3 days later *Meri* I am on my way to my parents rental car in the underground parking lot at the hospital. My father told me I could take it as I need to get home and finish some homework before school tomorrow. It will be my last day for at least a week, the day after tomorrow we are starting the transfusion, so I am turning in some extra assignments. My parents wanted to stay with Lumi a little longer, as she is very weak now and scared. Luca is with her too, actually he is almost all of the time. He is only leaving when the hospital staff kicks him out. What he did, proposing to her like that, it's the most romantic thing ever and I truly pray they will get their happily ever after. I hate these places, too much darkness, too many corners and too much dust. Didn't I hear a sound ? No, probably it's just my imagination. Then my phone starts buzzing and I jump like half a meter. "Fuck !" Pulling out the phone I see that it is Tom calling. It is the first time he has contacted

*Tom* I am sitting in the hospital bed, trying to make the world start to move again. I am still on some kind of medication, dulling my senses and honestly I am kind of happy about it as I am not sure I would have gotten through the night without it. This must be what hell feels like. I can't believe she is gone, that I will never see her again, never watch her smile, never feel her lips on mine. It can't be right, they keep telling me there is no doubt, but why does it feel so wrong then ? There is a small knock on the door and Luca peaks in. "Can I come in, Tom ?" "Yeah sure". I look at my hands. "How is Lumi doing ?" "She insists that Meri isn't dead". He comes in, no doubt he hasn't slept all night, his face looking tired and drawn. "I have something for you that ... Gabriel thought you might want it back". He holds out his hand. The ring, my grandmother's ring. It is slightly sodden and I swallow a lump. "I ... I can't bear to look at it". "It was your grandmother's right

*Luca*"So why weren't you opening when we rang the bell ... when you were home ?" Tom is glaring daggers at Daniel.He crosses his arms ignoring Tom's question. "What are you and that ... buffoon doing on my property ? How did you even get in ?""We jumped the wall". I say, seeing Tom suppress a chuckle. "Why didn't you answer ?""It's my right not to answer, especially people I don't want to talk to". He glares at Tom. "But if you want to know, I am in mourning and want to be left alone".Tom narrows his eyes, glaring at him. "In mourning ? Oh you better not be meaning what I think you mean"."Sorry she left you for me. But seriously what did you expect ? You could almost be her father ... I am her age, and I am very much richer than you".I quickly grab Tom, afraid he is going to explode, but he just sends me a smile. "Thanks Luca, but I am in control ... I am not going to choke the bastard even if he deserves it"."Scared old man, that you can't take me". Daniel chips at Tom, maki

*Lumi* We are having a memorial for Meri in the small hospital chapel and I have been allowed to come out for half an hour in a wheelchair, wearing a mask to keep out bacteria and viruses. Suddenly the door is flung open, and Tom walks in, followed by Luca. My parents look at them, and my father say. "So you did come, I was about to be very disappointed in you two". "We did more than that. Luca go support Lumi, Gabriel you better support your wife". Tom say stopping just inside the door. Luca comes over, squatting down next to me. He is unable to contain the most amazing smile. "Hi Baby, how are you feeling ?" "Okay Luca, what are you two up to ?" For some reason my heart is hammering like crazy. Tom clear his throat. "Sorry but after Luca gave me the ring and I realised it wasn't the ring I gave Meri … Well me and Luca has been looking into thing and there is someone you should meet ... my girlfriend, come on in darling". "His girlfriend ... Luca ?" My heart runs amok as I hea

*Meri* I sigh when I feel Tom's strong arm slide around me and his lips grace my bare back. I am wearing a long red dress with wide draped sleeves and an open back. "You look absolutely beautiful darling". "Thank you love". I reach my hand back to gently rest on his cheek and he leans into my touch with a slight hum. "I am happy you are off from the theater tonight". "Me too, I would be sad to miss Zac's big evening and a chance to show you off". He leans down to plant small kisses on my neck. He is doing a Pinter play at the moment, which keeps him out most evenings, but at least he is in London for now. I feel so sorry for Lumi, Lucais flying out tomorrow for the LA premiere and after that he is going back to Texas. I turn to look at him, he is in a pinstripe three piece Gucci suit, a crisp white shirt and a red tie that matches my dress. "You look very sexy and just a bit dangerous in that suit, a bit like a gangster". "Oh so a sexy gangster". He grabs my waist, dipping me b