Four years was a long time to be away from home. Too long, the idea had never felt as heavy on her heart as it did in that moment as they slowly drove through the neighborhood, she once called home. In all that time she believed she was doing the right thing by focusing on her education in hopes of gaining a better job. She had a well thought out journey one that would lead to a life of ease for her parents and pride for her estranged husband when she came back to show that the degree was indeed worth it in the end, and not a waste of time like he stated during so many arguments. But her parents were gone, nothing they did could bring them back and the judge decreed they'd have to wait ten years before they could even attempt to start their green card again. Sebastian would be elven by then, Cece in her last year of high school, and the twins well they would be far too grown for their parents to even make any of their milestones.
Her mother couldn't cope with losing them all so she chose to take baby Sebastian with her, and no one could fault her for that. But lulu she was left to pick up the broken pieces of their young heart. And that started with getting over her own fears. Cece had been bugging her for weeks to go see the De Luca family, according to her mother the girl had grown quite close to them in Lulu's absence. She had finally mustered up the courage that morning to go pay them a visit. As the uber pulled in front of the two-story Spanish style home lulu would take a deep breath before stepping out of it. Cece practically jumping out of her seat to get out the door.
It would be fine, things would be ok the words repeated themselves over and over in her mind as she knocked on the front door. Cece stood to her right holding a bouquet of flowers far bigger than herself for the family matriarch.
Sweat beaded against the temples of his forehead. Glistening against sun-kissed skin of his pectoral and abdomen. The glares of the sun were relentless and unyielding. The coolness of the breeze crawled against his skin providing momentary belief. His breathes were heavy and rugged as he lowered his figure from the pull up bar. The De Luca’s made it a habit to go to church on sundays. At least the matriarch did… Lucius couldn’t attest for his older brother nor his younger siblings. Instead of joining her within the cathedrals or be lost in the praise n’ worship, He made sanctuary in their at-home gym. Much to his mother’s disapproval. It was his peace…
After several minutes of rest, Lucius wasn’t nearly content. His mind drifted to a restless conclusion. One he visited more often than he liked to admit. His wife— Could she even be called that? Luciana uprooted her life…she’s gone. For four year she’s just— He thought begrudgingly. Lucius pivoted his hips, his left arm hugged closely to his chest. Alternatively, his right hand extended jabbing into the punching bag. One..Two..Three...five..six..eight..ten Silence eclipsed his lips, the sound of his whitened knuckles battering the punching bag quelled the festering irritation. It is what it is. Second to be married behind Anthony with little to show for it. Damn shame. His knuckles were tinted a deep crimson complexion. Probably have to ice it later. He sighed, before stepping for the backyard and into the bones of the house.
….
After twenty-five minutes, Lucius stepped from underneath the mouth of the shower head. Grabbing the towel, he fastened it at the natural dip of his waist. “I’ll be there in a minute” His voice carried from the second floor reaching anyone on the opposing side of the oak door. After putting on pair of cotton black briefs and pair of old basketball short. Woven from corn yellow fabric streaked with purple haze, proud colors of the Los Angeles National Basketball association, The Lakers. After five minutes, Lucius swayed quietly sauntering down the worn steps of the De Luca home. His fingers clasped the cool metal of the door knob. Maybe he should’ve went to church… what he saw standing on the opposing end was a catalyst of all his questions. His eyebrows knitted together, centering on the apex of the bridge of his nose.
“Luciana….”
Is all he could manage, a silence fastened his lips . After moments passed, he side stepped allowing her entry into the home. Lowered to his gaze to her right, Lucius saw little girl that was no longer the child attached at Luciana’s hip. The end of his lip circled, “Are those for Mama? You saved me a trip to the farmer market”
This was a mistake she could feel it in her bones as time seemed to slow the moment she rung the bell. She battled with herself for many nights debating on when she should tell them she arrived. Even considered the possibility of not telling them, how would things go if they simply bumped into her at the local bodega one day. Each scenario she envisioned none had ended well and Cece was adamant that her Sunday schedule not be thrown off for a third week in a row. She had grown accustomed the to hustle and bustle of the household when she still lived with her husband but it seemed eerily silent as if no one was there, the noise of outside drowning out the males voice so she did not hear when he said he'd be there in a second. Lulu considered letting herself in as she knew where the spare key was placed but what if she was wrong. doubt crept it as her mind once more began to imagine possible scenarios. What if this was no longer the De Luca home and during their weekly talks Lucious failed to tell her. No, that couldn't be the care. If not he, then Anthony or Adrianna would have spill such an event, even the matriarch who she spoke to on a near daily basis couldn't keep something like that from her or perhaps she was wrong and her place within the family wasn't as solid as she believed it to be.
