Chapter 5

Oliver rented a car to drive to Florence, both enjoyed the picturesque scenery along the way. Their first day they toured the Florence Cathedral and Boboli Gardens wanting to get outside for the afternoon. Oliver made sure Shane brought sunscreen and a hat for the gardens. Feeling cared for she appreciated his protective nature. After spending the next day at the Uffizi, they wandered around the city going through the shops along the Ponte Vecchio to find gifts for their parents, Norman, and Rita.

After looking at options and talking, they decided to take some day trips in the area. They spent the morning climbing the leaning tower of Pisa before driving along the coast and having lunch by the beach. On the way back to Florence, the afternoon was spent touring a vineyard where they had dinner overlooking the vineyard and hills.

"It's so beautiful," Shane said taking pictures as the sun set.

Gazing at her Oliver laid his hand near her neck gently brushing the nape of her neck with his thumb. "Mm, it is."

"You're not even looking at the view," Shane said laughing.

"I'm looking at the most beautiful part of the view," he responded seriously.

She brushed a finger across his lips leaning in to kiss him. "The day we were married I was so in love. I didn't think it was possible, everyday we're together I love you more."

He brushed his lips against hers before they watched the rest of the sun set together.

After spending so much time looking at architecture and art, Shane suggested they take a break and explore something different. They left early and headed north for the day to Bologna's Lamborghini Museum and Maranello's Ferrari Museum. She enjoyed watching Oliver admire the cars marveling at how different he'd been since embarking on their honeymoon. Oliver was normally more relaxed outside of the office, but he was more affectionate, more confident, more lighthearted with her since their marriage. "What is it with boys and their toys?" she teased running a hand through his hair as he bent down to get a better look at a car.

Appreciating his view of her shorts and legs from where he was crouched down, he absently rubbed a hand on her calf before he took the hand that was in his hair and brushed his lips against her palm. "I do believe I barely got you out of the jewelry shops along the Ponte Vecchio before they closed for the night," Oliver reminded her teasingly with a grin.

On their way back to Rome they stopped and spent the morning in Vinci touring the Museo Leonardiano. "Oliver, Norman would love seeing all of these Leonardo inventions," Shane commented halfway through.

"He would. We'd have a difficult time getting him out of here," Oliver said with affection.

Afterwards they lit candles saying prayers in the Vinci Chapel next to the museum. Unknowingly, they both thanked God for opening their hearts enough to find each other. Oliver glanced at Shane praying her hair glinting in the sunlight shining through a stained-glass window. He felt overwhelmed by the dual feelings of love as well as the desire to protect her flowing through him. Feeling the weight of responsibility to care for the "little letter writer" not only physically but spiritually, he closed his eyes asking God for guidance as a husband.

Seeing he was done, Shane leaned over whispering to Oliver, "When you come to a place with this much history, do you wonder if Leonardo Da Vinci ever sat in the same seat?"

Oliver chuckled wondering if he'd ever get used to how her mind worked, "Not my first thought. I was thinking about the joys and the sorrows this chapel has seen through hundreds of years. It makes one feel insignificant as if your life is just a blink in time."

They stopped in Volterra for lunch and to wander through the city shopping before heading to the airport for an early evening flight.

Arriving at the airport Shane asked, "Are you going to tell me where we're going before we reach the gate?"

Surprised she had the patience to wait this long, "We are beginning our journey home with a stopover in Stockholm," Oliver answered with a smile.

"No way." Shane stopped in disbelief. "For how long."

"I believe there's enough time to take a hot air balloon ride over Stockholm. Since we're on this side of the pond, you mentioned once having that activity on your bucket list."

"I can't believe you remembered. I love you so much." Shane took his face in her hands kissing him. Practical thoughts came crashing in. "Oliver, I only packed for Italy."

Shaking his head laughing at female priorities, "There's a department we work with called international shipping. I had your mom pack for you and there's a suitcase waiting at the hotel in Stockholm. If she missed anything, I do believe they have stores in Stockholm."

They got to the hotel late but the next morning Shane was enthralled with the view of the city. Oliver woke to find her at the window. She felt him slip his arms around her waist resting his chin on the top of her head. "Looking forward to today?" Oliver asked looking at the city over her head. She always seemed so capable he'd forget until he held her how much smaller she was.

"I look forward to every day I get to wake with you," Shane answered. She felt his arms tighten around her at her response. As he kissed her it took little persuasion to convince her to come back to bed.

They had a late breakfast and then left for the balloon launch site. The weather was perfect, and the liftoff went without a hitch. The pilot was adept at pointing out all the sights. They drank champagne while admiring the view taking plenty of pictures and videos. Towards the end of the flight Oliver asked, "Is it everything you imagined?"

Shane leaned into him wrapping her arm around his waist, "Better because I'm with you. Thank you for arranging this, I've enjoyed every minute." After finishing up at the drop off point, they walked through the Stortorget square before finding a place for dinner.

The next morning, they spent at the photography gallery, Fotografiska, before walking through Monteliusvagen enjoying the views. They had dinner on a canal boat seeing the city through the waterways.

Their last day in Stockholm they spent in Gamla Stan seeing the Royal Palace. Shane loved the colorful buildings, shops, and restaurants in the area.

On the flight home Oliver turned to Shane placing his hand on her cheek, "Thank you for a wonderful honeymoon. I'm looking forward to starting our new life together at home."

Her eyes drifted shut and she brushed her cheek against his hand not wanting him to let go. She opened her eyes looking at him with love, "Oliver thank you. This time with you and the entire trip has been better than anything I could have imagined in a lifetime."