Chapter 33 _ Abre Los Ojos
A month had passed since their New York adventure. Midterms were in full swing and both girls had been busy completing their different projects. It had become a bit more difficult to spend time together as due dates were approaching but they always found a way. Sometimes it was the simple act of meeting for a quick lunch break at their halfway point or Valentina stopping by Juliana’s work to bring her a quick dessert.
Juliana’s birthday was approaching quickly. She had told her girlfriend she didn’t want to do anything but to sleep in and enjoy the evening together — something Valentina was very much on board with after all the time and effort they’d put into their school work. Nonetheless she had a surprise for Juliana on the day of her birthday.
When her birthday finally arrived they did as Juliana had asked, they got to sleep in. The girls went to their afternoon classes and met back up at Juliana’s in the evening. Valentina commented that they should make Juliana a cake to celebrate properly and Juliana decided to pick up the cake supplies on her way home.
By the time the cake was ready the girls had listened to Hozier’s newest album in its entirety. As the first track began to play again they paused it so Juliana could cut the cake.
“Babe, make a wish!” Valentina said as she lit the candles.
Juliana laughed at the idea of blowing out candles when it was just the two of them. Nonetheless she did as instructed and made her wish. She was never big on birthdays but she knew Valentina was and she genuinely enjoyed spending hers with Valentina. It suddenly dawned on her that this was her second birthday with Valentina in her life.
When the candles were blown out Valentina clapped and hugged her girlfriend. She leaned in to whisper. “I have something for you, chiquita.” As she spoke she reached into her purse pulling out a thin rectangular box and hid it behind her. “Close your eyes, Juls.”
Juliana did as Valentina asked and Valentina took her hand placing the box into it. “Open them.”
Following instructions, Juliana opened her eyes to find a beautifully decorated box. She had no idea what could be in there but she knew whatever it was, was a gift she’d love. She removed the perfectly tied bow and opened the box.
Inside the box was a small red leather bracelet with an engraving on it and a card underneath it. Upon further inspection Juliana realized the bracelet said her name in a beautiful cursive with the word Firenze to the left of the name and Italia on the right. Her eyes lit up knowing Valentina put a lot of thought into her gift. She looked up at Valentina and before she could say anything Valentina motioned towards the card that was still in the box.
She lifted the card with a curious look on her face as she read it: Italy over Thanksgiving break?
While Juliana read the card Valentina observed her every reaction. They had talked about Florence being Juliana’s dream vacation and it was something Valentina always kept in mind.
“Are you serious?” Juliana asked already knowing the answer.
“Only if you want to.” Valentina responded placing a loose strand of hair behind Juliana’s ear.
Juliana leaned in and gave Valentina a thankful kiss. “I’d love to go but I can’t afford Italy right now and I don’t want you paying for the entire thing…”
“Juls, it’s not a problem. Travel expenses would be covered, private jet remember? Plus Hope and I have an apartment there so no hotel expenses either, all you have to do is say yes. We can even invite the girls and make it a girls trip if you want.” Valentina said.
Juliana shook her head and chuckled. “Of course you have an apartment in the city of my dreams. You really thought this out didn’t you?”
Valentina nodded her head in a childish way causing another laugh to erupt from her girlfriend’s lips.
“God, why are you so cute! Okay, I just have to talk to my parents and Renata about it. Ask the girls and see what they say. If I get the days, I’m down.” Juliana said not putting up a fight because she really wanted to go, this was a once in a lifetime opportunity she felt she couldn’t turn down.
The rest of the evening the couple relaxed and took turns playing music. They eventually agreed on bachata and danced the night away.
“Feliz cumpleaños, Juls.” Valentina said as the clock read 11:15pm, indicating Juliana’s birth time. They closed the distance and began slow dancing, ignoring the fast beat of the song that was playing. “I’m grateful to have you in my life and I love you. From you head to your tiny toes.”
