"Tomatoes! A-fresh tomatoes" you called out into the crowded streets of Italy. Your day was going great. Business was pretty good today. You just opened your stand two hours ago and your tomatoes were already gone. One remained. You saved that one for a very special someone. You picked your head up, the bright sun shined on your face, warming it. You closed your eyes, just to enjoy the simple things. A breeze lifted your (your color) hair making you smile. You didn't notice the Italian that was staring you with admiration. The way you looked there, all peaceful and worry free sent chills down his spine. He liked when you looked like this. You were always busy working but it was all worth it. He noticed your strong attitude the day he met you and he liked you since.

At a young age, you had to get a job to support you and your mother. Your father left your mom for another woman so your source of income left too. But your mother was a strong woman and you couldn't remember her ever shedding a single tear for your father. Oh how you admired that about her. Your mother immediately started labor working, but it wasn't enough to survive. Soon your mother took up at least 5 other jobs that demanded alot on her body and mind. She could only hold on to the jobs til her body was so worn out that she was bed ridden. You were not used to seeing your mother so weak and fragile. It hurt you so much, you couldn't stand to see her face sometimes. That's when you took up the responsibility of you and your mother's survival. Just like your mother, you took up many jobs. You were much like your mother. You both were stubborn, positive, independent, and strong. You both viewed your opinions, not caring what anyone else thought. You were both also very generous people with big hearts.

You were in your own little world, eyes closed, not caring if people were staring at you at the moment.

"I will take one tomato." A familiar voice called out to you. Romano you thought. You opened your eyes and as you expected, stood the Italian man. He peered at you with marvelous brown eyes. They seemed to always look through you, like he could see your soul. Your struggle. You felt goosebumps form on your arms as you thought about his stare. You shook them away.

"Sorry sir, we are all out! Come back tomorrow and i am sure we will restock. Thank you." you said in a over-nice tone. You both laughed at this, then his expression saddened.

"Well, gosh. I was really hoping to have one of your tomatoes." he said while scratching the back of his head. You tossed him your last tomato.

"Come on! You know i couldn't let my best customer walk away tomato less!" you said. He took a big bite out of the shinny fruit. The fruits juice flowed down to his chin. You watched with amusement as he ate. He looks so good when he eats. Why do i look like an animal when i eat? you thought. He ate the thing in three bites. He still had tomato juice on his chin. You grabbed a cloth and walked up to him. You placed it against his jaw line and softly wiped the juice. He turned as red as the tomato he just devoured.

"There!" you said after successfully cleaning all the juice.

He was still red. Seeing him like this, made you blush as well.

"T-thanks (your name)."he said still shocked.

"Sure thing Romano." you said with a smile, trying to push away the awkwardness.

"So tonight there is a party at Spain's house and i wanted to know if you wanted to tag along with me?"he asked.

"Oh Romano. You know i will be busy working tonight! I would like to go, but there is just no way i can miss work. I will get fired and i can't afford to lose a job." you said guilty.

"Well you never know. Maybe you won't have to go in for some reason." he said.

"Yeah, i don't think something like that would ever ha-"

"I will call you around 7 and if you answer, i know you didn't have work, ok."he said cutting you off.

He waved bye and you just shrugged. Ha! a night off? Right! You packed the cart away and headed for your next job. You arrived early as usual. You tried to open the door, but it would not budge. Then you saw the note.

Closed for repairs

Well, it looks like you have a party to get to. You smiled at this. A night off was something that happened in rare occasions. You deserved it. You walked inside your small house. You directed yourself straight for your mother's room. You opened the door to her room and looked at the empty bed with horror.

"MOTHER!" you screamed.

"I'm in the kitchen (your name)." you heard your mother yell back. She sounded different, like her old self.

You ran to the kitchen and saw your mother sitting. Seeing her up and out of the bed made you so happy that you ran into her arms. Your tears dripped down on her back.

"(your name), there is no time for tears. You need to get ready for that party. I am tired of seeing you work so much. You are young and need to have fun my daughter. Now, follow me." How did she know about the party? you thought.

She led you to her room and then opened her closet. She moved all her clothes to the side reaching the end. Then she pulled out a beautifully crafted dress that made you gawk. shop/viewitem-PD728537(this is how i thought the dress should look, but if you don't like it, picture a better one)
"I wore this only once and i want you to keep it. It probably won't fit me anymore since i am all fat now." your mother laughed. It sounded so good to hear her laugh again.

She handed you the dress and you put it on. A perfect fit. She handed you matching shoes. Your mother grabbed a near by brush, sat you down and started to comb your natural curly/wavy hair.(pretend your hair is like this even if it isn't) Just like the old times. Your mom applied a little make-up to your face. You couldn't put the stuff on. You were not used to it.
Then the telephone rang. You looked at the time. Exactly 7. You answered.

"So i guess you got off huh?" Romano said in a kind of 'i told you' kind of way.

"Yeah, but why do i have a feeling you have something to do with it?" you said.

"I have no idea what you mean (your name). Of course, I feel sorry for your boss having to close down the shop because someone decided to flood and break the toilets." he said. You felt the grin in his face from the phone.

"Romano! You didn't!" you said giggling into the phone.

"Maybe i did, and maybe i didn't. All that matters is that you and me have a party to go to."

"Ok, but where are you at anyway?" you asked.

"Open your door."

You opened it and found him there with a victorious grin. Then it changed when you stepped into the moon light and saw you. You were gorgeous. You saw him stare.

"I know it is alot, but i don't know. Do i look weird? You can laugh at me if i do." you said looking down.

"No, non sembrare strano. si guarda così bella." he said truthfully.(no you don't look weird. you look so beautiful)

You kept your hand down as you blushed. He took your hand and you left for the party.

Music streamed from the Spaniard's house. He let you walk inside first. You reacquainted with some of your friends and then sat down. You drank a soda and then Spain came up to you with a hat.

"Recoger algo de mi bella amiga!" Spain said.(pick something my beautiful friend)"We are playing 7 minutes in heaven, senorita!"

You smiled at his statement then pulled out a packet of ketchup. Oh dear. Spain pulled your arm, leading your immobilized body to the closet. He pushed you in and locked the door. You couldn't see. You were on your knees, using your hands as your eyes until your eyes got adjusted. You felt a shoe. Then you moved your hands up his leg. He grabbed your hands and pulled you up. You could feel his hot breath on your face.

"Ro-romano?"you asked meekly.

A set of lips were forced on yours. You kissed back, unable to hold back your love you had for him. He pulled away from your lips.

"I have been longing to do that ever since i ate one of your tomatoes" he whispered hotly in your ear. "Ti amo (your name)."

You smiled and pulled him back in for another kiss. You were like that for a while then...

"Your 7 minutes are up mis amigos!" Spain said as he opened the door. Romano growled at him then he took your hand and led you up stairs. You found an unoccupied room and began where you both left off.

You woke up with your head on Romano's chest and him playing with your hair.

"Gustare meglio di qualsiasi pomodoro che abbia mai avuto." he said sensually.(you taste better than any tomato i have ever had)