CHAPTER 23
It was raining outside, soft and slow the kind of drizzle that made the city blur behind glass and silence everything but thought.
Luca stood near the hallway mirror, tying his watch around his wrist, the same one Mia gave him on his last birthday. The leather strap was worn, but he'd never replaced it.
He could hear them talking in the living room. Mia and Grayson. Her voice was still gentle, but it didn't sound like it was breaking anymore. She laughed quietly, and Luca's hands paused mid-buckle.
It was the first time he'd heard that sound in nearly a week.
He closed his eyes for a second letting himself feel it.
She was okay.
Or at least, she was getting there.
He stepped into the doorway, and there she was on the couch, knees tucked under a blanket, sketchbook resting on her lap. Grayson sat at a distance, like always, giving her space. But his presence was steady. Dependable.
Mia looked up from the couch, where she sat curled under her blanket, her fingers tightening a little on the edge. The steam from her tea had long faded, she hadn't touched it since Grayson brought it.
"Are you leaving now?" she asked, though she already knew the answer.
Luca stopped, halfway between the hallway and the door. He looked at her, his expression unreadable at first that usual calm, iron stillness in his eyes but softer around the edges today. He nodded stiffly.
"Yeah. Just for a bit."
But she didn't believe that.
She swallowed. Her throat still ached when she spoke, but it wasn't the fever anymore.
"Can't you stay one more day?"
It came out quieter than she meant, barely above a whisper
He walked over and crouched beside the couch, resting one arm on his knee, the other reaching to brush a strand of hair from her cheek. She bit the inside of her cheek trying to blink away her glassy eyes .
You know I wouldn't leave if I didn't have to," he said.
And that was it.
That was the thing that broke whatever wall she'd tried to keep up.
"I don't want you to go," she whispered, her voice thin, cracking around the edges.
Luca closed his eyes for a second, like that hurt more than he expected. When he opened them again, they looked heavier.
"I don't want to either." he said softly staring into her eyes, " but hey, you have Grayson back, he'll take care of you like he always has. "
" It's not the same." She replied
" I know princess but you're going to be okay, you know I wouldn't leave if I didn't trust that."
She tried blinking away her teary glassy eyes , but the tears were there anyway, falling quietly, her chin tucked down like she was ashamed of them.
"Mia..." he moved closer sitting on the edge of the couch, reaching out to wipe a tear from her cheek. "please don't do that, baby., i can't take it" he said pointing at his chest.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, shaking her head.
"No," he said. "No, don't ever be sorry for that, it's just that I hate to see you cry, it breaks my heart, princess."he said his voice rough but soft.
He lifted her chin staring deep in her eyes, then leaned in and rested his forehead against hers for a moment, just breathing with her.
Then he pulled back enough to speak.
"You call me," he said, voice low and sure. "If you feel weird. If you're sad. If you're bored. I don't care where I am. I'll drop everything, You don't wait, okay? If you even think something's wrong, you call me. Doesn't matter what time. Doesn't matter why."
Mia nodded, biting the inside of her cheek, tears slipping again. She reached up and caught the edge of his jacket, gripping it gently, like maybe if she held it, she'd stall long enough that he'd want to stay.
What if you're in the middle of something?" she asked, eyes still fixed on his jacket. "What if it's important?"
"There's nothing more important than you." He replied .
Her fingers clenched tighter into the fabric and her breath hitched, barely audible, but enough for him to notice. His hand came to rest gently over hers warm, grounding, calm.
"I'm just going to check in," he said, voice low. "Go see what's piling up. Handle a few things and then I'll be back before you know it."
"I'm gonna miss you," she said softly.
He gave a soft breath of a laugh not because it was funny, but because it hurt.
"Yeah," he murmured. "I'm already missing you and I haven't even left."
He pulled her into a hug, one arm wrapped around her shoulder, the other around her back. She fit there too easily like she was made to be protected, and he was made to protect her.
She buried her face into his chest, gripping the fabric of his jacket in both fists. His scent was familiar and it soothed her . Home.
"You're going to be okay," he murmured placing a gentle kiss in her forehead
She didn't answer.
Instead, she held onto him tighter.
He shifted slightly, meaning to pull away but her hands clutched at him, locking in place with a tremble in her fingers. Not dramatic. Just... real.
"Mia," he said, softly surprised.
She shook her head into his chest, her voice muffled. "Don't go yet."
And that..... that broke him a little.
He gently pried her fingers off his jacket and brought her hand to his chest for a moment, his rough fingers gently curling around her small ones careful not to squeeze too hard, holding it there like a reassurance, then let it go. Mia didn't fight him, but she didn't move, either.
He lifted her chin then said " I want you to be brave and strong for me, can you do that"
She nodded hurriedly eyes still teary
" Words princess" he insisted
" Yes ."
" Good, now wipe your tears and smile for me, yeah." He said wiping her rosy cheeks while his other hand reached out to tickle her sides
She burst out giggling the most adorable sounds while Luca continued his assault
A few minutes passed while she came down from her high and Luca chuckled leaning in one more time kiss to her temple and whispered.
" I love you princess"
" I love you too Luca"
Then
He stood slowly, gave her one last look, nodded at Grayson like some sort of communication and walked towards the door. He opened it, paused, glanced back and left.