My original plans were to time skip to when our fours characters arrived at Rome. However, I was on the Internet and learned to the distance between Rome and Venice is 9000 miles. It would take 4 – 5 months for Ezio and company to reach the city, and that is WAY too long of a time skip in my opinion. So there will be a few more chapters before everyone arrives in Rome. I'll be alternating the chapters between Ezio's group and Leonardo.

Great news! I got a new laptop!!! *cheers* My updating schedule will be back to normal very soon. :)

Oh ya, I had written this one chapter (it was supposed to go up as the filler instead of the Leonardo chapter), but I had a sudden inspiration spurt to write Leo's chapter. I don't know whether or not I should put the other chapter up though (since it was technically written as a filler). What do you guys think? It's nothing really important; just Clara and Ezio each having a flashback to their childhood.

Dear Daughter,

You have no idea how much joy I experienced as I read your last letter. I am to be a grandfather! I could not be any happier than I am right now. Indeed, I can barely write down these words for joy.

Your invitation has been accepted; Clara and Scipio left in a carriage only a few hours ago. There were so excited by your generosity (especially Clara). I ordered a carriage from my old friend, Demetrio, do they will be well looked after. I must warn you though; there is another traveling with there. It is not one of your siblings or even an old friend; you have most likely never seen this man before in your entire life.

His name is Ezio Auditore de Firenze. He came to the bakery a short while ago, and I hired him as a helper. You are probably frowning as you read this and wondering why I would send a man that I have not known for long on a journey with my children. Put your fears to rest, Erminia. Ezio is perfectly trustworthy. He came highly recommended and I have seen nothing but goodness in him. He's a very useful sort of man; you will like him, no doubt.

Since we are on the topic of Ezio, there is something I would like to discuss with you. It has come to my attention via your younger brothers that there is an attraction between him and Clara. Personally, I don't see it; Clara hasn't shown any interest in him. Yes, I have seen Ezio flirting with her (or attempting to), but my friend, Leonardo da Vinci, assures me that Ezio flirts with all women. I actually support the man's endeavors after your sister. It would do her good to get another man after that scoundrel, Vincent. I ask you to keep an eye on them. Though I greatly trust Ezio, I want to make sure that nothing premature happens between them.

I must go. Erminia is calling for me. I have considered closing the bakery and going to the country until you send back your brother and sister. I could use some relaxation.

Your loving father,

Piangi Vitellio

Melina Lombardi placed the letter on her bedside table. She absently rubbed her flat stomach (she had only been pregnant for about a month) and pondered her father's words.

She had had no doubt that her father would have agreed to send Clara and Scipio to Rome. The thought of her favorite siblings brought a warm smile to her face. Oh how good it would be to see them again! There was sister gossip to exchange with Clara, and Scipio had written a while back that he was interested in art.

Melina slowly got out of the bed she shared with her husband, being careful not to disturb his sleeping form. She made her way across the room, bare feet padding on the wood floor, and went to the large bay window that opened to a balcony. The window's view was fantastic. Right below was her orchard – fig, apricot, date, lemon, and cherry trees grew in abundance. Beyond the garden, one could look directly at St. Mark's Square. Melina spent a few minutes watching the people of Rome bustle about their busy lives. A lark landed on the balcony's ledge and started to sing a sweet tune.

The oldest Vitellio – now Lombardi – closed her eyes and started to hum a song from her childhood. She felt a giddy rush of pleasure as she realized that in nine months, she would be singing this song to her very own child. Removing her hand from where her child was, Melina took a deep breath.

One thing was bothering her about her father's letter. Ezio Auditore.

Personally, Melina didn't care how trusting Ezio was. It was easy for someone to pretend to be a nice, helpful bakery assistant. It had been only a month, and her father had just let two of his children travel 900 miles with almost a stranger! What had gotten into him?

And what did he mean there was an "attraction" between Ezio and Clara? That did not sound good. How was Clara taking it? It had only been a year since…

"Honey?"

Her husband's voice interrupted her thoughts. She turned back to the bed, "I'm here, Dante."

"Four months?!"

Scipio's mouth was hanging open, his eyes wide. Clara cleared her throat and put her hair behind her ear, "Yes, Scipio. It will take us at least four months to get to Rome,"

Her brother continued staring at her. Clara was starting to feel uncomfortable, Close your mouth," she told him, "You'll swallow a fly."

Scipio immediately shut his mouth.

Clara giggled and looked around.

The coach had stopped so that they could eat lunch in peace. Clara, Scipio and Ezio had spread out a blanket in the shade of an olive tree. Ezio had left thirty minutes ago to buy food from a nearby town. Clara had insisted on going with him, but he had told her to stay and rest.

Cicadas chirped. A warm breeze rustled the tree leaves and green grass. Clara lay on her back and stared up at the cloudless sky. In the distance, one of the coach horses whinnied as the driver lead them off of the road. Clara heard the reigns clink together as the driver, Damiano was his name, slipped them off of the horses' muzzles.

Scipio groaned, "Where's Ezio," he asked, "I'm starving!"

Before Clara could respond, she noticed a cloud of dust on the horizon. She watched curiously as the dust cloud came closer and closer, traveling down the road at an incredible pace. Scipio also noticed it, "Is that Ezio?" he asked hopefully.

"I don't think so," Clara murmured.

By now, the two were able to see that there was a carriage being pulled by horses in the middle of the dust cloud. The carriage looked very old, but that wasn't what Clara's jaw dropped at. The man driving the carriage was like no man she had ever seen before. He looked enormous even sitting down. His hair looked black –

And that was all Clara was able to see. The carriage stormed past her and her brother's picnic spot, spewing up rocks and even more dust. The driver cracked his whip, causing Clara to wince.

As soon as it had happened, it was over. The carriage rounded a bend in the road and disappeared.

"What was that?!" Scipio asked, "The man was driving as if he was possessed."

"It's a good thing that I moved my carriage and horses off the road when I did," Damiano called.

Scipio groaned again and flopped face first onto the blanket. Clara's mouth was still hanging open.

This was what Ezio saw when he came back eight minutes later. He set down his hamper of food, and examined Clara's face.

"What did I miss?" he asked.

Yes, that was Leonardo's carriage that passed. XD

Thanks for being understanding about the lost chapters, guys! I really appreciate it. ^^ Review, please!