45. Chapter 45 #3
The sound of him laughing so brightly fills the flat as we all bask in the magic that is a baby’s laughter. In that moment, my once icy heart can’t help but yearn to see Luna holding our own child someday.
I watch her, her smile so bright it reaches her eyes. Man, I can’t wait to have a baby with her one day. But one step at a time, Oliver; there’s something to do first. I make my way over to them and take a seat next to Luna. She gasps dramatically, pulling Leo up so she can turn him towards me.
“Look, Leo, it’s Uncle Oliver,” she coos with a dramatic smile that is far too infectious for me not to join in. I smile in response, taking him to mirror her previous pose, resting on my lap; he now faces her.
“Hey there, you,” I beam, tapping my index fingers on his little nose; he blows a spit bubble.
“Where did everyone go?” Luna asks, only just realising the other five family members are nowhere to be found.
“I asked them if we could have a few minutes alone,” I admit, making her tilt her head in confusion.
“Because?”
“Well, with both of us working full time with two children, it’s hard for us to have a moment.” I point out to throw her off, and it works.
“True.” Luna nods, then looks down to smile at Leo.
“You wanted to know what I was talking to my therapist about earlier, right?” I prompt, and Luna bites her lip with a nod. This woman’s curiosity is beyond adorable - it’s one of the things I love about her.
“We were talking about my future, what I plan to do.” I start slow.
“We spoke about where I see myself in the next few years and the goals I plan to achieve.” I continue, feeling Leo grab hold of one of my fingers, but my gaze never leaves Luna’s.
“I never told you what it was really like meeting Mario again after all these years, the things I discovered, the closure I gained.”
I take a deep breath.
“Luna, one of the reasons it took me so long to get back to you is because I had unfinished business, and although I had no control over what I was going to find when I first landed in Italy. The one thing I did find was the dad I always wanted.”
I pause to reach for her hand.
“I learned that no matter how long you’re apart from your loved one, they never stop loving you.
” I smile, squeezing her hand. “I know you still aren’t sure what the future holds for us, but I couldn’t be surer,” I state confidently as Macy appears out of nowhere to collect her baby from me, but Luna, now tear-eyed - never leaving mine.
“You don’t have to be sure because I have enough faith for both of us. I know you don’t think the kind of fate your grandparents and brother have is ever in the cards for you, but I’m here to prove you wrong.”
Luna laughs awkwardly, scrunching her nose as I continue.
“You and I can have what they have; we can have the love that never fades, the big family you’ve always wanted, and so much more.” I gently reassure, brushing a curl from her face and cupping her cheek. “We can grow old together and still have hours of passion no matter our age.”
She leans into my touch with a soft smile.
“But promising all of this without proof will make it nothing but empty words.”
I pause to tuck my free hand into my blazer pocket.
“So allow me to restore your faith in fate, to show that you and I are the definition of destiny, and despite the hurdles it took for us to get here, the universe always planned for us to be together.”
At this point, Luna is wiping away tears; she isn’t sure why they’re falling.
I pull the photograph I’ve kept safe for the past few months out and rest it on her lap, facing down as she looks at it, then back up at me.
“You’re either going to find it incredibly creepy or unbearably sweet, maybe a little of both.”
We both pause to laugh together.
“But seeing this photo is all the proof I needed for me to know that you were the one meant for me, Luna.” I smile, letting go of her hand so she can explore the photo in her hand.
She lingers her gaze on me for a moment, then looks down at the photo. Instantly squealing at the sight of a younger me. One of the few in existence from my childhood, and compares it to the man I am now.
In the photo, my smile matches Theo’s irresistible grin, focused on something out of shot, one of my hands resting on Luigi’s head as he’s the only dog I’ve ever known to pose so proudly for photos.
My other arm is attempting to wrap around Mario’s waist. His hand is tangled in my curls, and instead of his bright smile towards the camera, it is pointed down at me.
“Oh, Oliver.” Her breathing hitches, pulling the photo closer to get a better look.
She makes sure to hold it gently, as the years haven’t been kind to the wear and tear of the ancient photo.
Tears bubble in the corner of her eyes, reliving the many nights Luna had over the last few months, letting her into the depths of my childhood.