Chapter 28: Sancta Sedes

The next morning Max woke up first, she took a shower and posted some of her pictures on her social networks.

She smiled at some of them, they asked some people to take them photos, but she also took some of Spencer and he also took some of her.

The gorgeous views of the Roman Forum or the hill were breathtaking and the Coliseum made you wonder who that huge place could be built before the twenty and twenty-first century.

She decided to give her husband a present and booked an helicopter travel to Pompeii. And after that she closed the page so he could not find out.

She kept posting photos until he woke up, after a kiss she sent him to take a shower so they could eat their breakfast and took the bus to the Vatican City.

An hour later they were at the entrance of the Vatican City, the guide explained what they will do and the rules. They could not wear sleeveless shirts and shorts, no hats, no pets or weapons.

The tour started as they walked through the Gallery of the Maps and Gallery of Tapestries while their guide told tales of Vatican intrigue.

They gazed at artifacts such as timeworn yet fascinating Italian maps, and admire the sculptures and candelabras of the Gallery of Candelabras.

The guide let them stop for photos in front of the Pigna statue in the Pinecone Courtyard, designed by Donato Bramante.

Max was like a kid at Christmas morning watching and taking photos at everything in Raphael's Rooms, which are a series of galleries that highlight the talent of the lauded Renaissance artist himself.

They continued to pass through the rooms, and then step inside the Sistine Chapel—the pope's personal place of worship and a highlight of any Vatican trip.

All of them were in awe as the stood beneath Michelangelo's 'The Creation of Adam,' which cloaks the ceiling, and admire 'The Last Judgement,' his colorful mural that adorns a wall.

"Oh my God... it looks like it was just painted this morning" said Max as she took some pictures of it "this photos are nothing compared to see it in real life"

"I'm totally agree with you" Spencer said looking at the paintings above "did you know that Michaelangelo painted himself in this? He painted himself as a person in hell because he was gay but very religious so he died believing he would go to hell due to this"

"Yeah I'm not surprise at all" she said holding his arm "the people back them were very religious"

The tour continued to St. Peter's Basilica, the symbolic heart of the Catholic church.

"Ok guys come over here" said their guide "today is Wednesday and normally we can't got to the Basilica or the St. Peter's Square but, the Pope canceled the audiences for today so we can go in. This is an exceptional opportunity for you and you are lucky. Let go"

As they walked through it the learned about its history and see more Vatican art including Michelangelo's 'La Pietà,' which was sculpted when the maestro was only 24 years old.

They gazed at the Baldacchino by Bernini, Max continued taking photos of everything they saw.

Three hours later they said goodbye to their guide in St. Peter's Square. This tour was breathtaking and Max was almost in tears after witness the art of Raphael, Michelangelo and more amazing artist she learned in the university.

"This was amazing. I enjoyed every bit of this tour" said Max as she checked the photos again after they ordered some coffee and biscotti "and the photos don't express the feelings of watching it in situ"

"Yeah I never thought something about religion could move me so much. The Creation of Adam was something else" commented Spencer after drinking coffee "and La Pietà looked so smooth that you couldn't believe it was stone"

She nodded and ate some biscotti with her coffee "I loved this so much" she sighed looking at him "what else can we do today after this breathtaking morning?"

He got out of his messenger bag a brochure and looked in "well we could go to The Borghese Gallery, they have a littler collection than the Vatican but they also have paintings I'm sure you will love" he smiled at her.

"Sounds like a date" she smirks and leans in to kissed him.

"It surely is a date" he laughed "then we can eat some typical Italian food in a typical house"

"I would like it" she finished her coffee and biscotti.

Then they went to the Galler by taxi. The place was in park and close from there was the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea and the National Etruscan Museum.

They spent the rest of the day checking the museums. Max talked nonstop about the art in there. Spencer, of course, gave some facts but that was Max's day.

Both had a great day and when they arrived to the museum they ate at their room because they decided to just cuddle in bed and have some alone time.

"I think tomorrow we should stay here in the hotel and then we could keep checking the city on Friday" she was laying her head on his chest and when he said so he looked down at her.

"I'm agree, beside I have something planned for us this Friday"

"What is it?" He was curious about it.

"You will see it on Friday Dr. Reid" she teased him.

"Oh really Mrs. Reid?" She nodded and lifted her head up to kissed his chin.

"Yes and I'm sure you will love it" she played back again on his chest.

"Well I can't wait to see it" he kissed her head "but I'm sure it will he great".

OOooOOooOO

I am happy this chapter was easier to write than the last one. I definitely need to keep my mind working on this story.

Some things Max and Spencer commented in the Vatican were based on my mom's experience there. I made my research about names and what was in there.

Also I would like to let you know that this story will have a few more chapters and then I will end it.

I already have the perfect ending for this story.

The next chapter will be their day in the hotel and I think I will include Pompeii visit.

Hope you liked it. And I appreciate that you took time of your day reading this and also if you comment... I love you 3000. Read you later.