After several moments of no answer, she'd come to the conclusion they'd still been in church and was prepared to leave if only to stop the racing of her heart which seemed to be pounding out of her chest. If not for Valencia who stood firm. Lulu squatting down to argue with the young girl who seemed to determined to stay until the door finally swung open causing her to quickly ride to her full height. Lucius, it just had to be her husband. She expected anyone but him had prayed it'd be Adrianna, even Jesus would have been acceptable, but she just wasn't prepared to face the male as of yet especially after their last conversation. " Honey, I'm home " the female stumbled over her words at a halfhearted attempt at a joke that seemed to be failing her in the moment. " We...I wanted to greet you guys at church but the meeting with mami and papi's lawyer ran longer than expected So I hope its ok we stopped by for Sunday brunch " Valencia acted as if she would die if she didn't go this week and in truth it would be the easiest way to let them all know she was back in town. But four years was a long time to be away, even her relationship with her siblings was as rocky as ever so she could only imagine how things would be with the members of the De Luca Tribe.
Hearing the males words the young girl walked in being sure to keep the flowers out of his reach as she wished to have all the credit for such a beautiful arrangement, something her sister would find amusing had this situation not been so awkward. She was told the two had formed a rather tight bond in her absence and it appeared there was some truth to that as she silently watched the two. Her gaze lingered on him before he turned his attention back to her and she attempted to feign innocence by looking away before smiling. " I can come back at a later time if you preferred, it seems we came at a bad time for you" She remarked looking the male up and down as it appeared she either caught him in the state of undress or the reverse. There was always the possibility he was working out or doing some handy work but he didn't appear to be sweaty enough for such task.
A ghostly white painted over his sun-kissed complexion. A hardened lump accompanied by an aching irritation gathered in his throat, it quelled his initial attempt to interrupt the silence. Why? Lucius pondered, eagerly wanting to know. After four years… why? What changed yesterday… and the day before that? The grip on the doorknob hardened, steading itself. His shoulders squared and naturally, his posture became uncharacteristically straight. Honey Lucius cleared his throat as the muscles on his jaw visibly flexed against the walls of skin. He forced the edge of his lip to curl, fashioning the same boyish grin he routinely sported.
This… was overwhelmingly awkward. Neither attempting to remedy that. Lucius childishly believed that wasn't a burden he should carry. He didn’t step out. He didn’t leave and abandoned what could’ve been promising. “You’re always welcomed here, you know that…” He paused, catching the bitterness that stained the tip of his tongue. She has to know that. “Church ended five minutes ago, it will be about an hour and a half before we can expect food to be plated” Which meant it was just them… alone. Well except for Valencia… but for all practical purposes— alone. Taking a step to the right, his gaze drifted to the little girl. She cradled the flowers close to her chest. Adamantly keeping it from his reach. An amused chuckle croaked from his throat.
“I’ll be with you in a minute Cece, we can pick out a vase. She’ll adore them” Lucius called, his voice uncharacteristically soft and maternal. Redirecting his attention, his half-lidded gaze wandered from the tip of her toes to the rosy cheeks that were flushed with nerves. It was cute. Leaning against the frame, his posture shifted, studying her features. “I was just working out, you caught me just after I got out of the shower” Lucius muttered, fastening his arms over his chest. Did the little mouse want to run again? Luc couldn’t promise that this time he wouldn’t chase.
Always welcomed Luciana wasn't always sure that to be the case but the words were a melody that tugged at her heart strings despite her wishing for the opposite. No doubt he meant that his family would welcome her with open arms as they had since the first day she had met his mother between the pews of the church. Hearing that church had just let out she nodded her head, it was nice to hear she wasn't so late. It meant she and Cece would not be interrupting things and perhaps she would be able to feel useful that morning than just an unwanted guest. " I'll get brunch started then " She told taking a few steps in towards the kitchen " I'm sure Mama will find it a nice surprise " It appeared the De Luca family traditions were still going strong which meant her mother in law would soon arrive to cook for everyone. But when carrying for others who cared for you, at least in this sense Lulu could make sure the elderly woman was the one relaxing for once.
Valencia seemed to find her place in the house far more comfortable than Luciana and she skipped over to the kitchen and began looking at the various flower vases all kept far out of her reach to decide which she preferred best to go with the color combination at hand. "hmm maybe i should have came over sooner then " the female whispered to herself before flashing a smile when it appeared as if he heard her. " I joke of course " Or did she? Lulu had left the male's side and into the kitchen before it could even be questioned.
A childish light emanated from the dark topaz ripples of his irises. The bed of his tongue salivating at the idea of her in the kitchen cooking. It may have been several years, but Lucius could always recall the distinct flavors of Luciana’s cooking. A category on its own. His stupid little heart fluttered against his ribcage. Closing the door his boyish grin morphed into a gleeful smile on Lucius’ face. As promised, on his way to the kitchen he stopped in front of white opaque painted see through cabinets. Hm Lucius made no verbal rebuttal against Lulu’s ill placed jokes. Swiftly he reminded himself not now... Luc didn’t want another argument. Their tempters were fierce and aflame, but in different ways. He often joked that they were meant to burn together.
There was a plethora of vases shelled here. Some he himself had gifted, others Christmas gifts or anniversary presents. Luc picked the ones that complimented greenery and colorful hues of the flora and the two that Valencia was eagerly eyeing.
