Chapter Fifteen: The Quiet Moment in Between the Celebrations

                                    

                                          
y/n's PoV:
A couple of days later...

It's a warm, windy afternoon in Monte Carlo. The sun is high in the sky and occasionally covered by white specky clouds. You haven't been home in a while again. 
The two of you arrived here late last night, seeing as Pierre still had an abrupt afternoon meeting, forcing you to take a flight that was two hours later than intended. His hand glides down your back, as you ring the bell to your Mom's place. 

y/n: Ready? 
He nods softly, as you turn towards him, allowing you to give him a kiss.

Lorenzo decided it would be the best to celebrate at your Mom's place, as it was the most central for everyone. The doorknob starts buzzing - you push open the door, slowly making your way up the steps to the place you called home last.
The door flings open as Josi throws her arms into the air, slightly shrieking out of excitement. You can't hold back your smiles and you rush into her arms. When she lets go of you, she gives Pierre a tight hug, which you're starting to get used to... It's not as stiff as it used to be when Pierre was around everyone.

You find your way to your Mom, handing her a bouquet of flowers before being suffocated in the world's tightest hug, before you find your way to the birthday boy. 
y/n: Hey! Happy Birthday!

Lorenzo jumps up, giving you a hug while thanking you, and then greeting Pierre. Your man hands him the gift you got him, and you give him a bottle of Champagne you know he'll like. 
Naturally you also greet Arthur and the others, and Pierre joins them on the balcony. You find your way back into the apartment, to help Josi and your Mom with some of the last things. 

You're tasked with putting the flowers you got her into a vase, Josi will take care of placing the candles into the cake for later and your Mom is filling up the last snack bowls. The vase smiles down on you condescendingly, as it is just out of your reach. You sigh. 
You go head back out to get Pierre, and like always, he relishes in the fact that he can be your hero. He got a kiss, and you got the vase. 
The afternoon rushes by - the snacks were eaten, the lunch was too, the drinks were downed, the presents opened, the candles blown out and the cake eaten. It was incredibly wholesome. 

---

The faucet turns off hesitantly, the same way it has struggled to for the last ten years. You pat dry your hands and stare at your reflection in the mirror for a second. You missed your family. 
The lock springs open with a deep clock, as you leave the bathroom, following the hallway towards the living room, before stopping in front of Charles' old room. The door is narrowly open, increasing its angle as you softly push it open further.

His stuff hasn't moved or changed. You exhale softly. Fuck Char. Fuck. 
X: y/n?
You spin around, having Enzo's voice pull you back to reality. 

Lorenzo: You good?
You simply nod. 
y/n: Yeah, of course! What about you? Are you enjoying your party?

He nods the same way you just did.
Lorenzo: I miss him too. 
His eyebrows scrunch together, knowing damn well that yours are doing the same right now. 

y/n whispers: Yeah...
Lorenzo quietly: Any progress on that front?
y/n sighs: I have a rough plan, but until it reaches the 'happily ever after' stage... It might take a while. 
Lorenzo nods: That's okay... 

He steps into Char's room, and you follow suit. 
Lorenzo: I feel shit for uninviting him. 
y/n nods: I know, I don't feel any better. 

Lorenzo chuckles: Be honest though, would you have come if he was here?
Your hand runs over his desk. A quiet 'hmm' escapes your lips. 
y/n: I'd love to say that I would've come, but I don't know. 

Lorenzo smiles: You're a scaredy-cat. You wouldn't have. 
You chuckle. 
y/n softly: Probably not, no. But Pierre also wasn't invited before... 

Lorenzo nods: I know, that's why I extended the invitation from now on. 
y/n: I know - Thank you.
He gives you a soft smile. 

Lorenzo: You haven't been home in too long. 
y/n: Yeah... I kind of realised that too. 
Lorenzo: Did all the travelling at least make you happy?

You nod, saying it did. 
y/n: It was amazing to see the world like that. Independently I mean. 
Lorenzo chuckles: Independently would require you to travel alone, hmm?

y/n smiles: You know what I mean - not with the family. 
Lorenzo: Yeah...