Mia Amata

Chapter 20

Just as Lucky and I had fallen into a comfortable routine together, Jacob and I soon fell into one too. He came over several nights a week after work for supper, either I cooked or he would bring some takeout. We would go for walks or watch movies, and then he would leave. On the weekends, sometimes, Lucky and I would go to his house for supper, and he would cook for me. He was in a small one-bedroom house he was renting for the time being. Most of the time he would come to my house.

Every Saturday night, we would get together with Josh and Randy either at their house or mine, Jacob’s was really too small for us to do much there. We would watch movies, play games, sometimes just have a bonfire out back, and spend the evening laughing and joking.

One Saturday night, everyone was at my house. We were playing a game at the table, laughing and having fun. I got up to get everyone some more tea to drink. I pulled the tea out of the refrigerator, taking it over to the counter when I felt something. I froze and just stood there. Jacob noticed, immediately coming to my side, “Mia Amata? Are you OK?” he asked. Randy and Josh both jumped up too, looking at me worriedly.

“I’m fine,” I looked at him. “I think I just felt the baby move.” I stood there, still not moving, soon feeling it again. I smiled at Jacob. “It is the baby, she is moving. I can feel it.”

He smiled at me, “What does it feel like?” I thought about it for a moment, how should I describe it?

“It feels like… butterflies in your stomach.” At this point, I was in my second trimester, 19 weeks along, Jacob and I had been seeing each other for 12 weeks now. Josh had put his arm around Randy, they were smiling at us. Jacob had his hand protectively over my stomach, my hand was over his.

“You two are just so damn adorable,” Randy said.

Jacob looked at her, laughing. “Me? Adorable? Why thank you!” We all laughed. He helped me finish getting tea for everyone. When the game was over, we all went out on the deck to get some fresh air, letting the dogs romp around for a little while.

We were sitting there when Josh said, “So when are you two moving in together?”

Randy elbowed him, “Josh!”

“What?” he asked her. “They are together almost all the time when they aren’t working. It’s obvious that is the next step.”

Randy looked at us, “You do have a point. It is obvious to anyone that sees them together how crazy they are about each other.”

“Um, guys?” I said. “We are right here you know.”

We all laughed. Jacob cleared his throat. “We aren’t in any hurry,” he said. “I’d move in tomorrow if Mia asked me to, but we have plenty of time.” Smiling, I looked at him, appreciative that he wasn’t rushing me.

“I haven’t even met the rest of your family yet,” I said. “They are going to hate me, aren’t they?” The three of them laughed. Randy was the one who answered. “No, Mattie. They are going to be crazy about you.”

Josh nodded. “They have commented on how happy Jacob has been lately. It will be nice when they finally do meet you, so they can stop hounding Randy and me about what is going on with him.”

Randy laughed, “Yes, it will be a huge relief. Really, Mattie, you will love them. They are great.”

“Speaking of which,” Jacob said, clearing his throat, and looked at me. “I told them I would come to see them tomorrow for lunch that I had someone I wanted them to meet.”

“Jacob!” I cried. “Tomorrow? That’s not much notice!”

“Well, I knew that if I told you last weekend that we were going tomorrow you would have stewed, worrying about it all week.”

Randy shook her head, “Men.”

Both Josh and Jacob said “What?” at the same time.

Randy and I looked at each other. We burst out laughing. I looked at Jacob and found he was looking at me, smiling. I moved closer to him, which didn’t escape Randy’s notice. Randy got up and pulled Josh out of his chair, they walked down to the pier, giving us privacy.

We watched them walk away. Jacob looked at me, then moved to the edge of the chair. “Listen, Mia, I know we agreed to take this slow, if you aren’t ready for us to live together, I get it, I won’t push. But Mia,” He paused. I looked at him questioningly. “I love you; you know that.” He pulled a box out of his pocket. He kneeled down, opening the box, “Mia Amata, I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?”

“Jacob,” I hesitated. The past three months had been great, we spent a lot of time together, and I was starting to trust him. I enjoyed spending time with him. I knew that I could never legally be his wife, that it wouldn’t be fair to him.

“Do you love me, Mia?” he asked, searching my eyes. This man has been so loving and so caring and has been there for me daily since I agreed to be his girlfriend. He was everything I had always wanted, but did I love him? I searched my heart, realizing I really did love Jacob. I don’t know how I would handle marrying him, but I did love him. I knew that now.

