Nikolas' POV
"Buongiorno, mi amore." I wake up slowly to the feeling of my husbands' strong arms wrapped securely around my torso. I chuckle to myself when I hear his husky morning voice. His accent is always thicker in the morning and if he's really tired he'll slip back into Italian. I don't mind though, I love hearing his voice in any form and hearing his accent so thick reminds me of the early days of our relationship. (Good morning, my love.)
I met Davide when he first moved to America from Italy. I was only 19, going to college to get my teaching degree when he moved to my city. His family owned Romano Industries, a marketing company that was responsible for making some of the worlds major businesses. Davide was sent to America by his father to oversee the American divisions. Davide only spoke a little bit of English at the time which is why I learned a bit of Italian as he adjusted to the language.
He was only 23 when he first arrived and he was having trouble keeping up with the work load so he put out a job opening for a personal assistant.
I was struggling to pay my bills at the time because school was expensive and my parents didn't necessarily agree with some of my life choices so their help wasn't really an option. I applied for the position and the rest was history.
I helped Davide develop the company while finishing my degree. Once I graduated, I took my current teaching position at a high school in a small town near the city and I resigned from being his assistant. That was when we started dating.
Davide claims we didn't start dating when we first met for professionalism reasons but I think he was just too scared to ask me out. Apparently he thought I would reject him, I'm not sure why, though. He's absolutely gorgeous and he's showed me more love and devotion than anyone else in my life ever has. I could never say no to him.
When we got married a few years later he took my last name, Brooks, because I had already committed to everyone addressing me that way at work and Davide agreed it would be a good way for him to separate business life from home life.
It's always been important for him to have time with just us so he doesn't get too preoccupied with his work. He only works the hours that I work and he has other employees to help with excess assignments. That's just one of the many reasons why I love him.
Another being how wonderful his large, warm body is for cuddling. Sighing softly, I push my contrasting small body against his chest in a weak attempt to soak up our last few moments of peace before the day begins.
"Morning, baby." I reply after a few moments, stretching my neck to place a delicate kiss on Davide's stubble covered jaw. I basked in his warmth for a little while longer before peeling my eyes open, blinking rapidly to ward out the fuzziness from the night before.
"Mmmm, gotta get up." I mumbled the words out quietly as I slipped out from underneath Davide's hold, quickly rising to my feet and grabbing one of my loves large sweatshirts to throw over myself. "I'll go make breakfast, you shower. We have to leave in an hour." I told him softly after noticing the time on our alarm clock; 5:30 a.m.
"Stay a few more minutes, tesoro." He asked seductively as I straddled his waist and placed a lingering kiss to kiss to his lips. (Darling.)
"I wish I could but we both have work soon." I told him as I pulled away, grabbing the comforter and pulling it off of his body as well.
"You could always join me..." He pointed out as he got off of the bed and pulled me back into his arms. If he had it his way we'd stay in bed all day and no matter how amazing that sounds, I cant do it. I have students that I need to take care of and people to check on at school and Davide has countless stacks of paperwork to sign and hundreds of emails to answer.
"Good try, babe, but not a chance." I got on my tip toes and placed one final kiss to his rough cheek before tapping his face lightly and turning around. "I'll be downstairs." I called to him from behind my shoulder as I walked away, being sure to sway my hips a little more than usual just to torture him. I giggle quietly to myself when I hear the bathroom door shut followed by Davide's frustrated groan.
When I got downstairs I made quick work of grabbing some fruit from the fridge and cutting it up. Once that was placed in a medium sized glass bowl, I scrambled six eggs and divided them up onto two plates, being sure to give Davide the larger half because he always eat more than I do.
I put a pot of coffee on and wait for it to brew, pouring two mugs of the steaming liquid when it was finished. One of the mugs had a packet of sugar in it and no cream for Davide and cream and sugar for me.
Most of our mornings go like this but our marriage never seems to get boring, he always manages to keep me on my toes. I'm twenty-eight now and Davide is thirty-two, we've been married four years and everyday still feels like an adventure with him. Whether we're simply sitting at home and basking in each others company or visiting his family in Europe, he makes me fall in love with him all over again.
The only thing that's missing from our lives is a child. Ever since I can remember, I've wanted a child. I've always been very maternal and more sensitive towards kids. That's why I became a teacher, I just love taking care of people.
