They walked in silence for a moment as Alex mentally reviewed their options. "I think I know just the place. It's been a while since I was there last, hopefully it's still open." She quickly led them down several narrow streets. She paused after crossing a bridge, looking both directions thoughtfully.
"How on earth do you know where you are going?" Dani asked as she looked around.
She looped her arm through Dani's as she turned right and started walking again. "I've spent days wandering the streets and canals of Venice. I have a rather detailed map in my head. One of the perks of my condition."
"Handy."
They rounded a corner and came upon several small shops. They were off the beaten path and far away from the typical tourist location. The streets were nearly empty, and far quieter than where they had just come from.
"Where are we?" Nikki asked as she stepped up beside Alex.
"This is one of my favorite areas of Venice. The shops here cater to the residents of Venice, but they do love when the occasional tourist wanders in."
They wandered through the shops and ended up purchasing several items, including a small backpack to carry it all in. While the others shopped, Alex chatted with the owner of the last shop. After paying for their purchases, Rachel, Dani, and Nikki all changed into a pair of pants and a long sleeve shirt. They thanked the shopkeeper and headed back out into the shadow filled streets.
"Would you like to head back to the hotel for room service, or would you like to dine out on the town?" Alex watched as they looked around at the twilight filled streets. The lights from the store windows were illuminating the brick walkways, and the lanterns were beginning to flicker to life.
"Do you mind if we stay out here for a while? It is so beautiful, and so peaceful here, away from all of the people." Dani clasped Rachel's hand and pressed against her side. "It's almost like a different city, a different time."
"We can do whatever you like. My business is complete, and other than dinner tomorrow night with Pia and Sera, I have no plans other than to show you one of the most beautiful cities in the world." She linked her arm with Nikki's and snuggled up to her side. "What would you like to see?"
"A big plate of pasta and a glass of wine." Rachel placed her hand on her growling stomach. "Then we should have the energy to walk some more."
Everyone chuckled and followed Alex as she led them to a small family owned restaurant nearby.
Chapter Twenty-One
The following evening they took a gondola ride through several of the smaller canals as the gondolier serenaded them. He pulled up to the small pier he had agreed to take them to, and helped them from the boat. He bowed low to Alex, kissing her hand after receiving payment, and pushed off the pier to disappear into the early evening shadows.
She led them through a dimly lit passageway into a small courtyard. Here strategically placed fixtures bathed the trees and flowers in a soft light, and illuminated the path to a bench beneath the largest tree in the center of the courtyard.
"How beautiful." Dani paused to look around the courtyard. "It's a little private garden. So romantic."
Alex knocked on the door to the only house with a canal view, and waited. When the door opened, she looked up into Sera's slightly harried but smiling face.
"Alex, how wonderful to see you again." Sera pulled her into a hug. As she stepped back she said, "It has been too long. Won’t you come inside and introduce me to your friends?" She held the door open as everyone filed through and introductions were quickly made. "I'm afraid Pia is still at the hotel, and I'm still working on dinner. She should have been home an hour ago to help."
Alex linked her arm through Sera's and turned towards the kitchen. "Well then, how about we help out instead?"
Sera stopped and shook her head. "But you are guests, Alex."
"Since when am I a guest?"
Sera chuckled and proceeded to the kitchen. "You stopped being just a guest a long time ago, my friend." They worked together to finish off the meal preparations amid much laughter as Sera told Nikki, Dani, and Rachel stories about their time together in Florence.
"I'm still surprised you didn't just walk away from me that first night and never look back," Alex said as she finished preparing the salad. "I was such a basket case."
Sera walked up and placed her arm around her waist, pulling her close. "Yes, my friend, you were." She released her, stepped over to the cupboard, and began to pull down wine glasses. "But there was just something about you that I couldn't walk away from."
Nikki gave Alex a tender smile. "Yeah, she has that effect on people."
Alex walked around the butcher-block island, stepped into the circle of Nikki's arms, and tilted her face up for a kiss. Sera watched as Nikki leaned down and captured her lips. She chuckled as Dani rolled her eyes. "Indeed." Sera's chuckle turned into a laugh when Alex pulled away from Nikki, her cheeks aflame.
"Hush." Alex gave her friend a playful glare, which caused everyone to laugh harder. She heard a noise and looked towards the doorway to the living room. Pia stood, leaning against the wall as she quietly watched. "There you are. I was afraid you weren't going to make it at all."
Pia walked up to Alex and pulled her into a quick hug. "It's good to see you all again. I hope you haven't been waiting long." She turned to Sera and placed a kiss on her cheek. "I'm sorry I'm late."
"Dinner was wonderful, ladies. Thank you," Alex said as everyone moved into the living room. She looked up as
