Excelsior was the name of one of the most exclusive hotels in all of Roma. As Helena strutted past the hotel after shopping on Via Veneto, she flashed back to a little over a year ago when Quinton had been in Rome, and she planned to run into him. The Excelsior Hotel was the center of her plan, but it all had fallen through. She loved Salvatore, but she did start to think that she was not a one-man woman. Monogamy seemed such a bourgeois concept to her. However, now that Sal was gone, she felt badly that she had been untrue to him; even if just in her heart. But at that time over a year ago, she had other plans that involved someone special from her past. Surely the bliss of Rome would sway Quinton in her direction. Additionally, she had heard from Quint that he and Nola were having some problems after they lost their baby. She blamed the failure of her plan on the Hotel Excelsior. As much as it was to be blamed on the Excelsior, she also had to face the fact that the problem was that Quint loved his wife and would always love her, and that Nola was the love of his life. Quint was the type of man who would take his wedding vows seriously even after 20 years of marriage. Helena invited Quint for drinks at the hotel, and instead of the tender reunion which Helena had hoped for, it set-up a veritable trip down memory lane for him, of his twenty-years-plus- long-romance with Nola.

Quint spent months planning their second honeymoon to Rome. He wanted to surprise Nola with a completely romantic and unforgettable trip. It was to be their thirteenth wedding anniversary. Perhaps that was an odd anniversary to celebrate with such a special trip, but during their tenth they were so busy traveling around the world on archaeological digs that it was almost more of a treat to go home, wherever that happened to be at the time. They were looking to buy their dream house in California. They had so many specific criteria for what they wanted that the house hunt was taking a long time. Both Quint and Nola were very excited about the idea of settling down for awhile. This trip to Italy was planned as an opportunity for them to spend romantic time together as a couple and work on their next very special venture together. They had decided that the time had come for Nola to go off her birth control and try for another baby. It was something they wanted for a very long time, but had put it off because of work commitments. What could be more romantic than beginning their quest for a new baby than in Rome? How they both hoped that they would come back to the States pregnant.

June 1996, Rome

Rome was beautiful in June. Quint chose the Excelsior Hotel for this second honeymoon of sorts. It was one of the most beautiful and exclusive hotels right in the middle of all the action. Nola was excited to finally just come to Rome as a tourist and show off the bit of Italian she had learned over the years. She had been there so many times with Quint and the family before, but always for work. She looked forward to going to the museums, seeing the sites, shopping and of course all the alone time with Quint that the trip promised. She was not disappointed.

Quint was actually kind of surprised, but Nola really wanted to see the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. After a day of touring ancient Rome and lunch at a wonderful Roman restaurant in the Jewish ghetto section, they made it back to their hotel room somewhat early. It had been quite a day, but they did not want to let their energy wane by overdoing it. That night Quint had arranged for a seven course dinner in their suite. He paid close attention to all details right down to the flowers adorning the room and the music selections. It was to be the perfect night of seduction. Nola took care of all the details on her end as well.

The day before, she had made a secret trip to the spa for all the essentials including polishing, waxing, general primping and pampering, and finally to La Perla, picking up the prettiest lingerie money could buy. Through the years it had become very important to her to make these special arrangements to show her husband just how much she did appreciate him, and that she would not take him for granted. And his response was always so unabashedly positive that it was well worth any effort she put into it. Quint had become a La Perla aficionado over the years and would often stop in and pick up something special for his wife which she would later model for him. Quint could not have been a more rapt spectator at these special showings.

That night in Rome they both dressed up formally, something that through the years, they had not been able to do nearly as much as they wanted to because of work, children and travel. But that night would be just like the old days. Nola had her auburn hair up in a lovely twist, dressed in a stunning chocolate sheath that went almost to the floor. Quint wore his tux, of course. Nola had a hard time containing herself and not running to Quint and immediately showing him the La Perla intimates, but she knew that good things came to those that wait.

