The moment she felt Johnny's arms envelope her into a hug, she knew that she was gone. Every emotion that she'd had kept hidden for the past three months spilled out onto her cheeks, if Johnny hadn't been holding her she would have crashed to the unforgiving ground.
"This must be...so weird for you. I'm sorry, I shouldn't be crying all over you like you're my boyfriend or something." Lulu tried to regain her composure but, her words didn't come out like she wanted.
"Lulu, you need to stop apologizing. It's okay, it sounds like we were important to each other. I feel insanely attracted to you and, I feel that I have very deep feelings for you. I don't know if that's because of our past, or because I had lingering feelings...all I know is that the last thing you should be is sorry. If I didn't want to be here with you, I wouldn't have picked up the phone yesterday. I wouldn't have stayed at Jake's just so I could talk to you, or talked to you're brother about you...I wouldn't have gotten you flowers, and wouldn't have shut that prick of an ex-boyfriend of yours down. I know that you're going through a lot right now and I'm not going to pretend to know everything that's bothering you but, don't think that being here with you is bothering me even a little bit." Johnny pulls back to look at her, brushing her blonde hair back from her face so he could gaze upon her features... brushing away any stray tears that had made their way down her face.
"I know, I guess I'm still not used to people staying. When I got together with Dante, half of my own flesh and blood dropped me. My cousin Carly still won't speak to me. The only people that have really stayed are my dad, Ethan, my friend Maxie that I told you about, her boyfriend Matt and my cousin Michael. I'm not used to not having a lot of people around me, it's been hard. Getting involved with him was the worst mistake I've ever made." Lulu explained, leaning the back of her head against the kitchen cabinet.
"Everyone makes mistakes, that's what makes us stronger. I couldn't imagine just dropping you because of something so trivial, that's petty. I'm sure it is, I know you and Ethan come from a big family. You can count on me to stay, that might not be worth much having amnesia and all but...my word is all I have. Literally." Johnny steadied her as a wave of dizziness threatened to overtake her.
"It means more than you think, Johnny. You and I were distant with each other but, you've never not been there when I needed you. I have three brothers in total but, Ethan has really-he really cares about people. He doesn't always show it but, I'm not even sure I'd be alive right now if it wasn't for him. Especially these past few months." She sighed, fighting a wave of nausea.
"Are you hungry? I think you should eat something, you don't look so good. You're always beautiful but, you look paler than I remember. If you ever need me, please don't hesitate to call me." Johnny led her over to the couch, watching as she sat down.
"I haven't eaten today...that's what's wrong with me. Well, one of the things anyway. Thank you Johnny." Lulu ran a hand through her blonde mane.
"I'm going to get you something to eat, maybe you should take a bath...it might help you relax a little. Do you think you'll be okay by yourself or do you want to come with me?" Johnny was clearly determined to take care of her, with each passing moment he reminded her more and more of the man she had fallen in love with.
" I'll be okay while you get me something to eat, thank you. I would say you don't have to take care of me but, I always secretly liked when you insisted on caring for me when I wasn't feeling good. It's all I've ever really wanted, you are the only person who's ever stopped what they were doing to make sure I'm okay." Lulu slightly smiled.
"Okay, I'll be right back. All you have to do is say the word and I'll gladly wait on you hand and foot." Johnny smiled down at her, before grabbing his keys.
"Please be careful." Lulu was serious, as their eyes bore into the other.
"I will, I promise." Johnny bent over to kiss her head, before leaving the apartment.
"If that's not Johnny Zacchara, I don't know who is." Came a witty remark, scaring Lulu out of her seat.
"HAVE YOU BEEN HERE THE WHOLE TIME??? JESUS MAXIE, YOU SCARED THE FUCK OUT OF ME!" Lulu yelps from her spot on the floor, Maxie pulled her friend up.
"I wasn't trying to stalk you or anything, I was just waiting on Matt to call me then you two showed up. I didn't want to interrupt! I'm going to get out of here before he gets back, I'm spending a few nights at Matt's." Maxie sighed, pulling a couple bags over her shoulders.
"I thought you had dinner with Spinelli and his grandma tonight. What's going on? Are you with Matt, Spinelli or both? Because I'm really confused." Maxie's love life made Lulu's head spin on a good day, right now her brain was playing hopscotch.
"I did. Lulu, I'm not married or in a committed relationship with either! I can do as I please! I'll see you later, I love you!" Maxie chirped, swinging the door shut behind her.
"That's Zacchara right now, I wonder what he's up to." Ethan remarks as he and Alina had walked across town, seeing Johnny lock his car.
"I'm glad I ran into you, what does you're sister like to eat? I'm picking something up for her but, I completely forgot to ask her what she wanted." Johnny gave a sigh, as he stopped short of them.
"Ahhh, Lulu forgot to eat again. Did she? I know exactly what you should get her. Coleman sells this Rib plate that comes with corn on the cob and garlic mashed potatoes, sis will love it. By the way, chocolate anything is her favorite dessert. By the way, this is my lady Alina. Alina, this is Johnny Zacchara...my best mate." Ethan didn't even need to hear an explanation, Lulu was a creature of habit.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't see you. It's nice to meet you." Johnny extended his hand in greeting, Alina just smiled and shook his hand.
"That's okay, Its nice to meet you." Alina brushed him off.
"Alina is from Russia, I can tell you're trying to place her accent." Ethan smirked at the concentration on Johnny's face.
"I'm completely shocked nobody has murdered you, yet." Johnny remarked giving his friend a look, making the couple snicker.
"Me too. Trust me, I've known Ethan since I was sixteen...he's never outgrown himself." Alina slightly chided him.
"Let me go ahead pay for it, you're card is still locked due to you not using it for three months." The thought had just occurred to Ethan.
"Oh, that's right. Thank you for reminding me, I'd almost forgot."