“Yes, Jacob, I love you.” This was the first time I had spoken those words to him. The look of happiness that came across his face brought tears to my eyes.

“Then, Mia Amata, will you marry me?”

“Yes, Jacob, I will marry you.”

Jacob let out a whoop, pulling me out of my chair and wrapping his arms around me. Randy and Josh heard him and came running up the steps in time to see him put the ring on my finger and kiss me. Randy squealed in excitement; they both came over congratulating us both. Jacob put his arm around me, we stood around talking for a few minutes.

“Come on Josh, let’s go,” Randy said, looking at Jacob and me.

“But it’s early,” he said. “I thought we were going to watch a movie.”

Randy smiled, “Do you remember the night we got engaged?”

“Do I ever,” Josh said. Then it donned on him what she was referring to. “Oh… yeah. We better go.”

“Maybe we can relive that night when we get home.”

“Night guys,” Josh said as he took Randy’s hand, pulling her through the house and out the front door to their car. Jacob and I were laughing as they drove away. Jacob closed the doors behind them. Lucky was curled up in his dog bed on the floor as Jacob and I sat down on the couch. I was looking at the ring on my finger, having never felt this happy in my life. Jacob was watching me. “Happy?” he asked.

“More than I have ever been in my life. ”

“Me too, Mia Amata.” He smiled at me.

“OK, I have to ask, why ‘Mia Amata’? You have never explained why you call me that.”

“It’s Italian,” he said. “It means ‘my beloved’. From the moment I saw you, you have been Mia Amata to me.”

“You did love me from the very first, didn’t you?” I asked.

“From the moment I laid eyes on you. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.” He leaned over and kissed me. He pulled back, looking me in the eye. “I love you, Mia Amata.” He kissed me again, only this time it was so passionate I felt like I would pass out from it.

I slid my arms around his neck, and he pulled me into his lap. I could feel how much he wanted me. He slid his hand around to my breast, teasing me through my shirt. I moaned, straining against his hand. I knew I should probably ask him to leave, but I didn’t want to. I wanted him to stay.

We continued to kiss. He ran his hand down, then up under my T-shirt, feeling my breasts through my bra. I pressed my body against him, not wanting him to stop. He slipped my T-shirt over my head, then unhooked my bra, sliding it off. He teased my nipples first with his fingers, then with his lips.

Pulling back, he groaned, lifting his head to look at me. “If I don’t leave now, I am going to carry you back to the bedroom. I want to make love to you Mia.” I pulled him down for another kiss, not wanting him to stop. He ran his hands down my back, my hips, my thighs, then up between my legs, pressing his fingers against my shorts.

I moaned and pressed his hand with mine. I felt him start to pull away, I deepened the kiss, pressing my hips against him even tighter. He moaned in return, scooping me up in his arms. He shut the light off, carrying me back to my bedroom. He laid me gently on the bed and then lay down beside me. He leaned over me, looking me in the eyes. “Are you sure?” He whispered.

“Yes,” I said, pulling his head down toward mine. He lay down beside me on the bed, teasing my nipples, driving me crazy. I slid my hands under his T-shirt, feeling his back and chest, running my hands all over him. He paused long enough to take his shirt off, then leaned back down to kiss me. He ran his hands down to my shorts, sliding them down my hips to my ankles where I kicked them off.

I slid my hands down his back, as his fingers slid between my thighs, and his lips trailed down my neck to my breasts, then continued down my stomach. He stood up, breathing heavily, watching me as he took the rest of his clothes off. He got back on the bed, but this time he was kissing my thighs, gently spreading my legs.

My breath caught as I felt his tongue, my hands going to his head, and I raised my buttocks off the bed in response. He continued for a few minutes until I thought I wouldn’t be able to take it anymore, then he started moving up my body, kissing me all over. He finally got to my lips, kissing me then pulling back to look at me. I looked at him and felt him pressing against me, wanting to enter me. “Mia Amata,” he whispered, “I love you, but I will stop if you want me to, I want you to be sure.”

I looked at him, tears coming to my eyes. “I love you, Jacob,” I whispered. “Please make love to me.” He leaned down and kissed me ever so gently, spreading my legs and entering me. I gasped, crying out.

