A Christmas Romance: Chloe and Luca’s Love Story in a Cozy Italian Home

Chloë and Luca spent the rest of that Thanksgiving weekend evening on the dance floor and, to Chloë’s immense joy, exchanged telephone numbers and addresses for future correspondence. Chloë had always been a prolific letter writer, but she promised herself she would pace her interactions with him. For his part, Luca wasn’t much for the written form, but he had her phone number and fully intended for a get-together when Chloë was back at university. He knew she lived with her parents, so he’d have to play it cool, but he was taken—finally, Chloë thought—with her and planned to visit her regularly, if that was something she’d want. He hoped that, on his return to university the next year, they would continue on their growing connection.

It was two weeks later that Luca phoned and invited Chloë to his home for the next weekend. The rapture. Nearly giddy with enthusiasm, Chloë immediately accepted, despite the fact she’d intended on writing her Political Science essay then.

“I’ll just pull an all-nighter or two and get it done in time,” she thought, happy that the college library was open around the clock.”

Chloë could barely contain her joy. As a result, John Stuart Mill suffered scant treatment in her term paper. She knew it wasn’t anywhere near her best work, but she enthusiastically turned it in on Friday afternoon before traveling to the train station for the trip to Oshawa.

“Ma, this is Chloë,” Luca began, introducing her. “Chloë, my mother, Carm.”

They were standing by a window table in Ristorante di Angelo, the pair pleased to be out of the pelting rain.

“It’s so good to meet you, Mrs. di Angelo. “Luca has told me such good things about you and his family.”

“Call me Carm,” she smiled at Chloë. “Everyone does.”

“Ma’s a legend in these parts,” Luca remarked with a grin.

“This restaurant is beautiful. Luca told me a bit about it, but it’s even nicer than I’d imagined.”

“Are the two of you eating here tonight, Luca?” Carm questioned, hoping for a chance to discover a bit more about her son’s new love interest. She had never been especially fond of Joyce, who, since she was Luca’s girl, got away with terrible service in her waitressing hours. But Joyce had never spent overnight with the family, so there wasn’t much opportunity to learn more than Luca and the other wait staff had told her. Carm was thrilled for Luca and relieved that Chloë was still at university. She was adamant her son would return to university next year and regarded Chloë as a strong incentive. “If only the romance blossoms and survives,” she thought.

Her weekend with Luca was all Chloë could have dreamt of, and more. Luca was gentlemanly and courteous, anxious to please, nothing like the arrogant lad she’d met in History 101. He had several events planned: a club night Saturday, then a lazy Sunday when Chloë could get to know a few attractions of his hometown.

Though she hadn’t thought it possible, Chloë was even more smitten with him as her train departed for the voyage home. Luca was there to wave her off and blow a kiss beside her window. There had been a lot of kissing and hugging over the two days of her visit. Nothing more, as she was sharing a room with Luca’s cousin, who helped with cooking in the restaurant, and lived with the di Angelo family.

As they separated, Luca said the things she wished desperately she would hear. “See you soon.” She wondered had he meant it, or was it just a courteous kiss-off? No matter what he had planned, it didn’t dampen Chloë’s delight. She knew her feelings for Luca had begun as a sexual attraction, but after getting to know him more over the two days, she felt a wave of what she knew was a more passionate love. She wondered, though, did Luca feel the same about her.

“She seemed OK, that girl,” Carm commented to Gino as they stood near the pizza oven.

“What girl?” he inquired.

“The one with Luca for the weekend. Chloë something. I suppose she’s besotted with him. It may even be mutual.” She grinned at her husband.

Gino had been too busy prepping for the weekend rush to say more to Chloë than “Lovely to meet you. Enjoy your stay.” The girl had flushed before saying, “Thank you so much for welcoming me to your home. And restaurant.” He was happy to find she had what resembled a shy streak. Joyce had been too loud and pushy as far as he was concerned.

As the train pulled in to her final station, Chloë still felt butterflies, but the weekend had gone better than she could ever have dreamed.

