STELLA

"Stella..." JP's fingers brush my hair to the side and then his lips leave open mouth kisses down the back of my neck then to my shoulder. 

"Baby?" His lips keep traveling down, leaving a trail of kisses and then lightly bites my back side. I roll onto my back slowly, smiling as I start to come out of the morning sleep haze I'm enjoying.

"Amore della mia vita," JP says as makes his way back up my side. "That means love of my life, by the way. In case you need me to translate for you again." He chuckles with one of my breast in his mouth. 

I chuckle as JP moves to my other breast and continues with the amazing pleasure inducing wake up techniques he's doing to me. 

But then I realize he's stopped and his head is laying on my chest. I open my eyes and look down, wondering if something's wrong. 

"Are you okay, amore mio?"

He turns his head to look up at me, and smiles and I can see he hasn't been awake long with the sleep still in his eyes, too. "Yes, I was just thinking how great it's been to have you here with me. Having the one on one time. We never got to do this; well, not just the two of us and not for this long."

He moves up to lay next to me and I turn on my side to face him. He brushes the hair away from my face and his fingers trail down my face. "I miss the kids, of course, but I've loved having you by my side this entire trip." 

I hold his hand up against my face before I kiss his palm. "Me, too, JP." 

I sit up on my elbow, as I realize what's waiting for us when we get home. "It going to be so busy when we get back. I've got to take the kids back to school shopping. Lucy, Kai and Miles want try out public school this year and I haven't registered them yet. Maybe I should home school them for the first semester so they can get the classes they actually want. What about Toby? Is he going to preschool this year or are we waiting until next---"

I'm cut off as JP kisses me slowly and then leans over me, pushing me on my back and he wedges his body in between my legs. He pulls away and pecks my lips as he smiles down at me, "Baby, don't worry and don't stress yourself. We're doing this together, remember? And we have help with your mom, Santino, Joey, Annalisa, Topo, and we can't forget Uncle Enzo and Nonno Cristian." He grins at me and I laugh. 

"They all love the kids and want to help," JP says as he brushes his nose against mine. He sits back and looks down over my bare body and his eyes darken and I can feel the heat from his gaze travel down. 

"Come on, let's get cleaned up. We've got the whole day to ourselves since I don't have any meetings," He says excitedly, he pulls me forward abruptly and I squeal when he lifts me over his shoulder and he smacks my ass as he rushes to the bathroom, which seems to be coming into a ritual with him. 

He sets me down and I'm pleasantly surprised when he turns the faucet to the tub instead of the shower. I grab a couple of towels and I turn and watch as he pours some bath bubbles and scented oils into the water filling the tub.

I can't help myself as I walk up behind him and wrap my arms around him, feeling an overwhelming amount of pure love for this strong and sweet man. "I love you, JP with all of my heart." 

"Ti amo mia bellissima regina," He turns, hugging me back and kisses the top of my head. (I love you, my beautiful queen)

I get in the tub first and look up at him expectantly. He looks at me amused and as he steps in I can see he expects me to move forward, but I shake my head at him and chuckles as he steps in fully and sits down in front of me and leans back into me and brings my legs around him. 

I wet the bath sponge and run it down over his arms, shoulders and neck. "Who would have thought John Paul Toretto loves taking baths so much?" I smile as the water trickles down his chest. 

"I haven't taken one until now, with you, I've only done showers." He tells me quietly as he runs his hands leisurely up and down my calves.

"What about that big jacuzzi tub in our bathroom at home?" I ask as I move the sponge down across his chest. 

"I had that put in for you, picturing us using it together, once I found you." He leans his head back on my chest. "It was hard---I'd remember all the times we would spend together just like this," He exhales as he chuckles "It probably sounds stupid." He runs a hand through his hair. 

"No. It doesn't, JP," I kiss his temple softly.

"I've felt this emptiness for the longest time. It started when you first left and I know I'm to blame for it. It made me realize you were the reason Timo's house felt like home to me and even to the others. We all felt the difference when you were gone. I felt so lost all these years during our time apart," He rests his head back on me again. "And now more than ever, I have never felt more at home than when I'm with you, Stella. It doesn't matter where we are, when I'm with you, I'm home. You...you are my home."

I wrap my arms around him. "You're my home, too, JP. I spent so much time wishing I was somewhere else when I lived in Timo's house but all I wanted when I was away was to be home, with you." 

JP turns around to face me. "We're here now, baby. We've made it despite, everything that's happened. If you would have told me I would love you more today than I did when we were younger I would have told you, you were crazy, but I do, so much more," He kisses me softly, but I pull him closer to me and he turns us so I'm sitting over him. 

He lifts me enough to be able to come down over him and the exquisite feeling of him filling me overtakes my senses as I lean back enjoying the sensations he gives me and his mouth moves down my neck to the center of my chest. 

I grind myself over him, and the water slaps against the sides of the tub. The sensual sounds of our breathings and combined moans is resonating loudly in the bathroom, but it only turns me on more and our erotic movements speed up and I cry out in pleasure as the wave of ecstasy rolls through me and JP keeps moving until he growls against my neck from his own release. 

Afterwards, we move to the shower to finish getting cleaned up and then get dressed, excited to begin our final day in Italy.

We spent the day shopping and taking a lot of pictures from all of our sightseeing. I tell him about the time, Lucy and I were in Italy and how we spent most of our time in Venice, so it was nice to be in a completely different part of Italy, now with him. 