The following weeks were filled with trip preparations. Juliana had talked to her boss, who gladly agreed to give her the week. Andrea, had no problem covering her shifts. Juliana spoke to her parents, telling them she wouldn’t be in town for thanksgiving but they were more excited for their daughter having one of her biggest and oldest dreams come true than they were sad. They knew this was her dream trip and they wouldn’t be the ones to stop her by making her feel bad about missing a holiday.
When the day finally arrived, they hopped on the jet with the rest of the girls and two body guards Leon always required to be on the plane when Valentina traveled out of town. Penelope had never been to Italy so she too was very excited to take this trip. Her moms didn’t want to let her go at first but Josie convinced them saying she’d take full responsibility of their daughter and making sure she kept them updated throughout the trip. She promised them to the cheesiest of pictures, something Penelope wasn’t too happy about.
“Lizzie, you dad said to send your mom the itinerary and your location.” Hope said as she buckled her seatbelt.
“Why did he tell you and not us?” Josie asked curiously.
Hope simply shrugged her shoulders and said, “I don’t know but Ric just told me to give Lizzie his message so I did. I guess they wanna keep an eye on us.”
“I guess my parents went much easier on me than yours. Who knew Dr. Saltzman would be more paranoid than my moms.” Penelope said grabbing Josie’s hand as they settled into their seats.
Juliana saw the interaction of the other two couples and she smiled before adding, “And here I grew up thinking my parents were intense.”
The twins turned and said simultaneously, “Your parents trust Val though, they know you’re safe with her.”
Hope and Penelope gasped. After the gasp Hope was the one to speak up, “Hey! What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Our parents trust you, but they clearly don’t trust us.” Lizzie said pointing at herself and Josie.
The girls continued to bicker for a few more minutes. Once the pilot prepared them for take off the girls began eating snacks they packed and decided to take a nap to not get hit with jet lag too hard. Something that wasn’t too easy for Juliana the first few hours but eventually she too fell asleep, letting her head rest on top of Valentina’s who had been fast asleep an hour into the flight.
Upon arrival in Florence they were picked up by a driver and taken to Hope and Valentina’s apartment. The entire 20 minute ride Juliana eyes were stuck out the window, taking everything in. She gave Valentina’s hand a squeeze as the car came to stop. Once in the apartment they all took turns showering and getting ready for the day. They arrived in the morning so they had the entire day ahead to do whatever Juliana wanted.
“This is your birthday trip after all, Juliana. You decide what we do, especially today since it’s day one.” Penelope said as she laid on Josie’s lap while the other four girls sat across from them on another couch.
“Well first of all, we can’t come to Italy and not have spaghetti or pizza so those are a must this week. I want to visit Il Duomo for sure, then Ponte Vecchio which I noticed is just around the corner, then we have to visit the real Statue of David and other Michelangelo work, and last but not least take a tour of the town.” Juliana said as she played with Valentina’s hair who was cuddled into her.
Hope turned to Juliana with a confused look on her face, “Wait that’s it? You just wanna go to church? Why is this city your dream city again? There’s so much more to see.”
“It’s not the just the church, Hope. I want to explore and submerge myself into the culture, enjoy the city to the fullest. This is gonna sound dumb but when I was 10 I heard the song That’s Amore by Dean Martin and that song got me really interested in Italy so I began doing my research and one of the cities I fell in love with was this one. There’s no specific reason, it’s just the one I wanted to see the most out of any in the world. A close second is Rome but Firenze has been in my heart for 9 years.” Juliana said trying to not sound defensive.
Hearing those words Valentina sat up straight saying, “Wait really?” As she turned to look at Juliana. “I didn’t know that was what made you fall in love with Italy!” She said with a huge smile on her face.
“There’s only one thing left to do then!” Josie said as she took her phone out, “Let’s play your song!”
The girls sang along to That’s Amore waiting for Juliana to join in. After the second “tippy-tippy-tay” they all stayed silent looking to Juliana with expectant eyes.
“Fine fine fine!” Juliana said throwing her hands up in the air getting up from the couch pulling Valentina up with her. They began to dance as Juliana sang dramatically, “When you dance down the street with a cloud at your feet, you’re in love.”
