A/N: OK, so I'm going "back in time" in my Tommy and Eva universe. This fic is a continuation of These are the Moments aka my Christmas fic. This one picks up directly after that, and falls before the more recent Valentine's Day fic I posted.
I hope you enjoy. There will be 3 parts to this and I hope to have it all posted within a week.
I've created a lot of backstory for Eva that I'm not entirely sure is even plausible, but I liked it. Hopefully it makes sense and you get my intent! Kinda fluffy, and without "real plot"…but, another glimpse into the world I've created for these two characters!
I'm definitely in denial about the fact that Gabriella and Richard are not returning for S3 of CL...so disappointed that we'll never really know what happens with Tommy and Eva in canon! They will live on in fanfic world...shoutout to Suz for being my soundboard on all things CL/T&E/G&R...we'll get thru this, together ;)
Enjoy! Happy Weekend!
No Better Than This
Part 1 of 3
Tommy stood on the balcony of their quaint hotel room, the view overlooking the main piazza of the town. The sun had gone down over an hour ago, and the temperature was slowly dropping. He watched as town folks milled about below in the piazza—happy families and couples enjoying the last night of the year. There were still several hours before they officially rung in the New Year, and there was a sense of anticipation and excitement that was simply contagious.
He stepped back into the room, glancing at his reflection in the full length mirror hanging on the wall next to the window. He fidgeted slightly with the cuffs of his shirt, not really comfortable with having to wear a shirt and tie like he was. It had only taken him a few minutes to change and get ready when they had returned to their room; and he was now patiently waiting for Eva to emerge from the bathroom. He glanced at his reflection again, not happy with the way he had knotted his tie. He reached to untie it and begin again.
"You look fine Tommy, stop worrying," Eva said, emerging from the attached bathroom while fastening her last earring.
Tommy turned to Eva, his mouth falling open slightly as he drank in the sight in front of him. Eva was wearing a beautiful form-fitted emerald dress, the flimsy material hugging her in all the right places and falling just slightly below her knees. He was speechless, absolutely speechless. Eva was a beautiful woman—a knockout—and she didn't have to be all dolled up for Tommy to realize this. Damn, he was a lucky man.
Eva smiled to herself, watching Tommy's reaction to her appearance. Yes, she was a sergeant and upheld the law, and for the most part rarely had opportunities to dress up and show this side of herself. But, she was a woman—an Italian woman to say the least—so she also appreciated and enjoyed the more feminine aspects of life, too. In general, she didn't put much thought to her appearance and how she looked; and it wasn't something that she paid too much attention to. Although, she found it quite amusing watching Tommy's reaction.
"Tommy McConnel, speechless?" She walked over to him, standing in front of him with a smile.
"This dress…" he whispered, running his hands down her sides and pulling her closer to him, so there was practically no space between them. "…absolutely breathtaking," he finished, leaning in to place a quick kiss before pulling back and meeting her eyes with his. "You're going to be the centre of attention tonight."
"I don't know about that," Eva said, returning the kiss before leaning back slightly. "You clean up very nicely," she teased, reaching to help Tommy retie his tie.
Tommy watched her nimble fingers make quick work on the tie.
"You're quite an expert on this, ai?"
"I used to help my dad with his tie all the time—every morning before I went to school or he left for work; we would always talk and I would always do this for him. Like our very own morning routine…"
Eva's voice drifted off, as she recalled those memories from years ago.
"You know, we don't have to go to this fancy party—we can head down to the beach and just mingle with the locals…" Tommy suggested, seeing the far distance look come upon Eva's face.
"No, we should. My family is known for throwing the best New Year's Eve party around and I haven't been to one in so many years," she explained. "My cousins and I used to get into so much trouble at these family parties. There were so many occasions growing up—somebody's birthday, an anniversary, holidays, festivals…you name it, there was a party. I haven't been at one in a long time…it'll be nice to go, and as an adult," she finished.
"Your cousin was telling me yesterday that apparently getting an invite to this party is quite impossible," Tommy said with a smile.
"It is. And look at us, we're so special we don't even need an invite," Eva joked. She walked over to the chaise and grabbed her jacket and purse. "We should get going if we want to make it in time for dinner."
