"Stabbing my Mom in the hand is tame for Moretti's standards," Luc informed her.
An uneasy feeling grew in my stomach. "And you're leaving the decision with me?"
"You told me to be open. It's all part of my life, Mia but I don't want to push you into it. I know I can't keep it from you. You'll meet everyone eventually."
"Can I think about it?" I asked him quietly.
"Of course."
This was what I had wanted. I wanted Luc to speak to me and not make decisions on my behalf, but I was unsure with this situation. I knew what Luc did for a living, I had witnessed first hand what he was capable of, but I trusted Luc. I wasn't sure how much I could trust everyone else, especially after my encounter with Marco.
A comfortable silence settled between us as we finished the tree and I picked up the star from the box. "Does Dom have a ladder around here?"
"You don't need a ladder." Luc moved a few steps closer and hoisted me up onto his shoulders.
"No! Luc put me down," I yelled as I held onto him.
"You're fine. Top the damn tree." Luc took careful steps towards it and I let out a scream, making him laugh. "I'm not going to drop you."
He suddenly bent at the knees as if to drop me and I felt my stomach flip. "Luc! Stop it!"
He laughed harder and repeated the motion. I slapped his forehead. "LUC! I swear to God..."
"Quicker you top the tree, the quicker I let you down," he teased me.
I cautiously leaned over and placed the star on the topmost branch. Luc took two steps backwards so that we could admire our handy work. He would have happily hired someone to make it perfect, but I preferred to do these things myself. I grinned from ear to ear. Our first Christmas tree, all ready for our first Christmas.
When Luc finally put me back down on the ground, I swatted at him. "You're so lucky I love you." The words had flown from my mouth before I could process what I was saying.
"What did you just say?" Luc asked me.
I panicked. "Nothing."
"Mia."
I couldn't say it again. "I didn't say anything."
A smile started to creep across Luc's face. "I think you did."
Turning away from him, I made my way out of the room but Luc followed quickly behind me and so I broke into a run. Luc gave chase and I managed to make it to the garage before Luc's arms wrapped around my waist, picking me off my feet and pulling me into his chest.
"Let me go!" I struggled against him.
"Not until you tell me what you said."
"Luc, please," I pleaded, mortified that the words had just tumbled from my lips.
Luc set me down gently and turned me around to face him. "I just want to hear you say it. Please."
The way he said please made me melt. For a man who didn't say the word often he knew exactly how to use it to get what he wanted.
"I said," I started and then hesitated.
"Yes?"
"I love you," I whispered.
Luc picked me up again and captured my lips in a kiss. I wrapped my arms around his neck and legs around his waist. When we broke apart the grin on Luc's face was the biggest, I had seen.
