Strings of Love

Chapter Seventeen

Luca awakes to Max laying underneath him. "Good morning,"Luca said as he kissed Max. Max's arms wrapped around his waist and pulled him closer. "Good morning,"Max said.

Max leaned up and kissed Luca. They both got up and went to the bathroom. They showered, brushed their teeths, and got dressed. "Luca,"Max said.

"Yeah? Luca asked while running his hands through his hair and putting on his beanie. "Where's Mariah?" Max asked. Luca walked into the room and he didn't see Mariah in the bed.

"Maybe she was discharged early,"Luca said. Max nodded. "Come on, we need to go,"Luca said. Max took his boyfriend's hand and followed him into the elevator.

They reached the Lobby floor and left the hospital. Max got into the driver's seat and drove to Warner's Diner. They got their usual order and hung out all day.

"Babyboy,"Max said while walking up behind Luca and wrapping his arms around his waist, "You'd look very good in this." Luca noticed what Max was holding. Black Lingerie. His face went red and he shook his head.

"Maxwell Young,"Luca blushed, "Put that back on the rack, we aren't here for us, we're here for Mariah." "A Lingerie store is for your 5 year old sister?" Max asked teasingly.

Luca sighed and giggled. "We're leaving, my mom should be home with Riah now,"Luca said. Max nodded and followed Luca out of the store and back to the car.

They arrived at Luca's house and walked inside the house. His mom, Kate, and Alex were sitting on the couch, but Mariah wasn't home.

"Where's Mariah?" Luca asked. Alex sniffled and ran his hands through his hair. "I can't do it,"Alex cried, "I can't, Kate." Kate nodded and looked at Luca.

"This isn't going to be easy to say,"Kate cried, "But I promise I'm going to try my best to explain it." Max's expression went blank and he pulled Luca close to him. His grip tightened protectively.

"Luca...,"His mom cried, "Listen to me very carefully, okay." Luca nodded confusingly.

"Last night was her final night,"His mom cried, "...Her heart stopped when you and Max were sleeping. We didn't wake you up, because of everything that happened. I'm so sorry. Mariah's gone, baby."

Luca didn't move. He was frozen in fear, disbelief, and pain. "W-What?" Luca asked as tears formed in his eyes. "She's gone, she died this morning,"His mom cried.

Luca shook his head. "No, that's not possible!" Luca exclaimed, "I was with her last night! I-I...She was my little sister!" Luca dropped to the ground in tears and frustration.

His mom, Kate, Alex, and Max all hugged him. "I'm sorry,"Alex cried. Luca cried in their arms. "She's really gone?" Luca asked in tears.

His mom nodded. Luca cried harder. "No, no, no!" Luca cried loudly, "Mariah!" The night was spent in tears. No one interfered with the moment. Just tears.

Mariah was gone and there wasn't anything Luca could've done to stop it. His little sister was dead and he blamed himself.