Chapter 25 #2
I was in the air. Soaring, feeling like a kid again. Rebellious and free. "Wanna see something cool, Melo!" I laughed.
"Yes!" He nodded quickly, grinning.
As if Remy could already tell what I was about to do, he started shaking his head disapprovingly. "You better not," he called out.
"Huh—what was that?" I flew past him. "You said you dare me?"
"Gianna—no!" He shook his head quickly.
"Alright…if you insist!" I slowed my pace just slightly—and then—jumped off the swing. The landing wasn't perfect, but it was enough to impress Melo, who had stopped to clap his hands loudly as he squealed with laughter.
Remy immediately came over to check on me where I had landed with my hands planted in the sand. He helped me up, face set in concern, eyes narrowed. "And here I was worrying about Melo and you doing daredevil shit like that." He took my hands brushing the sand off.
I just laughed. "I'm alright, handsome. Relax."
Shaking his head, he cut his eyes at me. "Don't do that again. I mean it." He kissed my palms before brushing the sand off my pants. "You almost gave me a heart attack."
His concern was so endearing. Cupping his chin in my hand, I gave him a loud smacking kiss before dashing back over to Melo.
"Wow! You're so cool, GG!" he yelled as I helped him out of the swing.
"Thank you, sweetie." I set him on his feet and took a bow. "What should we do next?"
Melo didn’t even hesitate. “The slide!” he said, already tugging my hand in that direction.
I laughed, letting him pull me along while Remy followed behind us, still shaking his head a little. “You two already teaming up against me,” he muttered.
I glanced back at him over my shoulder, smiling. “You just gotta keep up, handsome.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” he replied dryly, but there was a smile on his lips.
We made it over to the slide and I helped Melo climb the steps, staying close behind him while Remy hovered at the bottom like he didn’t quite trust either one of us to act right.
“Ready?” I asked.
“Yes!” Melo nodded.
“Alright, go ahead.”
He pushed off and slid down, landing with a soft thud before popping right back up like he had springs in his feet.
“Again!” he said when I slid down.
Remy laughed, stepping forward. “Let GG breathe for a second, buddy.”
“I’m good,” I said, already moving back toward the steps. “C’mon, round two.”
Melo cheered and ran back up, and this time when he sat at the top, he looked up at me with a mischievous little grin. “You come down with me together!” he announced.
"Let's do it." I climbed up beside Melo, sitting behind him at the top. For a second, I just looked out over the park, the breeze brushing against my skin, the sun warm on my face. “Ready?” I asked, placing my arms lightly around him
“Ready!”
We pushed off at the same time, sliding down together. His laughter filled the air again, loud, and bright, and I couldn’t help but laugh with him as we landed at the bottom.
“That was fun!” he said, bouncing on his toes again.
“It was,” I nodded, brushing my hands together.
Remy walked over, looking between with that warm smile. “Y’all done or y’all got more in you?”
“More!” Melo answered.
I laughed, glancing at Remy. “You tapped out already?”
He shook his head. “Not even close. I’m just pacing myself.”
“Mmhm,” I hummed. “We’ll see.”
Melo grabbed both of our hands this time, one in each, swinging them as he started pulling us toward the next set of equipment.
I looked down at our hands for a second, then up at Remy. He was already looking at me. Something soft passed between us. Easy. Unspoken. Everything about this moment just…fit.
There was no pressure or confusion. It just felt right. Like they belonged to me, and me to them. I could already feel it in my heart that they did.
This could be my new normal.
I wanted it to be.
Remy smiled gently. "Thank you," he mouthed.
"Thank you," I mouthed back blowing him a kiss. He caught it and swallowed it with a grin making me laugh.
“C’mon!” Melo urged again, breaking the moment.
I smiled, squeezing his hand lightly. “We're coming, baby.”
And we followed him, letting him lead the way. By the time we left the park, had froyo and headed back to their house, Melo was knocked out in the back. Remy took my hand, kissed the top gently and smiled over at me. No words were said because none were needed.
I followed them in to wash my hands while Remy went to place Melo in his bed. When he returned, I was already at the door with my keys in my hand.
Sadness crossed his face as he walked over and took my hand. "Do you have to go?" he asked. "I'm making pasta. Homemade."
Smiling, I took his other hand, closing the space and looking up at him. "Save me some."
He looked down and me and sighed, his forehead dropping gently to mine. "I don't want you to go," he said quietly.
"I can come back if you want?" I whispered. "It might be late though."
Squeezing my hand, he looked into my eyes but didn't respond. I could feel the weight of whatever he wanted to say weighing on him.
"Talk to me?" I encouraged him gently. "I can take it."
His head lifted to get a better look at me. Licking his lips, he exhaled slowly. "I'm falling in love with you, Gianna."
My heart and belly fluttered.
"Today—seeing you with my son. The way he responded to you. The way you two interacted with each other…you're the missing piece in our lives. Me and Melo need you."
The words settled between us, heavy and delicate at the same time.
I didn’t speak right away. I just looked at him.
This was real….and fragile. For all of us.
My fingers tightened slightly around his hands, my thumbs brushing over his skin as I tried to steady the way my chest had started to rise and fall. “Remy…” I breathed. "Are you sure?"
He didn’t look away. His hands tightened around mine. “I know it’s fast,” he continued, his voice low but sure, “but I’m not confused about what I feel.”
My throat tightened.
“I'm not trying you scare you away,” he added quickly. “Or pressure you into something you're not ready for. I just—” he paused, searching my face, “I needed you to know where I am.”
I swallowed, my eyes dropping for a brief second before lifting back to his. I let out a small breath. “You’re not scaring me,” I said. “I feel it too."
His hands slid from mine to my waist, holding me there. “That’s all I needed to hear,” he murmured.
I nodded, my hands coming up to rest against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath my palms. “But…” I added softly.
His brows pulled together slightly. “But?”
I held his gaze. “You don’t need me,” I said gently. “You and Melo…you’re already whole.”
He shook his head. “We are. But that doesn't mean we can’t want more.”
I smiled softly, my fingers curling slightly into his shirt. “I’m not trying to replace anything,” I continued. “I just…want to make sure we’re building something right. Not just fast.”
“We are,” he said firmly. “I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t think we were.”
I leaned up and pressed a soft kiss to his lips, lingering there for a moment before pulling back. “I’ll come back,” I whispered. "We can talk then, okay?"
His forehead dropped against mine again, his eyes closing briefly as he exhaled. “Okay, baby.” he murmured.
I smiled, brushing my nose lightly against his before stepping back, slowly letting his hands fall away from my waist. “Call me before Melo goes to bed. I wanna say goodnight,” I added, lifting my keys slightly.
He smiled. “I will.”
We held each other’s gaze for one last second before I turned and opened the door, stepping out into the early evening air. My whole body felt warm and relaxed as I drove back to Siren House where the other side of my life awaited me.