We made love with a passion I never knew existed. It went on for so long that I clawed Jacob’s back, crying out for him. We finally collapsed, both of us breathing hard and exhausted, unable to speak. Jacob moved a little to the side, so he wasn’t lying right on top of me, but held me, not letting go. “Mia Amata,” Jacob finally said.

“Hmmm?” I murmured.

“I’m glad I stayed.”

“Me too,” I said. “So about moving in?”

He raised his eyebrows, looking at me.

“Can you move in tomorrow?” I asked.

“Yes,” and he leaned over, kissing me.

We celebrated our engagement a few times that night, finally falling asleep around two in the morning, exhausted. When I finally opened my eyes, stretching, I looked at the clock. It was 10 a.m. “Jacob?” I said, noticing the empty bed next to me. He comes walking in, carrying a tray.

“Good morning Mrs.Vance,” he said.

I laughed. “Not yet.” I sat up. He put the tray over my lap on the bed.

“It’s not much,” he said. “If I know Mom, she would have a huge meal cooked for us, so we had better be able to eat.”

“I’m eating for two, that shouldn’t be a problem.”

“You still eat like a bird. I hope you are getting enough to eat for both of you.”

“The doctor says I’m doing just fine. Baby and I are both growing as expected,” I said. “Speaking of the doctor, I was wondering if you would like to go with me to my appointment this week? If you can.”

“Of course, I will if you want me to. Is there any particular reason why though?” he asked. He sat down on the bed, taking a piece of toast.

“I’m going to have an ultrasound. You would be able to see the baby. We should be able to learn the sex of the baby. You don’t have to go, I just thought…”

“Really?” He said cutting me off. “I would love to go.”

I smiled at him. We finished off the toast and coffee. He picked up the tray, putting it aside. “What time do we have to be at your parents?” I asked.

He climbed back into bed, pulling me down, “Soon,” he said.

We finally pulled ourselves out of bed. He cleaned up our breakfast dishes while I showered. He then took a shower. Pretty soon, it was time to go. I was quiet as we were driving to his parent’s house. Jacob asked, “Nervous?”

“Scared stiff,” I said.

He took my hand to his lips and kissed it. “Don’t be. I promise they will love you.” All too soon it seemed like we were pulling into their driveway. Jacob came around, helping me out of the truck. Walking in the front door, Jacob called out, “Mom? Dad? We’re here.” His mom came out of the kitchen. She was a pretty woman, tall and thin.

“Jacob!” she said. “I’m so glad to see you.” She gave him a hug. Behind her, a man came from the back hallway.

“Hey, Dad,” Jacob said, giving his dad a hug. “I’d like to introduce you to someone.” He took my hand, “Mom, Dad, this is my fiancé, Mattie Austin.” His mom and dad looked at each other in surprise. “Mia, this is my dad, Donald, my mom, Nora.”

“Fiancé?” his mom asked.

“Yes, I asked her last night, and she said yes.” A couple of seconds of silence passed, and I figured this was it; they hated me already. To my surprise, his mother suddenly lit up.

“Congratulations! That is so exciting,” she said. It seemed that she was genuinely happy. She gave me a hug while his dad shook Jacob’s hand.

“Thank you,” I said. His dad gave me a hug also. His mom ushered us into the living room where we all sat down.

“I knew that there had to be a reason why Jacob seemed so much happier lately. Now I know. I am thrilled! How did you meet? Wait, Mattie? Aren’t you Randy’s friend?”

I smiled. “Yes, I moved into the house south of Randy and Josh. We have become good friends.”

Donald said, “So that is how you met Jacob.”

Jacob nodded, “Yes. I went walking with Josh and the pups one day. Lucky had gotten away again. Down the path toward us walks Mia, carrying a sleeping puppy in her arms. The rest is history. She hasn’t been able to get rid of me since.” We laughed. I waited for what he was going to say next. I knew it was coming. I was extremely nervous. We had agreed that we would tell his parents about the baby from the beginning.

“We have something else we want to tell you,” Jacob said, taking my hand. “Mia moved here to start a new life. She was in a relationship with a man who she later found out was married.” He paused.

Nora said, “Oh, that is awful. I’m so sorry to hear that.”