The rest of the girls joined in on the dramatic dancing and singing. When they reached the second “gay tarantella” Penelope stopped and made finger guns at Josie as she sang, “lucky fella!” Causing the entire group to burst into fits of laughter.
Once the song came to a close the girls decided to go find a pizza place. On the way to the pizzeria the girls walked across Ponte Vecchio and Valentina made sure to take pictures of Juliana, this was a trip she refused to let Juliana forget.
“I can’t believe I just crossed that bridge. I still can’t believe I’m here, Val. This is insane.” Juliana said loud enough so that only Valentina could hear.
“You’re adorable you know that? Let’s go get you your pizza, mi niña bonita.” Valentina said as she wrapped her arm around Juliana’s shoulders.
They each ordered a personal pizza. Penelope and Juliana were confused when the server brought the silverware to the table along with their pizzas.
“What are the forks and knives for?” Penelope whispered to the group as she observed the other tables.
“I think they’re optional… that table over there is eating the pizza in pieces with the utensils while that other table is just going ham on that pizza like we do back in the states.” Juliana said still not sure.
“Well, at this particular pizzeria you can do either or. They already precut them so the client can choose but there are some other pizza shops that require utensils. When we were kids, Vale went to eat a slice like we do back home and her mother nodded disapprovingly and explained that the pizza was whole because here we needed to cut it up and eat it like a piece of cake and we wouldn’t eat cake with our hands.” Hope said matterafactly.
Penelope looked from her pizza to Hope and back to her pizza, “Okay… I guess we’re cutting it then.” She said shrugging her shoulders and began to dig in.
After they each finished their pizza the majority of the girls sat back in their chairs, completely full.
“Who’s up for some gelato?” Lizzie asked.
“You have room for more?!” Juliana asked dumbfounded.
Lizzie let out a laugh, “it’s Italy, Juliana! There’s authentic gelato!”
Valentina nodded her head in agreement. She was too full to speak though.
“Let’s go for a walk and then we can think about it, okay Lizzie?” Josie said getting up from the table.
As the girls walked around the city, they walked towards Piazzale Degli Uffizi wanting to see the art and the view of the Ponte Vecchio. After each getting pictures of the bridge they walked towards the big building with the clock tower. There they stood admiring the different statues and Juliana admired the replica Statue of David that just stood outside of the Palazzo Vecchio.
They continued to walk around the area until they reach a glove store. Lizzie was the first to enter, as the other girls followed. Juliana had promised her mom she’d bring her back some leather gloves so she decided to get some for her mom and after feeling them she decided to grab a pair for herself. She had never felt anything as smooth and beautiful as those gloves and she couldn’t believe they were as affordable as they were. After paying she mentally checked off her mom’s gift from her gift list.
Once they finished shopping at the glove store they headed towards a vender a few streets down. He sold scarves and leather trinkets.
“Do you think Ric would like this?” Hope said as she held up a red leather bracelet.
Lizzie rolled her eyes, “Why do you keep calling my dad Ric? Why can’t you be like Penelope and call him Dr. Saltzman?”
“Maybe because I grew up with him as a second father figure and I’ve been calling him that since I was 10? Why don’t you like that I get along with your dad? Every significant other would love for their parents to approve of their partner but you hate it.” Hope said putting the bracelet back.
“She’s just jealous of your relationship with my dad. That’s why she didn’t like you when we were kids.” Josie said shrugging her shoulders knowing Hope already knew that.
“Liz, Alaric will never be my dad, I have one. We have to work passed this. You know it wasn’t my decision to move in with you guys. I wanted nothing more than to move in with Val but at the time it wasn’t an option and your parents opened their doors.” Hope said getting irritated that Lizzie was still bringing this up.
“I don’t want to do this right now, can we just enjoy our trip.” Lizzie said looking away at something on the cart.
Meanwhile Juliana felt awkward hearing their discussion. She felt like she was intruding by simply being there.
