Fountain

Upon returning to Venice she felt all the tension of the past week drain away in the Venetian night air. Her heart thudded as she awaited Leonardo, and the butterflies fluttered in her stomach. A cool breeze off the ocean lifted the strands of her hair and she closed her eyes to enjoy the calming sensation.

Leonardo got word that Charlotte had returned to Italy. He met her at the fountain as per her request. As he walked he suddenly became nervous, had she reconciled with her husband? could she be that cruel to come all this way just to tell him this?
When he saw her, she looked so radiant as if from a dream; wanting to hold her close and never let go.
"Lady Charlotte, how do fare?" he asked simply.

At the sound of his voice she rose and smiled at him. It was like a dream to see him again, she kept telling herself it was real. "I am much better now that you are here, my lord" she said. She went to him and put her hands in his. "I've missed you so much. And there is so much I have to tell you." She wondered how Leonardo would take the news of her impending annulment. "But first, I simply must have a kiss from you," she whispered.

As soon as heard the word kiss he knew she had came back for him. He took her face in his palms, and without a word kissed her with all the passion he had in him. Suddenly he felt as if the ground had left from underneath them, coming back to the surface he stared into her eyes and smiled. "Welcome back"

She was happier in that moment than she had been her whole life. And in that kiss she knew she made the right choice. "I've left him," she admitted, hoping Leonardo would understand who she meant. "My mind is in a million places at once, but more than anything I knew I had to come back. I remembered how safe I felt with you."

Leonardo was very pleased she had left him but couldn't help but think he was the reason. "Charlotte, having you here with me has made me so happy, but I can't help but think that I was the reason for the downfall of your marriage." He said feeling guilty.

"I don't want you to think that," she said softly. "You were not the reason but you did help me open my eyes to the situation. And no matter what, I thank you for it." She smiled up at him. "So did you miss me, even a little?"

Hey soft voice made him feel at ease. "I'm pleased I could help in any way." He said as he noticed her calm tone. "Of course I missed you, I haven't been able to think of nothing but you!"

She let out a long sigh and smiled. "That makes me happy to know you were thinking of me. I don't know what has come over me, but I haven't been able to stop thinking of you either." She shook her head, still a little in a daze while in his presence.

He looked at her and smiled "Your face has always been engraved in my mind since the moment I met you." He said and ran his hands down her arms then entwining his fingers with hers. "So what now?" he asked wondering where the relationship would lead to.

She had been wondering the same herself. "I think this is the start of something beautiful between us. Something that has outlasted the passion we initially felt. You made me feel whole again. And if you'll have me, I'll be yours."

His eyes widened when he heard the words he had be wanting to hear. Then without hesitation he took her in his arms and smiled " I would want nothing more" He then leaned down and kissed her feeling the love and passion between them.

Her heart bloomed like a rose within her breast, and she thanked the heavens for allowing her to feel this way again. "Leonardo.. I am in love with you," she whispered tenderly, succumbing to his passionate kisses.

He couldn't help but grin from cheek to cheek as he took in her words.Never had he thought he could love again an be happy, but after all this time fate had chosen him and he  wanted it to never end. Leonardo took her face in his hands "Charlotte, I loved you since the moment I laid eyes on you, your the woman I have been searching for all these years. Finally fate has brought you to me." He said happily.

She sighed happily. "I'm the happiest I've ever been," she said contentedly. "But are you sure you can handle me?" she said, stifling a laugh with a playful grin.

Leonardo hadn't had a relationship in a while but he knew if he could handle a child he could certainly handle a woman. "Handle you? I think the question is could you handle me....and my child, I come with a child a package deal" He said hoping Gianna would like her.

"I accept you, everything and everyone that comes with you," she said, gazing deeply into his eyes. "And you know that I have a child as well, though I will share custody of him with his father. I too am a package deal," she said with a little smile. "We have a pre-made family, it seems."

Leonardo stood in front of her and smiled "I too accept you and your son. There's nothing about you I wouldn't accept. That is for that small freckle.." He pointed a freckle on her cheek jokingly and brought her to him kissing her passionately.

At last she felt complete, as if her fate had been sealed this whole time without her knowing it. Everything had led to Leonardo. "I can think of only one thing that would make tonight perfect," she whispered with a grin, her eyes sparkling.

Leonardo smiled as he wrapped her in his arms "And what's that my love?" he asked gazing into her eyes.

"Come to my chamber," she whispered enticingly.

His ears and eyes perked up as he heard her words. "Lead the way" he said as took her hand letting her lead the way.