A/N Hey guys! So…3 years since the last update huh? Whoops! I'm afraid life just kinda got in the way and it wasn't until this very moment that I remembered that I hadn't finished this fic so…here's the last chapter! Thanks for your patience!
Her brother's small gathering of friends continued to grow as the night went on, and Isabella had the distinct feeling that Antonio had encouraged half the thieves guild to join him and Ezio at Ido's home.
The somewhat unfamiliar crowd would normally have made her feel uneasy, but the day's activities had given her something of a lift - and coupled with the plentiful wine that was going round thanks to Ido, she felt rather at ease with her surroundings. The only thing she wished for was time with Ezio who seemed to be the subject of much attention - but she made do with the frequent smiles he sent her way, all full of promise that they would talk properly soon.
After fulfilling much of her share of conversations around the room with old friend and stranger alike, she planted herself on one of the couches in the corner of the room - making sure she was still in view in case Ezio should look for her.
First to find her however was Antonio who seemed to have downed quite a lot of wine in a short space of time and was rather merry as he approached.
"Dearest Isabella," He said, his voice a little slurred but not incoherent. "I thought I would come keep you company."
"How considerate of you," Isabella replied with a giggle; she patted the seat next to her as an invitation. "Come sit down."
He fell down onto the couch somewhat heavily, lifting his goblet of wine as he did so to avoid spilling anything.
"You seem so much better," he said somewhat bluntly, but with a gentleness that's suggested he wasn't completely lost of his senses.
Isabella gave him a warm smile, her heart aching momentarily - but recovering quickly.
"I'm getting there," she replied with a heaved breath. "And how are you?"
"Oh same old, same old." The thief waved his hand dismissively with a smile. "It's been a while since I have been able to relax, but thanks to Ezio - we're all able to have a little fun for a while."
Isabella's gaze turned to the assassin who was locked in conversation across the room, she felt her heart thump as his gaze momentarily met hers.
"He seems to be the hero of the hour," she said with a smile.
"He speaks very fondly of you," Antonio replied, taking a deep drink of his wine. "I was nicely surprised to hear you'd both found each other in the cesspool of Roma."
Isabella pulled a mock-indignant expression, turning to face the other.
"Excuse me Sir," she said with stern tone that was ruined by a rue smile. "That cesspool as you call it happens to be my home now."
Antonio gave a look of disgust, though he chuckled merrily. "I refuse to believe that. A Venetian could never call Rome their home."
Isabella laughed at his jovial tone. She leaned forward, taking his hand in a comradely manner.
"Venice will always be my true home, I cannot deny. But Rome is not so terrible."
He laughed with her, swinging their hands a little. "Nonsense!"
"Might I join you?" A voice interrupted, and Isabella's stomach swooped pleasantly as she locked eyes with Ezio who had come over in the midst of their conversation.
Antonio took his hand out of Isabella's to gesture to the armchair next to them.
"Please do, my boy! Perhaps you can settle this as an outsider to both cities, which is better, Venice or Rome?"
Ezio gave a rue smile at the other's merriment and took the offered seat, seemingly contemplating the question as he did so.
"Shall I answer honestly or shall I lie to save my skin?" He asked Isabella playfully.
She giggled, feeling herself blush at the mere proximity of him. "I would lie. I believe Antonio has had enough wine to do something foolish."
The two men laughed at her words.
Ezio nodded. "Alright then, Venice is better. Though Florence is superior to them both."
"Lies!" Antonio replied jovially, draining the last of his wine. "Pure lies. Our city is fairer, our views are more spectacular and our women are much more beautiful than any else in Italy."
At this, Ezio's eyes went to Isabella's and he smiled roguishly. "Well, I won't disagree with that last part."
She felt her face grow hot and her skin tingle with giddiness. Resisting the urge to giggle like a young fool, she took a large sip of wine - though she knew it did nothing to aide the flush on her cheeks nor take away the stupid smile on her face.
Antonio was somewhat oblivious to this exchange, and changed the subject - imploring both Isabella and Ezio to add their opinions when he stopped for breath. Whilst this went on, Isabella's heart leapt any time Ezio looked at her, which was often. She began to long for it to be just the two of them, she had missed him so much, and the wine in her system seemed to enhance her desire to do a little more than just talk.
This seemed not to be for the moment, as Antonio's inebriation spurred him to talk more and more about subjects that became abstract and inane. Isabella felt a fond sense of exasperation, and glanced around the room before locking eyes with Rosa.
Immediately, the other dropped her own conversation and walked over to the three of them.
"Antonio, my love!" She said starkly, reaching out her hand to him. "Ido wishes to talk about those maps we stole last week, and I don't know a thing about them. Please come help me."
Isabella smiled ruefully at this ploy, and felt a surge of gratitude when Antonio heaved himself from his seat.
"I am sorry, my fine company," he said, reaching out his hand to Isabella to squeeze hers strongly before shaking hands with Ezio. "I am needed elsewhere."
As the two of them walked away, Rosa turned her head to give Isabella a sly wink which was returned.
