The Flight to Rome
516 Words
MATTEO POV'S
Teterboro Private Terminal, 3:47 p.m.
The jet was fueled and waiting my familys Gulfstream, tail number Id memorized as a child.
Today it felt like a cage with wings.
Valentina walked the tarmac like she owned it.
Black trench coat belted tight, sunglasses hiding the fire in her eyes, Luca on her hip in a tiny leather jacket shed probably designed herself.
Jaxon carried the bags three for Valentina and Luca, one for me.
He hadnt said much since the Queen left the penthouse.
Just: Im coming too.
I hadnt argued.
Isabellas jet had landed an hour ahead of us.
My mothers was already in Rome.
The captain greeted us. Wheels up in ten, Your Highness.
Valentina shot me a look.
No titles on this trip, she said loudly. Were civilians.
The captain blinked, then nodded.
Inside the cabin, Luca made a beeline for the biggest seat, bouncing like it was a trampoline.
Big plane! We fly to castle?
Valentina buckled him in, kissed his forehead.
Not a castle, baby. Nonnos house.
(Grandpas house she decided Alessandro deserved the title, illness or not.)
I took the seat across from them.
Jaxon sat in the back, headphones on, pretending not to watch every move I made.
Valentina handed Luca his tablet pre-loaded with dinosaur documentaries.
Then she turned to me.
Talk.
I exhaled.
The palace has 142 rooms. Yours will be in the east wing away from my mother. Luca next to you. Ill be across the hall.
She raised a brow.
Separate rooms?
For now, I said. Until you say otherwise.
She studied me.
Good answer.
The jet taxied.
Luca pressed his face to the window. Bye, New York!
Valentinas hand found his.
Then, surprising me, her other hand reached across the aisle and squeezed my knee.
Just once.
I covered it with mine.
She didnt pull away.
Takeoff was smooth.
Once we leveled, Luca fell asleep against her shoulder.
Jaxon moved up, sat beside me.
You hurt them, he said quietly, I end you. Prince or not.
I know.
He nodded once. Satisfied.
Valentina was staring out the window, city shrinking below us.
I leaned closer.
What are you thinking?
That Im flying into the lions den with my cub, she said. And Im the only one with claws.
I smiled.
You always were.
She turned, finally removed the sunglasses.
Her eyes were red-rimmed but steady.
Im scared, she admitted. Voice so low only I could hear.
I unbuckled, moved to the seat beside her, careful not to wake Luca.
I know. Me too.
She rested her head on my shoulder just for a moment.
I built everything without you, she whispered. I can do this without you too.
I know.
But… She paused. I dont want to anymore.
My heart stopped.
Then restarted, harder.
I kissed her temple.
We do this together. Or not at all.
She nodded against my shoulder.
The jet cut through clouds.
Below us, the Atlantic waited.
Above us, Rome.
And in the seat between us, our son slept crown or no crown, the only kingdom that mattered.
- Writer
