Chapter 57: fifty seven

December was cold but since it was almost Christmas, Lexus was going to be free after arranging a few things. Summer was spending her time here too, not that I mind that but in a way, it's wrong.

I realized that summer wasn't even trying to get along with her step mom.

It's 24th today and she should be with her parents. I guess, no matter how smart she is, she is a kid.

Her step mother, Raina, had come to pick her up and was waiting downstairs for summer while I went to get her. Eli once said Raina was a good person and come to think of it, she drops and picks up Summer quite often, so I'm guessing they just lack communication.

"Summer?" I called her as she was playing in the last room on her stomach. "Your mom is here to pick you up."

"Step mom." She said and stood up. I sighed and walked to her. Crouching down a bit to talk to her.

"Summer. Do you address her like that too?"

"No, I call her name."

I sighed again, "That's wrong summer. You should call her mom."

"Why? She's not my real family."

I stroked her hair gently, "Summer family isn't only about being related by blood." She stared at me with no response, "It's about the bond you have with the person."

"But I don't have a bond with her."

"That's because you never tried." She frowned at my words, "You want a real mother right? Raina will love you like one but you have to give her a chance."

"..."

"Summer?"

"... Okay… But how?"

"Well, how about you start by calling her mom? And later spending time with her?"

"...Fine."

She then took my hand and we went downstairs, Raina was sitting on the sofa, waiting.

"We're here." I said and she looked at us.

"Oh, Good, let's go then summer." She stood up and turned to leave when I gave Summer a nudge.

"Yes mom."

Raina paused for a moment and looked back, clearly surprised. Summer walked over to her and raised her hand for Raina to take.

"Mom, aren't we leaving?"

Raina snapped out of her astonishment and took her hand, "Y-yes, Of course!" They began walking out as Raina asked, "Is there something you would like to eat Summer? I'll make you anything you like."

Summer glanced back at me, a bit surprised, then looked back and replied happily, "Spaghetti!'"

I smiled at them. This holiday will most likely turn out to be a blessing for them and I hope they become a real family.

***

Lexus came back at night, he seemed tired, probably because there was a lot to do before the Christmas holidays started for the company. I was sitting on the couch and he lazily dropped his head on my lap.

"Finally…" He whispered and I smiled. After resting for a few minutes he asked with his eyes still closed, "Rosalie?"

"Yes?"

"Is there something you want for your birthday?"

"I've been thinking about it."

"Mmhmm."

"And really, I just want to visit my parents and grandma."

He opened his eyes and looked at me from my lap, "Of course. Anything else?'

I shook my head.

"Then what do you want for Christmas?"

"For Christmas?" I thought about it, then looked down at him, "You."

He was pleasantly surprised at my answer and smirked.

"You want me?" He sat up right next to me, his warm breath on my lips.

"I want you." I whispered. He licked his lips and stared at mine, then looked into my eyes. His gaze heating me up, "I want yo-" He kissed me, sliding his left hand in my hair on the back of my head and I slid my arms around his neck. As he explored my mouth with his tongue, his right hand traveled to the zipper of my dress and he began to undress me. I slipped my hands to his shirt buttons and began unbuttoning them.

He slipped my dress down as I opened his shirt and he broke the kiss, then went down to my neck. He kissed me, then sucked, leaving hickeys as he went further down.

I grabbed his hair as he took off my bra, leaving the trails of kisses all the way down to my panties. By that time I was a moaning mess and he knew I was ready, so he didn't waste any time to take my panties and his pants and boxers.

****

We had a family dinner on the night of 25th at Veronica's. For Lexu, it was a hard decision to make but he eventually agreed to it, he wanted to make things better even though he didn't know how.

The table was full of dishes made by veronica, I glanced at Raina and Summer, they seemed to be getting along better. Even Eli noticed that a gentle smile was plastered on his face as he watched his wife and daughter talk.

I looked at Lexus, he stared at the food and I placed my hand on his, assuring him it was okay.

After putting the final dish on the table Veronica joined the table, she looked pale, more than she was the last time I saw her but maybe that's because she was tired from all this.

Everyone started eating. I poured the same thing for me and Lexus, ate the pasta first and nodded at him.

He picked up his fork, scooped some pasta, brought it to his mouth and paused. Everyone pretended to eat yet they all secretly glanced at him.

"It's okay." I whisper, "It's good."

He took a deep breath and ate, softly chewing it.

As he swallowed it, he looked at me then at his mother.

"It's good."

Upon his words Veronica grinned, her hands began to tremble as she tried to raise her own fork to eat. I glanced at Lexus, he was confused as to what he should say now, so he decided to repeat his words as he took another bite.

"It's good. I'd love to have another serving."

Veronica laughed as a few tears slipped down her cheeks, she dropped her fork on the plate and raised her hands to cover her mouth. After a few moments, she looked at Lexus.

"I'm happy- You like it." She wiped her tears as Summer hopped off her seat and went to her grandma with a tissue.

"Grandma don't cry. Uncle will eat tons of your cooking from now! Right uncle?" Veronica picked Summer up and sat her down on her lap as Lexus answered.

"Yes…"

****

I quietly stood in front of the three graves praying, my father whom I never got to meet, my mother who held me so briefly yet with all her love and grandma who took care of me and made a stranger her family. I pray all of you are happy there in heaven.

The graves were well kept, clean and tidy. I left flowers on them and sat there quietly for quite some time. Lexus stayed behind me, not speaking the entire time. He let me have all the time.

Satisfied. I stood up and looked back at him and he stared at me, I smiled at him and he returned it.

"Let's go." I extended him my hand and he got up to take it.

"Let's go."

As we walked hand in hand in the silent streets it began to snow.

"It's finally snowing!" I exclaimed. It was the first snow of the season. It came pretty late but was as beautiful as ever.

"Yea…" Lexus seemed a bit distracted.

"Lexus?" I pulled his hand. "What is it?"

"Oh! Ah- You know, there is something I've been wanting to give to you for a while but I just couldn't find the right timing."

"Hmm?"

"Well, I realized there is no perfect timing so-" He let go of my hand and kneeled down in front of me as he took out a box from his pocket.

My heart beat started increasing as I realized where this was leading.

He opened the box which had a platinum ring in it with a diamond shining brightly on top.

"Marry me, Rosalie."

"Yes!!" I answered without a second thought and he stood up, slipping the ring in my ring finger.

He was then going to kiss me when his phone began ringing loudly.

"Talk about ruining the mood."He gritted his teeth, ready to kill the caller, took the phone out of his pocket, looked at the caller ID, sighed and connected the call.

"What?" He asked and I giggled, taking the ring off to admire it more. I noticed something. I looked inside, there was an engraving in it.

'Mi amore'

I smiled as I remembered the meaning of it. It meant, 'My love'

I placed it back on my finger and looked at Lexus, my smile faded.

He was tense.

"W-what do you mean she fainted!? Wha-Since when?!" His eyes met mine and I noticed the worry in them, "That long? B-but... Yes I noticed she was pale- but!" He bit his lower lip, "Okay…" He hung up, distressed.

"Lexus?"

He looked at me.

"Rosalie… I knew never knew, till this moment. I never knew…"

"What happened?"

"Mom has blood cancer."