Frantz-
"Tell me about it." My mom prompted softly, and sighed, as I placed my head in my hands, and curled my fingers around my hair.
"When we first started dating, Liliana made it clear that she did not want to have sex until we were married, and I agreed. I even said, that if she thought I wouldn't stick around until marriage, she had another thing coming." I explained, and my mom nodded as she frowned attentively and said, "okay, sounds like a fair deal."
"Well that's the problem. Whenever I'm around her I can barely control myself, and I know that she's often curious and gets aroused, and we have a little fun here and there, but I never push too far because I know that even if she gave me consent then and there, it would be the lust talking, the morning after she would wake up regretting her actions, hating herself, and me. She is a spiritual girl, and the last thing I want to do is push her so far past the point of no return only for her to punish herself afterwards." I sighed frowning as I shook my head.
"Alright, I'm listening." My mom encouraged, and I drew in a deep breath, my cheeks flushing slightly. Having this conversation with mamma was not as easy as I expected it to be.
"Um, eh hem, anyway, this morning we shared a moment, and it took everything I had and more to pull away from her. I was sort of disappointed in my lack of control, and as a result, I kind of kept to myself for the rest of the flight and the day. I avoided calling her when I arrived home, and I went to bed. She called me, and I admit, I purposely acted distant on the phone, and then she said, it, she said, she loved me, but I didn't say it back." I explained, and my mom took a moment to ponder on my story.
She looked at me, then sighed as she shook her head before asking in a confusing manner, "so what is the issue? I mean, I remember when you called me after saving her from that man, you told me that you confessed your love to her in the elevator."
"I told her I was in love with her mamma, but actually saying 'I love you', it's big you know." I shrugged, knowing my argument was not as strong as I'd liked it to be.
"So do you love her?" My mom asked, softly as she searched my eyes, and I shifted my eyes upwards to the sky. I closed them, and simply breathed in the crisp night air. Of course I loved Liliana.
I didn't realize it, but a tear had escaped the corner of my eye, and turning to my mom I revealed, "Yes, I love her."
"So why are you sitting here for? That poor girl is probably upset and confused because you left her hanging, if you truly loved her, you would be driving to her home right now." My mother shoved my shoulder, and I chuckled, sniffling, and I swallowed a gulp an turned to her as I held her hands.
"Mamma?" I called out, while I looked in her eyes, "si figlio mio?" She responded softly, "can you keep a secret?" I asked, her with a soft smile, and she frowned slightly before her own lips parted in a smile, and she nodded eagerly, "well of course."
I felt my smile widen, hoping what I would say next would make her proud, "I got a ring." I whispered softly, and she let go of my hands as she gasped and brought her hands to her lips.
"What?" She whispered quietly, her eyes pooling with tears, and she frowned as she blinked quickly, and I pulled the box from my pocket to show it to her.
She sobbed softly when I opened it, and noticed the square diamond and silver band, and she chuckled and pulled me in for an embrace. I laughed out loud, my own tears pouring from my eyes. When we pulled away, she sniffled and giggled again as she asked, "When did you get it?"
"About a month ago." I began to explain, "Lili had just returned from a trip, and I invited her to dinner. I told her I had a surprise, and I swear to you, I had planned on giving her a necklace, but after dinner, when she sat in the living room, and I went to my room to get the necklace, I saw my old photo album. For some reason, I picked it instead of the necklace, and I brought it to her. I told her about him mamma. I told her about Franco, and every moment I sat there with her, and she wiped my tears and kissed me, it only solidified my decision. That same night after dropping her home, I went to Marco's and got the ring. I haven't found the right moment, and I chose to wait until she expressed her love for me, and tonight she did just that."
My mom sighed proudly, then she pulled me back in her arms. After the embrace she suddenly slapped my arm as she said, "that's for making me cry so early in the morning. You know I am a hopeless romantic and watching you find love, true love, is the best gift a mother could ever wish for. So when are you going to propose?"
"I am not sure yet, but for tonight, I just want to tell her one thing." I determined, and with a set of nods, my mom encouraged me to go. I stood to my feet and planted a kiss on her cheek as I muttered thankfully, "Grazie mamma, ti amo."
"Ciao mio amore." She sniffled again, and I left with a smile.