Chloë’s ambition for a return visit to Oshawa was soon realized when Luca welcomed her for a few days over the Christmas holidays. She hadn’t been feeling great and knew she needed a vacation from her busy life, but she happily accepted Luca’s invitation. Chloë was pleased that Luca seemed to feel at least some of the affection she had for him.

She could barely control her enthusiasm in the days leading up to her arrival. She had persistent butterflies buzzing about in her stomach, so much so that she felt a little bit weird. Anxiety does that, she reminded herself. She was no stranger to it; she constantly felt sick and lightheaded if she had to speak in lessons.

suitcase with her basics and her tote bag with goodies for the di Angelo family. She would be none too delighted about their only daughter going out to visit someone they had never met, a boy no less. debate her mother knew would ensue. Especially not during Christmas time.

train was rolling in to the station, Chloë donned her spectacles and extended her neck left to right, looking for Luca. She didn’t spot him among the crowd gathering on the platform and began to feel that familiar worry that always accompanied her plans going awry. “Let him be there,” she silently prayed. “I won’t ask for anything else, I promise,” expressing her requests, but planning to cover the choices.

Then, there he was, striding out of Chloë, who had to hide a cry of excitement but waved vigorously at Luca. As she was getting up from her seat to go, Luca caught sight of her and replied her wave with two thumbs up.

“I’m glad you’re here,” Luca grinned as he greeted her.

be here. Definitely.” Chloë was quick to react, immediately wishing she hadn’t added “definitely.”

bag of gifts carefully as Luca took her small luggage and walked her to where his beloved Chevy Metro waited.

else to eat, but Ma said she left dinner for us at the house. Try another place. going to close, but there are lots of alternative options.

Though she was nursing a headache and had no inclination to eat, she replied,No, what your mother left for us sounds wonderful. And really kind.”

not anything from the restaurant,” Luca explained. last week or so cooking and baking at home for the family Christmas.”

“I’m looking forward to it all,” she remarked.

lights, and the restaurant next door resembled a Christmas gift box with beautiful decorations and lights virtually pouring out of it. As the snow fell lightly on them, the two made their way from the car into the comfort of Luca’s family house.

The smell of fresh baking welcomed Chloë the second the front door was opened. own home and the limited fuss that was made during the Christmas season.

house smells delicious,” she remarked to Luca.

pretty good cook,” Luca remarked, following that with a sardonic smile.

“I wonder why that is.”

She was all but stunned when Luca proposed they join his cousins in Christmas caroling around the neighborhood. heard music and conversations coming from the restaurant next door, and was totally delighting in her predicament. With Luca at Christmas! Chloë’s attention strayed back to the realities of the past year. doing during Christmas vacation then? stomach churn. Butterflies. Busy butterflies. She remembered how terrible she had been a year earlier when she feared she must lose any hope of any relationship with the Italian classmate who, without knowing it, had caught her attention and so many of her emotions.

Now, the whole world, wrapped in the cozy hug of the season, was welcoming Chloë to what she believed would be her new reality. accepted the caroling despite knowing she lacked vocal talent. duo returned to the di Angelo mansion; it was past midnight. Despite the fact she’d been awake for nearly 24 hours, Chloë didn’t want the night to end. was perfect, “just like a romantic Christmas movie,” she thought, in virtual disbelief at how her fortune had altered.

When Luca bent in to give her a kiss goodbye, he nearly whispered, “Tomorrow we’ll spend at my place. Gary is staying with his new girlfriend, so we’ve got it all to ourselves.” Immediately, Chloë wondered if she were still going to be spending tomorrow night with Carm and Gino. just up and leave when they had extended their home and hospitality to her.

Luca sensed her concern. “Don’t worry. Everything’s copacetic with Ma. We’ll shift your stuff over in the morning so we can have the entire day together.” He flashed her a crooked grin. “Also the night.”

Chloë giggled. “I’ve never actually heard someone use the word ‘copacetic’, but I’m very glad it is.”

It was almost too fantastic to be true.