Epilogue:
When Michelle LaRoche first met Julius Vargas at the swimming pool on that faithful day her brother decided to spoil her with a spa trip, she thought it would be a one-time thing. She wasn't a regular spa goer and she reasoned the odds of them seeing each other again were slim to none. That was until they met again on the side of the road. Then Michelle spent plenty of nights fantasizing about them doing everything, grand things and simple things. She was a simple woman, really. Simple pleasures are often the easiest to get and the most missed. It would seem, despite their age different, she and her now boyfriend quite enjoyed the same simple pleasures.
Of course, Michelle still gets butterflies whenever they sit close even though it's been exactly a year since they first started dating. Julius is a very physical guy. He likes to hold her hand and rub her feet just because. They cuddle, like a lot. This made her very nervous the first time he invited her to his home for homemade gelato. Julius just kept crouching in on her personal space, wrapping his arms around her, kissing her ear and things. But nothing happened. Julius promised not to force her into anything and he stood by that, even to this day.
So she's much more comfortable now waiting for him to bring her favourite black cherry and chocolate gelato. They made it the night before and Michelle stayed over for the sole purpose of eating that gelato in the morning. She's carved out her own little space in Julius' single family home, though the process of getting where she is now hasn't been easy. The main problem being one feisty Italian child by the name of Lovino who wasn't too keen on having a possible step-mom who was similar in age to him. He bombarded her with questions the first time they meet. Michelle was able to answer them all honestly and without losing her cool. Then there was Feliciano, the younger of the two, who warned her with a cheery smile not to mess with his Nonno or else Lovino would handle it. Immediately an image of an old Italian kingpin popped in her head. She didn't even want to know what Feliciano meant by his statement.
They're all good now though. Michelle and Feliciano get along well. As for Lovino, she isn't quite sure if he's just forced himself to accept it or is trying to remain indifferent. Regardless, he doesn't glare at her anymore and that's all that matters. It took the first few months for her to get in their good graces while it only too Julius the first day to be Francis' best friend! Really it was totally unfair. Her brother took to her boyfriend immediately, not lingering on the age difference in light of everything else. They had a lot in common it seemed and, before she knew it Julius and Francis had gone of ranting about the beauty in world and forgot all about her.
Thankfully Gilbert intervened to play devils advocate and Antonio was something of the voice of reasons amongst all four of them. For that she thanked the Spaniard profusely. Most of the time she could count on Francis, sometimes Gilbert but always always Antonio. Maybe that's why she had such a huge crush on him for so long. Antonio was so much more than just her brother's friend.
Now though, she doesn't need him. She has her own Latin cutie bringing her chilled chocolate gelato and a blanket. Michelle will never forget the taste of her and Antonio sharing a churro that ended with a kiss. But it hardly stands a chance against the bittersweet taste of cool lips meeting after the first bite of gelato. Julius has a way of making her forget time and space when they kiss, a feat not yet achieved by her brother's best friend.
Perhaps experience comes with age? Michelle is ready to learn from him then. Julius is quite eager to teach her things that she doesn't know. Very rarely does that teaching border on the fatherly type. Very rarely does their age gap make their relationship challenging, though there are moments where it can be difficult. It's a price Michelle will gladly pay to be with such an amazing man.
And maybe people do look at them funny when they kiss in public. Maybe people think negative things about Julius or about her. That's why it's their relationship, even if it is an unconventional one. Michelle wouldn't have it any other way. Julius is everything she's ever wanted in a man, Francis, Antonio and Gilbert all wrapped in one tall Italian package.
Unconventional? True.
Worth it? Definitely.
A/N: The end! It only took me like forever to reach the end but I did eventually!
Totally Irrelevant Facts:
Word Count: 15,454 without author's notes
Page Numbers: 28 (Times New Roman, 12 font)
Musical Inspiration: I honestly don't remember, haha
Peace, Love and Pasta!
-CeCe ^_^