From Rome with love

7: A true gentleman

 *Dahlia*

 "Ready to go have a look at our surroundings and grab something to eat ?" Bren asks as I walk into the living room. I just had a quick shower, freshening up after the journey.

 I smile at him, he looks relaxed and handsome in beige khaki shorts and a blue t-shirt. "I definitely am".

"Let's get going then". He says getting up, sliding his phone and wallet into his pocket. I grab my small hand bag and walk out the door that he is holding open for me.

 Walking outside in the warm evening we turn down the street, walking down to the fountain. I breathe in. "Oh wow, it is really breathtaking".

 "Yeah it's absolutely amazing, too bad there are so many people". He says, making his way through the masses. His size is really a help here. "Maybe we can go down here really late or really early when there isn't a crowd.

 "We definitely should do that". I tell him as I grab his hand. He looks down, like he wonders who is holding on to him and I quickly explain. "I don't want us to get away from each other in the crowd. It's okay right ?"

 He looks up, smiling softly. "Sure, no problem. And yeah, we better not get away from each other".

 We walk past the fountain and down through the little side streets. There are cosy cafes and little quirky shops and people selling fake jewellery and even faker designer bags from their little tables. "The atmosphere here is amazing".

 "It is, it's like being in a different world". He says, looking around. "And these small streets and old houses, you don't really see things like this in America".

 "It's so beautiful and so romantic". It truly is like being in an old romantic movie. "Thank you so much for letting me come, Bren".

 He squeezes my hand softly. "Honestly it is my pleasure having you here, this would not have been the same alone".

 We walk around a corner and there is a new square with a large temple-like building in the middle. I gasp. "Oh it's the Pantheon".

 "Yeah, it is kind of mindblowing to think that it is almost 1900 years old and still standing. What this building has seen of pain, joy, suffering and celebration.. Well it is hard to even try to phantom it". His voice is getting slightly emotional.

 "If walls could talk, the story a building like this could tell". I say. I like that a thing like this can get him emotional.

 "We have to come back and see the inside one of the other days". He says as we walk by and I nod in agreement.

 *Bren*

 We are walking down more picturesque little streets. Dahlia is talking and pointing around, sounding as excited as a kid in a toy store and it is infectious to see. 

 "Oh look Bren, we have to go in here". She is pulling me inside a small shop with hand made tree figures and toys.

I watch her walk around, slowly running her fingers over the different things, suddenly getting a flash of those fingers running over my skin instead. For God's sake Bren, stop yourself or it is going to be three very long weeks.

 "Oh look, these are so precious". She says looking at me, her fingers running over some carved animal figures that break apart kind of like puzzles.

 I step over to look closer at them. They are actually really well made and cute. "They really are. Maybe I should get one for Timmy".

 "Yeah do that.. Uhh take the dogs, they are so cute, he is going to love them". She says, picking up one that is a mother dog with 2 puppies.

 Smiling at her antics, I can't help thinking that she is the cutest thing here. I love how enthusiastic she is. "Okay the dogs it is then".

 "You won't regret.. oh look at those music boxes.. and the wall clocks, this is so cute". She stops in front of a wall clock, it's an elephant with a mouse dangling in its tail, the eyes move in time with the clock ticking.

 "It is really cute, but those eyes would make me dizzy if I had to look at it all the time". I say, making her giggle.

 She keeps looking, while I go pay for the dog puzzle and I have to halfway drag her out of there. "Darling we are here for three weeks, we can come back another time okay ? But right now I am starting to get hungry".

 "I am a bit peckish too honestly, so let's go find a place to eat". She says looking around. "But how to pick ?"

 "Let's have a look at the menus and places and see what speaks to us". I say, taking her hand in mine without really thinking about it.

 We walk down a small street, looking at the different options. A young man standing on a side street, approaches us. "You want to eat ? Come to my family restaurant, real italian, my family owned it for 200 years". He points to an authentic looking facade just around the corner.

 "What do you say ?" I look at her.

 She smiles. "I think it looks really cosy, so why not".

 "The beautiful lady has good taste". The waiter says smiling. "Come come, my brother and sister, I'll get you the best table and a glass of champagne". He walks backwards smiling at us.

 He leads us to an outside table, it has flowers on two sides and a wall on the third, making it very private and romantic. "Sit, sit my friends".

