A Flame From The Past

72: Missing You

"When's daddy going to be home?" Ray said, as I was tucking him. This question he asked many times tonight.

Ray had gotten very comfortable with calling Luca his dad, and it made my heart happy. Fuller than usual. I had never been more grateful to be let into this family, to create a family as loving as this one. I would move heavens and earths for the little boy sitting in front of me, and knowing he was happy was the most calming feeling in the world.

"Daddy's going to be home tomorrow night, now get some sleep so we can go see him". I said, as Ray looked disappointed. Luca was extremely busy this week, the Super Bowl was tomorrow. He's spent his whole career working towards this moment. And here he was. And here we were right behind him.

"I want to say good night to daddy please". Ray pleaded. Luca and the rest of the team were all staying at the hotel before the big game. Something they usually ended up doing, Ray and I had both been missing him as we hadn't seen him since Wednesday night. It was Saturday night now and I was missing him.

Luca was really busy, but according to the text he had sent me he was in his room. I figured a quick call wouldn't hurt. I dialed his line, put it on speaker, and he picked up on the first ring.

"Fuck... I missed you-". A gruff voice sounded on the other end as Ray cut in and all I could do was laugh.

"Daddy, it's me". Ray squealed into the phone. I held my breath waiting to hear his voice. As I heard a gruff laugh.

"Oh Hi buddy. I missed you so much". Luca said, and I just knew he had been taken by surprise. I left the room, letting them talk as I went to the kitchen to wash up some dishes from dinner.

I came back after I had finished up, and interrupted their conversation.

"Buddy, it's time to say goodnight to daddy. He has a big day tomorrow". I said, cutting in as Ray said his cheerful goodnight to Luca and handed off the phone to me. I said goodnight to ray and tucked him in, shutting the door behind me.

"Hi". I spoke to the phone, wondering if he was still there.

"Holy fuck, I've missed you". He said, followed by a loud sigh of relief. His voice is so calming, something I've needed to hear.

"I've missed you too". I said, pulling back the covers to our huge bed, missing him very badly.

"Is it bad that you're all I can think about?" He whispered into the phone. "Not at all". I said, following his gruff of a laugh. God, I was so in love with this man.

"What if you came here?" He asked, and I wasn't sure if he was joking. Everything seemed to be very literal to him.

"I'll be there figuratively, through the phone". I said, as he let out a sigh and got back to whatever he was doing.

"Guess where I am". I asked, as he let out a laugh knowing which direction I was going.

After a pause, I speak. "Your bed". But he's quick to correct me.

"You're in our bed?" He asked, his voice now so subtle and soft.

"Mhm... I'm waiting". I say, edging him on as my voice gets softer.

"Waiting for what, Cara Mia". He asked, his voice creeping into the very edges of my brain. I let his voice ripple through my body as I slide my hand down.

"You".

"Say what you want, Bella". He caresses his voice, and I wish he was here more than ever.

"Your hands, your lips, your voice". I list out holding onto the last bit.