His dad seemed angry. “I will never understand how men can be pigs like that.”

Jacob held up his hand, “There is more.” He looked at me.

I took a deep breath, continuing the story from there. “I found out he was married after I told him I was having his baby. He told me he didn’t want anything to do with me, that he was already married. I thought about telling his wife and drove to their house to do it, but I saw their two kids playing in the yard. I couldn’t do it. So instead, I moved here to start over, with my baby.”

They looked at me. “I’m pregnant.” I held my breath waiting for the outburst and protests about us getting married. Instead, his mom got up, coming over to me. She sat down, pulling me into her arms.

“Oh, my dear, I’m so sorry you went through all of that. I am so glad you are here now.” She pulled back, holding my hand in hers.

“You aren’t upset that your son wants to marry a woman having another man’s baby?”

To my surprise, Donald was the one to speak up. “Biology does not make a father. What makes a man a father has more to do with being there for the mother and the child, regardless of whether he is the biological father or not.”

“Exactly,” Nora said. “Jacob will make a wonderful father to your baby if you allow him to.” I had tears in my eyes at the kindness of these two people I just met. “Oh my! I just realized something,” Nora turned, looking at her husband .

They both said at the same time, “We are going to be grandparents!” They were so excited about being grandparents! His mom went over, sitting down again next to her husband, and they hugged each other. Nora turned to us with tears in her eyes. “You two have made us very happy!” she exclaimed. “We are thrilled for the two of you.”

“Thank you,” Jacob said. A buzzer went off in the kitchen.

Nora stood up, wiping her eyes. “The roast is done. We will eat in a few minutes.”

“Can I help?” I asked.

“No,” Nora said, “but I would love to have company.” Jacob squeezed my hand as I got up, following Nora into the kitchen.

She grabbed some hot pads and opened the oven. She motioned to the small breakfast nook, telling me to have a seat. She pulled the roast out of the oven and set it on the stove. “Is your family excited about the baby?” Nora asked, glancing at me. She started dishing up the roast, potatoes, and carrots into different dishes.

“I don’t have any family,” I said.

“I’m sorry to hear that, what happened to them?”

“I don’t know,” I replied. “I was abandoned as a newborn, a policeman found me in a trash bin.”

“My God, that is horrible! Did you ever try to find out who your parents were?”

“No.They tossed me out like common household garbage, I never had the desire to look for them. I went from foster home to foster home, until I ran away at 16.”

“Oh, Mattie,” Nora said with tears in her eyes. “You have had such a rough life. I’m sorry.” She walked over to me, taking both of my hands in hers. “But you have family now if you allow us to be.”

“That depends,” I said. Nora looked at me questioningly. “On whether you let me help you with the food.” I smiled at her.

Nora laughed. “You can make the gravy.”

“Perfect,” I said. Nora and I became fast friends as we worked together getting the meal on the table.

Nora mentioned that she has heard a lot about me from Randy. “Randy adores you,” she said.

“Randy is great.” I smiled .

“She is. I’m happy that they are getting married. I just wish they would set the date for the wedding soon.”

I picked my words carefully. “I think the holdup is they are trying to figure out how to have the wedding they want, yet still please everyone.”

“They will never get married if they try to please everyone,” Nora said. “Who are they worried won’t be happy with their choices?”

“Honestly, I think you and Donald.”

“Us? Why are they worried about us?” She turned to look at me.

“Josh thinks you will be disappointed if they don’t get married at the church. Randy would like to get married outside. I made the suggestion that maybe they can have the outdoor wedding yet hold the reception at the church.” I looked at Nora, hoping I hadn’t pushed the boundaries. The last thing I wanted to do was make her upset with Randy. Nora picked up the plate with the roast on it and carried it to the table.

“Of course, we would love them to get married in the church,” she said, “but it is their wedding. They should do what they want.” She came back into the kitchen. “The pastor at the church will marry them wherever they want. They don’t even have to have the reception at the church if they don’t want to.”

She opened a cupboard, pulling out a gravy boat, handing it to me. She picked up a couple of bowls, carrying them to the table while I poured the gravy into the boat. She walked back in, looking at me. “I’ll talk to Randy about it. The only thing that is disappointing me is that they haven’t set a date yet.” She filled some glasses with ice, taking them to the table. I followed her with the gravy.

