After Dimos pulls the twins away from Eli and my mom hugs me one more time, I take the last look at my family. People who have a part of my heart. Just like I have a piece of theirs.
Turning around, we start walking to the security check line hand in hand. Eli holds me close to him the entire time. And I love him for it.
Looking outside the window as the plane takes off, I see the last view of the island that changed everything for me. The same island that I avoided for years. I let my anger control me for too long. It took me years that I will never get back. My brothers aren’t babies anymore. I didn’t get to see them growing up. That’s what hurts the most.
I’m blessed to have another chance to know my family. To know my siblings who adore me. Just like I love them.
Leo and Chris gave us drawings to take home. Knowing Eli, the softie he is inside, he will find a way to put them on his fridge door so that he can look at them daily.
I love how much Eli loves children. It makes me want to have a family with him. Not anytime soon, but I can see myself starting one with him one day. And I know he feels the same.
We spent Santorini nights enjoying each other’s bodies while cuddling and talking in between. Many conversations helped us move forward. Even though I wasn't sure how to feel about him lying by omission, I decided to give us this chance to reconnect once more. Our connection is just too special to throw away. No way I could imagine my life without him in it. I know he feels the same.
During our late-night chats, he showed me what I wanted to see. His scars, thoughts, and fears were all in the open. Being vulnerable together was one of the best things about our chats. It wasn’t always pretty, but I feel like I finally got him, and he understood my reasons behind my actions.
We’re two broken people who got a second chance in love, just like my mom and Dimos. Not many people can say that they reconnected with their first love. We’re lucky that way.
* * *
I’m ready to crash and sleep the next three days when we land hours later. But Eli has other plans. He tells me we need to get coffee as our day isn’t ending yet.
I need to use the restroom after the long flight to freshen up. I have no idea how he does it, but Eli might look even better after traveling all day. He goes to the nearest coffee shop to get us something to wake us up.
Leaving the restroom, I spot Eli before he spots me. My body seems to be tuned to his as I start feeling hotter as I get closer to him. You can tell when he sees me as his smile gets bigger and reaches his eyes. He takes me in his strong arms and hugs me like we haven’t seen each other in years. I guess it’s exactly how we both still feel, even though we have had time together this summer.
“Here’s your coffee, my love,” he says as he kisses me softly.
I take a sip of my coffee and hum approvingly as the hazelnut flavor dances on my tongue. Chuckling at my reaction, Eli suggests that we get snacks as he has plans for early lunch. He leads me to the car he booked beforehand. Once we get closer to the Brooklyn Bridge, we take an unexpected turn. I’m surprised that we’re heading to my place.
“Eli, where are we going?” I question, confusion evident in my voice.
“I ordered pizza to your place. We’ll get hungry while packing anyway.” Eli tells me.
Wait, what?
“What do you mean bywhile we pack? Are we going for another holiday?”
“No, love. You’re moving in with me tonight.” He shrugs like it isn’t a big deal.
“Eli, please be serious for a moment. I can’t just move in with you like that. You haven’t even asked me,” I huff out and cross my arms.
“Rose, darling, I can’t imagine spending another moment without having you living under the same roof with me. Please, move in with me today. I would hate to call Ollie, Jax, and your roommates to change our plans,” he says, giving me his best puppy dog eyes.
I once told him that I wouldn’t mind living with him if we still had our own space. I don’t want to become one of those couples who spend all their time together. I just thought that it would take much longer before he suggested it again. I guess I was wrong. I should have learned by now to expect the unexpected with Eli.
Oh damn, I’ll miss Pickles. It’s different with Haisley, Marianne, and Timmy because we can talk on the phone or text if we miss each other. It will be a sad moment to say goodbye to him.
Maybe Eli isn’t against cat sitting. I bet Pickles would enjoy all the nooks and crannies of the penthouse. I almost said Eli’s place, but it’sourplace starting today.
When we arrive at the brownstone, all three of my roommates are waiting outside, smiling widely. Timmy is the first to speak. “Oh, Rosie, look at you. I’m so happy for you and that modern Greek god you get to call yours.” His comment makes Eli blush, which makes me laugh. He indeed isn’t great at receiving compliments—poor guy.
“Eli, you better get used to us and our comments. Especially since you’re such a great package,” Haisley chimes in and winks.
While hugging her, I tell her loudly, “I totally agree with your assessment about his great package.” I hear Eli groan behind me and turn to Marianne next.
“Mari, I guess it’s about time your little one flies off the nest,” I tell her while opening my arms. As she embraces me, she whispers in my ear. “Honestly, you’ve no idea how happy I am that it isn’t me who moves out before everyone else does. It would have sucked to be the first to leave.”
Her remark makes me laugh. She’s right about that. I’ll miss these people even though we live in the same city. Roommates that make moving out hard are among the biggest blessings in life. I can’t believe the luck I had with mine. They’re my second family.
