*Lumi* I am watching my mother fuz over Luca and he is labbing it up. Had I been less confident I might have been scared my man and my mother were about to run off together, but I know it's not the case. Apparently they had a very long talk last night while I slept and I don't know what Luca did or said, but my mom adores him and has forgotten everything about his age and him being an actor. And I have to admit that he is handling my mom perfectly. He is charming, sweet and very respectful. Mom should just know how much of a non gentleman he can be when we are alone. But hey I enjoy that side of him very much too. "Are you sure that you are okay darling ? I can stay here with you if it is. I don't mind". Luca says, coming over to take my hand. I shake my head. "Nope, I could really use a break from all that wookie jabbering and the slobbering on me, so go and have fun". "Lumi !" My mom tells me sternly. "Behave and treat your man with some respect. You finally found a good
*Meri* We get off the subway.. by the way riding the subway with Tom is quite the adventure as half the other passengers seem to recognise him but no one dares approach him … so they are all just looking and taking what they think is discrete pictures. "Doesn't it bother you ?" I look up at Tom as we walk away from the station hand in hand. "What ? He puts his free hand in front of me in a protective gesture, as we reach the traffic light to cross the street. It is both endearing and a bit annoying that he keeps doing things like that. I know it comes from love, but I am not a kid and I can handle myself. Two girls pass behind us, giggling and snickering. "That ! People staring at you, acting weird and snapping your picture at every opportunity they get". "Nah, honestly I hardly notice any longer". He shrugs, and gently pulls me along when the light turns green. "They mean no harm, they are just curious". "I know they don't, it's just a bit unnerving to be honest ... to me at lea
*Meri* I lean into Tom, enjoying the feel of his strong arm around me. He makes me feel so safe and protected. I know my mom doesn't mean to, but I have a feeling that it hurts Tom that my mom is constantly fussing over Luca and all but ignoring him. "Are you enjoying yourself ?" Tom asks softly, pressing a kiss to my temple. I snuggle closer. "Yeah I am. But what about you ? Are you okay ?" "Of course I am darling, I am with you, that is all that matters". He smiles softly, but I can see a hint of pain in his eyes.. there is something he isn't saying.. As we walk on there is a band playing on a square and we stop to listen a bit. They are actually quite good. Luca is holding up the bear, filming them for Lumi. "You want to go give them some money". Tom asks after we have been listening for about 5 minutes. They have a box in front of them that people throw money into. "Sure". I say happily and he hands me a twenty pounds bill. I take it and walk up to throw it in the box, gett
*Luca* "Can I come in ?" I poke my head into Lumi's room. Meri and her mother have agreed to give me 15 minutes alone with her first. She doesn't answer, and it seems she has fallen asleep so I slowly walk in, closing the door behind me. Walking over to sit beside her, taking her hand. Looking at her my heart is beating almost frantically, part of me wants so badly to protect her, to take away any pain that she is feeling. I would do anything to make her well again. Unfortunately it's not in my power, all I can do is be here for her and pray that the new medicine will make her better. It had started out as a very strong physical attraction, and I hadn't really expected it to be more than a fling. But the connection is undeniable. And I find myself wanting more, despite the banter going on between us. But then she kind of rejected the possibility. When Tom called telling me she was sick, everything just kind of fell into place and I just knew that I had to come, I had to be here.
*Tom* Meri has finally arrived, wearing a flowing burgundy dress that looks lovely on her. She pulls me to the living room and sits me down in the couch, pacing the floor. "We need to talk Tom". "I know Meri. I am so sorry. I overreacted". I breathe in deeply. "Honestly, I am scared to dead of losing you..of you waking up and realising that I am way too old for you ... that you want more". "Oh Tom. You need to stop with those silly thoughts. You are just the way I want you, age and all". She sends me a warm smile. "Only thing I don't like is this new jealousy, you have no reason to be". I nod, wanting so badly to hold her. "I know darling, it's not on you, it is my fears talking. I will do everything to control it ... just please ... forgive me". "I have already forgiven you, you silly fool". She says with a small giggle. "Or I wouldn't be here". "Thank you darling, I won't let you down". I smile at her, and reach out my hand, begging her to come to me. "Is that a new dress ?"
