*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 ?"
1 week later *Lumi* "Please just let me die". I mumble, trying to roll up into a small ball in the bed. I have been on the new drug for a week now, but every time I take it, I get more sick. My whole body is shaking with pain. "Shhh don't say that, please don't say that". Meri mumbles and I can hear she is fighting tears. I know she hates seeing me like this. I just moan slightly. This is hell, I can choose between medicine that doesn't work or one that makes me so sick it feels like dying. "Luca ! Where is he?" "I don't know, he said he would be her". Meri says, just as the door opens and Luca hurries in. I hold out my arms whimpering and instantly he is there, pulling me into his arms, caressing me. "Sorry baby, the train was cancelled". "I needed you ... you weren't her and I needed you". I can't keep the emotions in and start sobbing against his chest. He just holds me, gently rocking me back and forth. He has truly become my rock this last week. Being here every time I
3 days later *Meri* "It's so amazing to see how Lumi has changed after her and Luca have started dating". I say, running my hands through Tom's hair. I am sitting on his couch and he is laying with his head in my lap. He hums happily, closing his eyes. "Yeah ... we were right about these two after all". "Yeah, I just knew it". I twirl my fingers in his hair. Happy that there has been no outburst of jealousy since that day. Lukas had a hard time explaining what happened to the media, saying that Tom had felt I was being sexually harassed. And Tom had made a public apology for overreacting. Most of his fans seem to find it sweet and romantic. He turns slightly, looking up at me. "How do you truly feel about it ? About him being the one she seeks for support and comfort ?" "It's okay". I love that he even thinks about this. "I mean sometimes I miss being the one she wants to hold her. But I adore Luca and I know he is good for her, so ... I am okay with it". "You can be honest wi
*Meri* "It's okay Luca ... I am sure she didn't mean it ... she is just scared and upset right now". I try padding his back, looking helplessly at Tom. Luca had shown up, telling us that Lumi kind of broke up with him and now he's crying out his eyes rolled up on the couch. "She thinks she is protecting you". Tom tries, but nothing seems to make him cry any less. I shake my head. I feel really sorry for him ... and honestly I want to grab Lumi and shake her, what the hell is she thinking ? "I just thought ...". Luca tries to speak between sobs. "She had just stopped pushing me away. I thought she got that she can trust me, that she knew that I am not running away". Sitting down on the edge of the couch I rub his back. "She has a very hard time trusting that anyone could want her, give her time, she will come around if you keep showing her". He nods sitting up and I hand him some paper towel to dry off his eyes and nose. "Yeah, I have to show her ... make her see without a doubt
*Luca* After talking things through, Meri and Tom decide to go out for dinner. I think they want to talk through what this procedure will mean for Meri. And it gives me and Lumi a bit of alone time too. I have noticed that Lumi seems a lot quieter than usual, and I sit down on the edge of her bed. "Soo ... are you feeling okay about this ?". "No, I am scared shitless.. I am afraid to get my hopes up for no reason. What if it doesn't help, what if it has no effect at all ?" She says, shaking her head. "I get that you are scared ... it's totally understandable baby". I put my arm around her and she leans on my shoulder. "But as far as I understood the doctor, this can only make it better". She sighs. "Yeah, if the chemo and radiation don't kill me before we get there". "You are strong, baby, you can do it ... we can do it". I tell her. Honestly I am as scared as she is, but I need not to show it, to support her and to be her rock. "I'll go bald and you will find me ugly and unat