Swift Encounters

Iliana- Forgiving, lunch dates, baby news?

It was a shock to see Stoffel standing in front of me, my heart felt as if it could jump out of my chest any given moment, I knew it was all thanks to Casey and her stubbornness that the man of my dreams stood in front of me ready to apologize, I could see Case and Dan slipping out the door but my brain was unable to register the words she spoke, my focus entirely on Stoffel. "Hi." Was all I could think of to say, I hadn't seen him in months and all of a sudden the man is standing in my living room, what was I supposed to say? "Hey Lina, it's nice to see you again." The awkward tension was clearly visible between the two of us but neither of us wanted to be the first to say sorry, our pride clearly in the way. "Ha, yeah nice to see you too Vandoorne." The words felt like sharp needles on my tongue as the words he said that day kept playing over and over in my head. Stoffel's shoulders fell at the tone in my voice, he knew that nothing has been forgotten. "Listen Lina I'm so very sorry and I know sorry won't fix anything but I want you to know that I am truly sorry, I never wanted to hurt you and I used Andrew as an excuse to hurt you because I didn't want you to hurt me, I know I'm a selfish bastard who doesn't deserve you or you're love or you're forgiveness or anything for that matter, but I want you to know that I love you Iliana Smith with all my selfish heart and stubborn soul and messed up life, you mean so much to me that I was afraid to let you anywhere near me, so I became a coward, and I'm sorry for that and I'm sorry for hurting you, I would do anything, anything to make it up to you and show you how much I love you because I can't imagine my life without you." Stoffel stopped in front of me as he ended his little speech, I could feel his breath on my face, the warmth radiating off of him, his hand lightly brushing against my own, I knew what I wanted and I wanted him, it will always be him no matter how much we hurt each other I think in the end we will just end up back together.  "And I'm sorry for giving up on you, I'm sorry for not fighting for us, I'm sorry for being stubborn, and I'm sorry for not telling you the whole story the moment we decided to be together, I hope that you can find it in yourself to forgive me someday." We were standing chest to chest touching but not touching at the same time, it was torture. "There is absolutely nothing to forgive Lina but I hope you can forgive me for being a coward, I promise I'll make it up to you sweetheart." Stoffel's hand caressed my cheek moving some wild hair out of my face as his eyes searched my own for any doubt. "You can start with giving me a kiss you stubborn man." Our lips were barely touching it was just a feather light touch, a little tease. Stoffel made quick work of it wrapping his arm around me his other hand lightly gripping my hair to keep me in place while his lips devoured mine in a kiss so soft but yet so passionate that it left me stunned, completely breathless. "I missed this, I missed you Lina so damn much." Stoffel whispered when we pulled away from each other, his head resting against mine, our breaths mingling, bodies tightly pressed against one another. That was how it was supposed to be from the start, just him and I no drama no ex's just us and the love we have for each other, well that and lots of puppies and my sister.

The days that followed was relaxed, Stoffel and I going to the beach, staying in bed watching movies, making dinner and pretending to be master chefs, almost burning my apartment down to the ground and just being with each other talking about anything and everything there was to talk about, Casey and Daniel showed up a couple of times to check if we were still alive and inviting us to lunch with them, not that we really wanted to get out of bed but Stoff said that it would be rude to say no to them, so there we were rolling out of bed dragging our selfs to the bathroom to get ready for lunch.

"Can't we just call them and say the front door broke and you have to fix it we won't be able to make it?" I knew it was a lame excuse but damn I just wanted to stay wrapped up in Stoffel's arms. Stoffel's loud laughter filled my ears as we slowly made our way to the small little restaurant around the corner, "it won't work baby, your sister will know its a lie and drag us to lunch if she has to." I knew he was right but a little part of me wished that it could've worked. "I know, maybe we can just not show up? How bout that?" Stoffel only chuckled at my attempts to get out of the date and back home. "God why can't Daniel just keep her in bed with sex or something!?" It was silent for a few seconds as we stood in front of the restaurant. "What about Daniel and sex?" Casey's voice suddenly came from behind me. If it was the olympics I would've gotten a gold metal for high jumping right then and there, and let's not even mention the blood curling scream that I managed to let out as the little devil of a sister of mine laughed her ass off at me. "I will kill you Casey! I swear I will kill you in you're sleep tonight!" I glared at her when I finally managed to get my heartbeat stable again. Casey laughed as she pulled me in for a hug followed by a quick kiss on the cheek before moving on to greet Stoff. "What's up buttercup?" Daniel enfolded me in a tight hug. "Nothing much cupcake, just wondering why you couldn't have kept my sister busy with other activities than dragging me and my man out of bed." Daniel just shook his head chuckling at the serious expression on my face, soon I was pulled into a side hug by Dan as we made our way into the restaurant, comfortable conversation flowing between the four of us.

