Finding My Second Swan

Chapter 13

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

As soon as the door to Luca's class opened, Nathan squeezed my hand. He's not let go since leaving V's place. He actually held my hand while we sat on the bus. We couldn't go on his bike; much to my disappointment, but since we were picking Luca up we couldn't go on it. I should try to save for a car though. I mean, it would make life so much easier.

"ATE, you came you came back."
Nathan chuckled while Luca bolted towards him, almost knocking him to the ground. Well, not really. I mean, if that was me who he'd done that. Trust me, I would've been on the ground by now. Yet Nathan's stronger, he stands strong and just picks him up again with ease. Hell, it's like he weighs nothing. Of course, he had to let go of my hand to do it but once Luca's settled he'd once again taken hold of my hand. He'd held on instantly causing sparks a shitload of sparks to fly up my arm. Oh lord, my insides are actually dancing again just with this image that I have in front of me. I see a few mothers looking over at me I'm guessing they're wondering who he is. I guess they're thinking that we look like a happy family. If I didn't know our situation you know since Nath isn't Luca's dad but we do look like a happy family. I only hope this lasts. I hope that Nath is truly ready for this. I do because if he's not; I'm screwed. I really do want this with him.

"Yeah, little buddy, of course, I came back. Trust me, nothing's gonna keep me away from you. I mean, who else am I gonna watch the bikes with?"

He's tickling him now making him laugh, which made me smile. I'm just watching them again watching them while they interact. You can see they truly like each other. Of course, you can probably see it on my face. Oh crap, I really do like him a lot. Nathan, please don't hurt us. Before walking into the schoolyard, Nath called a taxi to take us to his mother's home.
Christ, my stomach's been going crazy ever since. Well, it's been going crazy since he said he wants this, but more so now since I'm meeting the parents. All sorts of shit's going through my head. What if they hate me what if they don't approve? All the usual panicked questions a single parent would have. You know with meeting the parents, especially ones that aren't any relation to my child. All the while we were in the taxi, Luca and Nath were as cool as cucumbers. I'm freaking out. My legs are bouncing, and my palms are sweating. I just keep on having visions of them not approving.

"Hey, calm down it'll be fine, okay? Don't worry. Trust me, Darcy, everything's going to be just fine."

Again, he's intertwining his fingers with mine giving my hand a little squeeze. Of course, that was after he kissed my hand first. So after giving a little nervous nod of my head, I take in a deep breath, which I lose once again when he tells me we're here.

"Believe me, we'll be okay."

When we step out of the taxi, Luca calls out to Leo as he walks out of his front door.
"Hey, little man how was school?"
Luca tells him "It was boring," which I rolled my eyes at. Only because he'd told me it was fun.
"Oh well, now I've got just the thing to make y'all day a little better. We've got some ice cream in the freezer, especially for you. That is after you had your dinner, of course. I mean, if that's okay, with your mom?"
He's looking over at me waiting for me to answer him. Of course, I just give my head a little nod silently telling him it's okay. So as Luca's asking Leo what kind of ice cream they have that's when I feel Nathan's hand again. He's taking hold of mine and again giving it a little reassuring squeeze. I'm looking up at him I'm guessing I look a little scared. He's now leaning in and placing a gentle kiss on my lips while telling me to relax.
"Baby, they all know I'm bringing you and Luca. Come on, let's go."

The second I walk inside their living room, I hear Luca ask Nathan's mum what her name is.