They made their way out of their room, heading down the small flight of stairs in the family owned hotel towards their rental car.
They had arrived in Castiglone Della Pescaia on Boxing Day, flying into Florence from Belfast before driving the two hours towards the coast and the town where Eva grew up. Eva still had family living in the small seaside town, but the Vittoria family's estate was located less than 30 minutes away just outside of Grosseto.
Since the "death" of her parents all those years ago, Salvatore and Elena Vittoria's estate and fortune was reverted into a trust fund that upon her 24th birthday, Eva was given full control over as their only child. Since that time, Eva for the most part had not touched or used any of her family's money—after graduation she had decided to join the Italian national police force and worked her way up. She left the day-to-day running of the trust and the family's business interests to her Zio Bruno and Zia Francesca. With the death of his older brother, Bruno and his wife Francesca took over the family's business and over the years were able to legitimize it and expand their holdings. The Vittoria family flourished, and was now one of the more prominent families in the city of Grosseto and region of Tuscany. They were well respected, and the entire extended family were part of or worked in the various family businesses and holdings.
The drive to Grosseto was uneventful; they raced passed the beautiful views as they hugged the coast before turning north. By the time Tommy pulled their car in through the gates of the Vittoria family estate, it was a little bit past six in the evening. There were numerous cars already lining the driveway, and they had to park a bit further to get an empty spot.
They carefully walked up the cobbled driveway together, approaching the illuminated front doors. They rang the doorbell, and waited.
Unlike the first time they were here less than a week ago, Tommy felt a whole heckuva more at ease…
"I now know how you must have felt when you met my family for the first time," Tommy said, glancing up at the large beautiful villa. "You grew up in this place?"
Eva glanced around, noticing the numerous gardeners busy in the front lawn.
"Yup, this is where I am from." The entire villa was all decked out for the holiday season; it was obvious it was professionally done.
Tommy let out a low whistle. "You weren't kidding when you said your family had money."
"We do ok," Eva said dismissively, her wealth was not something she liked to talk about or flaunt. "Come on, they're expecting us…"
She reached up and pushed the ornate doorbell. They waited a few moments before the door opened and revealed a petite woman with darker complexion and Asian features.
"Anak! Welcome home," the woman said in obviously accented Italian, a big smile coming across her face as Eva leaned down and gave the woman kisses and a big hug.
"Ate Merna, it's so good to see you again," Eva said, obviously happy to see the woman.
"It's been too long – you should visit more often," Merna replied, switching to English when she noticed that Eva was not speaking Italian. "Who is this handsome man with you?"
Eva smiled and wrapped her right arm around the smaller woman's shoulder.
"Ate, this is Tommy McConnel. We work together, and he is a good friend," she said; not sure exactly how to explain who Tommy was.
Merna gave Tommy a good once-over, a warm smile settling on her features. "Is that what young people these days call each other?"
"Tommy, this is Ate Merna. She was my nanny growing up and has worked for our family for a very long time."
"Close to 35 years now!" Merna said, indicating for them to follow her into the house. "I started working for the family when I was 18 and little Eva was born a few years later."
"Merna is what keeps everyone and everything in order in this family."
"Someone has to, anak," Merna said with a laugh as they followed behind her down a large hallway.
"May I ask where you are from Merna? I can tell you're not Italian," Tommy asked, curious to know more. He could obviously tell that Eva and her former nanny were quite close.
"I am originally from the Philippines, my son," Merna explained. "I left my village when I was young to help support my family, and I was very lucky to find employment with such a good family."
"And we've been very lucky with Merna, too," Eva explained as they headed towards the back of the villa. "Over the years, our family has employed many of Merna's family members—I think the rest of our household staff all are either related to Merna somehow or from the same village in the Philippines."
"The Vittoria family has been very good to me and my entire family—my husband works as one of the drivers and they even helped bring my children to Italy. My oldest daughter is about to graduate from university in Roma and the others are attending school here, too," Merna explained, her obvious pride for her family evident.
"Merna is like family. She raised me—she was the one constant in my life and without her; I don't think I'd be the same person as I am today."