"Mrs. Chamberlain, even after all these years you still take my breath away," Quint announced in a husky, sexy voice.

"Mr. Chamberlain you look awfully handsome yourself," Nola gushed as she looked about the room. "And I see you left no detail unattended to; that's my husband," she lovingly commented.

Quint took Nola's hand and kissed it and then led her to the beautifully set dinner table. Everything was exquisite: the china, the crystal, the napkins, the flowers. Of course there was the requisite heather all about the room. As she noticed the heather carefully placed about the room an impish grin spread across Nola's face, "Hmmmmm, it looks like you might have something in mind, Mr. Chamberlain."

"Oh, I most certainly do, my princess," Quint cooed with no uncertainty.

"Mmmmmmm, well if it is even half of what I have in mind, I’m sure it will be a memorable night," she countered.

The dinner was absolutely perfect and included all of Nola's favorites from foie gras to rack of lamb to the most delicious mango creme brulee. Quint's wine selections were also impeccable. And while everything so far had been perfect, she knew that the real dessert and highlight of the evening was still to come. Quint still had a way, all these years later, of setting her heart on fire. No one had ever looked at her the way he did, and the intensity that almost scared her years earlier was something she now craved and made her tingle right down to her toes. The look in his eyes would say, you are the most amazing creature ever and in about half a second I am going to ravage you from head to toe. It made her think of those early days at Thornway Road when he would look at her like that, but they were both unable to act on their mutual impulse.

"Quinton you have the sexiest eyes. I’m going to admit something to you that I never admitted before." Nola seductively took a sip of Armagnac.

"What’s that?"

"Well, remember when you used to spend those late nights up in my room at Thornway Road and we would talk and talk?"

"And talk some more," he teased, remembering the frustration.

"You could just give me one look, like you are right now, and I was ready for you in a second."

"Ready, my dear? Whatever do you mean by that?" Quint teased, but fully understanding.

"You know exactly what I mean, but those were some "interesting” times since we were on our best behavior back then."

"Yes we were. If I had only known just what my sweet little Nola was thinking and feeling back then. It was difficult enough during those evenings. I had to keep thinking about Fritz in his underwear, so as not to frighten or concern you."

"I hardly think I would have been frightened or concerned, but it may have helped me not to be so shocked on our wedding night."

"Were you disappointed?" Quint fished for a complement.

"Oh absolutely not, it was like Christmas, getting presents all day, and at the end getting your favorite one. It was more than I ever hoped for."

"Now, we no longer need to control those impulses, Nola." Quint moved out of his chair and eagerly advanced toward his wife. He placed her snifter of brandy on the table as he pulled her to standing, then took her around the waist and devoured her neck.

"Mr. McCord," Nola breathlessly whispered as she offered her mouth to his. Their passions mounted as they made their way to the large downy comfort of the bed in the other room of the suite. The smell of lavender and vanilla strongly hung in the air from the scented candles that Quint had lit earlier. A single sprig of heather was delicately placed in the soft center of the bed. They slowly undressed each other; Quint admiring and commenting on the beautiful new lingerie that his lover had bought for this special occasion. They made love several times that night until they both passed out in exquisite exhaustion.

As hoped, the Chamberlains came back from Rome expecting a much desired and well earned guest in nine months. It was an extremely successful trip in all ways, and when they found out a few months later that they were going to bewelcoming a baby girl into the family; they couldn't have been happier. They briefly bantered about possibly naming their new daughter Roma in honor of where she was conceived, but then decided on a more traditional route after her grandmothers. Everything seemed to be coming together for them as a few months later they did finally locate the dream house they desired in Santa Barbara, California.

Quint recalled all these details as he paced the verandah of that "dream house", wondering where his Nola was. How could everything going so right wind up so wrong? They lost their baby daughter and now he thought with Silas possibly still alive; he might lose his most precious Nola forever as well.