How It's Going To Be [h.s.]

Chapter 52

I stood open mouthed in the center of Cathedral Square before the Milan Cathedral. The magnitude of the beautiful Gothic cathedral was nearly overwhelming. The intricacies of the architecture were evident even from the distance at which we stood. Haunting spires pierced the sky. The stone of the building exuded strength. The windows were intimidating, impressive.

"This is the Duomo di Milano," Harry said in a forced Italian accent. "It's the second largest Catholic cathedral in the world."

"I can't believe I'm here," I whispered.

"Believe it because we are going inside." Harry took my hand and we began the journey from the center of the square to the massive cathedral ahead.

Eli and Nick walked leisurely behind us. Though I couldn't see them, I knew they were scanning the surrounding area. The square was full of tourists wearing backpacks and trainers. Nearly every person had a camera hanging from their neck. Some had their lenses pointed to the Cathedral; others had their lenses pointed at us. It seemed ridiculous that people were forfeiting the opportunity to see the cathedral when they were wrapped up in watching Harry.

We didn't have to wait to enter the cathedral. Harry walked to the front where someone appeared to recognize him. A man shook Harry's hand and spoke in heavily accented English. He ushered us through the entrance as people who had been waiting much longer remained out in the Italian heat.

Once inside, I was rendered speechless. Vaulted ceilings loomed over our heads in the darkened space. Brilliant stained-glass windows cast small amounts of colorful light on the stone flooring. There were statues positioned around the interior of the cathedral creating a story for us to observe. We studied the True Cross on display with careful eyes.

We traveled to the rooftop and stood in seclusion as we watched the city unfold below us. There was movement and noise coming from the streets of Milan, but where we stood, there was tranquility. Harry and I silently overlooked the city and soaked in the magnificence of the moment.

There was an unexplainable energy coursing through the cathedral. The space was hallowed; centuries of work had been put toward building the cathedral. It was a token of faith and belief.

"Can you believe people made this in a time without the proper tools and technology we have now?" Harry whispered.

"No," I mumbled, noting a particularly elaborate piece of stonework.

"It feels good to share this with you. I love this feeling. I hope this is always how it's going to be when we're together."

I squeezed Harry's hand and smiled up at him. On the rooftop of the Duomo di Milano with a soft summer breeze warming my skin and the love of my life holding my hand, I felt like Harry and I were unbreakable.

Back out on the square under the sun, Harry and I posed for a photo. His arm was around me and our smiles were wide with our backdrop the remarkable Duomo di Milano.

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The deeper we descended into Milan, the more I was convinced that the city had an intangible character that was equal parts regal and energetic—a blend of the old world and the new. Ancient architecture was melded with contemporary technology and craftsmanship. The people paralleled the same concept of refined and rebellious.

Shops bordering the cobblestone streets served as the base for five or six stories of flats. The stone of the buildings was old, but was livened by window boxes overflowing with greenery and small purple flowers. An elderly woman sat on some steps as little girls played with dolls at her feet. A young couple took refuge in an abandoned archway on the side of a building and kissed clumsily like it was their first time. Brand new bicycles were lined up along an old rusty metal pipe. Some bicycles were chained, others were trusted by their owners. There was a bistro with seating out along the walkway. Oversized umbrellas stemmed from metal tables with matching chairs. From the window of the bistro wafted the acidic smell of tomatoes as they were prepared for sauces. This was Milan.