Eva gave the woman another squeeze.
"But, enough about me. Your parents are out on the terrace—they're expecting you."
"Is anyone else home?" Eva asked, knowing that more than her parents lived at the family home.
"Your Zio Bruno and his family are in Florence visiting Signora Francesca's family for the next few days. It is just your parents and the staff here right now"
"Salamat po Ate," Eva thanked the woman in her own language, giving her another hug.
"Go on outside and I will bring out some fresh squeezed orange juice, coffee and pastries. Tommy, I hope you have a good appetite, si?"
They watched as the woman quickly turned and walked towards the direction of the kitchen.
"Merna is a complete bundle of energy. I always look forward to seeing her when I come back to visit," Eva explained.
"I can tell you two are close."
"We are. She literally picked me off the ground every day when my parents died, sat with me every night as I cried…" she recalled. "But, enough of that. Ready to meet my parents?" Eva asked.
"As ready as I ever will be," Tommy said, following Eva.
Walking into the house, Eva and Tommy handed over their jackets to one of the staff collecting coats. Grabbing Tommy's hand they walked further into the house, trying to spot somebody they knew amongst the many guests milling around. Eva said polite hellos to the people she recognized or obviously knew who she was, but kept the two of them moving; not wanting to get stuck making small talk with people she didn't want to.
They rounded the corner, heading to the kitchen when she heard a familiar voice.
"Cugina! So glad you made it!" a beautiful blonde said, walking over to the two of them, giving them both huge hugs and kisses as greeting.
Tommy always knew Italians were vivacious and affectionate, but even he had to get used to the levels of the Vittoria family. It wasn't done in a superficial way; they were just spirited and demonstrative people.
"Carla, you look absolutely beautiful as always," Eva said, returning her cousin's greeting warmly. "You are glowing!" she continued waving her hand at her small baby bump, "Complimenti!"
Carla Balducci was Eva's cousin. She was Zio Bruno and Zia Francesca's oldest daughter and growing up both she and Eva were very close since Carla was only a year older. They grew up like sisters. Over the years as Eva kept her family at arm's length and became focused with her work with the NOCS, Carla was really the only person she kept in regular touch with—her one connection to home.
Carla had dabbled as a model in Rome and Milan when she was younger before returning home. She married her childhood sweetheart, Giorgio, who happened to also come from another well off Tuscan family. She was now the VP of Marketing and Events in the family company and had started her own family. Baby #3 was now on its way and while Gio and Carla were well known as quite the socialites with ample media attention on them, Eva still held her cousin in close regard. Their lives may have gone in very separate trajectories since they were little girls, but Carla was a good person and someone that was part of Eva's very, very small inner circle.
"Grazie Eva, you're going to be godmother again," she said grinning. "I can't believe you've been home for almost a week and this is the first time I've seen you. The whole family has been in Florence since Christmas Day visiting Nonni," she explained, referring to her parents, siblings and all of their own families.
"How is Nonna Alberta doing?" Eva asked, referring to Carla's maternal grandmother. "I heard she had a bad fall?"
"She's doing better, Nonno was the one we were worried about since we all know that Nonna is the one that does everything for them!" she said with a laugh. "But enough about them. We need to catch up!" Carla said. She glanced over to Tommy and smiled.
"So you must be Tommy McConnel," she said, giving him a good look. "Eva was right when she said you were quite handsome," she finished with a sly grin.
"It's wonderful to finally meet you Carla, your family knows how to throw a party," he said, looking around at the various guests milling about, drinking, sampling canapés and having a good time.
"Well, we have a lot of reason to celebrate this year—Zio and Zia are now back with the family," she said, referring to Eva's parents, "the company and the whole family is doing great—stronger than ever, and I've never seen Eva more happy than she is right now."
Tommy glanced over at Eva, who was turning slightly red.
"I know you must be a large part of the reason why, Tommy, so thank you. I also heard from Merna that the last few days have been an emotional roller coaster, and I am glad that Eva had your support. Hopefully the wounds will heal and we can all move on and start a new chapter together."
