Chapter Sixty-One
I love being at home, and I love it when we cook together.
It's been too long since we last did this.
Cooking as a family was something that we used to do when Mum was alive.
I'm not home often enough for us to do this, and Dad rarely comes to the clubhouse now.
It's not like he isn’t happy there, but as a family we used to spend so much time at the clubhouse, and I think that sometimes Dad struggles with the memories.
When Nova said her and Mason's favourite meal was lasagne, Dad's face lit up. It was Mum’s too, and something he's not made for a long time.
I was surprised when he said that is what he wanted to make for dinner tonight, I thought he would shy away from it.
But here we are, making a homemade lasagne with a homemade sauce.
Dad gives me a quick dig to the ribs, and I think he's messing, but as I glance at him, he tips his head toward the table.
I turn to look at my woman and my heart sinks when I see how sad she looks.
Dad takes the knife from me and I quickly wash my hands and make my way over to her.
Her gaze is fixed on a spot on the table, and she's so lost in her thoughts that she doesn't hear me coming.
She jumps, looking up at me as I place my hand on her shoulder. I take the seat next to her and grab her chair leg, spinning it to face me. "Dragonfly, talk to me," I tell her, worried by the look I see in her eyes.
She swallows then licks her lips. She takes a quick glance at my dad and sister, satisfied that they are occupied. "It's nothing. It's just me in my head." She tries to brush it off.
I grab her face, holding it in place so she can't turn away from me. "Don't do that, don't dismiss how you feel. Please tell me."
She closes her eyes for just a second, then looks at me. "I used to cook with Mum and Dad. Seeing you guys having fun cooking together reminded me of that. And then I remembered that Mason is never going to experience that. I'm sorry I told you I was in my own head."
"Pop, you okay if we head out for a while? Can you keep an eye on Mason?" I call over to him.
"Of course. We'll take care of him. Be back in an hour for dinner," he tells me, and then turns back to whatever he was doing.
"Come on." I stand, grabbing her hand and pulling her to her feet.
"But—"
"Nope, they've got it, come on." I'm not sure what she was about to say but I don't let her get it out.
I grab the leather jacket Candy loaned her, making sure she puts it on before we leave.
I make a mental note, telling myself I need to buy her one.
I know she'll probably be mad at me for it, but I want to.
I just intend on making sure it has my name on it.
As we step out of the front door, she wraps her arms around herself and shivers.
"You want to go back inside?" I ask her, but she just shakes her head and waits for me to guide her away.
Grabbing hold of her hand, I walk her down the drive and along the country lane, and as we reach the end, I open a gate to a footpath and let her through before following her and closing the gate behind us.
We walk in silence for around ten minutes, until we get to a wooden bench that is positioned right at the edge of a small pond, just opposite a Church.
"I'm sorry, baby, I didn't think about how hard that was going to be for you," I tell her.
She turns to look at me, grabbing both of my hands in hers.
"God, Max, no. I love how close you guys are, I love how happy you are cooking together.
I just missed it. It's been so long since I did that, I forgot we used to do it.
I wish that Mason could have experienced that kind of fun and happiness, but he barely even remembers anything about our parents.
" She takes in a large breath. "I hate that his memories of our parents are fading and the only ones that stick out to him are of our aunt and uncle hurting us. "
"Let’s make new ones," I say.
"I wish it was that easy," she responds sadly.
"It is that easy." I swallow the dry lump in my throat.
"We can make it that easy. I know your parents aren't here, and I know that life has been pretty shit and there are things to figure out, things to fix, but we'll do that.
There is nothing stopping us from making memories while we work on everything else. "
I blow out a breath. "We're going to be here for a couple of days, so let’s make memories with my family.
We can all cook together. I know it's not the same thing as having your family here, but.
.." I stop talking. Am I going to do this here?
Now? What if she doesn't want this? What if Blades was right and this is too soon?
As my eyes flick back and forth between her beautiful deep honey-coloured ones, I figure I have nothing to lose.
I'm never going to know if I don't ask, and she's never going to know how I feel if I don't tell her.
"Max?" she questions, and I stand. I need a second. Walking toward the edge of the pond, I take in a few deep breaths. Fuck it. I turn and walk back over to her. Dropping to my knees in front of her, I place both of my hands on her knees.
"I know we've only known each other a few weeks, and we met in some pretty extreme circumstances, but I think we've become really close. Don't you?" I ask, wondering what she thinks. Needing to know what she thinks before I bare all.
"I do," she says breathlessly.
"You have quickly become a big part of my life. I spend my time wondering where you are and what you are doing when I'm not with you. I constantly wonder if you're okay, if you're thinking of me."
"Huh, that’s funny, because I found myself wondering the same. When you're not there, I find myself looking for you."
"Wait, you do?" I ask, surprised.
She nods. "Yes. And I know that’s crazy, but I really like you, Max."
I lean forward, kissing her to stop her from talking. I love that she feels that way, and I'm relieved to know she seems to like me as much as I like her.
I break the kiss and pull back just a little, my face millimetres from hers. "Hear me out, okay?" I whisper, and she nods.
"I might be moving a bit fast, and if I am, then please just be honest with me, but don't write me off, don't write us off. I know what I want, I know how I feel about you." I lick my dry lips and try to swallow, but my throat is so dry.
"I'm claiming you, Dragonfly."
She blinks at me a couple of times, and then her brows furrow. "You're claiming me? I'm not sure I fully understand. I mean, I think I do, but I'm not completely sure."
"You're mine. I'm claiming you as my woman.
When a brother claims an ol' lady, it’s as good as getting married.
I know it's soon, baby, I know how crazy I sound, but fuck, I love you, and I want to be with you for the rest of my life.
Tell me you're okay with that?" My heart races, waiting for her to respond.
I see the smile creep over her face. "I'm okay with it. I really am," she says, crashing her lips to mine for a punishing kiss.
"Fuck, Dragonfly, you're beautiful."