Exposed

Chapter Twenty-One

My eyes slowly peel open as the bright sun shines into them. I pull my heavy head off the pillow, searching the room for Matteo. I find him seated by the window, dressed in only his jeans, staring at me. He breathes in, leaned back casually, a finger pressed to his lips and I blush.

"Have you been watching me?"

He nods.

"For how long?"

"Hours," he replies without shame. My heart bursts.

"Any... particular reason?"

"I've been thinking."

I ease up onto my elbows. "About?"

"The getaway."

"You don't think you can do it?"

He smiles softly. "I've been thinking your family could come, your friends. I was thinking maybe we could have a ceremony. I could marry you again, properly this time."

Blinking, I begin to wonder if I'm still dreaming.

"Are you serious?"

"Only if you want to."

"My mom isn't talking to me, Matteo."

"What happened? I can't imagine your mom being that angry... at you, at least."

"She'd been planning my marriage since I was three. I mean, she has scrapbooks. She has the something blue, the something old, for both of her daughters. When I met Danny, she tried to book a venue years in advance... that is how crazy she is about our weddings."

His eyes are wide. "Then why in God's name did you let me marry you like that?"

"Because Charles was more important than her fantasy wedding."

He scoffs. "So, on a scale from one to ten, she hates me... infinitely?"

"She doesn't hate you." He stares at me and I rephrase. "She doesn't like you, but she doesn't hate you."

He breathes in. "I could try to talk to her."

"You don't want her wrath, Matteo."

"I married you without their consent. I need to apologize. We can talk to them, fix things."

"I don't understand why you care about what they feel so much."

"Emma, the last thing I want is you to stop speaking with them. You know why."

It takes a second for the reason to click, and when it does, my gut sinks. The consequence of pushing is parent's away lead to a life of heartache. It still preys on him. I know it will never go away. He'll always have nightmares; he'll always remember the day they died.

I nod, knowing it's time to bury the hatchet. "I'll call them."

He smiles softly, leaning forward. "We'll call them."

***

Matteo guides me into the apartment that cartoons are ringing from. Veronica looks up from the kitchen as we enter the premises, her hair a mess on top of her head. She was clearly called for right out of bed and hasn't gotten a chance to fix herself up. Charles has taken his toll on her.

"Well, you two look a lot happier than yesterday. Good news?"

Matteo smiles softly. "We're working through it."

I leave Matteo's side and walk up to Charles who is smothered in milk and cereal. I grin, bending down to get his occupied attention. However, the airplane in his hands is far too important. I kiss his cheek, straightening.