June 24th! You know what that means... It's Ezio's 553rd birthday! Happy birthday, you adorable little Assassin :)
Ezio opened his eyes to an empty bed. Instinct brought his brain into panic.
"Sofia?" he cried, bolting upright and wincing as his back protested.
"Ezio!" A call came from down the hall just before Sofia ran into the room, her hair in a bun. "What is it?"
Ezio breathed out, then coughed once and smiled sheepishly. "I, uh... I thought you'd disappeared."
His wife laughed. "Oh Ezio, you need to stop worrying so much." She came and sat on the edge of the bed, placing a delicate hand on his face. "Do you know what day it is?"
Ezio's brow furrowed. "It's my birthday."
Sofia brightened. "Yes! Now lay back down..." Her hand moved to his chest and practically forced him back to the bed. "...and just relax while I make you breakfast."
Ezio feigned a smile and lay down to satisfy her. As she left, the smile dropped from his face. It's my birthday...? Where had the year gone? He could remember his last one. Sofia had made him breakfast in bed that time as well.
"Sixty-five..." he murmured to himself. Was it really forty-eight years ago that his family was murdered? Was it really seventeen years ago that he dropped Cesare off that cliff? Was it really twelve years ago that he sealed that Apple inside the library?
He sighed deeply and leaned his head back to stare at the ceiling. I suppose I had a good life. Aside from being forced to grow up far too fast, it was true.
But how many men had died by his blade in the past forty-eight years? Thousands, if not more. Normally the thought wouldn't bother him, but now he felt each soul weigh on his chest as if someone was sitting on him.
He coughed again, then drew in a breath as a sharp pain shot through his chest. He couldn't breathe for a few seconds, but then it passed. His age was prominent inside his body and not just out, apparently.
Oddly enough, Ezio wondered if he'd be able to climb the roof of his own villa.
He raised his head as Sofia danced into the room with a tray. Fresh grapes from their vineyard, bread with jam, two sausages, and two cups, one filled with apple juice and one with coffee.
Ezio smiled and sat up, really making an effort not to wince or break the smile as his body protested.
Sofia's eyes softened as she placed the tray on his lap. "I hope you enjoy it."
"Thank you, affetto," Ezio said as Flavia came running into the room.
"Papa!" she cried, jumping on the bed next to him. "Buon compleanno!"
Ezio laughed and wrapped an arm around her. "Thank you, Flavia. Where is your brother?"
Flavia scoffed. "Still sleeping. That lazy porco."
"Flavia..." Sofia warned.
"Whoops! Sorry, Mother," Flavia apologized, blushing.
Ezio chuckled again. "She has your spirit, Sofia."
Sofia smiled. "Eat your breakfast. I will go wake up Marcello."
Later in the day, Ezio would be in their vineyard and see his daughter walking with a strange woman. Birthday present... or chance meeting?
Eh, I figured I'd include the part where Ezio sees Flavia with Shao Jun.