Chapter Fifteen:
Easier Said Than Done

Luca was careful to keep the news about the new living arrangement away from her mother, though she knew she couldn't keep it from her dad.

"Hey, Lu, that's great," Bernard said. "Greg's a great kid, honey."

She smiled. "Yeah, I know. I love him, Daddy."

"And he loves you, too."

"I know," she beamed. "Just…don't tell, Mom? Okay? The last thing I need is her jumping down my throat right before Natalee's wedding."

"I won't, sweetie. Promise."

"Thanks, Dad. See you in a few days, okay?"

"Bye, Luca. Love you. Tell Greg I said 'hello.'"

"Sure," she said before hanging up.

Greg walked back from the bathroom and sat with her on the couch. "How'd he take it."

She smiled. "Great. I told you he's be awesome about it. It's my mom that is going to flip out." She shrugged. "What about your parents?"

"They didn't care," he said with a laugh. "They're happy it was you. They absolutely loved you in high school."

"Really?"

"Yeah," Greg said. "More than Morgan."

"Well, the only one that loves Morgan more than me is my mother." Luca laughed and then shrugged. "And I don't really care."

"When will you tellher?"

She shook her head. "I don't plan to."

"Well, why do you care what she thinks?"

Luca chuckled. "Probably for the same reason I care what Morgan thinks: I love her. I don't want to hurt her."

"You won't hurt her by telling her the truth."

"Greg, I don't want to fight about this. I'm not going to tell her." She shook her head again, but harder. "I'm just not going to do it."

Natalee sat on Nick's couch, looking around the living room.

He looked at her. "Are you watching the movie?"

"Yeah. Yeah," she said.

He nodded and turned his face back to the TV. "Okay."

"It's just that--never mind."

"What, Natalee?"

"Nothing. It's stupid…."

"If you don't tell me, I'll be wondering about it through the movie. Please?"

Natalee drew in a breath before she started. "Are you worried about us living together? Being married?"

Nick thought about this for a minute. "Kind of."

"Are you serious?" Natalee shouted.

"Calm down, Nat," he said. He chuckled a second and then continued, "We'll work out whatever comes our way. You know that."

She nodded. "I know. But I'm scared."

"Don't worry, okay?"

Natalee nodded, knowing that that statement was easier said than done.

Luca looked at the door then at Greg, shrugged, then got up. She wasn't expecting anyone. She opened the door and gasped.

"Mom? What are you doing here? The wedding's not until Saturday."

"Why do you think I'm here, Luca?"

She played dumb. "I don't know, Mom."

Flo kicked open the door. "Well, honey, it has something to do with all those box."

"You're upset that Natalee's moving into her husband's house?"

"Those aren't all Natalee's, Luca and you know it," Flo said. "Come on. They say 'Luca' right there!" She pointed. "Do not lie to me." She eyed Greg.

"Hello, Mrs. Newman. You look lovely today." Greg smiled.

"And don't try to sweet-talk me either." She put her hands on her hips in true mother fashion. "Well, are you going to let me in?"

"Are you going to freak out and be hostile?"

"I make no promises," Flo said.

Luca rolled her eyes and stepped aside, closing the door behind her mother.

Flo sat on the couch next to Greg, forcing Luca to sit on the opposite side of the couch from him. "So, why are you two doing this?"

She thought it was so simple. "We love each other, Mom," Luca stated the obvious.

"How could you two know what love is? You're so young!"

"We're not getting any younger, Mom."

"Greg, do not call me 'Mom'…."

Luca laughed while Flo continued, "unless you're about to slip a ring on my daughter's finger."

"Funny you should say that," Greg said, smiling. Flo looked at him uneasily while he stood up and fished in his pocket. "I was kind of hoping to do this under more romantic tenses, but…." He knelt as Nick and Natalee walked in with perfect timing. "Will you marry me, Luca?" The ring sparkled in the sunlight.

"You're shitting me," Luca said.

"Luca Pauline, watch your mouth," Flo said. "And answer him."

"I don't know what to say."

"'Yes' would be a good start," Greg said.

She didn't answer.

"Followed by 'I will marry you, Greg.'"

The four stared at a speechless Luca.

"Okay."

"Okay?"

"Okay, I'll marry you."

Greg shrugged. "I'm satisfied." He grabbed her and wrapped her up in his arms. "Is that okay with you, Mom?"

Flo looked at the couple and then at Nick and Natalee. "Okay. But why do you have to move in together now?"

"Mom, please stop whining," Luca said. "I can do what I want, I'm a grown woman."

Flo glared.

"Can you be happy for me for once?" She asked, still embraced by Greg.

Her mother's face softened and she stood up. "Luca, you don't think I'm happy for you?"

"No, you've never said you were proud of me once," she pointed out.

"Well, I am. I'm very proud of you," Flo said. "I've just never wanted you to make your sister's same mistakes. She never did marry Nate. Does she still live with him?" She shook her head. "Anyway, I guess that's why I'm so critical of you. And, I'm sorry."

Luca smiled. "Really?"

Flo nodded. "Of course." She hugged Luca and reluctantly followed suit with Greg. "I'm sure you two will be happy together. And for the record, I'm happy for you."