyes with Valerius, which he gave me a reassuring smile.

"Are you and Valval ok now? If not, you have your actual boyfriend here to take care of you." Angelo said, Valerius's eyes narrowed into slits, "Aww, pasticcino, of course, we are ok now but don't tell anyone that you're my actual boyfriend." I whispered giving a little shush at the end which he copied.

"Mama is calling me, amore mio, I will see you tomorrow," He replied sadly, "See you tomorrow, pasticcino." I said, "I will wear the colour blue tomorrow, amore mio, anyways bye! Baci." He whispered before ending the call. What a charmer.

(Translation: baci = kisses)

"Actual boyfriend, huh?" Valerius crossed his arms and raised his eyebrows. "Jealousy doesn't suit you, Mr Santis." I walked away from him and opened the door to my walk-in wardrobe, searching for something to wear. Valerius followed and closed the door to my wardrobe. "Tell me what suits me then, Miss Devil." He said, blocking me from either side.

His breath fanned over my face and on hand travelled up my exposed upper leg. The towel that was wrapped around me began to loosen and Valerius held the two ends together, "Why so quiet now? Cat got your tongue?" He smirked, tucking the towel, securing it properly.

"A shirt." I said, "A what?" Valerius furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "You need to put a shirt on." Turning my back away from him before I felt my cheeks redden, I distracted myself by looking for something to wear.

"Why? Does it affect you, amore?" He asked, wrapping his hand around me, his body pressed against my back. His mouth came onto my neck and he nipped the skin gently, sucking and pulling. "No," I said, breathing out a moan."You're lying," Valerius growled, his bulge situated perfectly against my ass.

"Do I have to remind you of your punishment for lying, amore?"

Hello, my loves, here's another chapter. Anyways, if you liked it, let me know your thoughts . Have a lovely day or a good night's sleep.

Expect a long wait as I will be updating three chapters at once.

Team Valerius or Team Angelo?