"I love you too, Mia."
My heart stuttered in my chest to hear him say it so readily. I had no idea how this had happened, but I knew I wouldn't swap it for the world.
"Tell me again," Luc told me.
"I love you," I obliged.
"Again."
"I love you,” I laughed, and Luc kissed me before placing them all across my face. This was the happiest I’d felt in some time and I hoped that Christmas would be the start of happy memories for us to look back on.
Chapter Forty Six
Mia
Christmas morning saw Luc as my shadow from the moment we woke up. Nothing delighted me more than watching him hand things to me upon my request, dressed in his boxers and a Santa hat. He was delighted when he got dressed to pick up his Mom, and was no longer required to wear the hat. I’d break him eventually.
Maria and Luc got back just as we sat down for breakfast and afterwards the five of us invaded the living room to play board games. Maria diplomatically placed herself between her sons, bridging the gap, and I was grateful they managed to stay civil. Stefan hadn’t said much all morning but that was for the best.
Not long before lunch, Luc answered the door to Dad, and I squeezed past and threw myself at him. By far this was the best Christmas gift I had received.
"Dad!"
"Merry Christmas, darling," Dad said, hugging me close.
"Hector." Luc gave a curt nod.
"Lucas."
I knew that Luc would find it awkward to navigate his relationship with Dad but all I wanted was to make it through the day without an incident.
"Well, dinner is pretty much ready so how about we go sit down," I suggested, walking with Dad to the kitchen as Luc followed behind us.
The seating plan had been arranged in a way that hopefully wouldn’t lead to an argument. Luc and Dante sat at either end, Maria and Stefan on one side and Dad and me on the other. Dinner was served with Luc’s help, an excuse for him to keep close by and steal touches when Dad wasn’t looking. We’d sit with him after dinner and I’d introduce Luc as my boyfriend. No matter how nervous I felt, looking at Luc I knew I wanted nothing more than for him to feel valuable in my life.
Over dinner, Luc and Maria chatted and I took up conversation with Dad as Stefan joined in. Dante had received the short end of the stick and I made a mental note to give him the biggest slice of dessert as an apology. He wasn’t just Luc’s brother but had become mine over the course of the past few months, never complaining about anything I went to him with.
"Mia," Maria said, catching my attention. "Luc said that he's taking you to Xavier's ball."
"Xavier Moretti?" The attention turned to Stefan who had spoken.
"Yes." Luc's response was terse.
"Oh my God," Stefan laughed, looking between us both. "You really are stupid."
"Stefan," Luc warned his little brother.
"You thought Marco Bianchi did damage? You're taking her to Moretti!"
"Keep your mouth shut, Stefan."
"Or what?"
Luc got up out of his chair and Stefan followed.
"Boys," Maria hissed. "We have company."
Both of them looked to their Mom before sitting down again but the tension felt thick in the air. The rest of dinner became a quiet affair and when everyone had finished, I cleared the table for dessert. It was one small hiccup, but the rest of the day didn’t have to be ruined.
