A/N: Hey everyone! I'm so sorry once again for the delay. Life has been hectic and crazy like never before. I'm always on the go, always running to band practice or other things. Hopefully since it's now the summer, I'll get to update more. But that comes with a price. I don't know how often I'm going to get to do thank yous and replies to reviews. I will try to do them when I have time, but replying to everyone is very hard, and takes up a lot of time. I hope you all can understand that, and will continue to review, because it keeps up my spirits and pushes me to keep writing. You guys are amazing and I love and thank each and every one of you! But no worries, I will get to do thank yous sometimes. Just not every chapter. But without further ado, here's the next chapter. Enjoy!

She reached the hotel and sprinted inside and up the stairs. Ginny arrived at the suite door, and burst in just as Elliot was pulling up his pants.

Chapter Five: Hi, Nice to Meet You Again

"What are you doing?" Ginny demanded suspiciously.

"I was just changing my pants, the others I was wearing are uncomfortable." Elliot responded calmly.

"Oh, okay." Ginny said with a sigh of relief.

"For a minute I had thought…never mind." Ginny said.

Suddenly Ginny became furious, remembering the fact that Elliot had been gone all day. She stood seething in silence for a moment. Finally, she spoke up.

"So where were you today?" Ginny asked coolly.

"Nowhere."

"Nowhere? That's not very descriptive. I want to know why you left me alone all day."

"No. I can't tell you."

"I knew it! You ran off with some Italian woman didn't you?" Ginny shrieked.

Elliot let out a loud laugh.

"No, I was arranging something."

"Like what? A prostitute?"

"No! I was planning a surprise trip to Florence for us! There."

Ginny shut her mouth immediately. She felt like a childish brat, jumping to conclusions like that. And he had planned a trip to Florence for them! Could she get any more wench-like? Jason stood looking at her oddly, and Ginny hung her head in shame. Something then crackled in Elliot's eyes.

"And where were you all night Ginny?"

"Out."

"Oh yes, how interesting. And where?"

"To dinner."

"Alone? I dare say not."

"No I wasn't alone alright? I met a very nice man outside the gates and he invited me to dinner." Ginny admitted reluctantly.

"Don't you think you're being a bit hypocritical then?"

"I suppose."

"Alright then."

They both said nothing. The conversation was finished, and Ginny knew this. Without a word, she breezed past Elliot into the bathroom and locked herself in. These arguments with Elliot really upset her. She didn't enjoy fighting with the man she loved, not many did. But something about his behavior set off wailing alarms in her mind. He was acting defensive, which wasn't in his nature.

Ginny ran the water for the large and elaborate bath, and only a few minutes later, removed her clothes and sunk it the steamy water. She lay back, letting the heat and scent of the floating bubbles soothe her. She knew that things were getting blown out of proportion, but for the moment she just wanted to brood. Seeing the electricity of anger in Elliot's eyes was unfamiliar to her. Looking into them had been like staring into a raging, stormy sea, waves crashing violently on the shore. Somehow it had made them even more mesmerizing.

Ginny sunk lower into the water, and finally lowered her head under. Little bubbles escaped her nose and floated the surface of the water. Suddenly, déjà vu hit her forcefully. She remembered, so many years ago, doing this very thing. She had been upset about a very different person, Ash. A few happy memories bubbled to the surface of her mind, just as the bubbles in her bath. They were of better times, of laughing and late night talks. Then the inevitable happened. The memories of Ashley's death, her funeral, and the months afterward all came pouring in like tidal waves.

Ginny could still see Ashley's blue face perfectly, the way her lips looked frozen. Her body had looked thin and stiff. Ginny exploded from under the water, sobbing. In times like these, the memories of Ash still haunted her. A few moments later, she pulled herself together.

Some time later, Ginny reentered the bedroom. Elliot was already asleep, something of a blessing for Ginny. Quietly, she crept into bed and pulled the covers around her. Tomorrow was a new day, and hopefully it would be better than the last two hours of her night had been.

Ginny was awoken by a flash of blinding light behind her eyes. She jolted upward, and immediately ran her face into Elliot's hand, which held a giant black camera. Elliot blushed; looking mildly embarrassed, and began to stutter.

"I was, uh, just trying to take a picture of you. You look so beautiful when you're sleeping."

Ginny smiled in spite of herself, but quickly looked down.

"I'm sorry for last night Ginny. I didn't mean to be so defensive and accusatory, I'd just had a really long day. Forgive me?"

Ginny contemplated for a moment, and then decided to just accept his apology. Staying angry with one another wasn't going to do any good.

"Yes I will accept your apology." Ginny said, while giving Elliot a gentle kiss on the lips.

"Well in that case, I have some really good stuff planned for today."

"Really? Like what?"

"Today is our Florence trip. It should be wonderful."

Without saying a word, Ginny beamed and jumped into Elliot's arms. She could picture she and Elliot in her mind, partaking in all sorts of fun adventures. They would walk along the picturesque streets, stopping by quaint shops. Ginny had no idea what Florence would be like or what it would bring, but her mind was surging with possibilities. And so was the day. It was bright, sunny, and beautiful out, the perfect weather.

They quickly packed for an overnight stay, and set out. It was an hour's drive from the Palazzo Alexander, but the time flew by. Soon they had arrived in Florence. It was even more beautiful than Ginny had imagined in her mind. The city sat divided by the picturesque River Arno. It was surrounded by rolling hills dotted with villas and castles. Ginny's eyes had barely taken in everything, when Elliot grabbed her hand and pulled her towards a museum.

