A Flame From The Past

60: Seriousness

"You're serious". I asked him the third time along this unruly drive home. And he responded for the third time, with the same answer. "I'm serious". He reaffirmed my mind, I had asked him twelve times, since he had told me meant it, that he was in for the difficulties but he couldn't do it without me. I was counting the amount of times I could ask before he refusively snapped at me, before he decided that it was a good idea. But he was calm, sure of himself. Sure of me.

My eyes panned to the backseat, Ray fell asleep. As soon as we had set foot in the door, he was out like a light. He had a long day, and I think he knew we did too. Luca stayed at the school for most of the day, he spent most of his time doing paperwork that I landed on his desk, just popping in moments to ask for my information. He left for practice and then came back just in time to pick us up.

I knew he was exhausted, I knew Luca was doing something I shouldn't have asked of him. I was selfish, wanting Ray for my own, knowing I personally couldn't give him a home, but now that Luca wanted him too. I would do everything in my power to make this home a forever home, the best he could imagine with two people that love him the most.

"Are you sure... you want to do this? I never should've..." I told him, but he stopped me, his eyes glaring like a maddened man.

"I love you and Ray. I want you both to be a part of my family, I promise. I want this just as much as you do". He said, his hand slowly whirling towards mine. He held my hand, almost for me to feel his pulse, he was calm, he was sure.

And I thought about how good this would be for Ray, how he would love this, how this would be the last time, he wouldn't have to worry anymore. He would be safe with us, and he could call us his mom and dad if he wanted. He would have parents, he would have a home that would never change. We were in this together, no surprises.

"How will we tell him?" I asked, his eyes panned to the mirror in the front, I knew it matched up with Ray as he stared contently.

"Together". Luca said as he pulled into his own garage. We had the plan to tell him tonight, but how. How was the question?

"You sure he'll be okay". I asked him and he nodded, bringing my hand to his mouth, lightly kissing it. He nodded just as he let go and went to open the backseat.

"We'll figure out our schedule and how we can get my boy to every game". Luca said, smiling geeking.

"Your boy?" I asked, with my own smile.

"My boy". He said, smiling as he went to take Ray in his hands. He lifted him up and brought him through the doors of the complex.

Sal was standing there merrily to see us entering, he exchanged a large smile with me and I think he knew what this meant. I was worried when I had left, frantic, and now here I was bringing Ray up with me.

"I see everything has been resolved". Sal said, his eyes particularly on me and Luca looked over at me, noticing how Sal was referring to me especially. Sal sent us to the elevator, and we clicked the button, furiously ready to speak to one another in the comforts of a home, well I guess my own home now.

"I was worried this morning, you left and I-. I thought you had left me, and you weren't ready, and you were scared". I let out, feeling a weight being lifted off of my chest as he looked over at me, worried looking over.

"I won't ever leave you, I made a promise and I'll keep to it". He said, his free hand, taking it in mine as I smiled.

"That happens too much for us". I joked, trying to brighten the mood. But he didn't get it.

"Us leaving each other". I said, saying it loud made our problems seem realer. The elevator dinged, just as I stepped out of the elevator, ready to be embraced by a place I would call home for the next few years, until we grew sick of each other or he begged me to move out. Finally taking back his words he had made me promise to.