 I hold out the chair for Dahlia and she smiles at me as she sits down, the waiter gushing. "Oh a real gentleman.. you girlfriend yes ? You very lucky man, better get a ring on her soon".

 "Maybe I should". I say with a wink at her. Making her shake her head, smiling at me. The waiter disappears and I whisper. "Sorry, I didn't want to disappoint him".

 The waiter comes back with two glasses of champagne and the menu, before disappearing again. She looks at the glass and I quickly say. "You don't have to drink it".

 "It's okay, it would be impolite not to, and I can handle a single glass". She says, taking a sip of the glass, making a face. "I wish it wasn't so sour".

 I watch her as she looks through the menu. Men have been casting glances or downright staring at her all afternoon. And I get them, she is not only beautiful, she has this air about her, something intangible that just makes you have to look. I think about what the waiter said, and it kind of makes me think.. I mean this is the kind of woman every man would wish to marry. I shake my head, looking at my menu, why am I thinking things like that ? Like that would ever happen.

 "Are you ready to order ?" The waiter asks as he comes back to the table. 

 I look at Dahlia and she nods. "Yeah I think we are, ladies first".

 "I'll have the melon with parma ham and then the lasagna, and some still water please". She says, watching the waiter to see if he gets it.

 "And I'll have the clams and then the chicken breast with roasted vegetables, and a glass of white wine". I say and the waiter nods and disappears.

 We are talking about what has happened since we last saw each other, while waiting for the food. I look at her in awe. "Honestly, what you have done, I wish I could do something like that. You are a real hero".

 "No Bren, I have just been following my heart, doing what I felt a call to do. But without people like you, making others aware, reaching out, there would be much less money to help with. It's as important as the help itself". She says, squeezing my hand over the table.

 "Well thank you, but just like you I just follow my heart". I say, looking up as the waiter arrives with our first course.

  *Dahlia*

 "Did it taste good my beautiful lady ?" The waiter asks, as he takes away the plates after our second course.

 I smile at him and answer truthfully. "It was wonderful, thank you".

 "Yeah it tasted great". Bren adds, smiling at the waiter too. "Can we please have the check ?"

 "Sure sir, so glad you liked the food". He says, almost bowing as he leaves with the plates.

 Bren looks at me, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I don't want any discussion, tonight is on me.. you can always pay one of the other evenings, but I am not splitting the check".

 "I just knew you were going to do that". I say, almost rolling my eyes. I have a feeling that this is how it is going to be most days. It is just the way Bren is.

 "Well, what can I say, you know me well then". He says with a teasing wink.

 The waiter comes back with the check, looking a bit nervous, like he wants to say something. Bren hands him his credit card and the waiter slides it through the small machine in his hand, turning it towards Bren, for him to push in tips and his code.

 "Sorry sir, would it be too much to ask for a picture in front of the restaurant ?" The waiter asks nervously. "It would be such an honour for us Mr Leeds to be able to say you had dinner here".

 "Sure no problem at all". Bren says, smiling widely as he gets up from his chair. "I'd be happy to do that".

 The waiter is looking like he just won the lottery. "Thank you sir, Thank you. Can we have the beautiful lady in the picture too ?"

 Bren looks at me and I get up, smiling. "Sure if you really want me to". I walk over to stand beside Bren, and he slides his arm around me.

 "Thank you, such a beautiful couple, I wish you all happiness and many children". The waiter gushes as he snaps the picture. Both me and Bren struggles not to break down in giggles.

 "It was all our pleasure, Thanks for the great service Marco". Bren says, shaking his hand.

 Marco the waiter looks like he might pass out. "Oh so kind of you and you remember Marco's name".

 "Sure I do Marco, you told us when you seated us". Bren says, still smiling. 

 I pick up the recipe to hand to him, so he doesn't forget it, casting a glance at it. Almost 25% tips, not bad. I always thought that what people tip says alot about them.

 We wave goodbye to Marco, walking back through the small streets to the apartment. 

 "Thank you for a great first day Bren". I lean in, kissing his cheek. "Sleep well and I'll see you tomorrow".

 "You too darling, so far it has been a real pleasure. Sweet dreams". He sends me a smile and I smile back before closing the door to the bedroom and collapsing on the bed exhausted.