*Meri* "It smells delicious Tom, it really does". I walk into his kitchen, sniffing in the air. My mother is coming over for dinner in half an hour to meet Tom. He turns to look at me, brushing a stray curl of his forehead. "Come taste darling, tell me if there is anything missing". I walk over to him and he holds up a spoon, blowing on it softly, before holding it out to me, I close my mouth around the spoon, tasting the sauce. "It's delicious Tom, even better than usual, what did you add ?" "Nothing really, I just bought the very best quality of everything". He says with a small smile."Are you sure bolognaise is good enough ? I can order something from a fancy restaurant if it's more her". "It's more than fine Tom, my mom loves Italian food and has travelled all over the country". I raise my hand to brush a bit of flour off his cheek. He suddenly looks even more nervous. "Ohh, then she has probably had the real thing ... Maybe I should order something ... preferably something
*Lumi* I have been getting chemo to get my disease under control again and now I am feeling rather sick and weak. I told mom and Meri to go ahead and go for dinner at Tom's. Meri deserves some time off from caring for me, and I want mom to meet Tom. But right now, sitting here in bed feeling weak and nausea, I am wishing badly that one of them was here with me. "Lumi ?" The door crack open and Luca peaks in. "I was wondering if you started missing me yet ?" "Go away Luca. I am too tired to deal with you". I grumble. I don't want him seeing me like this. He would never see me as sexy again. He just shakes his head, walking inside. "Yeah, again with the trying to scare me off. It's not going to work baby ... how many times do we have to repeat this ?" "Stop being so thick headed wookie ... just leave ...". The nausea overtakes me and I desperately look for one of those things to throw up in. Instantly Luca is by my side, holding one of those bag-like things for throwing up, brus
*Meri* Waking up next to Tom is ... a little slice of heaven if you ask me. I am just laying here studying his face in the dim light. His beautiful eyes closed, his features relaxed, his lips slightly parted as he breathes softly. I giggle slightly looking at his hair. It is a disarray of stray curls sticking out in all directions. It might partly be my own fault that it's such a mess, having pulled at it just a bit last night. Unable to stop myself I reach over, raking my hand through his curls. They are so soft running through my fingers. I am instantly rewarded with an almost purring sound from Tom, as a smile spread on his face. "Morning Tom". My hand keeps slowly combing through his hair almost on its own. His arm slides around my waist, and his naked body snuggles into me as close as he can manage. "Morning darling ... God this is heaven". "I can only agree". I say with a sigh, twirling a couple of curls around my fingers. "I vote that we are just going to stay here all
*Lumi* I am watching my mother fuz over Luca and he is labbing it up. Had I been less confident I might have been scared my man and my mother were about to run off together, but I know it's not the case. Apparently they had a very long talk last night while I slept and I don't know what Luca did or said, but my mom adores him and has forgotten everything about his age and him being an actor. And I have to admit that he is handling my mom perfectly. He is charming, sweet and very respectful. Mom should just know how much of a non gentleman he can be when we are alone. But hey I enjoy that side of him very much too. "Are you sure that you are okay darling ? I can stay here with you if it is. I don't mind". Luca says, coming over to take my hand. I shake my head. "Nope, I could really use a break from all that wookie jabbering and the slobbering on me, so go and have fun". "Lumi !" My mom tells me sternly. "Behave and treat your man with some respect. You finally found a good
*Meri* We get off the subway.. by the way riding the subway with Tom is quite the adventure as half the other passengers seem to recognise him but no one dares approach him … so they are all just looking and taking what they think is discrete pictures. "Doesn't it bother you ?" I look up at Tom as we walk away from the station hand in hand. "What ? He puts his free hand in front of me in a protective gesture, as we reach the traffic light to cross the street. It is both endearing and a bit annoying that he keeps doing things like that. I know it comes from love, but I am not a kid and I can handle myself. Two girls pass behind us, giggling and snickering. "That ! People staring at you, acting weird and snapping your picture at every opportunity they get". "Nah, honestly I hardly notice any longer". He shrugs, and gently pulls me along when the light turns green. "They mean no harm, they are just curious". "I know they don't, it's just a bit unnerving to be honest ... to me at lea
*Meri* I lean into Tom, enjoying the feel of his strong arm around me. He makes me feel so safe and protected. I know my mom doesn't mean to, but I have a feeling that it hurts Tom that my mom is constantly fussing over Luca and all but ignoring him. "Are you enjoying yourself ?" Tom asks softly, pressing a kiss to my temple. I snuggle closer. "Yeah I am. But what about you ? Are you okay ?" "Of course I am darling, I am with you, that is all that matters". He smiles softly, but I can see a hint of pain in his eyes.. there is something he isn't saying.. As we walk on there is a band playing on a square and we stop to listen a bit. They are actually quite good. Luca is holding up the bear, filming them for Lumi. "You want to go give them some money". Tom asks after we have been listening for about 5 minutes. They have a box in front of them that people throw money into. "Sure". I say happily and he hands me a twenty pounds bill. I take it and walk up to throw it in the box, gett
*Luca* "Can I come in ?" I poke my head into Lumi's room. Meri and her mother have agreed to give me 15 minutes alone with her first. She doesn't answer, and it seems she has fallen asleep so I slowly walk in, closing the door behind me. Walking over to sit beside her, taking her hand. Looking at her my heart is beating almost frantically, part of me wants so badly to protect her, to take away any pain that she is feeling. I would do anything to make her well again. Unfortunately it's not in my power, all I can do is be here for her and pray that the new medicine will make her better. It had started out as a very strong physical attraction, and I hadn't really expected it to be more than a fling. But the connection is undeniable. And I find myself wanting more, despite the banter going on between us. But then she kind of rejected the possibility. When Tom called telling me she was sick, everything just kind of fell into place and I just knew that I had to come, I had to be here.
*Tom* Meri has finally arrived, wearing a flowing burgundy dress that looks lovely on her. She pulls me to the living room and sits me down in the couch, pacing the floor. "We need to talk Tom". "I know Meri. I am so sorry. I overreacted". I breathe in deeply. "Honestly, I am scared to dead of losing you..of you waking up and realising that I am way too old for you ... that you want more". "Oh Tom. You need to stop with those silly thoughts. You are just the way I want you, age and all". She sends me a warm smile. "Only thing I don't like is this new jealousy, you have no reason to be". I nod, wanting so badly to hold her. "I know darling, it's not on you, it is my fears talking. I will do everything to control it ... just please ... forgive me". "I have already forgiven you, you silly fool". She says with a small giggle. "Or I wouldn't be here". "Thank you darling, I won't let you down". I smile at her, and reach out my hand, begging her to come to me. "Is that a new dress ?"