*Lumi* "Baby wake up ... you need to wake up right now. I need you so badly". It's the morning after the birthday party and I am awakened by Luca's pleading voice somewhere above me. "Seriously Luca ... you didn't have enough last night". I grumble, I mean despite being rather drunk, he had been well ... in a rather amorous mood. This is a new ... low, or is it high ? level of desperation even for him. He grabs my arm, shaking me slightly. "Lumi, it's serious. Meri needs you. Tom ... Tom broke up with her". "WHAT !" I instantly sit up in bed staring at him like he just told me that the moon has fallen down in the backyard. "He did what ? Oh God, she must be crushed. Where is that fucking wanker ? I need to get my hands on him". "He is long gone, baby, he packed a bag and left, him and Nani". He shakes his head. "I tried to stop him, but ... he pushed me away, he actually pushed me away and told me to stay 'the fuck' out of it ... and well Meri needed someone so ...". "You did t
2 weeks later *Meri* We are in Texas, in Luka's house ... Well Luka and Lumi's house. And have been for ten days. This place is truly beautiful, I have no doubt about that, but it is like everything has gone bland lately. Food has lost its taste, the sun holds no warmth and all the colors are ... lifeless and ... Well, bland. I feel like walking around in a bubble that mutes everything except for the pain. Lumi and especially Luka are going to great lengths to try and cheer me up and I really appreciate their efforts, but I just can't pull myself up enough to really react. I have transferred school, so I can finish up my studies. And somehow I manage to go through the motions of the day. To do my assignments. To seem like a normal human being. But the truth is that I am an empty shell. "Hi Meri mouse, don't you look pretty today". Luka sends me one of those dazzling smiles that would make any other woman go weak in the knees. For me it only makes me think of Tom's beautiful smil
*Tom* Why is my sister shaking me ? Why does she sound so desperate ? And why do my head feel like it is filled with wool ? I blink my eyes open. "Calm down Emma ... where is the damn fire ?" "Oh Tom, thank god. I thought you were dead". She hugs me so fiercely that I can hardly breathe. I yawn and stretch. "Why on earth would you think that ? I am just sleeping" "Because you fucking looked dead you ass-hat". She slaps my shoulder. "Because I come here finding Nani with no food or water, your house a stinking mess and you on the couch with whiskey and a bottle of sleeping pills ... what the hell Tom, you missed the gala last night". I rub my eyes, I feel like I am still half asleep. "No what ... no, no … the gala is thursday ... it is what ? Sometime Wednesday, right ?" "Tom l.. it is friday". She stares at me like I have gone crazy. "When did you fall asleep ?" "No, stop making fun of me". I shake my head feeling nauseous. "I couldn't sleep ... that was Tuesday, I tried a cou
*Meri* I hear Lumi curse and jump out the car and I wonder what is happening. Then I see the shadow on the porch and instantly recognize Tom. Shit, Lumi is going to skin him alive. "Luca, we need to stop her". I grab the handle to open the door. "She'll hurt him". "Well, he kind of deserves it". Luca mumbles as he gets out of the car too. The porch light turns on and I see Tom standing there, head hanging and his bag beside him. He looks pale and the beard is on the way back. "You fucking asshole". Tom doesn't even lift his head as she screams at him, or when she starts hitting her fists against his chest. He just stands there taking it. "Stop Lumi, stop it". I grab her arm but she shakes me off. Her voice is shaking with anger. "Do not come here and protect him now ... he is an idiot and he deserves to suffer as much as you have". "Luca for god's sake, do something". I look at him, realizing he is frozen in place, staring at the hurricane Lumi. "Wake up and grab her". Finall
*Tom* I can't keep the smile from my face as we walk inside, Meri walking half a step in front of me, just in case Luca hasn't managed to calm Lumi down. I can't believe she forgave me and I am not sure I deserve it. Honestly Lumi has every right to be pissed at me for what I did. The relief is like a giant rock that has been lifted from my heart and spirit. I never thought I would leave London, and definitely not for Texas, but if that's what it takes to keep Meri in my life, I am happy to do so. "What happened ?" Meri asks shocked, as we walk in on a bloodbath ... or well Luca covered in blood. Luca makes a pained face. "Someone happened to smash my nose with her elbow". "I am so sorry baby, I didn't mean to ... you were not the one I wanted to hit". Lumi is fretting around him, trying to wash off the blood. "No, I was the one you wanted to hit. I am the one who deserves it". I say, feeling sorry that Luca has to suffer to protect me. Lumi snaps around staring me down in a w
4 days later *Meri* "When are you going to forgive him ?" I look at my sister as we get in the car to go into town. Tom is just inside to get my handbag, and he is of course the 'him' I am referring to, Lumi still refuses to talk to him, and it bothers me quite a lot, as I can see it hurts him. She huffs. "Who says I am going to forgive him ? I still don't get that you forgave him that quickly". "I love him, Lumi ... with all of my heart". I smile as I see Tom walk out the house, he already looks much healthier. "And he made a mistake, we all do. You forgave Luca his mistakes". "That was something entirely different". She turns on the engine to Luca's truck. I stop discussing it when the door opens and Tom slides in beside me, giving me a loving smile. "Here you go darling". "Thanks Tom". I lean in, giving him a soft kiss, ignoring my sister glaring at us. Her mood is worse than usual because Luca is currently in LA for some meetings. Tom gently takes my hand, lacing our fin
*Lumi* "Dammit Tom, you chivalrous fool". I kneel down by his side. Of course he acted like the knight in shining armour, what else could I expect from Tom ? Meri is on his other side, tears streaming down her face as she is squeezing his limp hand. "Please Tom, don't ... don't ... leave me". I lift up his shirt, seeing the blood slowly pulsing from the wound. I might not be a doctor, but this is bad, very very bad. I need to do something or I have no doubt he is going to bleed out. I spot one of the bank workers, yelling at him. "First aid kit ... now". Just as he returns a young police officer kneels down next to me. "It looks like the liver is hit, an ambulance is on the way, but we need to try and stop the bleeding". "Yeah, can you check if there is an exit wound". What help will it be if we stop the bleeding on the front, only to have him bleeding out from the back ? The officer slides his hands under him, gently feeling around. Then shaking his head. "I can't find any exi
*Meri* "He is going to be okay right ? He has to be … please say he will". I know it won't really help to beg Lumi, but I can't stop myself. I need someone to tell me that Tom won't die from me. The idea of losing him now is crushing. She kisses my temple softly, just as we pull up in front of the hospital. "He will fight with everything he has, I know that much. Tom loves you so much, and he wouldn't want to leave you like this". "Come on girls, let me get you inside and to the right waiting room". The young officer, Jacob, says. And even in my despair I can't help but notice how he smiles at Lumi. Yeah forget it kid, she is very much taken. Lumi smiles back at him, putting her arm around me for support. "Thank you, Jacob, it's very kind of you". I almost roll my eyes, damn Lumi, don't lead the poor guy on. But she doesn't even seem to notice the way he beams at her. "Oh it's nothing Lumi, just doing my duty". He hurries to open the door for us and then he hurries up to the re
*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