Sensing Juliana get a bit tense Valentina leaned in to whisper, “Don’t worry about them, it’s fine. That’s always the thing that causes trouble for those two. Lizzie doesn’t really like knowing that her dad and Hope are close because it brings up bad memories for her. He focused on Hope a lot as a kid and Lizzie has always resented that. There was misunderstanding with the twins and Hope was suddenly the focus of Lizzie’s rage because it was easier to hate Hope than it was to hate Josie.” Valentina explained, loud enough for only Juliana to hear, as they looked through the scarves.
Picking out a light pink one and trying it on, Juliana nodded in understanding. “The dad thing makes sense then. But then how did those two fall for each other then?” Juliana asked Valentina quietly.
“I’ll never understand how that happened to be honest. As they say, between love and hate is a very thin line and those two draw their own lines on the daily.” Valentina said with a chuckle.
Penelope kissed Josie on the cheek before speaking up, “Okay you can discuss your daddy issues later girls, we have a church to get to!”
Lizzie threw daggers with her eyes at Penelope but didn’t respond.
“Why do you wanna go to church Juliana! I don’t get it!” Hope said as she paid for the red bracelet ignoring Lizzie’s eye roll.
Juliana laughed before answering. “I’ll pull a Hozier and start singing Take Me To Church, if I need to.” Juliana said smiling. “I just need to see it okay, we don’t even have to go in if you guys don’t want to I just want to see it up close.”
“Let the girl dream, sheesh!” Penelope said wrapping her arm around Josie’s shoulder.
Valentina interlocked her fingers with Juliana’s as they made their way to the church. “Why do you wanna see it so bad, baby? It’s just a church, I know you’re catholic but this isn’t event the Vatican.” She said without looking at Juliana.
Juliana brought Valentina to a complete stop and blinked multiple times before speaking, “Valentina, that’s the thing, it’s not just a church. It’s a cathedral! Do you know how long these take to build? This one took 140 years. Years, Valentina. Not months, years!” She said as she spoke animatedly with her hands. “When I was little I decided I was gonna get married here, obviously things have changed and that’s not possible but I’ve studied this church for so long. I know so many useless facts about it, I’m in its city, I need to see it. Okay? Just let me have this moment please. I know the girls don’t care but I do and this is my favorite church in the entire world Val.” She said disappointed that Valentina didn’t get it.
“Okay.” Valentina said softly while nodding her head.
They walked another block before the church came into full view. Penelope held her breathe. She’d been quiet the entire way because coming from a middle class family she understood this being a dream come true for Juliana but she had no idea how beautiful this church could be.
“Oh my god… that’s 400,000 tons of beauty. I… I…” Juliana said just above a whisper as she took it all in with a deep sigh.
They stayed there observing the cathedral for a while before Valentina noticed a rogue tear streaming down Juliana’s face. She didn’t say anything she simply brought her into a side hug and kissed the top of her head. This only caused Juliana break into tears.
At the sight of that Valentina handed Hope her camera in order to have both hands free and brought Juliana in for a tight embrace. “It’s okay, baby, shh, you’re okay.” Valentina whispered continuously as she rubbed Juliana’s back in a comforting circular motion.
“I never actually believed I’d ever get to see it in person. Thank you for this Val, you don’t know what this means to me but it’s definitely a dream come true.” Juliana said after crying for a few minutes with her face buried into Valentina’s chest. “This is magical and it’s something I’ll never forget.” She said, still in a soft low voice.
“Let’s go inside, yeah?” Valentina said drying Juliana’s tears.
“We don’t have to, it’s fine.” Juliana said as her body shook from the aftermath of all of those emotions pouring out.
“We’re already here might as well enjoy the complete experience.” Lizzie said rolling her eyes playfully. “Plus you can tell us all about your random church facts.” She said adding a wink.
“Okay well then before we enter, if you turn around and you see those bronze doors over there?” Juliana said pointing that two beautifully crafted doors, “those are considered the ‘The Gate to Paradise’ and Michelangelo was actually the one who dubbed them that. They were created in a contest by a 23 year old in 1401”
Valentina smiled at the fact that Juliana just spouted out. She felt that with Juliana they most likely didn’t need a tour guide because she would know and be able to tell them anything there was to know about the city but nonetheless if she wanted a tour, who was Valentina to keep her from getting one.
