Chapter 33

In the morning I woke before Piero and lay next to him for several minutes, listening to his quiet breathing and feeling him against me.

Then I carefully pushed back the blanket and climbed slowly out of the chair, trying hard not to wake him. He moved slightly when I got up, and I adjusted the blanket and tiptoed away.

Though I tried to be quiet, I think the noise of me moving about the kitchen woke him up, and I watched as he fearfully felt for me and discovered my absence. I rushed back to the armchair, grabbing his glasses off the coffee table and climbing into the chair beside him. He relaxed when he felt me moving against him, and I kissed him and placed the glasses in his hand. He put them on and smiled bleary-eyed at me, but his face was pained and anxious.

"I'm making pancakes," I said. "And then I'll give you some medicine."

"Oh, good," he sighed, and raised a hand gingerly to his temple.

"How do you feel?"

"Mmmm…" he groaned softly.

"Got a headache?"

"Yes."

I reached for his hand and moved it so I could tenderly touch my lips to his temple, and he let me leave the armchair to return to the kitchen.

He slept most of the morning, but when he finally woke up he was restless and bored. He pushed himself up into a sitting position, and then stood up on his unhurt leg despite my protests. He got very dizzy and had to sit back down, but later on he got up and even tried out his crutches. He could use them easily, though he had to be careful that they didn't rub against any of his stitches.

Piero was rambunctious, and he said he felt strong. He acted lively, and he started to go about his normal activities, serenading me, playing around with the piano and guitar, and watching movies.

We had a talk and agreed that since he could care for himself, I wouldn't spend another night at his house. I did stay the entire day, though, keeping an eye on him and reminding him not to strain himself, begging him to rest as he had done for me.

Gianluca and Ignazio came over after lunchtime and brought with them the best wishes of the Il Volo producers. Piero was happy to see them, and the four of us visited for a while.

When they left, I encouraged Piero to take an afternoon nap, and he agreed. I was tired from having stayed up most of the night, and my ever-observant Piero took notice and invited me to rest with him the armchair.

Piero didn't complain about being in pain, though at times it was obvious on his face, and he sheepishly admitted to it when I asked. I showered him in encouraging kisses and hugs, which he enjoyed immensely. He liked to keep me by his side, and I was happy to stay there.

After dinner, as it was getting dark outside, I somberly told Piero that I should be going off to my apartment.

"Julia," he said softly, looking out the window. "Before you go…the moon's out. Do you want to go outside with me and look at it for a little while?"

I nodded eagerly, and Piero got up on his crutches, and we went outside. Piero lowered himself carefully onto the grass and laid the crutches beside him. I followed him and sat cross-legged next to him.

"Wow…" I breathed, looking upward.

We looked up at the glowing moon in awe. It was a gorgeous full moon, whole and bright. No cloud dared to obstruct it, and it generously loaned its insatiable light to the two of us. Piero turned his head to me and I leaned forward to kiss him. He put his arm around me and I scooted closer to him, laying my head on his shoulder as I peered up at the perfect glowing orb above.

"I love you, Julia," he said.

"I love you too, Piero."

We were silent for a moment, enjoying each other's quiet company, and then I whispered, "La Luna Hizo Esto."

I raised my head from his shoulder to look at him, and he raised his eyebrows at me, the moonlight shimmering in his eyes as he waited for me to continue.

"Piero, I know the whole song."

He watched me for a moment, and then a slow smile spread across his face, and I smiled eagerly back.

"I sang it last night, when you were asleep, and I realized that I finally know all the words."

He was quiet, thinking about this. His eyes shimmered eagerly.

"Sing it with me," he pleaded softly, and he let me start.

"La luna hizo esto…fue culpa de la luna…"

He joined in, softening his powerful voice so he wouldn't overpower mine. Still, it was strong and rich and handsome.

"…haberme enamorado…enamorado de ti! Su brillo reflejo entre, tus ojos mi fortuna, la luna lo hizo asi!"

We sang to each other, gazing at the moonlight reflecting in each other's eyes, and when the last notes filled the air, my voice became shaky and a single tear rolled down my cheek.

Piero smiled and reached his gentle hand up to my face to wipe it away, as I smiled softly at him.

"I love you so much!" I whispered.

"I love you, too," he whispered back, his strong arms tightening around me.

He kissed me tenderly, and I was safe and loved in his strong arms, underneath the moon.

*Author's note: Thank you so much for reading my story! I hope you enjoyed it! I encourage you to leave a review and to check out my other online fanfictions: I Love You, Dan Howell, and Gianluca Ginoble and I. Remember that you can email me at annawritesfanfiction at gmaildotcom. Thanks for reading!

-Anna Babin (annawritesfanfiction)