"There wasn't any other place I would rather be," Tommy replied, squeezing Eva's hand.
"And we're happy to have you here Tommy—I don't think Eva has ever brought anybody home to meet the family. Ever."
"Carla, enough!"
Carla laughed. "OK, I'll stop—but we really need to catch up properly, away from all of this."
"We should. Where are Catalina and Baby Gio?" Eva asked, looking around for Carla's kids. She was affectionately known as their favourite Zia, and she loved spoiling them. "I haven't seen those two since the summer when you stopped by Amsterdam on vacation."
"They're running around here somewhere—once they know you're here, I'm sure they'll come looking for you. Maria Jose may have mentioned to them that you would be here tonight," Carla explained, referring to her children's nanny.
"ZZZZZIiiiiiaaaaaaaaa!"
"Speak of the devil," Carla said, as they all turned around to see her two children make a beeline to them.
Eva crouched down with her arms open as the two children launched themselves into her embrace. They giggled as she squeezed the two of them tight, showering them with kisses and snuggles.
Tommy watched with amusement the sight before him. He was seeing so many different sides of Eva that he had never seen before on this trip.
"Catalina! Gio! Como stai?" Eva asked, listening intently as the well-dressed 6-year-old and 5-year-old talked animatedly on all the important going-ons in their lives. Eva listened keenly, showing great interest to the stories about their new puppy named Ozzi.
"Bambini, no running in the house!" a woman whispered loudly, a few steps behind the two children. "I'm sorry signora, they saw signorina Eva and got excited," the young woman said, apologizing.
"Don't worry about it Maria Jose," Carla said with a smile, tussling the blonde locks of her son. "Why don't you see if Merna could use your help? I'll keep an eye on the children."
Maria Jose nodded, turning towards the kitchen to find her aunt.
"Who's the man?" Gio asked suddenly, realizing that his Zia Eva was standing next to someone he had never seen before. He stared up at him, noticing that they were both wearing a blue tie.
"My name is Tommy, it's nice to meet you," he said, crouching down so he was closer to the boy's eye level.
"I'm Giorgio Salvatore Balducci, but you can call me Gio," the 5-year old said, switching to English, standing straight like his parents had taught him when introducing himself. "How do you know my Zia?"
"We work together."
"You're a cop?" Catalina asked.
"Yes, I am."
"You speak funny English, mister," Gio said bluntly.
"Piccolo!" Carla said, giving Tommy an exacerbated look for her son's lack of a filter.
"Where are you from? You're not Italian."
"Tommy is Irish, his family is originally from Ireland," Eva explained.
"Same as the leprechauns?" Gio asked.
Tommy laughed at the boy's remark.
"I could introduce you to them in the future, but you'll have to come visit."
The children's eyes lit up at the thought and started badgering their mother to visit Ireland for their next trip.
Eva looked at Tommy, her eyes shining. Seeing him fit so easily with her family was not something she had expected. It was a nice surprise, and it spoke more of Tommy's character than anything else.
A bell started chiming in the background, as Salvatore and Elena Vittoria appeared in front of all the guests, the couple fitting right back in amongst their friends and family.
"Dinner is served, please, take your seats inside the main dining room," Elena announced.
The partygoers made their way to the adjacent dining room, looking for their names on placards sitting on the beautifully decorated tables.
Salvatore and Elena greeted their guests as they walked by, playing the hospitable hosts perfectly.
Eva and Tommy followed behind Carla and her children. Maria Jose appeared from the side door and took the children's hands and led them over to a long side table that was set up for all the younger guests at the party.
Carla greeted her aunt and uncle quickly before spotting her husband and quickly excusing herself to join him.
"Eva, figlia," Salvatore said, "I am so glad you made it," reaching over to greet his only child properly. "Tommy, thanks for coming."
"Thank you for inviting me," Tommy said, shaking Salvatore's extended hand firmly.
"You are part of this family now, Tommy!" Elena said, smiling warmly. "Come, follow us, the both of you are sitting next to us at the main table."
Tommy placed his hand on the small of Eva's back, as they followed her parents towards their table.
They've come a long way since their first encounter, less than a week ago.
TBC