"Well, now hello little man. My name is Dawn and what might your name be?"
She's smiling while kneeling so she's at his level. This is a good sign, right? It's one thing being polite to a kid, but she's still to say anything to me.
"Uca, my name is Uca."
She grins while biting her lip, seeming to hold her laughter in. Then she tilts her head to look at me. Oh God, I feel like I'm going to fall. My shaky legs are making it very hard for me to stand luckily Nath, is by my side still, holding my hand.
"That that's Luca. His name is Lucas, but everyone calls him Luca."
She nods, telling me Nathan had mentioned it.
"Well, now it's a pleasure to finally meet you, Luca. Nathan tells me you like bikes too, huh?"
Luca's face lights up like a Christmas tree just with the mention of bikes. Hell, especially now since she's telling Leo to give him something.
"We've got you a little gift."
Naturally, I startle a little. I'm telling her she didn't have to get him anything.
"Psh, it's nothing. Honestly, it only cost a few pounds. It'll keep him entertained while I get to know the young lady who's captured my son's heart."
She shocks me when she walks over to me and hugs me she's hugging me. Oh, my days. Total shock was written on my face. Only I end up giggling when she tells me to relax.
"Mummy, ook-Ook what I got dhey got me a bike. Ook Ate, it's an onda bike."
That's a Honda bike to you and me.
"Wow, it's the same as mine."
Luca nodded with a big grin on his face. And obviously, I remind him to thank Leo and Dawn, which he does and with hugs. Bless him.

"Come on through to the kitchen, you can tell me all about how you both met. I've made my famous fajitas but I'm not sure if Luca, will like them. If not, I've got some burgers and fries for him instead."

Before I could answer, she's linking her arm up with mine and guided me with her. Oh hell, my heart's still going crazy. As I eventually, sit down at her dinner table, my legs finally relax a little. Then she sets to work on preparing the food. Then just as I'm asking her if I can help with anything Nathan sits down.
He's sitting by my side, and I instantly move into him. Feeling his warmth I'm finding it calming.

"Oh, no thank you, sweets. I've got everything covered. So you just sit back and relax."
Nathan leaned in and whispered in my ear, asking if I'm okay.
"Yeah, I'm good."

I'm grinning shyly while looking into his eyes. I'm taken by surprise when he moved in and placed a gentle kiss on my lips. That's when I notice the silence. Of course, when I realise what was happening, my face flushed red. It's when I hear his mum clear her throat.
Oh hell.

"So kids, tell me... how did you two meet?"
Oh crap! This should be interesting. Nathan's rubbing the back of his neck while his face turned red.
"W-well," he pauses and after clearing his throat he carried on.
"I mean, it all started when I kind of pissed her off."
After explaining how we met, and finally meeting his little sister Rosie, I found I needed the bathroom.
"Oh yeah, it's upstairs... the second door on your right," Dawn tells me and then Nathan whispers into my ear again but this time he's making sure no one can hear him.
"I can show you if you want?"
Yeah, I'm chuckling away telling him I think I can manage.
"If I find myself lost, I'll call down for you."

"Mummy, I need the loo."
Luca jumps up from his perch from sitting next to Rosie. He's taken a bit of a shine to her and well he's not left her side since she'd walked through the door. So taking his hand I make my way upstairs to where I see a bunch of old photos of Nathan and I'm guessing his sisters. Whoa, he was a pretty cute kid. This made me think of what our kids would look like. You know, if have any. Wow, what is wrong with my brain? Okay, slow your ropes woman it's far too soon to be thinking about kids.

"Mummy, I need to pee," Luca, says bringing me out of my wayward thoughts.
"Oh, sorry, baby. Come on, let's go."

After relieving our bladders, we washed our hands and made our way back downstairs. Only while I waited for Luca, I overheard them talking. Nathan and his mother.

"Are you really sure about this, Nathan? I mean, you've only known her for a short time. I-I don't want you getting hurt again, son."
They go silent for a beat and then I hear him.
"She's special... different. The way I feel about her it's different, you know? I-I feel like I can breathe again."
Hearing him made me smile with tears in my eyes.

"Mummy, I'm finished."
Luca almost sings out the words. Hearing it made me chuckle. Then just before I go back into the bathroom I hear his mum again.

"Well, then as long as you know what you're doing, son. But if she truly is the one, then you both have our blessing. Plus, I really like her and that boy of hers is just adorable. I think I'm more surprised you've brought both of them to meet us. I mean, I think this is like the second time you've ever done this since..."
I'm bracing myself, just waiting to see if she mentions her.
"Since you were about eleven years old and even then, she was just your friend."

Breathes in a sigh of relief, just hearing this made my tummy flutter. Wow, I'm the only girlfriend he's brought home to meet them?
Inserts; the warm and fuzzies.