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“So you’re telling me our families stopped us from getting together because of something that happened to their grandparents? And with a great uncle, you didn’t even know about until tonight.”
A little furrow appears between his eyebrows as we stare at each other, seeing clearly for the first time in light of this newfound realization.
“We’re paying for something that happened over forty years ago.”
Luca’s right. I understand these old grievances and fears run deep … but this is on a different level. We’re living in the shadows of our ancestors instead of seeking the light for our future.
“Luca, if things hadn’t worked out the way they did, with us working together, I would have lived my life full of regret.”
Living without the man I love is not an option. Luca’s eyes reflect the same longing and desperate need I’m feeling. He cups the back of my neck. We are eye to eye. Connected. With his lips close to mine, his warm breath caresses my skin.
“We’re together. Nothing else matters.”
“What do we do now?” I ask.
“I’m tempted to take the first plane out of here.” He gives me a heart melting smile.
“It’s tempting, isn’t it?” Starting a new life far from here is a solution, but is it right? "Running from our problems will repeat the cycle are parents tried to avoid."
He smiles. “See how much I need you, Auds? I’d make a mess of everything without you.”
If he’d flown off the handle, he could have said hurtful things he could never take back.
“We’ll stick around until the New Year’s Eve wrap party at Avalon Hollywood, and after that….” He glances away.
It’s our first Christmas, but my best Christmas. It doesn't matter if it's bittersweet, as long as we're together. Nothing will tear us apart now, and if we spend the rest of our lives together, I'll consider myself the luckiest woman on the planet.
“I’m proud of you, Luca. You’re hurt, but you’re strong and responsible.”
He lays a deep, possessive kiss on me, leaving me breathless. “I want more than a kiss, but that’ll have to wait till later.”
A thrill rushes through my body.
“Not too much later,” I tell him. Nothing will burst my bubble now. I’ll talk to my parents in the morning. “Let’s go home.”
Luca grins and my heart is fit to burst with joy.
Eleven
LUCA
Audrey is everything to me. There aren't enough words to express how I feel about her. She is more precious than a delicate jewel or priceless work of art. More than the moon, the star, or the sun in the sky. She's just that special.
Loving Audrey inspires deep, endless love. The kind I never thought was possible. The type of love I try to create in my work but never achieve because I never felt it in my heart until now. Until her.
Deep in my bones lies the knowledge that I’ll be even more in love tomorrow, and that blows my mind. I want to be a better man for her. I’ll give her everything she needs and whatever she desires.
If I were a kid, I'd love her more than Christmas. It seems my wish has come true, because itisChristmas morning. Waking up and finding her beside me is the best gift. We make love; the first time is rough and desperate. The second and third rounds are gentle, and we savor every touch, making up for lost time.
We laze in bed, our feet tangled together, talking over the top of each other. We share our feelings, thoughts, and deepest wishes as we connect and begin dreaming of our future.
I don’t know what will happen when we see our parents, but when we’re together, we can do anything. Knowing that she loves me makes me feel invincible, and nothing will bring me down. Even the fact that both sets of parents are knocking on my apartment door isn't enough to ruin my day.
Being the gracious woman she is, my love ushers them inside. I wouldn't have been so kind if it was up to me. Overnight, they've had time to think through the consequences of their actions. No doubt they commiserated together, and now they're in my home, apologizing and begging for forgiveness.
Although Audrey is quick to make peace, I'm not convinced. I won't forgive easily. I don't care about myself, but however good their intentions were, they were misguided and caused Audrey harm. The time for everyone making assumptions is over. I regret the day I stopped pushing and asking hard questions because no one would give me the answer.
My hackles rise, so I squeeze Dad harder, until he says what I need to hear. Audrey is uneasy; dealing with conflict is not her strong suit. I admire her for not trying to smooth things over. Since she knows how much I need validation, she doesn't interject.