Narrator-
While Frantz hopped in his vehicle and began making his way towards Liliana's home, Lili woke up from her restless night, and made the journey across her small home, straight to the fridge where she opened the freezer and retrieved a Neapolitan ice cream bucket. She grabbed a silver spoon and opened her television. During her free time, she had begun binge watching Hell's Kitchen and without wasting any time, she picked up at the last episode, and just as the narrator began the recap, she began digging into her ice cream, although avoiding the chocolate flavor as much as possible. She never really understood the reason for chocolate ice cream, and often always ate the vanilla and strawberry flavor.
Liliana sniffled, her already clogged nose worsening due to the cold treat, and she found that she enjoyed watching the chefs get yelled at by Gordon Ramsey, hopefully they could feel the pain and rejection she was currently feeling.
Every time the memory of her feeble voice saying 'I love you' echoed in her ears, Liliana cringed. Her nose burned, and soon, the tears followed. She couldn't help it. She was scared. She kept wondering whether her slip up would be the cause of Frantz leaving her.
When the ice cream started to soften in the bucket, Liliana groaned and paused her show as she headed back to the kitchen and placed the container back in the freezer. Then she opened her fridge and stared into it for a few minutes without blinking. When she couldn't find a suitable snack, Liliana closed the door with an annoyed groan then she remembered her stash of expensive Walmart chocolate, hidden in her pants drawer, and with a determined stride, she crossed through her small home once again, and retrieved the box of chocolaty caramel filled goodies.
When she bit into the first soft candy, Liliana sighed softly and closed her eyes. The sweet taste of chocolate and caramel against her tongue was absolute heaven. But sugar induced trance broke, when thunder and lightning sounded in the sky above, and soon, rain began to pour and pelt against the window.
Liliana looked at the rain and was amazed at how the storm reflected her earlier emotions. No longer sleepy, though it was around 3:00 AM, Liliana returned to her couch, and became completely invested in her show.
Liliana had made it through the episode's dinner service, and Chef Gordon was about to eliminate a chef, and as the music and suspension built up, and Lili prayed that her favorite wouldn't be booted off, a firm knock came from the door, startling Lili to the point where she almost jumped out of her own skin.
Looking out the window, the storm was still raging outside, and Liliana wondered who could be knocking on her door at this time. Pausing the TV, Lili thought that she may have heard wrong, so she waited in silence to see if maybe her ears had deceived her. Then the knocks came again.
With a gulp, Liliana looked around her home for a weapon, and then she remembered her bat under the couch. Dropping to the floor, Lili retrieved her pink metal bat, then she began walking towards the door just as a third set of knocks resonated through her home.
A first Lili thought to yell out 'who is it?' But figured if it was a kidnapper or robber, they probably would not want to identify themselves as such. Taking a deep breath, and securing her grip from the door, Liliana unlocked the door swiftly, and threw it open, but just as she lifted the bat above her head, Frantz walked through the door, dripping wet, his hair and clothes soaking, as he grabbed Liliana's face and kissed her with all his might.
Liliana dropped the bat instantly, as she cradled his neck in return, and kissed him back. Kicking the door with his leg, Frantz closed the door, as he pushed Liliana back until her back was flushed against the wall. He pinned his hips against her and made his arousal known to her, and Liliana gasped as she felt his body against her.
When he could no longer hold on without breathing, Frantz pulled away, only enough that the tip of his lips brushed against hers. He breathed heavily, his dark eyes boring into hers, causing Lili to feel a stir of arousal deep in her abdomen. The water from his hair dripped onto his neck, and his wet chest connected his hers. He squinted his eyes softly, while her eyes searched his, and then he said, deeply, "I love you. With every cell in my body I love you. And I'm not saying this because I can't keep my eyes off you, or my hands, but I am saying this because you showed me that I can be loved, and I deserve to be loved."
His speech had Liliana's eyes running with water, but she had no chance to truly cry for he locked their lips again, and Lili jumped into his arms, as she wrapped her legs around his waist. He felt her axis rub against his arousal, and Frantz groaned into her lips as she bit his bottom lip. He squeezed the skin of her bottom and carried her to the couch. He sat down and she straddled him, feeling his body against hers, and she sighed into his kiss, as he wrapped his arms around her back, and pressed her against him.