1 week later *Lumi* "Please just let me die". I mumble, trying to roll up into a small ball in the bed. I have been on the new drug for a week now, but every time I take it, I get more sick. My whole body is shaking with pain. "Shhh don't say that, please don't say that". Meri mumbles and I can hear she is fighting tears. I know she hates seeing me like this. I just moan slightly. This is hell, I can choose between medicine that doesn't work or one that makes me so sick it feels like dying. "Luca ! Where is he?" "I don't know, he said he would be her". Meri says, just as the door opens and Luca hurries in. I hold out my arms whimpering and instantly he is there, pulling me into his arms, caressing me. "Sorry baby, the train was cancelled". "I needed you ... you weren't her and I needed you". I can't keep the emotions in and start sobbing against his chest. He just holds me, gently rocking me back and forth. He has truly become my rock this last week. Being here every time I
3 days later *Meri* "It's so amazing to see how Lumi has changed after her and Luca have started dating". I say, running my hands through Tom's hair. I am sitting on his couch and he is laying with his head in my lap. He hums happily, closing his eyes. "Yeah ... we were right about these two after all". "Yeah, I just knew it". I twirl my fingers in his hair. Happy that there has been no outburst of jealousy since that day. Lukas had a hard time explaining what happened to the media, saying that Tom had felt I was being sexually harassed. And Tom had made a public apology for overreacting. Most of his fans seem to find it sweet and romantic. He turns slightly, looking up at me. "How do you truly feel about it ? About him being the one she seeks for support and comfort ?" "It's okay". I love that he even thinks about this. "I mean sometimes I miss being the one she wants to hold her. But I adore Luca and I know he is good for her, so ... I am okay with it". "You can be honest wi
*Meri* "It's okay Luca ... I am sure she didn't mean it ... she is just scared and upset right now". I try padding his back, looking helplessly at Tom. Luca had shown up, telling us that Lumi kind of broke up with him and now he's crying out his eyes rolled up on the couch. "She thinks she is protecting you". Tom tries, but nothing seems to make him cry any less. I shake my head. I feel really sorry for him ... and honestly I want to grab Lumi and shake her, what the hell is she thinking ? "I just thought ...". Luca tries to speak between sobs. "She had just stopped pushing me away. I thought she got that she can trust me, that she knew that I am not running away". Sitting down on the edge of the couch I rub his back. "She has a very hard time trusting that anyone could want her, give her time, she will come around if you keep showing her". He nods sitting up and I hand him some paper towel to dry off his eyes and nose. "Yeah, I have to show her ... make her see without a doubt
*Lumi* I sit in the garden, feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin, as I watch my two-year-old son, Rasmus, playing with his cousin, Valo. Their laughter fills the air, a delightful melody that brings a smile to my face. Luca and Tom are tending to the barbecue, the tantalizing aroma of food making my stomach growl with anticipation.It's hard to believe that two years have passed since that special day when Meri and I both became mothers. My chronic leukemia, once a heavy burden, has been kept under control with the help of the new medicine. I feel healthy, alive, and grateful for every moment I get to spend with my family.The news of Meri's pregnancy fills my heart with joy. I glance over at her, as she is sitting beside me, her baby bump starting to show. I can't help but smile, I am so happy for her and Tom. "Meri," I say, excitement bubbling in my voice. "Have you found out the gender of your baby yet?" Meri's eyes light up, and a mischievous grin spreads across her face.
2 months later *Tom* The sun is blazing hot on the Texan soil as I walk into the room where Luca and I are supposed to get ready for the big day. I glance at my reflection in the mirror, adjusting the collar of my shirt, I am ignoring the faint pain in my leg… a harsh reminder of the past. "Think it's hot enough?" Luca's voice pulls me from my thoughts. He is already dressed in his new suit, looking more Hollywood than Texas, but his grin is as wide as the Rio Grande. "I think it's just right," I reply, a smirk pulling at my lips. I remember how Meri will often tease me about my British love for cooler weather. But today, even the heat seems tolerable, maybe because I finally will get to call her my wife. Luca laughs, a hearty sound that fills the room. "That's because you are about to marry the woman of your dreams. Even a Texan summer can't dampen that." "Marrying the woman of my dreams in a double wedding with her equally beautiful twin and my best friend," I add, causing
*Lumi* I walk into the room, the soft light casting a warm glow on the scene before me. My heart skips a beat as I see Luca sitting there, cradling our tiny son in his arms. A surge of love washes over me, filling every fiber of my being. Luca's eyes meet mine, and a tender smile spreads across his face. I can't help but be amazed by how effortlessly he handles our little one. It's as if he was born to be a father, his touch so gentle despite his size, his voice so soothing. After two weeks I am finally starting to feel mostly like myself again after the birth. At least in those ways that will return to being as before. The ones that won’t, Well I do not care, it was all worth it to have our little Rasmus. His name means beloved and desired and he truly is both. I watch in awe as Luca tries to make our baby boy smile. He makes funny faces and coos softly, his voice filled with pure affection. Our son's eyes fixate on him, captivated by his presence. It's a magical sight, one th
