Tag ~finding the 'it'

2.

Even after they started dating, it wasn't a smooth journey. Both of them were working in some of the most demanding and exhausting fields. Going on a date seemed like a luxury, and even managing to speak over the phone once during the day felt like a blessing. But even the most grueling days eventually come to an end, don't they?

After pushing through relentless work schedules, they were finally able to mark a day for their long-overdue date. Chiara had just wrapped up filming her show and was ready to head home after surviving two consecutive all-nighters at the studio. Fabio had called her, asking her to wait at the bus stop outside her company so he could pick her up after his shift.

Once he finished, he collapsed into the driver's seat of his car and drove straight to the spot. As he pulled over, a tired smile curled on his lips. There she was—Chiara Romano—fast asleep at the bus stop, unintentionally leaning on the woman beside her. The older woman looked mildly annoyed, but had still offered her shoulder, clearly moved by Chiara's exhausted state.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Fabio quickly got out of the car and jogged over to her. He gently picked Chiara up in his arms and, after offering a heartfelt "Grazie mille" to the woman, carried her to the car and laid her carefully in the passenger seat.

They drove to her home in silence. When they arrived, he carried her once again like she was made of porcelain, each movement full of care. He rang the doorbell, and sure enough, her mother opened it—eyes immediately narrowing in suspicion and annoyance.

"She's drunk again, isn't she? This girl—always pushing herself too hard, and now this? I'm not letting her out alone again—" her mother started to scold, clearly jumping to conclusions.

Fabio interrupted her softly, his tone respectful and calming. "Signora, it's not what you think. She didn't drink, she's just completely exhausted. Fell asleep while waiting. May I take her to her room?"

His voice was gentle, reassuring—impossible to argue with. Her mother gave a reluctant nod, stepping aside. Fabio carried Chiara into her room with the same careful hands, laid her on the bed, and tucked her in gently. Before leaving, he turned back and smiled politely at her mother.

"Buonanotte, Signora," he said warmly.

Then he quietly let himself out, leaving behind the warm scent of coffee and family and a girl who, even in sleep, wore a faint smile knowing he was there.

..
.

The next morning, the alarm went off at 6:00 AM. Chiara groaned in her sleep and slammed the button to silence it—it was her day off. She curled back under the covers, embracing the rare luxury of sleeping in.

When she finally woke up, feeling refreshed after the much-needed rest, she blinked groggily at the clock—only to scream at the top of her lungs.

It was 6:00 PM.

She shot up in bed, disoriented and horrified. "No, no, no!" she muttered, gripping her head. This was the one day they had marked off for their long-overdue date. And she had spent it... sleeping. She wanted to cry and curse herself at the same time.

Snatching her phone off the nightstand like her life depended on it, she speed-dialed Fabio's number and waited with bated breath.

As soon as he answered, she launched into a frantic monologue:
"Fabio?! I'm sorry, I'm really sorry! Where are you? I'll meet you in an hour—no wait, no, I'll meet you in half an hour, yes! Come pick me up in thirty minutes. I swear I'll be ready! Okay, bye!"

She hung up before he could get a word in.

...

"Hello... he—wait, listen to me... Hello? Hello?" Fabio stared at the phone screen in disbelief, then chuckled at her chaotic energy. "She should've just sent a voice note," he mumbled, a soft smile tugging at his lips. Her frantic behavior? Annoying to some—but to him, adorable.

He'd already taken the day off from the station. He hadn't planned to head in at all. Instead, earlier that day, he'd gone to visit someone very dear to him—Riccardo Esposito, his former senior and most trusted mentor, who now spent most of his time at home after an injury had left him wheelchair-bound.

"Who was that? Chiara?" Riccardo asked, glancing up from his paper.

Fabio nodded, still smiling. "Yeah... we were supposed to go on a date today."

Riccardo's eyes twinkled. "That's sweet. She's a good girl—I'm happy for you, truly. But hey, don't forget about old men like me just because you're in love, alright? This house is always open to you. You're the only one who still visits this old cripple."

Fabio's smile faded slightly, his voice turning firm but emotional. "Don't say that. You're not a cripple, and you're not alone either. You're still the strongest person I know—and I'll always be here. Got that?"

Riccardo chuckled, swatting the air as if to dismiss the tears welling up in his eyes. "You're too soft to be a cop, ragazzo. Go now, before she turns up at your door instead."

With a fond shake of his head, Fabio left Riccardo's home and headed straight to Chiara's.

They ended up at a cozy little restaurant tucked in the backstreets, away from the city's noise. Afterward, they took a walk along the riverbank under the dusky sky, eventually lying down on the cool grass, Chiara tucked into his arms as they gazed at the stars reflecting on the water.

"I just don't want this night to end," she whispered. "I ruined most of the day. It's not fair."

Fabio turned his head to look at her, then gently cupped her face. "There's nothing to regret. We got to see each other—even if only for a couple of hours. That's what matters. We'll have more days like this. But tonight, just be here. With me."

He leaned in and captured her lips in a soft, lingering kiss. Chiara's worries melted away as she surrendered to the moment.

Fabio had promised they'd plan another date soon.

But neither of them could have predicted how long "soon" would be—or how drastically their lives were about to change.

Because the next day... a new chapter was waiting.
One full of chaos, adrenaline, and the kind of cases that don't leave room for breathers.

Things were about to get very hectic.