Week of New Year’s Even and Day 1939/1940
“Thank you so much Isabella for taking care of Luciano while we have a quick break for just the two of us in Rome!” Sally exclaimed thankfully as the family said their goodbyes at the Turin train station before parting for different destinations.
“You’re most welcome my dear,” Isabella replied with a knowing smile. “Every young couple needs a break sometimes for just the two of them to keep the passion burning,” she added while Luca blushed and his father nudged him playfully.
“You two go and enjoy yourselves in Rome for the New Year’s celebrations, and we will take good care of our grandson Luciano and try not to spoil him too much before you return home at Villa Vittorio in a few days,” Vincenzo said. “Now, hurry before you miss your train!” he concluded with a smile and hug for them both.
As the train arrived at Rome Termini station, Sally was excited to visit the places where she and Luca had spent so much time and created memories from their early days of courtship nine years ago. It seemed like yesterday that she met Luca by happenstance in Paris and he saved her from that wretched man and a life of unknown dangers. In no time she found herself in Rome with Luca and explored the many historical, cultural and natural wonders of the ancient yet modern city.
Stepping out of Termini station into the cool winter air, Luca quickly escorted Sally to their awaiting private car and driver. Both Sally and Luca sat silently while holding hands and gazing out the car windows at the familiar sites passing by, including the Pantheon, Colosseo, Foro Romano, and Capitoline Hill. The latter, which now included the fully completed Vittoriano, a permanent monument to King Victor Emmanuel II of Savoy, celebrating the first king of a united Italy. It had been started in the late 1800’s after the king’s death in 1878, and while partly completed and inaugurated in 1911, construction continued until 1935. Sally and Luca both looked at each other silently agreeing without speaking that they must climb up and visit the now completed Vittoriano together.
The car made its way past the Spanish Steps and through the Piazza del Popolo, stopping in front of the posh historic Hotel de Russie at the base of Pincian Hill. As Sally got out of the car she looked up at the hill remembering the Pincio Terrace with the most spectacular vista of Rome and the Villa Borghese Gardens where she and Luca spent many of their first few months dating.
Luca, noticing his wife’s gaze upward gave her a hug and smiled, saying, “We have many beautiful memories up there in the gardens and on the terrace. I hoped those memories would make you smile and happy mi amore,” as he kissed her on the cheek, adding, “And we can create some new memories up there together as well.”
“Oh, Luca darling, you always know just what I need,” Sally replied. “Let’s get settled in our room. Then, we can go up and explore the gardens like old times.”
“Here you are my lord and my lady Cavallo, the Vaselli Suite,” the hotel bellman announced while showing them in.
Sally walked out onto the terrace and gave a sigh of contented joy calling out to Luca, “Oh, darling, it has the most brilliant view of the secret garden and the Pincio Hill beyond!”
“I thought you’d love it mi amore,” Luca replied with a smile as he embraced Sally in a hug from behind. “The secret gardens were designed by the architect Giuseppe Valadier as was the hotel and the nearby Piazza del Popolo,” he continued.
Luca stepped away to tip the bellman, then returned to Sally’s side. “Let’s get changed and take a walk up the Spanish Steps and through the Villa Borghese Gardens for old time sake,” he suggested with a smile.
“You read my mind darling,” Sally replied before heading into the Carrara marble bathroom to freshen up and change outfits.
In no time, Sally and Luca were strolling from Piazza del Popolo towards the Spanish Steps, stopping at one of their favorite gelato shops for a treat. “I know it is winter,” Sally said, “But I could eat this delicious gelato any time of year no matter the weather.”
“Me as well,” Luca chuckled as they each licked their gelato cones while holding hands like a new couple on their first date. Turning to the left as they reached the top of the Spanish Steps, they made their way along the road past the Villa Medici. The villa was founded in the 16th century by Ferdinando l de’ Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany, but since 1803 was home to the French Academy in Rome. It was a grand villa and gardens, but as Sally and Luca walked by, Sally could feel a sense of tension from those officials guarding the entranceway, considering the recent declaration of war between France and Nazi Germany, and the close ties between Il Duce in Rome and Hitler.
