Experiment #9

Chapter Nineteen: Not Lucky, I'm Loved

Maya and Lucas found themselves up at 2 am while everyone was asleep. "You're so lucky you don't have to work." Lucas mumbled as he stroked her arm.

Maya chuckled before looking up at him. "I am, but I hate that you feel like you have to stay up with me." He shook his head. "I want to stay up with you. I love every minute we're together." She smiled at him before pecking his lips.

"I don't know whether to believe my mind or not, but I have a feeling Lyla is up to something." Lucas chuckled at his girlfriend and her theories. "I'm serious, babe. She said things were going to get interesting. I understood the work bit. I mean it almost did Liam in, but I feel like that's child's play compared to what she's planning." Lucas squeezed her waist. "Whatever she has coming we'll be ready." She stared up at him and smiled.

"I love you." Lucas' eyes widened at the omission. "I know that technically we just recently defined our relationship, but I knew. I knew the moment I saw you." Maya chuckled to herself. "You're such a nerd and it's what I like most about you, because it's not all that you are. You're strong and brave..." Lucas shook his head vehemently. "You are though, babe. You were when we met and you've only gotten bolder and more confident and it's honestly the biggest turn on."

Lucas gave her a look that had her giggling. "I love you because you're kind. You're loyal. You're also the man I feel was made for me." Lucas caressed her cheek and smiled. "I love you too, Maya. I knew almost instantly, but I was too afraid to do anything about. When I think of the time I wasted..." She cupped his face. "Everything happens when it's supposed to." He nodded his head before pecking her lips.

They watched the stars and settled into one another when Maya sighed. It wasn't a content one. Lucas knew her sighs. He knew her laughs. He knew everything about her, so he knew for a fact that she was thinking about something. "What is it, my love?" Maya shook her head, but Lucas turned her to face him. "We don't have secrets in this relationship, you know that. What did Dr. Love say about communication?"

Maya sighed but nodded. "I'm just worried about leaving this place. This island is like the perfect habitat for our love to grow and flourish. The three months will be up and we'll be faced with inclement weather in the form of friends and harsh conditions in the form of family and I just...I don't want to lose you." It was Lucas's turn to sigh as he moved Maya to straddle and face him.

"There is nothing that will ever make you lose me, Maya. I joined this experiment to find my one true love. My spouse. My everything and you are it." He saw the tears in her eyes and sighed. "Baby..."

She shook her head as she wiped her eyes. "You've told me about your family. I also have Asian friends. You guys can be so racist when you want to be, especially against Black people. I'm afraid your family is going to hate me and you'll be forced to choose."

He wiped away a tear. "My family is a lot, but they will love you once they see how happy you make me. My mother might be a challenge, but that's her business not ours." He cupped her face and smiled at her. "There is no choice between you and my family, babe. You ARE my family and I will always choose you."

"What if you meet my family and realize I'm not worth it?" It was a whisper, but Lucas heard her. He rubbed her back as she looked at her fingers. "Maya, do you know why I love you so much?" She shook her head still not looking at him.

"I love you because you're vulnerable with me. The world sees you as this strong, brash woman, but to me you're Maya Lynn Gordon. A major softie with a love for anime and showtunes."

This got her to chuckle and he was glad. "I don't care that your mother was a junkie. I do care that you helped her through it when you were just a child and now she's been sober for twenty years. I don't care that you and your four brothers have different fathers who are not around. I do care that you love them all so well and they know they can always look to their big sister for anything. I love you, Maya. And I love all the things that made you who you are including your family."