It wasn't until we were calmly seated our orders placed, conversation flowing that I took the time to look at Case and Dan, for once my sister was actually happy, the way Daniel would pull her closer to his side so that he can drape his arm across her shoulders or the way Case would cuddle into his side every now and then, the way Dan ran his fingers through her hair, the way their eyes lit up when they looked at each other, they were truly happy and in-love. It made me think of Stoffel and I, it made me automatically lean closer to his side enjoying the warmth radiating from him, he was like my own personal heater.

"Oh god Lina hide me!" I was pulled from my thoughts at Casey's frantic words. "Wait what?" I couldn't help but sound confused as I looked as the two men only to get very confused looks from them as well. "Elliot!" Casey harshly whispered as she let her hair fall in-front of her face trying to shield herself. I could see Daniel's posture going ridged at the mention of Casey's ex, I too tried to subtly look around for the scumbag until my eyes finally landed on the little weasel. The prick was casually making his way to our table girlfriend in tow, a stupid smirk on his face. Shit was about to get real.

"Well well we'll, if it isn't poor Casey, i see you finally found someone who would want you, who knew miracles do still happen." The idiot laughed at Casey determined to hurt her once again. My blood was boiling, I was just about to get up and give him a piece of my mind when I felt Stoffel's hand on my thigh giving it a light squeeze, that's when a saw a very angry but calm Daniel clear his throat. "Listen mate I would very much appreciate it if you didn't talk to my wife that way, and don't you ever dare say something like that to her ever again! It's not her fault your a bloody excuse of a man with no backbone whatsoever that enjoys hurting and cheating on their women, it's not her fault your a coward either, so if you'll leave that would be awesome," Daniel asked with the most sarcastic voice I have ever heard, Elliot was about to make another snark comment when Daniel blew us away with his next question. "You okay sweetheart? I don't want you to be stressing about unimportant stuff, it's not good for you or the baby." Daniel softly touched Casey's stomach giving her a kiss on the cheek. "A baby??" Stoffel whispered a very worried and confused look on his face. I just smiled in reply not wanting to give away anything. "Well congratulations then" Elliot turned away walking a few steps before turning back again looking Casey in the eye, "this should've been us you know." I could see Daniel's face turning red with anger, he was beyond done with his guy. "Yes well it takes a real man to marry such a beautiful magnificent woman, and it takes a real man to satisfy her, something I've heard you could never quite accomplish, so please if we are done here that would be great I just really want to have lunch with my family." Daniel sat back in his chair, his arm wrapped around Casey and a very smug look on his face as he saw Elliot's shoulders fell, a defeated look on his face. "Yeah we're having a baby so fuck you pal!" I couldn't stop the words from leaving my mouth, I had to have the last say in this little drama fest. Elliot took the hint and got away for us as soon as possible but not without sending Case a last longing look.

"Well shit, I'm glad that's over, but now I want to have a baby! Stoff can we get a baby?" Stoffel almost chocked on his drink causing us all to burst with laughter at his shocked expression. "Wow okay Lina I think we are going a little to fast don't you? Maybe wait a few years before we have a baby, let's just get married first how about that?" I couldn't help but smile at the thought of marrying Stoffel. "You want to marry me?" Stoffel pulled my chair closer so that we sat against each other, "Well of course I want to marry you and have a family and a few dogs and a big house, but you'll have to give me some time before we can start with our happily ever after okay?" I pulled him closer for a quick kiss, enjoying his soft lips against my own. "Okay."
The four of us continued with the lunch, talking about the upcoming races, work and maybe a vacation soon after. It was right after we had the most delicious dessert that I decided why not give it one last shot. "So uhm Stoff can we get a baby?"