Several hours were spent in and out of several museums, gazing upon hundreds of pieces of ancient art and architecture. Although Ginny loved this, she was ready to get out and experience the city. She expressed this to Elliot, and so he suggested they dine somewhere for a late lunch. They stopped in a restaurant, which had a friendly atmosphere, and a busy local crowd. It was perfect, and authentic. They had amazing antipastos, and glasses of wine. After paying the bill, the two set out to see more of the city.

Ginny then spotted a small shop, something that made her squeal in delight. It was small, but yet still the sight of it lit a fire inside her heart. Walking closer to it, the familiar scent hit her like home. A small sign hung over the door, displaying a pallet and paintbrush. Ginny drifted in, an unseen current drawing her into the shop. There was no one at the counter, so Ginny looked around. There was far more in this shop than there'd been in the miniscule one in Lucca. A whole wall was devoted to the rich paint colors that Ginny loved so much. Brushes hung on the opposite walls in mass amounts. Although the shop had looked small from the outside, it's content was amazing. Ginny continued in awe until she realized that Elliot had not followed her in.

Ginny peered out the door, and saw Elliot chatting with the owner of an outdoor shop. She smiled to herself, and resumed her examination of every little thing contained in the shop. There were original paintings on the wall, presumably done by the owner. They were exquisite, and Ginny felt herself grow slightly jealous. It was obviously a family owned business, and Ginny longed to know the person who had created such perfection. No one had yet appeared at the counter and as if Ginny had willed it, a deep, male voice echoed from the back of the shop.

"Is anyone out there? Do you need help with anything?"

"Um, actually I was wondering if I could have a look at some of your paintings on the wall." Ginny answered back.

"Hold on just a minute."

"Alright."

Ginny stood rooted to her spot, ready for the mystery man to be revealed. Something about his voice made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up on end. The sound of footsteps arose, and grew louder, until finally he entered the room. There was no reason to have been alarmed or curious, he was just a stranger. But he was a rather attractive stranger. His raven hair fell in waves around his sharply angled face. His skin shown with a golden light, and he was extremely tall. She hadn't had a good look at his eyes, for he kept looking down.

When he finally looked up Ginny was stricken. They shone brighter than anything she'd seen in a long time. They were emerald in color, sparkling, enchanting, memorizing green. His gaze pierced her own wide honey brown eyes, and suddenly a gasp escaped her throat.

"I'm sorry, but have we met before?" she inquired weakly.

"Ginny."

Everything was suddenly very blurry, as Ginny's vision went askew. Her breathing became short and labored as she collapsed into unconsciousness.

When Ginny awoke, he was standing over her. Peering down at her pasty white face. She let out a wail, and shut her eyes tight. Maybe it was all a very bad hallucination, or some kind of nightmare. Slowly, she opened her eyes. He was still there. The man she hadn't seen or heard from in six years. Harry fucking Potter. Anger flared for a moment, which was then immediately replaced by sadness. He was so different. He had become a man, something she thought he had been six years before. Looking at him now made her realize that he hadn't been that before. Harry had been a boy in his early twenties, still trying to find himself. The change was so drastic; it had taken Ginny longer than it should have to recognize her first love.

Harry was staring at Ginny as well. In the years since he'd been away from her, she'd also grown as a woman. Her physical appearance had matured, so instead of being merely pretty, she was now startlingly beautiful. But he could recognize a difference radiating from the inside, despite her panicked state. She seemed stronger, more confident, and well, happier. He also noticed the platinum wedding band on her left hand. He gazed down at his finger, empty of a ring. This did not mean he wasn't taken. On the contrary he was very taken.

Ginny finally gained the courage to look into Harry's eyes. They shone with a genuine shock, and Ginny tried to smile, although it was hard.

"Funny that of all the cities in Italy, we manage to run into each other." Ginny said softly.

"Weird isn't it?" Harry returned.

"So…how have you been?"

"I've been wonderful. And you? I see you're married now."

"Yes, very happily."

They lapsed into an awkward silence, both looking at everything but each other.

"This is going to sound weird, but would you like to go to lunch tomorrow? Catch up a bit?" Ginny asked.

Harry hesitated for a moment, before replying.

"Sure. Where?"

"How about the Trattoria Pallottino?"

"Sounds good."

"Alright then, I'll see you there at 12:00."

Harry nodded affirmatively, and with that Ginny exited the shop. Her heart felt as if it was going to burst. Every emotion she possessed was being bombarded. She hadn't been expecting that, no not at all.

Ginny walked up to Elliot, who was now conversing with a different merchant. She grabbed his arm tightly, and he turned towards her, startled.

"Ginny. You scared me. Where have you been?"

"I was just in the paint shop. You know me. I actually ran into an old friend. I was planning on having lunch with them tomorrow. Is that alright?"

"That's fine. I'll just explore a bit."

Ginny lapsed into silence, and stood contemplating.Of all the paint shops in all the towns in all the world, I walk into his.

A/N: I hope you liked this chapter! Harry finally reappears. Now the juiciness begins. Haha. And the next chapter will be dedicated to the first person who can tell me what movie the last line is from. Granted, I manipulated it a bit to fit the story, but it's still recognizable. Good luck!