She frowned slightly, avoiding eye contact with the man for a few moments as she fell silent, her mind whirling with thoughts as she tried to account how much she did exactly have. She sighed as she hung her head in defeat. "I don't generally like to take loans, or impose on someone, but yeah, I don't have much to my name, unfortunately." Even her voice sounded defeated.

"Hey, listen, don't worry about it. You can always work it off." He shrugged, trying to lift up her mood.

"I know, but... " she paused, sighing again. She had a habit of disappearing randomly in the night and she really didn't want to owe Gabriele anything. "It's hard to explain, okay?" She asked, a frown spreading across her lips as she looked up at him.

Gabriele pursed his lips as he watched the expression on her face, how worried and concerned she was over something that should have come standard in her life. "Listen, even if you disappear in the night or whatever you do, I don't care. I don't mind helping you out, so, please? Let me help?" He asked, his voice gentle, soft, caring. He hoped he could coax her into opening up, even if just a little.

"Gabe..." She said, her voice quiet, defeated. She hung her head, watching their steps as they walked down the street.

"I may have just met you literally yesterday, but I've seen the way you act and how hard you're trying to just survive." He spoke, looking up at the sky now, squinting his eyes as the bright light shone, "you deserve a break every now and again. I don't know what you're running from, but this isn't a life. I'm not gonna tell you how to live your life though, I'm just gonna give you some options." He shrugged.

Norah sighed, running a hand through her hair. She felt pretty defeated, her heart being exposed to this man she had just met the other day, but she couldn't help but feel like she had known Gabriele her entire life. He made her feel safe, comforted, wanted. All the things she didn't know she really wanted until she had them, and now she was terrified of screwing everything up. She couldn't stay in one place for long, there was always a chance of being found, of being taken back to her past. She shuddered at the thoughts, coiling up inside herself.

Gabriele lightly nudged her with his elbow, "you don't have to do anything you don't want to do. I'm not going to hurt you. I promise." His voice was just as quiet, the grin on his face now completely gone, replaced by a soft smile on his lips.

She flinched slightly, obviously not used to the gentle touches of another and her eyes grew wide in the shock before relaxing a moment later. She sighed, rubbing at her arms as Gabriele took a step away from her, not used to having to be so gentle with someone himself.

"Sorry, I know you're just trying to help and be thoughtful, and I appreciate it." She said, giving him a very faint smile. "How about... we just drop this for now? You don't want to listen to my life story. Trust me, it's not a very good tale." She shook her head.

He sighed through his nose, the smile fading as he nodded. "Alright. I just want you to know you can trust me." He said, then changed the subject, not wanting to upset her any further.

For as much as he wanted to get to know this strange girl, he also didn't want to make her uncomfortable, feel unwanted. He wanted to keep her safe from whatever demons were chasing her, protect her.

A few moments passed, the silence becoming unbearable as Gabriele chewed on his lip. Desperate to escape the awkward situation, he threw out the first thing that to mind."What do you think of ice cream? I know this really great shop that makes it the old fashioned way."

***

"You know, I haven't had ice cream in what feels like forever," Norah said with a laugh, a smile crossing her lips as she happily ate away at the ice cream cone in her hand.

"I told you it was pretty good," Gabriele said with a wink as he leaned against the wall.

She looked up at him, her heart melting at that smile of his, and she laughed again, turning her attention away from him as she looked at their surroundings. It was peaceful, beautiful. Not a single care in the world. Just hard work and happiness. She felt comfortable, at peace, protected. It was an odd feeling to have as she hadn't felt this way in years. She was used to running, hiding, keeping herself out of the eyes of others, but something about Gabriele made her want to open up, to experience the world she had been lost to for so long.

"It's a beautiful place." She finally spoke, returning her gaze to Gabriele, "I can see why you love it here so much."

A smile crossed his lips as he looked down at her, nodding his head. "It really does end up feeling like home after a while. No judgment, no hate, everyone just... coexisting, helping each other. It's like time doesn't move here. The rest of the city is bustling, loud, moving all too quickly, but not here. It's slow, lazy, seems brighter too."

She could see herself getting used to this simple way of living, she was already getting lulled into the serenity and peacefulness of it all, how everyone was friendly and welcoming and no one seemed to mind she was there.

She watched as a group of kids ran past, laughing and playing as they chased each other and she couldn't help but laugh at their antics. "Yeah, it's really nice." She said with a soft sigh, watching their surroundings.

"Hey, so thanks for today." She said, looking up at Gabriele.

"Why are you thanking me? I'm having a great time, and the day is far from over." He gave her a playful wink and his trademark grin. "Come on, Little Italia still has more to offer."

He pushed himself off the wall then, tossing his trash in the nearby trash can and dusting off his hands. He waited for Norah and then began to walk down the street again. Norah raised an eyebrow, not quite sure what else this man could have up his sleeve but followed after him once she had thrown her trash away as well.

"There's more?" She asked, a puzzled look on her face.

"There's always more." He shrugged his shoulders.

He stuffed his hands into his pockets as they walked down the sidewalk, idle chit-chat falling between the two. Gabriele was quite enjoying himself and even more with the company of Norah. Something about her seemed so magical, whimsical. It was easy to talk to her, easy to lose himself in her. He knew he was probably crazy, they had only known each for a day, but he couldn't deny that there was some sort of spark.

"Gabriele!" Called a voice and he turned, his attention drawn to a young woman who looked quite pleased to see the man. A smile spread across his lips, only growing when he saw the small child next to her.

"Elena!" He beamed and chuckled as the little boy ran up to him, wrapping his arms around his leg and giving it a hug.