“I think that would be good. She thinks a lot of you and Donald.”

“We adore her.” Nora smiled.

We sat down at the table, passing food around and talking. Nora asked me how I liked the town.

“I haven’t explored it too much yet, but I have a couple of little shops that I found that I adore.” Nora nodded, “If you need to do some major shopping you need to go to the city really, but there are some cute boutiques downtown.” I told her about the shopping trip Randy, and I took into town.

“I’m still looking for decor for the house. I have a few more things I’m looking for, but the house is really coming along.”

“Do you have a nursery started?” Nora asked .

I nodded. “I have several things already, a crib, changing table, stroller, and car seat. I have a few baby clothes. There seems to be a lot left I need to get though.”

“Do you know what you are having yet?” Donald asked.

Jacob smiled at me, “Mia Amata is positive it is a girl. We go for the ultrasound this week to find out for sure though.”

“Mia Amata, that is so sweet.” Nora smiled. “Listen, Mattie, what would you think about you, Randy and I going on another shopping trip soon for the baby? Pick up some of those other things you need?”

“I would love that,” I said.

“You have to promise to let me buy some things for the baby. I want to start spoiling her already.”

I laughed. “Of course, I promise.”

“Great! Make a list of things you need yet; we will make a day of it.”

Donald looked at Jacob. “Maybe, when they go shopping, you, Josh, and I can go fishing.”

“Sounds good,” Jacob said. “The fishing season is going to come to an end before we know it…” We finished our lunch, making plans to go soon. We decided to go in a couple of weeks after we checked with Randy and Josh to find out what works best for them.

When we had finished eating, Donald and Jacob insisted that Nora and I go sit while they cleaned up. I watched Donald, it was easy to see where Jacob learned to be so caring and kind. Nora and I sat down to relax.

“Nora,” I said, “I know that Jacob and I haven’t known each other very long, that this might seem sudden to you, but I love your son very much. He is so kind, generous, and caring. You have raised him to be a wonderful man.”

Nora smiled at me. “I take it that Jacob hasn’t shared the story of how Donald and I met, has he?”

“Louisa mentioned something about you being married two weeks after you met. Jacob told me a little bit.”

“You met Sal and Louisa! I’m sure they didn’t hold much back about you and Jacob, did they?”

Smiling, I said, “No, they were pretty clear they thought Jacob took after you and Donald, love at first sight type thing.”

“You don’t believe in love like that?”

Looking at Jacob as he joined me on the couch, “I didn’t until recently. Some days I am still on the fence, but then there’s Jacob.” He smiled, taking my hand.

“I didn’t think I did either. Then a friend talked me into going to a dance one night when we were in college, our freshman year. We walked in, there were a couple of men dressed in uniform. They were friends of some of the guys that went to the college. Donald and I locked eyes across the room. He made his way over to me and asked me to dance. I said yes. We were married two weeks later.”

“Really two weeks later? You never met before that at all?” I said.

Donald, who had joined his wife, shook his head. “Nope. We got married two weeks later and had one month together before I went to my first deployment overseas.” He took Nora’s hand. “This poor lady set up our new home and went through our first pregnancy without me. She also got her college degree. I couldn’t be prouder.”

Nora smiled at him. “Look at us now, we will celebrate our 28th wedding anniversary this year.” She turned to look at me. “What you said about Jacob, I thank you for that. He has grown into a wonderful man that we are proud of. It is obvious to us, even though we have only seen the two of you together here today, how much in love the two of you are. I don’t care how long you two have known each other, whether it be a day, a week, or years. What matters to me is how happy you both are.”

Jacob put his arm around me, pulling me close to him. “Mia Amata makes me very happy. I felt something from her the moment I saw her, I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life making her happy.”

I smiled at him, “I’m very happy also. I didn’t think I could ever feel like this. I thought I would never find anyone like Jacob. I basically dragged my feet the entire way.”

We sat, visiting until Jacob looked at his watch. “I hate to be cut this short, but we really need to go.”

“What’s the hurry,” Donald asked, as we stood to leave.

“I’m moving in with Mattie today.”

“Need some help?” Donald asked.

“Thanks, but no, I don’t have a lot of stuff to move since the house was furnished when I rented it.”

