"I'm just thinking, it must have been difficult for you," I commented, trying to figure out the best way of vocalizing my thoughts.
Maria gave a small, slow nod. "It was but I loved Charlie so dearly. He would have done anything for me. A lot of men say that, but Charlie meant it."
"Why did you leave?"
"I loved Charlie and he loved me but having Lucas in that environment... I didn't think of children. There are people out there who won't think twice to get children involved."
"So, you left?"
"If Lucas split his time between Charlie and me, it meant that he wouldn't be there all the time. The little bit of protection I was able to offer him. Then I had Stefan and focused a lot of time on him."
I could fill in the gaps. With Maria married and having a baby, Luc must have spent more time with Charlie. Even if he hadn’t, Luc would have been poised to take over after Charlie passed away.
"I understand.” Sweeping Maria's hair into a bun, I took the pins out of my own so that it could be held in place. When I was done, I held out my phone with the camera open so Maria could look at herself.
"Thank you so much," Maria said and hugged me. I took in a deep breath and let the familiar scent bring me some comfort.
"Mom?"
Chapter Forty Two
Lucas
Mia broke away from Mom to see me standing at the end of the bed.
"Son!"
"Mia?" I asked, locking eyes with the woman I’d been unable to shake from my thoughts.
"Luc," Mia breathed. Her skin was covered in goosebumps as she took me in.
"What are you doing here?" I asked her. "You know who this is?"
I was utterly confused. The last thing I had expected to see was Mia hugging my Mom. She looked like a deer caught in headlights, eyes wide and conveying the same shock that I felt. This was not how I had envisioned our reunion.
I had spent a month away, wanting everything to calm down. When Dante had told me about Mia and Stefan spending time together, I knew I would need to go back home, and when Mia had said she needed me, all of my resolve had broken. I’d arrived back over the weekend and stayed at Dante's as I tried to get my head together and figure out just how I would fix things between us.
"Stefan's been bringing her here," Mom said. "It's been nice to have some female company. I don't understand why you didn't bring her sooner."
I finally turned my attention to Mom, taking in her words. Stefan had brought Mia there. He would. He wouldn't split his time trying to hide it all when he could just show her his life. Looking at them both now, I wondered why I hadn't just done the same. I’d gotten so wrapped up in worrying that Mia would pity me and that things would become complicated that I didn’t realize I should have taken the plunge and dealt with the consequences after if there were any to deal with.
"Mia, darling, would you get me another tea?" Mom asked her.
"Sure," Mia said, still slightly in shock. She took the cup from the table and left the room as quickly as she could, not looking at me as she whisked past.
"Glad to see you back, Luc," Mom said.
I walked over and gave my Mom a tight hug. "I'm sorry. I needed to get away for a bit. I had Kelly keep me up to date."
"Would it have anything to do with that young lady that I just sent to get me tea?" Mom asked.
I had never had to discuss a girl with my mother. Never once had I gone to her for advice regarding the opposite sex because there had never been a reason to, but she had hit the nail on the head. I sat on the bed and held her hand.
"I'm surprised, Lucas," Mom told him.
"Why?"
"When Stefan brought her to meet me, I assumed they might be an item. He seems rather taken by her." Mom squeezed my hand. “She doesn’t seem to be the type of woman you would associate with.”