Davide and I have talked about adopting recently, he's fine with anything that I want and money isn't an issue. We're pretty well off because of his position in the business world. He told me that if I wanted a kid then he would support me and be the best dad he could be. Of course, I already knew that. Davide is very protective of me and anyone in his family, he'd never let anything happen to the one's he loves.
We got licensed and verified to adopt a child, we just haven't found someone that we connect with yet.
Well... there is someone.
His name is August.
August is one of the kids in the ninth grade math class that I teach. He's a really sweet kid, always kind and respectful but ever since I met him on the first day of school, I felt like he was someone special.
Everything about him calls out to me. His big doe eyes, his brownish red freckles, and his delicate pale skin; he's absolutely adorable. His small stature and vulnerable personality just makes me want to pull him into my arms and keep him safe there forever.
I've suspected something's been off about him since the day that we met when I watched him fall to the ground in the middle of the hallway. He looked terrified as one of my other students, Brittany, spoke to him. I look out for him as best as I can during school hours, always making sure he gets to class and punishing any kids that bully him.
I have a feeling bullying isn't the only thing going on, though.
When we first talked he stuttered a lot and addressed me as 'sir' any chance he had. I don't think he was scared of me, at least I hope not, I just think he's had issues with adults in the past. Sometimes when he comes to school he has bruises around his wrists and upper arms. I've never gotten a good enough look at them to see what caused them but I'm certain he didn't just get them by being clumsy. I've also noticed that August's clothes always have holes and stains in them and his backpack looks too small, like he's had it since kindergarten. His family could just be having money problems, my gut just tells me that something else is going on.
Lately August has been getting to school late or not coming at all and when he is here he's been unfocused in my class. I can only assume that means he's not doing well in his other classes as well.
It's not his fault, the poor boy just needs someone to check in on him and make sure he's getting the care that he deserves. I wish that Davide and I could be those people...
"What are you thinking about, amore?" I startled out of my thoughts when I heard Davide's sudden voice. Looking up, I noticed his 6'3 frame standing over me with a look of concern on his face. He's dressed for work in an Italian suit, his face cleanly shaven as well. (Love.)
"Nothing, it's just..." I paused, shaking my head to ward off my upcoming sadness. "Breakfast is ready. I made eggs and there's fruit. Plus your coffee's at the table. The fruit looked like it was getting a little old so I used up most of it. We should probably go to the store soon. I think we're running ou-"
"Amore," Davide spoke softly, interrupting my nervous rambling. He brought his large, tan hand up and cupped my cheek, rubbing my skin softly with his fingertips. I leaned into his caring touch, allowing it to calm me back down. (Love.)
"Were you thinking about August again, amore?" I could only nod against his addictive warmth as I tried to contain my feelings. Thinking about August always seems to make me sad. I put on a strong front while I'm at school because I want to be a stable adult for August but at home, things are different. It's hard knowing that he's struggling and I can't do anything about it because I'm worried I'll upset him. (Love.)
"It's okay, tesoro, he'll be okay." He assured me, moving his hand away from my face to pull me into his arms. I pushed my face into his neck and breathed in his calming scent of oak and fresh rain, it always reminds me of home. (Darling.)
"How about I have my family's private investigator look into August's home situation? Maybe we can do something to help." He questions after a few moments of silence. Davide knows of my concerns about the sweet boy, I tell him everything that happens at school as soon as I get home. He's never met August but I can tell he already feels protective over him.
"That'd be good, I think." I told him uncertainly. I don't want to invade on August's life, I'm just worried about him.
"Alright, mi amore. Now, breakfast looks delicious, lets eat before it gets cold." He changed the subject so swiftly I almost didn't notice. I covered my feelings with a smile and followed Davide to the kitchen table. We sat down and had a peaceful breakfast together before I had to get up and get ready for work. (My love.)
All I could think about as we ate was how lucky I am to have a supportive and loving husband like Davide.
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a/n - hey guys! sooo... i'm not sure how i feel about this chapter but we're still in exposition so i'm hoping the writing gets a little bit better soon!
i chose to make davide italian because i thought it fit his character vibes, however, that being said i don't speak italian.. so i'll try my best with translations and i'll put them at the end of every paragraph :) if i ever write something grammatically incorrect and you notice please let me know <3
anyways... thank you so much for reading! i hope you liked this chapter :) don't forget to comment and let me know what you thought of the chapter and feel free to vote! i hope you all have a lovely day/night! <3
p.s. what do you guys think of davide and nikolas's relationship so far??