Nora and Donald walked us to the door.

Nora took my hands, “I am so happy you came today. You are a wonderful addition to our family.” She gave me a hug, then hugged Jacob. Donald gave us both hugs too, then they stood waving at us as we climbed in the truck.

Jacob backed out of the driveway. As we turned onto the road back into town, Jacob reached out, taking my hand. “So what do you think of my parents now?”

I smiled at him, “They are great. I really like them.”

“They adore you.”

“They were so accepting of me and the baby. They are calling her their grandchild,” I said amazed. “Does that surprise you?” Jacob asked.

“Yes. For total strangers to be so accepting, welcoming us into their family after just minutes of meeting us, I’ve never had that before.” I thought about it. “I met some when I was younger that showed me most people are decent, but to accept me like that without a second thought…” I grew quiet, lost in thought.

Jacob squeezed my hand, “Are you OK?”

I smiled at him, “Yes. I just got tired, that’s all.”

“I’ll take you home, so you can take a nap while I go get my stuff.”

“Are you sure?” I asked, “I could go with you to help.”

“No, you should get some rest. It won’t take much to get my stuff in the truck. I should be home by supper time.”

“Home.” I smiled at him.

He smiled back. “I can’t wait,” he said.

“Me neither.” We drove the rest of the way to my house, soon to be ours, in silence, content to just be together. We got to the house; he pulled the truck to a stop. “Do you want me to come in with you?” I leaned over and kissed him. “No, it’s fine. Go get your things, hurry back.”

“I love you,” he said, kissing me again.

“I love you too.” I got out of the pickup and went inside. I let Lucky out for a few minutes while I went to change into Jacob’s T-shirt, I laid claim to it which he did not mind at all. I let Lucky back in, then went to lie down. I really was tired.

I lay there thinking about how I was lying to Jacob. I did love him, but the thought that I couldn’t tell him the truth about my past made me feel sick to my stomach. I agreed to marry him, even though it would never be a legal marriage. How could I go through it? It just didn’t seem fair to him. I thought about what would happen if Allen found me, especially if he found out that I was living with another man.

I believed he would kill us both without hesitation, he had threatened to for years. If I was smart, I would pack up and leave. I knew I loved Jacob too much to live without him. I fell asleep finally, but it was a fitful sleep, dreams of Allen and the beatings ran rampant through my head. The beatings in my dreams slowly turned into the last one where he hit my face.

I ran from him. I was running toward Jacob. As I got closer to Jacob, I could hear Allen behind me yelling at me, threatening to kill me. Just before I could reach Jacob, I heard a gunshot and saw Jacob fall to the ground.

I got to Jacob’s side and saw the blood coming from the gunshot wound in his chest. “No!” I screamed. Just then Allen grabbed me from behind and said in my ear, “I told you what I would do if you ever left me.”

“No!” I cried out again, trying to fight him off.

“Mia!” Jacob said. “Wake up, honey. It’s me.” My eyes flew open as I cried out again. Jacob had a hold of my arms trying to wake me up. “Mia Amata, it’s me.” I stopped struggling against him, letting out a sob. Jacob pulled me into his arms, holding me against his chest as I sobbed uncontrollably. “It was just a dream,” he said. “You are OK.”

“Oh, Jacob,” I cried throwing my arms around his neck.

“Shhh,” he said, pulling me onto his lap. “It’s OK, I’m here.” He held me until I finally was able to stop sobbing. “That must have been some dream,” he said. “Do you want to tell me about it?”

“I don’t remember all of it. What I do remember was awful,” I said. “I dreamed that someone shot you in front of me. You were dead.”

“I’m fine, Mia. I’m right here,” he said. “It was just a dream.” I knew he was right, but I also knew it could become a reality. I wiped my tears, sitting back.

“You have perfect timing, as usual,” I said. He wiped some final tears from my face, looking at me with concern. “I was carrying a box in the front door when I heard you scream. Scared the hell out of me.”

“I’m sorry,” I said.

“You don’t need to apologize for having a bad dream,” he replied. “Are you sure you’re OK?”

“Yes, I’m fine,” I said as I got out of bed. “I’ll go throw some supper on while you bring your things in.” I started to walk past him when he reached out, gently grabbing my arm. I stopped, looking at him .