Once inside the cathedral Juliana did the sign of the cross and the girls told her to explore around a bit and take it all in but she insisted they go together. Every now and then they’d stop to see something and Juliana would tell them facts here and there about different pieces of the church. They spent around 2 hours in the cathedral before finally heading out.
Lizzie insisted it was time for gelato. Hope walked them to her favorite gelato place in the city where she introduced the group to the owner in a perfect Italian accent. As a child Hope and her parents spent many vacations in Florence. It was her father’s favorite city. The Mikaelson’s own a beautiful family home in Asisi but Hope and her father loved Florence. When her parents passed she was the only heir so once she turned 18 she and Valentina went half and half on an apartment in the city.
“So for your first time being in Italy how are you liking it so far, Pen?” Juliana asked Penelope as they waited for their girlfriends to join them at their table.
Penelope turned to look at Juliana and simply smiled. “You know, I never expected I’d get to travel like this.” She paused. “I think you and I have been dealt the same cards. We met these beautiful girls and fell in love and we didn’t care that they have money, we just cared that their hearts were kind and were offered to us on a silver platter. All of this,” she gestured with her free hand, “wasn’t in my plans. I could never truly afford trip like this right now. You and I, we get each other because we come from similar economic backgrounds. They don’t really get it when it comes to us being amazed of a city like this, they’re used to this lifestyle, they’re used to traveling. I don’t even know how many countries Josie’s been to, if I’m honest. So I feel just as overwhelmed as you to see such wonders like the Duomo because never in a million years did I think I’d step foot in this beautiful country.” Penelope finished just at the rest of the group began to approach them.
“What are you two chatting about?” Valentina asked wrapping her arms around Juliana and giving her a kiss on the left cheek before resting her chin on the girl’s shoulder.
Penelope shrugged and Juliana took that as her cue to keep their conversation between them. “We were talking about how beautiful the cathedral was and how we were so amazed with all the beautiful details.”
“Yeah it truly was something special. I never knew all those facts. I’m really intrigued to know what other fun facts you know about this city.” Valentina said as she grabbed a seat across from Juliana.
“I still can’t believe they hired a guy with no experience and a secret plan to build the dome and it actually worked. That was ballsy of him.” Josie said as she sat down across from Penelope.
As Hope and Lizzie joined them they all discussed the little tidbits of the cathedral and Juliana was happy they ended up liking it after all.
The rest of the week was enjoyed exploring the city and eating as much pasta, pizza, and gelato as they could. The night before their departure they found a club and decided to enter and dance the night away as their final act of celebration.
Lizzie got each of the girls a shot to kick off the night. Juliana declined so Penelope took it for her.
“Damn, P. I don’t know how you can drink that. I can smell how strong that is from here.” Juliana said cringing in her seat.
Josie placed her hand on Penelope’s thigh, “we have a drinking game called Shot Jenga and Penny here sucks at it so she’s used to it.”
Raising an eyebrow and cracking a smirk Juliana took a sip from her lemonade.
“Care to dance?” Hope said offering a hand to Juliana, while Lizzie offered Penelope a hand leaving Josie and Valentina with no choice but themselves.
Juliana turned to Valentina almost asking for permission to which Valentina simply nodded. “Okay.” She said as she accepted.
As all the girls reached the dance floor the song California Girls came on causing them all to burst into laughter and taking it as a sign that it’d be a good night. After the first song they each went back to dancing with their own partners. Valentina wrapped her arms around Juliana’s neck while the other girl wrapped her arms around the taller girl’s waist.
“Thank you for this week. It’s been the most beautiful and memorable week of my entire life.” Juliana said as the girls leaned their heads against each other.
“There’s no need to thank me, hermosa. I’m glad I was able to witness this week. I’d been here far too many times to count but I’d never seen it in the way you showed it to us. I think even the tour guide was amazed with your knowledge.” Valentina said with a slight giggle.
Bringing her in for a tender kiss, Juliana closed her eyes smiling into the kiss. Juliana knew in that moment she wanted to spend the rest of her life with the girl she held tightly.