19. Valeria
19
Valeria
When I wake up, a part of me wonders if the entirety of the last ten hours have been part of a dream, or if it all has really happened.
Did Tommy really go to Santino and ask to be able to leave everything behind for me ?
Did he really say that he loves me?
I’m sure of it. After losing count of how many times he’d whispered it into my ear the night before, I’m sure of it. He shares the same love I feel for him.
Finding his arm locked around me, there’s little to no wiggle room. Even when I try to break free, his response is to tighten his hold even more. He’s learned his lesson about letting me go while in bed.
“We have to face today,” I murmur against his chest. Turning my head, I rest my cheek against the wall of muscle and sigh. If I’m not careful enough, I’ll close my eyes and doze right back off into another dream. “If you really meant what you said to my brother.”
His body vibrates with a grunt. “I meant every word.”
I make a sound only compared to a purr as he sinks his fingers into my hair to tilt my head back so he can try to kiss me.
“I’ve got morning breath,” I mutter before he can make contact.
He kisses me anyway, groaning in the back of his throat like he’s never had something so delicious before.
I lose count of how many times our mouths meet before he’s the one with the strength to leave the bed. Leading us to the shower to clean up after last night’s mess, it feels like an eternity before we’re ready to take on the day.
Even though I’m sure I’ll regret it, we eat breakfast because Tommy insists. I’m sure telling my family I want to leave, taking one of their beloved members with me, is going to leave me with an upset stomach.
Once we’re finished, he doesn’t have patience for Santino to make up his mind on his request. Instead, he hunts both of my brothers down and even my mother.
By the time we’re all together, I’m the only one squirming where I stand. We’ve made it out to the most popular place on this estate, or at least, in one area that shouldn’t lead to an altercation. The garden.
A part of me on the inside hopes the view of pretty flowers will help soften the blow.
Tommy lingers close behind me, the warmth of his chest soaking into my back. Already knowing what I’m going to say, he seems stiff. That poker face of his is impressive.
“First things first, I just wanted to thank everyone for everything that you have done for me during my stay here. Not only did you solve my problem, but you welcomed me back each in your own ways. Despite me not deserving it, I appreciate it.” Taking in a deep breath, I stop my mother before she can try to argue. “Secondly–”
“Valeria and I will be leaving,” Tommy speaks up, his voice surprisingly calm despite his stiffness. “While we won’t be saying our goodbyes, I plan on keeping her out of trouble by keeping a bit of distance.”
Looking back at him, I see the determination sitting behind his eyes. Butterflies flutter in the pit of my stomach, and I can’t help but smile.
Even without Santino’s blessing, he sounds confident that this is how the future will play out. Enough to where I believe him.
“She’s not being greedy by wanting to leave, I am because I’m the one who wants to take her away,” he continues before resting his hand on my shoulder.
My mother clasps her hands together, her fingers hiding the soft gasp that leaves her lips. With both surprise and delight, she’s smiling.
Seeing as I have been dreading hurting her all over again, relief hits me hard enough that I’m surprised I don’t sway. My knees feel a little weak, but I stay standing as she moves away from the bench to approach me.
“He’s always cared about you in his own way,” she murmurs as her worn hands find my cheeks. “But even I’m surprised to hear of this being the outcome. I couldn’t ask a better man to keep you safe.”
Even after everything that has happened, her words make a lump form in the back of my throat. It grows double in size with the way her eyes shimmer. Her happiness is overwhelming, and I have to blink a few times to keep my eyes dry.
Thanking her softly, I already know Tommy appreciates having her blessing. While I might not know the entirety of their relationship, I know he cares for her and vice versa.
Urzo, as loving as he can be, looks completely confused by what we are saying. Looking between us, his brows knit together as I can see the wheels in his head turning. Once he’s putting all the pieces together, his brows shoot up in surprise.
“Wait, you two are–”
“You think I would have risked my life for anyone?” Tommy rubs his hand against my spine, and I have to fight back the urge to shiver. “I didn’t want to save her because of work.”
While Urzo’s face scrunches up, Santino moves to stand from the bench. He clears his throat, having had enough of this entire exchange.