“You’re sure you’re OK? You were so scared when I was trying to wake you up. I’m worried about you.” I could see the concern in his eyes.

I leaned over and kissed him. “Yes, I’m sure. You are right. It was just a dream. Most of it is fading away already.”

I hated lying to him, but I had no choice. I went out of the bedroom with him following behind me. I went into the kitchen, and he picked up the box that he dropped when he heard me scream. He took it back to the bedroom. I pulled things out of the fridge, figuring I would throw some burgers on the grill for us.

Leaving the door open, I went outside, starting the grill. Lucky ran down into the yard, barking at a squirrel sitting on a low branch in a tree. I smiled as I watched him for a few minutes, then went inside to get the burgers ready.

Jacob carried in a few more boxes, taking them all back to the bedroom. I carried the burgers outside, putting them on the grill. I checked on Lucky, he decided he had enough of the squirrel, running back up to the house to check on me. We went back inside while I set the table. Jacob came out of the bedroom.

“That’s it. I’ll have to unpack, but all my stuff is here.”

“That’s great,” I said. “Supper is almost ready. I hope burgers are OK.”

“Sounds good,” he said. “What can I do to help?”

“Would you go flip the burgers for me?” I asked.

“Sure.” I handed him the utensils as he went out to the deck. Lucky followed him out again, probably to look for the squirrel again. I watched as Jacob flipped the burgers and then picked up Lucky’s ball, going down the steps to the yard to play with Lucky. I finished setting the table, then took a platter out to the grill for the burgers.

Setting the platter down, I checked the burgers. They needed a few more minutes, so I shut the grill and walked over to the deck rail. I smiled as I watched Lucky and Jacob playing around in the backyard. Jacob and Lucky joined me on the deck. I turned; Jacob took me into his arms.

“You look so sexy,” he said, kissing me.

I laughed, “I do? In a T-shirt?”

“In anything. Or nothing.” He smiled at me. He kissed me again.

“Our burgers will burn,” I said. He groaned, letting go of me. I laughed and went to the grill, pulling the burgers off .

After we had eaten and cleaned up, we spent the rest of the evening unpacking Jacob’s belongings and putting them away. Or at least Jacob put them away. I just kept him company at his assistance. I assured him I wouldn’t break, but he refused to hear it, insisting that I should just relax and let him take care of everything. It didn’t take him long to get everything tucked away where it belonged, taking the flattened boxes out to the garage.

I heard Jacob come back down the hallway where he stopped. He opened the linen closet door, I assumed to get a towel for a shower. The door closed; Jacob continued his way into the bedroom. “Mattie?” I looked up at him to find he had my backpack in one hand and my envelope of cash in the other. “What’s this?”

Thinking fast, I decided to go with part of the truth. “That is what I guess you could call my ‘go bag’.”

“A ‘go bag’? Why do you have a ‘go bag’? I don’t understand.”

“It’s nothing, Jacob. Growing up like I did, going from foster home to foster home, you learn to keep your bag partially packed with important things. That way you can grab it in a hurry. I guess I put it there out of habit.” I smiled at him, “Really, Jacob, I’ve always had one.”

“Oh, Mia,” he walks over to sit on the bed next to me. “I’m sorry you had to live like that, but you don’t need to anymore.”

I nodded, “I know. I’ve been trying to work my way up to taking the money to the bank to put it in my account. Now that I have my own home, a place I can stay, I think I can get rid of it soon.”

Jacob put the money back in the bag, zipping it shut. “I hope you feel safe here like you don’t need to run anymore.”

Answering 100% truthfully this time, “I’m beginning to, Jacob, it will just take time, but I’m getting there. I know that I was in one place for several years, but for some reason, I didn’t feel safe. Maybe because I was renting the house it didn’t feel like I was safe.”

“I hate that you lived that way.” He reached out to stroke my face. “You are safe, Mia Amata, I’m here with you.”

I smiled, leaning over and kissing him. “I just need some time. I think it will take a little while to get completely past that feeling that I may have to run because I have had the feeling my entire life. I hope you can understand that be patient with me please.”

Kissing me back, “Of course, just remember I’m here for you Mia. I am a bit nervous about having that much cash in the house though.”

“I’ll take it to the bank soon, I promise.”