"Uncle Gabe!" Squealed the little boy, who was brought up into the strong arms of Gabriele.

Norah raised an eyebrow at the sudden interruption, but she couldn't help the smile the spread across her lips as she saw the little boy, who was now clinging to Gabriele. At the mention of uncle, she figured this must have been a sister of his, or someone close. She gave the woman a glance over, and it was clear to her now that these two were related. They looked so alike, the dark color of their skin, the warm embrace of their brown eyes.

"And how is my favorite little boy?" Asked Gabriele, tickling the boy's stomach, earning an eruption of giggles. He then turned his attention to Elena, his smile never wavering, "what brings you and Dino out?"

Elena had a wide smile on her face as she crossed her arms, watching the interaction between her son and brother and laughed when Dino became a giggling mess. "Oh, just some errands. You know how it is. The work of a housewife is never finished." She joked.

"I bet." Gabriele said with a laugh of his own, hugging Dino, "how's Anthony been doing?"

"Oh, he's been pretty good. Busy with work. You know the usual," Elena shrugged her shoulders.

Then her attention was brought to Norah, who had been standing patiently and quietly next to Gabriele. She didn't seem like her brothers usual type of lady and she gave the woman a once more, a smile forming on her lips as their eyes met.

"And who is your lovely friend, Gabe?" Elena spoke, breaking Gabriele's attention on Dino.

"Oh! Wow, I'm sorry." He said with a chuckle, giving Norah a sheepish look. She just gave him an awkward smile and gave a simple wave to his sister. "This is Norah, she's new to town. Norah, this is my sister, Elena, and my nephew, Dino." He said, bouncing the little bubbly bundle against his side.

"Hello, it's nice to meet you," Norah said, a smile on her face as she looked at Elena.

"Likewise. I take it you're picking up shifts at La Stella D'oro?"

Norah nodded, clasping her hands in front of her. "Yes, for the time being. Gabriele has been quite kind to me." She couldn't help the widening of her smile.

"Do you have to question everyone I'm in contact with?" Gabriele asked, rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand.

"Only the pretty ladies." Elena shrugged.

Norah's cheeks warmed and she cleared her throat, "I promise I'm not here to steal your brother."

"Shame. You'd be perfect for this daft fool." A sigh escaped Elena's lips, "I'm just kidding though, don't take it to heart." She chuckled a grin much like Gabriele's inching its way across her face.

"Stop tormenting every woman I come into contact with, Elena." Gabriele rolled his eyes, sliding Dino off his side and back onto the ground, where he ran back to his mother.

"Why? It's my job as your sister to make sure you're well taken of." Elena stuck her tongue out at her brother, crossing her arms over her chest.

Gabriele sighed, hanging his head a bit in defeat before chuckling, "don't you have someplace to be?" He looked back up at her, raising an eyebrow at the immature display of his sister.

"You're just trying to scare me off. I can take a hint though." Elena said with a laugh, "I'll see you this Sunday." She leaned up, kissing Gabriele's cheek before she bent down, picking Dino up and placing him against her hip.

Norah waited a few moments before raising an eyebrow, looking up at Gabriele. "Well, that was interesting." She said with a nervous laugh.

Gabriele laughed, hanging his head again as he ran his hands through his hair, "yeah, sorry about that. I didn't know she'd be out and about." He said sheepishly.

"She's a lovely woman."

"One of the more put together ones." He laughed.

***

The brisk, cold air blew through Norah's hair, sending chills down her spine as they made their way back to the pub. She had had an amazing day with Gabriele, experiencing a day in his life and seeing what kind of life he had exactly. It was an amazing one, and she couldn't deny that she wanted to experience more. He had everything she had ever wanted and so much more. He was so loved, so wanted, so appreciated. She envied him, but also found she was beginning to want to be a part of his life, as crazy as that sounded to her.

Gabriele had fallen silent, enjoying the cool night, his hands stuffed down into his pockets. He glanced down at Norah, chewing on the inside of his cheek as he noticed her shivering. Fall was around the corner, the leaves beginning to change color, some dancing carefree through the air.

"Are you cold?" Gabriele finally asked, breaking the silence in between them. It wasn't unpleasant, however.

"Hm?" Norah asked, looking up at him, "oh, no. I'm fine," she said with a bit of a laugh, though the wind then blew through her hair again, causing her to shiver.

He rolled his eyes, sighing through his nose at her antics as he shrugged off his coat, gently placing it around her shoulders, "you're shivering."

She flinched slightly at the gesture, though she relaxed when his warmth suddenly washed over her and the scent of burning embers filled her up. She pulled the coat tight around her shoulders, pressing her face against the soft leather as she took a deep breath of his scent. It was comforting and warm, and her cheeks heated at the thoughts that nagged at her.

"Thank you." She said quietly, giving him a warm smile as she snuggled into his coat.

"You don't have to be so formal with, you know."

Norah looked down at her hands, picking idly at her nails before she looked back up at Gabriele, that smile softening. "I know I don't. I haven't been this comfortable around another person in a long time. And maybe that's what I'm terrified of." Her voice was quiet.

She chewed on the inside of her cheek, feeling awkward now that she had spoken, regret settling in. "I don't know, maybe just after everything I've been through I just want..."

What did she want, exactly? An easier life? A better life? Everyone wanted a better life, a life where they didn't have to live constantly in fear, or a life where they weren't some caged animal kept for someone else's amusement. She wanted to fall in love, to laugh, to experience the better parts of life that everyone else seemed to be so entitled to. The parts of life she had been denied for so long.