And now, Paulie is driving us to his home to have dinner with his family. 

The cottage-like home is out in the country and very beautiful. We see a couple of kids playing near the front of the house and it's clear they recognize their dad as soon as they start jumping up and down excitedly. 

My heart warms as I watch Paulie get out of the car just as excited and runs towards his kids. He hugs them tightly and his daughter is crying as she hugs him around the neck. 

JP helps me out of the car and as we walk over to them, Paulie's wife walks out of the door with another little boy on her hip. She smiles at us but rushes over to Paulie and her other two kids. 

After a moment, Paulie turns and introduces me to his family. "Signorina Stella, it is my pleasure to introduce you to my wife, Serena." I smile widely hearing her name. We kiss each other's faces as we greet one another. 

"And this is Giancarlo, he's eight, his sister Angelica who's four and the littlest Matias who is two." I bend down to greet the kids and I chuckle when Giancarlo reaches for my hand and kisses it. His mother chides him teasingly. 

"He gets his charm from his papa," Serena tells me, shaking her head amused. 

"Sei carina, signorina," Angelica tells me quietly. (You're pretty)

"Grazie Angelica, sei molto bella ed è molto bello conoscerti," I respond smiling at her. (Thank you angelica, you are very beautiful and it is very nice to meet you)

Little Matias hides his face in Serena's neck, a lot like how Toby does and it makes me miss him thinking about him. 

JP and Nicky greet everyone as well before Paulie and his wife lead us into their home and the wonderful scent and flavors wafting from the kitchen engulf me. The food however is set up in the back yard and we sit around a beautifully decorated table with all the food displayed. 

We sit and enjoy the food that Serena prepared and make easy conversation with everyone. Serena compliments JP and I for taking on the responsibility of caring for Mel's and Tobias' kids. 

I laugh as she tells us how Paulie pursued her for over half a year before she finally agreed to go out with him. 

"She was running out of excuses and lies to tell me, that she started recycling some of them." Paulie teases as he pulls Serena into his lap as she walks by refilling his cup of coffee.  

"No, I said yes because I thought it would be the easiest way to say, okay we tried it doesn't work between us and call it a day," Serena chuckles. 

"But I put a spell on her and she's been by my side ever since," Paulie smiles at her lovingly. 

Afterward, I help Serena with cleaning up and I smile as I watch JP, Nicky and Paulie all play with the kids outside. 

"It's nice to see John Paul smiling. Too young and handsome to look sad or angry like he did when I first meet him," Serena tells me in her broken English. "There's a light in his eyes and I see it's because of you." 

"But he's always been good with the kids, when he visits," She tells me and I smile as I watch him pick up Matias and throw him up in the air as he giggles. 

"Not too many Capos, play with kids and visit families of those he works with. John Paul has a big heart. Very respected because of his character." She tells me as she puts plates away in a cupboard. 

"If you don't mind me asking, how do you do it, Serena? With Paulie working and being away for as long as he is?" I ask her.

She looks out the window watching Paulie. "To be honest I never imagined my life like this, but," she pauses as she smiles. "Paulie is the love of my life, he is the best partner, father and friend."

"It's definitely not easy and sometimes, I get angry," Serena sighs. "but this is what our families have known and done for many years." 

"Do you worry he might not come back or get hurt?"

"Every day," Serena says quietly. " But this is life no? I mean yes, it is more risky and dangerous what we do and live in this world, but no one knows when the last time they'll see their loved ones will be. It may sound weird but it helps put other things in perspective, the silly petty stuff, doesn't matter as much. But I mean, it still happens of course, it just doesn't over power the things that really matter."

"I can't speak for all women, but for me, I know Paulie loves what he does. He is loyal and will give his life for those he serves." She turns to me. "He is very loyal to Vito, John Paul, and now you, signorina Bracco. This life is not for everyone, but I like what Paulie tells me about you. You speak your mind and you're not afraid to change things." She squeezes me arm.

Later on, we say our goodbyes and Serena tells me, I'm welcome to come by again and I extend the same for her to visit with the kids. 

Nicky man hugs Paulie before we get in the car. "Ci vediamo dopo, tazza torta." Nicky grins at Paulie. (see you later, cupcake)

Paulie chuckles. "Ci vediamo dopo, fragola." (See you later, strawberry)

I laugh at their exchange and JP puts his arm around my shoulder. "You probably don't remember, but you told Nicky he smells like strawberries and Paulie smells like cupcakes when we left the club last night." 

"I did?" 

"Yup," JP chuckles. 

"What else did I say?" I ask curiously. JP looks at me and his expression is thoughtful. 

"That you love me," He smiles at me. 

I wrap my arms around him grinning. "I do. So very much." 

Nicky drives us back to the hotel. JP is holding my hand, rubbing his thumb in a soothing circular motion that I've always loved how he's done, but he's really quiet as he looks out the window.

"Thanks again, JP, for bringing me along with you, it's been a great trip," I smile at him. 

He smiles back at me and brings my hand to his lips as he keeps looking at me. 

"What?"

He shakes his head and looks down at our hands. "Nothing." 

"JP..."I nudge him. "What is it?" 

"It's our last night...let's do something crazy," The smile on his face is contagious as I grin back at him. 

"What do you have in mind?"  

~~~~~~~~~~

Dun, dun, dun!