“Impatient, the both of you. I wanted to do a family vote, do things right. Seems you’ve spoiled the fun,” he explains with a sigh.
My mother clicks her tongue, frowning at him. “Let them do as they please. All of my children should get to enjoy their happiness.”
Despite being the head of the family, not even Santino enjoys going against our mother. It’s why he scoffs, moving his hands to his hips as he thinks about the only option.
He has to be willing to let us go. If not, will we be able to be truly happy? I’m sure we will find our own ways, but if the option is always there, resting in the back of our minds…
Santino tilts his chin up, narrowing his eyes at Tommy. “I won’t have you pretending we don’t exist. Not like Lazaro.”
He nods. “You are my family. That’s not going to change.”
“I’ll pick out a place I am satisfied with, somewhere I know danger doesn’t lurk,” he continues, his frown lessening. “And you’ll visit, at least once a month. Minimum. And if one of us wants to come visit, you can’t turn us down.”
Seems to me he’s listing off all of his issues with our third sibling, being smart enough this time to make sure there are no repeats with any regrets.
I bite my tongue, knowing now isn’t the time to be greedy. I can only hope Santino won’t try to stick us somewhere we’ll hate enough to make us want to come back.
“I can agree with that. Hell, visit every day if you want, if that’s what it takes.” Speaking a little too eagerly, heat tickles my cheeks at the thought of them coming to visit and interrupting us.
Maybe I can ask for a heads up to save any embarrassing acts caught in the making.
For now, I want to celebrate.
Turning to look at the man at my back, I could see the relief in his eyes. Like the tension leaves his body, it leaves his shoulders slumped, and his expression is content.
Looking at each other, I’m amazed by the curve on Tommy’s lips. I’ve never seen him smile so naturally, but the way his eyes crinkle at the corners, it’s a good look for him. Makes me want to find more reasons to make him smile.
“I’ll need a couple of weeks to get things sorted out, so don’t test my graciousness by trying to leave earlier than that,” Santino continues, oblivious to our internal celebration.
Looking over at him, despite knowing is not the best at expressing his feelings when it comes to me, I can’t help but reach over and grab his hand. Squeezing his fingers, my jaw aches from how wide my smile is. “Thank you. Seriously, Santino.”
Instead of just surprising him, he returns the favor by wrapping his arms around me. “I swear, if you make us think you are dead again, I’ll track you down and kill you myself, all right?”
Even if he has grown softer over the years, he still really knows how to use his words.
“I really don’t think Tommy will let that happen. Either of those things, I mean.” Returning his hug, I make sure not to leave my mother or Urzo feeling like I’ve forgotten them. Knowing that this isn’t some goodbye, not yet, I plan on spending as much time with them as possible.
That is, if Tommy and I can keep our hands to ourselves. Something tells me this honeymoon phase of ours won’t be ending anytime soon. If I get anything from my siblings, it’s the weakness for the one I love.
Once all the threats are made and the promises are given, Tommy lures me away from my family and toward the bushes. His hand finds the middle of my back, and his steps are surprisingly quick.
“I wonder if Santino will pick a place with something like this. I’ve always loved the gardens,” I murmur as we stride past a blur of blossoming petals.
Tommy doesn’t give his opinion, tucking us behind a bush before he kisses me. It seems he’s happier than I thought.
“Your brothers are too protective. I didn’t want to think about them trying to steal you away,” he explains as he pulls away. “I’ll have to make them forgive me before we leave. They’ve never held anything against me before. Taking you away is almost unforgivable.”
“They will, eventually.” Mouth curving, my eyes shine with amusement. “Plus, they’ll visit.”
“Hopefully not too often,” he mumbles under his breath, which earns him a laugh from my lips.
He groans, enjoying the sound far too much. Makes it hard not to laugh again.
“If you change your mind, even for a moment–”
“I won’t, I promise.” Shaking my head, I flatten my hands on his chest and grip his shirt, pulling him so he can kiss me again. Over and over, until my head spins. There’s no point in counting anymore, especially since I know that this is far from the end of the unlimited kisses I’ll demand from him as our future unfolds.