“Got something to tell me back, baby?” I smirked, knowing that she loved what she called my sexy smirk. Meadow’s face lit up, her eyes still watered, but her smile blinded me like it always did.
“You do?” she breathed, her good hand going to her chest. “You really love me?”
“Baby, how do you not know it already?”
“I did, I mean I do, it’s just that … we haven’t said it yet, and we have been seeing each other for a while and … I’m babbling, aren’t I?”
“Just a little,” I laughed, then turned serious, “I love you, Meadow Lavender, how could I not? You are perfect for me, my balance, my warmth, my fucking everything.”
Her smile dropped momentarily, then it was back before I could figure out if I just saw a problem that wasn’t there.
“I love you too, Luca, I really, really, really love you.”
“Really?” I teased, but inside I was doing an internal fist pump. I knew she did, but hearing the words was a whole lot better than knowing or secretly hoping.
“Oh, shut up, Spunk and kiss me,” Meadow sassed, biting me gently on the chin.
Doing as I was told because my dad always said, a happy woman meant you were doing the job you were put on this earth for, I pressed my lips to hers and kissed her gently, mindful that our kisses always turned heated and this was not the time or the place to unleash my passion.
“Thank you for ringing me straight away, baby,” I whispered into her mouth, “I want you to be able to tell me everything, even if what you have to say will make my heart stop.”
“Don’t be so dramatic. What felt like a big branch actually turned out to be a little twig no thicker than a cigarette.”
“Woman, don’t start with me,” I growled, semi annoyed at the way she played down her injury and the accident. Meadow was raised so differently from me; her parents were blasé, but not in an uncaring way, whereas mine made a big deal out of every scratch.
“I’m fine, honey, I promise,” Meadow whispered. I could tell she was sensing where I was going in my head when she laid her cheek against my chest, whispering again that she was fine. Tucking her head under my chin, I closed my eyes tightly, soaking up the feel of her breathing.
“You love me,” Meadow’s hushed and reverent tone barely audible.
“More than I can ever tell you.” My reply was just as hushed and equally reverent. Meadow was my future, but I was yet to introduce her to my mother and two younger sisters. Kayla was at me every day about Mum not knowing about Meadow, and I found it interesting that she had not done it herself, telling Mum about Meadow’s visits to the office. Me locking the door and not coming out for an hour or more. Kayla had to be relaying details, and knowing Kayla, those details would be way off the mark. She still had high hopes for her best friend to be part of the Donatella family, always pushing Naomi at me more than ever.
More, since Meadow came into my life.
Confused and still coming down from my panic, I stood there holding Meadow until a soft chuckle came from the back of the cubicle. Opening my eyes, I quickly shut them again, not believing what I just saw. While I should not have been shocked, after over a month of being with Meadow … I was.
“Baby?”
“Hmmm.”
“Why is Lennie holding onto your mother’s breasts?” Peering through one squinted eye to confirm that I was seeing exactly that.
Meadow giggled, “Lennie is holding a protest over her desire for a boob job. He refuses to let them go until she agrees to not have the surgery.”
“Why? No, don’t tell me,” I said quickly, “I really don’t want to know.”
“No, you definitely don’t.” Meadow agreed, then snuggled into me. And we sat there in comfortable silence with our love finally proclaimed to one another and Lennie cupping Trish’s tits.
***
“Can I get you anything, baby? Pain meds, a cup of tea?” Fussing with the sheets and blankets, I busied myself with getting Meadow sorted and comfy in bed. I brought her home to my place for two reasons. The first, because if I took Meadow to hers, she would find something to do, fix or clean. The second and just as terrifying, tomorrow I had invited my mum and sisters over to brunch for a get-together and to get to know Meadow. I texted Kayla when the nurse came in to give Meadow her discharge papers and a more waterproof dressing on her wound.
It was time that all my favourite people meet.
“Nope, I am good Spunk, other than you not being in here with me,” Meadow sassed, patting the mattress.
Her sling sat on the bedside table, Meadow took it off as soon as we got inside. She complained that it made her arm numb to stay in one position all the time, I argued that it had to so she wouldn’t rip the stitches. After some heated back and forth, we compromised. She doesn’t have to wear it when in bed or sitting down, but as soon as she gets to her feet, it goes back on. We were like oil and water one minute and the next a perfect combination of Vegemite and butter on toast.
I fucking love her.
And she loves me back.
I really needed a shower after a day on-site and the long drive home, plus the hour at the hospital, but I couldn’t find it in me to leave Meadow. Pulling off
