Chapter 24Ciara

Chapter 24

Ciara

The day was beautiful with no threat of rain. There was no cloud in the skies and the sun shone down with all its glory. Birds chirped in the nearby trees while a dog barked in the distance.

The small gathering in the cemetery with close friends and family gave me comfort. Luca held my hand on the right and Neve held the left. I hadn't cried since Cory died but today, I felt emotional.

A tremor passed through me when the minister read his last rites and asked me to say my farewell. Luca and Neve let go of my hand and I plucked a rose from one of the wreaths. I knelt, gently laying the rose on the casket.

"Cory, we did it. You can now rest in peace. I know, it will take a while for me to be at peace, but it will get better. I love you."

I stood, brushed my knee and stepped back. They started lowering the coffin, my heart drumming violently, my chest bursting.

I cried, "No, not yet."

"Ciara, it's time," Luca whispered.

"No, I can't do this."

Neve held my hand. "Sis, you got to let go now. Not just Cory, but those tears you're suppressing."

Her words were the last straw. I turned and buried my face in her neck, feeling the tears finally flowing. She held me close for a while until Luca came to rescue me. We stood there long after the minister had completed his duties and people had gone.

Nando took Neve because she'd been standing for a while. I was left there with Luca holding me and soothing me.

"Let's go," I croaked, wiping my tears.

"I will stay with you as long as you like."

"The repass, we have to go."

"The repass will be fine. Take as long as you like."

I inhaled a shuddering breath and hugged him closely. "I'm glad you're here with me."

"I wont ever leave you."

I raised my head to look at him. "That's not something you should be saying."

"But it's true, I don't want to leave you, ever."

"Why?"

Luca cupped my face. "I love you."

"I can't tell you the same right now. But I know I want you by my side. I feel safe and comfortable with you and no one else."

"That's good enough for me."

"Take me somewhere. I want to cuddle with you."

"And the repass?"

"You said it will be fine. Neve and Nando are there. It will be okay."

Luca drove us to a hotel where we cuddled, drank wine and talked. I love that he could be this kind of man, the friend and the lover when needs be. He said he loved me and I was sure I felt something for him, I just couldn't define it on the day my brother was buried.

* * *

It's been three months since I buried my brother. Luca suggested we take a vacation together. At first, I wasn't sure but I finally agreed to it. We took a cruise around the Caribbean, visiting the most beautiful tropical destinations. We settled into a routine back home where he'd spend most nights with me, or I'd spend the night with him. We were barely apart, and I'd become accustomed to having him by my side.

For the cruise we booked one room for both of us. Whenever we stayed at a hotel it was the same. We were basically joined at the hips. We'd talked about his son and in the beginning, I was reluctant to have a relationship with a man who had a child. However, the way Luca treated me made all my doubts and reservations disappear.

Tonight was beautiful with the sea breeze whipping my mid-length dress around my legs, Luca hugged me from behind as we rocked to some reggae music.

"I love this," I murmured. "I wished we could stay like this forever."

"We can," he replied. "If we get married."

"I'm not marrying you," I replied.

"Stop joking," he said. "It's not funny anymore."

"I'm not joking. I can't marry you."

"Why not?" He let me go and stepped aside. "Are you breaking up with me?"

I reached for him "No. I love you."

"Then why won't you marry me?"

"You're gonna think it's silly. But it's how I feel."

‘Talk to me."

"I feel that everyone I love dies. My mom is basically dead because she can't' recognize me. Our father died years ago, and now Cory. You and I both work in a dangerous field, and when I think about it, it scares me."

"Babes, you just lost your brother, you are going to feel this way. I will wait until you are ready for that commitment."

"It's not that I'm not committed…"

"I know," he whispered, hugging me again and kissing my hair,

"I do love you."

"And I love you."

The End