She moved over to Antonio's old seat to lean closer to Ezio.
"Let's sneak away," she said over the din. "Quickly."
He chuckled at this, and obliged, getting up and holding out his hand to help her up. She felt yet another pleasant squirm in her stomach at the contact of their hands.
Glancing around and noting that nobody was paying attention to them, Isabella ushered Ezio into the empty foyer and then out of the front door, feeling a sense of relief as the noise from the party inside dissipated as they walked away from the house.
"Where are we going?" Ezio asked jovially as they made their way down the street.
"I'm not sure yet," Isabella replied, becoming aware of the wine in her system now the cool night air was on her face. "I just wanted to escape for a few moments."
"A good plan," the Assassin chuckled. Rather naturally, he took her hand as they walked and she felt her heart begin to thrum again.
She turned to look at him, grateful for the opportunity to stare for a prolonged time.
"How are you?" She asked.
"I'm well," he replied conversationally. "Spent a lot of time being roped into Antonio's plans lately, which is typical when I visit this city."
Isabella laughed. "Well it sounds like you saved us all from what everyone has been saying."
"All in a day's work," Ezio responded with a mock-cockiness that made the other laugh again.
They had reached one of the many docks surrounding the district, and without discussing it, the pair of them stopped to stare out into the water.
"And how are you?" Ezio asked, his tone sobering a little as he breached the sensitive subject. "Have you been alright with everything?"
Isabella took a deep breath.
"It's been a little bit of struggle," she replied honestly, her heart once again aching momentarily before returning to normal. "I've had to do a lot of...soul-searching. But I think it's getting better. I feel a lot better anyway."
"You seem it," the Assassin responded with a soft tone. "You seem very changed actually, if it's not presumptive to say so."
She smiled, turning herself towards him.
"I'm glad it's showing." she said quietly. "Thank you for inspiring me to make the effort."
His smile was tender.
"You needn't thank me. I think it's very clear by now that there's not much I wouldn't do for you."
Her heart ached at this, but it was a good feeling this time.
"Nor I you," she whispered. "I missed you, Ezio."
She could feel herself filling with emotions. Happiness, desire, comfort, and something else, something she couldn't quite put a finger on.
He placed an arm around her waist and drew her in slowly.
"I missed you too," he replied before leaning in, and kissing her on the lips.
Ezio's mouth was strong against hers, but there was a tenderness to the way his hand moved to her hair, her neck, her cheek. Isabella felt herself falling into it without any trepedation. Her mind was not focused on anything but the movement of his lips on hers and his hands on her body. She grasped onto the front of his collar, feeling like if she didn't, she would float into the sky.
If they had stayed that way for the rest of time it still wouldn't have felt like enough. And there were many times where they parted, only to draw back into the kiss again, each time as enthusiastic and passionate as the last.
Finally, after what felt simultaneously like hours and seconds, they parted from each other with breathless countenance. Ezio leaned his head forward to press his forehead against hers, their gaze locked onto each other.
"We should head back soon," the assassin said with a clear reluctance. "I'm sure they'll be wondering where we are."
"Who cares?" Isabella laughed breathlessly. She felt elated, lighter than air.
Ezio laughed softly before leaning down to kiss her softly again, though with painful brevity.
"Come, I wouldn't want to be accused of kidnapping."
It still took them a few more minutes to move from that spot, and even then, they found excuses to stop several times as they made their way back towards Ido's house.
When they reached the house again, they lingered outside - though Isabella was careful to control her urges should anyone from inside be looking out of the windows.
"Will you be staying here much longer, do you think?" Ezio asked softly, his thumb tracing along her hand affectionately as he spoke.
Isabella contemplated the question.
"Possibly for a little while," she replied. "What about you?"
He smiled.
"I have nothing else to do, but I may stay if there is any insistence that I do so."
Isabella pulled him a little closer to her.
"Then I'm afraid I must insist," she said with a cheeky grin. "I'll need an escort home."
He drew her hands up to his lips, kissing then gently.
"Anything you wish, Bella." He said with real sincerity. "I'm yours."
And then she knew what that feeling she couldn't place was.
Love.
She was falling in love with him.
This realisation hit her with such surprise that she didn't speak for a moment. And her delay caused Ezio to look at her with a hint of concern.
"Are you alright?" He asked, squeezing her hands.
Wordlessly, she walked forward, no longer caring about potential onlookers, and wrapped her arms around him.
"I am," she breathed, the truth in her words still making her reel. "I truly am."
He obliged to her advance, also not seeming to care about their current location. As he had before, his arms wrapped around her waist and he leaned down to kiss her sweetly once again.
There was still much to do to help her grief, she knew. But she was on her way. She was finally healing after so long in the dark. She had friends and family who helped her through, and she had found Ezio - a man whom had helped save her, and whom she was slowly but surely falling in love with.
These were things she had never thought possible again, and it filled her heart with happiness to know that this was truly what Paulo wanted - for her to be happy again.
She had found a new beginning, and the future seemed bright.