Daylight

Chapter Fifteen

Weeks passed by quickly, too quickly. In the blink of an eye, the date for Sebastian's departure was upon them. After several months of closeness, of being together most of the time, it would feel lonely at home. Emptier. As much as they had all tried to smile through it, tears had been shed and desperate I love you's were shared between the three of them before Sebastian disappeared into LAX.

Ava put on a brave face for Luca. She had cried, yes, but it was her job to keep him as upbeat as possible. They had a life to keep living after all. She picked up more hours once Seb was gone, knowing she'd need to keep herself busy so she wouldn't just sit around waiting for Seb's calls or texts.

Today, she'd been sent home early after she'd received a nasty steam burn from working in the laundry room at the hotel. She'd gone to urgent care and was finally home. As she stepped into the apartment, she tossed her keys next to the door and locked it behind her before she collapsed in a heap on the couch.

Luca looked up from reading a book in his room. "Momma?" He called before closing his book and walking down the hall. "Are you okay?"

Ava had just closed her eyes for a moment when she heard Luca's voice. She opened her eyes and sat up, smoothing her hands over her tired face. "I'm fine, niño," she told him with a gentle smile as he came into view. "I had a little accident at work but it's not a big deal."

"An accident? Are you sure that you're okay?" he asked. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

She smiled sadly as her beautiful boy offered her assistance. He shouldn't be the one to worry about me. "No, bebé, I just hurt my arm a little. I'm fine," she tried to assure him, and... partly, she was lying. The burn was second degree, but it was wrapped right now. It would hurt like a bitch for a week or two, but it would heal. Just one more scar to add to the ones her body already carried. "I don't think I can cook tonight, though. So, we can eat leftovers or order something."

Luca's face brightened. "Do you want me to do it? I like cooking, even if it's just heating something up. Would that be okay Momma?"

His smile brightened hers and she nodded gently. "Si, that would be okay," she affirmed. "Let me get the leftovers out of the fridge," she said as she pushed herself up off of the couch.

The young boy turned and followed his mom into the kitchen, noticing the bandage on her arm, but staying quiet about it. He knew it would just make her dismiss it again. "Have you heard from him today?"

Opening the fridge, Ava leaned in to pull out Tupperware containers full of last night's dinner. She glanced back in Luca's direction as she walked them to the countertop. "We said good morning," she replied, her heart heavy in spite of all of the positive thoughts she tried to keep in mind. She missed him. "He had a meeting with his agent, and I was working. What about you?" she asked, knowing that Luca adored hearing from Sebastian.

"He sent me a picture of his apartment today," Luca smiled. "It's a pretty place. He even said that there's a room that could be mine if we ever go there."

Her smile warmed as she pulled pots down for Luca to use. She set them on the stove and stepped back, allowing him to take over with her supervision. If we ever go there, right. She wanted to believe with all of her heart that this was going to work, but those voices in the back of her mind were sometimes hard to quiet.

"Well, I'm glad you got to talk to him. He... really cares about you a lot," she replied, feeling her throat start to tighten up as her eyes grew a little glassy.

"He told me he was going to talk to you about it the next time he calls you," Luca replied as he got on his step stool to start dinner for them. "I miss him a lot."