It had been so long.
So, so long.
But I was there again. With my notepad in hand, in that very same room, in the very same
Rome, with the very same Anne.
It had been a year, to be exact. And my heart longed deeply for Anne. I waked out of there,
that palace, feeling unsatisfied that I hadn't gone back to her. No other woman made me feel the
way Anne had. Not a single one. And I hoped she still cherished me as I had her. And I hoped
she still remembered me and our adventure out and about with Irving.
I hoped. I longed. And I dreamed.
I had to speak quickly to ask her a question, or my trip would be in vain. And my love would
be forever lost.
My heart pounded upon seeing her in that beautiful white silk dress. With her same ruby
necklace and her same, gorgeous pearls.
It was my turn. And I had no idea how to say a single word. Not until she looked me
straight in the eye and smiled.
"On behalf of the press, Your Highness, I was wondering what are your views on the unity of nations?"
"I would like more than anything for us to all be united by friendship. Honestly and truthfully. My view on that will never change.""
Afterwards, she had a meeting with each member of the press. This time, it was a rather small conference. And I was the last in line. I was
anxious as she moved further down, greeting each man with a grin. I was unsure if how she would greet me. I wondered if she was in love with
another man. I wondered one thing too many in those minutes. I tried awfully hard to keep my composure.
And truly, just to keep still.
When she came to me, the last man standing, I spoke.
"My name is Joe Bradley. From American News Press."
Without hesitation, she shook my hand.
"It's nice to meet you again, Mister Bradley."
When my hand touched hers, I felt a shock. When I looked up at her, I still saw a smile.
"I've missed you so much, Joe. Truthfully."
I knew it was then I had to tell her what I really came for. I had to tell her why I begged for
this conference for so long.
To tell her I loved her. Again. Because I knew we had a chance. It wasn't over yet.
"Anne... I.. I still love you. I came here, all this way, to tell you."
Unlike normal, I was nervous. I had imagined this scenario working out for so long, there
was no way I thought it would work when I was actually standing there, right in front of her.
"Oh, Joe! I knew that. I thought you'd never come to see me again!" In front of all of the
reporters, she threw me into her arms.
"I've waited too long, so long, for you to come back!"
The men were in awe around us, from what I could see. It was their opportunity to hone in
like hawks and photograph the whole thing.
Princess Anne was reuniting with me. Her lover. And of course it was a big deal to the
press. Of course!
However, truthfully, it was a bigger deal to me than any of them put together. Or the entire
world.
When I finally took my chance and kissed her, I knew we would be together for the rest of
our lives. After that, there was no more waiting. No more nights dreaming of the Mouth of Truth.
No more papers about the Coliseum. No more conversations about her daring, unlawful scooter
drive.
No more, because in the end, we were together again.