She shook off the uneasy feeling, focusing instead on the happy memories she and Luca had when first dating and exploring this region of Rome and the gardens. As they entered the Villa Borghese Gardens all the happy memories of those early days came flooding back. Jogging with Luca along the garden paths underneath the towering trees. Rowing a boat in the small garden lake. Sunbathing on the great lawns or enjoying their morning espresso or cappuccino in an outdoor café near the historic Orangerie of Villa Borghese, now an art gallery. Sally’s daydream was broken as they entered the Terrazza del Pincio with panoramic views of Rome and St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican and Piazza del Popolo below.
Sally smiled and leaned her head against Luca, sighing, “I remember watching so many beautiful sunsets here with you darling.” “When I’m here with you, all seems right with the world,” she added happily.
“I feel the same mi amore,” Luca replied. “We have several days here in Rome to explore all of our favorite sites, but this place will always be my favorite.” “Should anything ever happen to me, I’d want you to come back here to remember me,” Luca said with a sigh of sadness.
“My darling, don’t speak of such sad things,” Sally chided. “You and I will both live long lives together and come back here many times together in the future,” she said choking up just a bit.
“Oh, mi amore, I didn’t mean to upset you,” Luca said with concern, putting his hand underneath her chin to tilt her face up and look into her eyes. “I do hope we both live long lives together and create many more memories here in Villa Borghese Gardens and other places around the world,” he said with a smile. “At the same time, I know that we live in dangerous and uncertain times, and if we are honest with ourselves, all any of us have is right now, the current moment. None of us know how long we will be given to live. We all hope it is a long healthy life, but nothing is promised except this moment, now, together. And I want to make the most of every moment we have together mi amore, creating new happy memories together now,” he concluded before leaning down and kissing Sally passionately on the lips. “I love you always Sally,” he said after the kiss. “And no matter which one of us may be the first to go, we will both live on in each other’s hearts together for eternity. And these happy memories will belong to both of us and comfort us always,” he added with a smile and wiping away a tear from Sally’s eye.
Breaking the seriousness of the moment, Sally exclaimed, “I know a new memory we can create this week!”
“What would that be?” Luca laughed, happy to lighten the conversation.
“In all of our time here in Rome, we never watched the New Year’s Eve fireworks from this Terrazza del Pincio!” “Let’s plan to do an early dinner New Year’s Eve and then come up here to watch the fireworks from here!” she shouted with excitement.
“What a splendid idea!” Luca replied, taking Sally into his arms and lifting her up off the ground, kissing her joyfully on the lips as others around smiled and nodded at this couple still very much in love.
“Meanwhile, we can go explore more favorite areas of the city now, if you like,” Luca said, gently lowering Sally back to her feet.
“I’d love that,” Sally replied. “But we can also get lost wandering the city and discovering new places together too,” she suggested with a grin. “We have this moment, let’s make the most of it and creating many new memories, my darling Luca,” she said with a smile of sheer happiness, forgetting all troubles and worries for now.
“Tomorrow is another day,” Sally thought to herself, “And we can face whatever difficulties life presents, but for now, we have this moment of happiness, we have each other, and in the end, that is what matters most. Right now, I feel as if I’ve won at life, and this moment in time is what is most important after all.”
“First, let’s go for a rowboat ride on the lake in the gardens!” Sally exclaimed, grabbing Luca’s hand and pulling him along the garden pathway. “Then we can explore other areas of the city.”
“Yes, mi amore,” Luca replied laughing and running alongside Sally toward the lake and boats. “Lead the way, and I will follow with you always,” he replied while thinking quietly, “I’ll follow you in life and in death mi amore, always in your heart and you always in mine.”