*Tom* I stand by Meri's side, holding her hand firmly as the doctor guides her through the labor. My heart swells with pride and admiration for the woman I love, as she bravely endures the pain and discomfort of bringing our son into the world. I glance over at Lumi, my soon-to-be sister-in-law, and am struck by the incredible bond between these two sisters, both going through this life-changing experience together. "Alright, Meri, when the next contraction comes, give it a good push". The doctor instructs, her voice calm and steady. Meri nods, her face flushed and sweaty, but determined. As the contraction hits, she squeezes my hand tightly, her nails digging into my skin. I wince, but refuse to let go or show any sign of discomfort. My pain is nothing compared to what she's going through right now. "You are doing amazing, love”. I whisper, trying to offer her some comfort between contractions. She manages a weak smile, her eyes filled with exhaustion but also an unwavering dete
*Luca* I watch as Lumi struggles with the electrolyte drink. I gently encourage her, saying. "It's important to stay hydrated, babe. Just a bit more”. After she has finished drinking, Lumi tells me she wants to get up and walk around. I support her as she rises, wrapping my arm around her waist. As we walk, the contractions continue to hit. Each time one comes, I gently stroke her lower back, trying to alleviate some of the pain, wishing I could remove it all. "Just breathe, Lumi. I'm here for you”. I whisper to her. Across the room, Meri is voicing her regret about not getting an epidural. Lumi, feeling her sister's pain, walks over to comfort her. "It's going to be okay, Meri. We are in this together". She reassures her sister. Seeing that Tom needs a break, having noticed him shuffle his feet for a while, I tell him, "Go ahead, man. Take a quick bathroom break. We will be here”. As Tom goes to the bathroom, I stay close to Lumi and Meri, prepared to help them through whateve
*Tom* I'm standing next to Meri, holding her hand tightly as we wait for the doctor to arrive. The room feels small, even though it's quite spacious, with both our families sharing it. I can feel the tension in the air, and my heart races with every passing moment. Meri's grip on my hand tightens as another contraction hits. I wince in sympathy, but she just lets out a string of curses that would make a sailor blush. It's a side of her I haven't seen before, and it catches me off guard. She has always been the more composed of the two sisters, but the pain seems to bring out a whole new side of her. My eyes drift over to Luca and Lumi. Luca is resting his forehead against Lumi's temple, whispering something in her ear. Lumi, who I have always known to be the more fiery and passionate of the two, seems surprisingly calm in this situation. It's a stark contrast to Meri's reaction, and it's oddly reassuring. I look back at my fiancée, trying to figure out how to help her through thi
*Meri* I'm sitting on the edge of the couch, gently rubbing my lower back as a dull ache radiates through it. Tom looks over at me with concern in his eyes. "Are you okay, love ?" he asks, setting down the book he has been reading. I nod, trying to smile through the discomfort. "Yeah, it's just my body getting ready for the birth, I think. It's probably normal". Tom's face softens, and he moves closer to me. "Let me give you a massage. It might help with the pain". I gratefully accept his offer. Tom fetches a yoga ball from the corner of the room and places it in front of the couch. I carefully lean over the yoga ball, resting my upper body on it, while Tom starts massaging my lower back. As he works on my tense muscles, I can't help but let out a small groan of relief. His strong hands expertly knead the achy area, easing my discomfort. After a while, Tom starts talking about our little boy, who is due to arrive in just a week. "I can't wait to meet him, Meri. Our lives
*Lumi* As we get ready for the appointment, I can see the worry painted across Luca's face. He's been so nervous ever since we found out about my leukemia, and now that we're expecting our first child, his concern has only grown. "Luca, I promise I've been feeling so much better since starting the new medicine," I reassure him, as we both get dressed. He nods, but his eyes still hold a hint of fear. "I know, Lumi, it's just that... I can't help but worry about you and the baby," he admits, his voice trembling slightly. I walk over to him, placing a gentle hand on his cheek. "We're in this together, remember? And the doctors are keeping a close eye on us. We'll be okay." He takes a deep breath and nods again, pulling me into a tight embrace. I can feel his heart racing, and I know that he's trying to be strong for both of us. We arrive at the clinic hand in hand, and check in at the reception desk. First I have to go to the nurse, having blood drawn, so the doctor can check e
*Meri* The sun is shining brightly as we enter the fair ground, and the smell of popcorn and cotton candy fills the air. "I have always loved the atmosphere of fairs". I say, grinning at Tom. He squeezes my hand and nods in agreement. Lumi and Luca walk beside us, their laughter contagious. "Remember when we used to come to carnivals as kids?" Lumi asks, her eyes sparkling. "Of course, we always had so much fun together". I reply, reminiscing. “But you never tried a Texan one”. Luca winks at us. “Cowboy style”. “Yi-ha”. Lumi cheers. It warms my heart to see her in such high spirits. As we enter the area with the games and rides, Tom spots a ring toss game and challenges Luca. "Bet I can win a stuffed animal for Meri before you can win one for Lumiøz He says, smirking. "You are on”. Luca replies, grinning. “You do remember my card toss right ? You can still bow out”. Lumi and I stand on the sidelines, cheering them on. "They are so competitive”. I laugh. "It's adorable”. Lum