The next week has flown by. Zane and I had fallen into a routine and it feels natural. The bar is set to reopen in 2 weeks, which I'm grateful for. I'm getting antsy and I hate not working.

Lizzie and Jamie decided to come for a visit so they are on their way. Zane and I scramble to get everything ready for them, making sure there's food and clean blankets because they will be sharing the pullout couch bed.

I'm feeling pretty run down lately and I'm really hoping I'm not getting sick. Zane has been pumping me full of vitamin c and giving me tea every chance he gets. It's mostly my head though. I've had excruciating headaches and they get so bad I'm dizzy and nauseated with some blurred vision. They cause me to feel really run down. Hopefully I get it together before they get here because Lizzie is a wild one.

Lizzie wasn't too happy when I told her that Zane had come back and that I'm working it out with him, but I told her its my life. Which is probably what prompted this visit, but it will be really nice to see them. I miss my sisters, technically my cousins, but still.

Zane's in the kitchen whipping stuffed chicken and mashed potatoes together for dinner, so Lizzie and Jamie have dinner when they get here. Zane's great, he's incredibly thoughtful and willing to do anything. I really hope he wins Lizzie and Jamie over like he has won me over.

Zane has also suggested that we invite Paul and Chris over too. It will be nice to have all of us in one room. I was instructed to take some excedrin and to go upstairs and lay down for a bit. Zane promises that he will get me up before they get here. I do what he says and crawl into bed, pulling the blankets up over my head for the darkness.

About an hour later Zane is sitting on the edge of the bed rubbing my back to wake me up.

"Hey hun, it's time to get up. Lizzie and Jamie will be here very soon."

I stretch and smile at him. I love waking up to his face. It's perfect. My head is feeling much better and I feel refreshed.

He reaches his hand out and I take it. He pulls me into his arms and holds me. I take a deep breath, breathing him in and allow myself to sink into him. He pulls back just enough to lift my chin with his two fingers to sweetly kiss me. I sigh and fall even further.

"Alright babe. We have to get ready." He says tugging me to head downstairs.

"This is going to be fun, right?" I ask.

"Yeah why not. Don't worry I'll make them like me." He smirks and gives me a playful nudge.

Paul and Chris are the first to arrive with a bottle of wine in hand and dessert. They both hug me and shake Zane's hand.

"Mm mm the food smells delicious!" Chris says. "I can't wait to eat, I'm starving."

"As soon as Lizzie and Jamie get here we can all eat." I say. "They are always late. No surprise there."

"It's alright love! We have all night." Paul says squeezing my arm. "I can't wait to meet your sisters Lucy." 

"If they ever get here!" I huff and stand up agitated.

About 20 minutes later they are finally knocking on the door. Paul gets up and goes to answer the door. Once he opens the door Lizzie and Jamie stare at Paul confused, but he invites them in telling them dinners ready.

Lizzie spots me and runs to me  hugging me tight with Jamie in tow. As soon as Lizzie spots Zane she cannot take her eyes off of him.

"Alright now I understand." She smirks and takes a seat at the table.

We all sit down at the table and I introduce my sisters to Chris, Paul and Zane.

"I love your apartment Lucy!" Jamie says.

"Thanks!" I say.

Lizzie eyes grow big and her mouth drops. "You've been painting again!" She squeals.

"Yes I have." I grin. "Since the bars been closed I've had some extra time."

"Is that painting done?" Lizzie asks.

"Yes it is. I left it on the easel to dry."

"Can I please please please please have it?" Lizzie asks batting her eyes.

"Sure, let me just add my signature."

"Oh thank you Lucy!" She says excitedly.

It's a painting of a moon over the ocean. The brightness of the moon reflects off of the ocean waters. There's a small boat with a man rowing toward the moon. It's probably one of my better paintings in a while. I get up walk over to the painting and look it over making sure I'm 100% satisfied with it. I grab a fine tip silver sharpie from my jar and sign the corner of the painting and set it down next to Lizzie's things. She smiles gratefully.

"So how long have you two been together?" Jamie asks looking at Paul and Chris.

"For a few months now."Paul answers.

"I've never really met any gay men, let alone any yay couples." Says Jamie.

"Jamie!" I yell.

"Ha Lucy it's ok. I get curious about straight couples too." Paul says. "Speaking of which what's happening with you two?"

"Why? What do you mean?" I ask.

"Well are you together or what?" Chris asks.

I look at Zane and I'm as red as a tomato at this point. I don't even know how to answer that. I mean we live together, sleep in the same bed together, kiss and stuff but we never really made anything official or at least I don't think we did.

"Well I'm guess the way you two are looking at each other you're not entirely sure." Lizzie says.

"I guess it would be nice to know, wouldn't it Lucy?" Says Zane.

"Well yes Zane it would be really nice." I chuckle. "So what is it Zane?"

"I mean I would really like it if you'd be my girlfriend. So would you like to be my girlfriend?"

"Oh god you two are so cheesy! My guess is you two were already together before knowing you were together." Lizzie says.

We all laugh and Zane is nudging my leg under the table. Chris gets up to get the dessert and I go in to help get plates and forks. They brought a turtle chocolate moose pie.

"Looks amazing Chris!" I say excited.

"Look I'm glad you came in here with me. I wanted to talk to you."

"About what?" I ask.

"You are ok here with Zane right?" He asks concerned.

"What are you getting at Chris?" I ask.

"I don't know. I worry about you Lucy, I want you to be safe and I'm going to be honest, I don't totally trust him yet."

"Chris he's caring, sweet and amazing to have around. We are taking it one day at a time. If things don't work out they don't work out. It's all a learning experience."

"I hope so Lucy, because no lie if he hurts you I will beat his ass and if he hurts Paul again the same goes for that."

"I'm glad I have you and Paul and I'm glad that even though Zane is Paul's brother, you will still protect me." I sincerely say.

"We love you Lucy, it's time for you to be happy for once in your life."

"Wow you two look like you are having a in depth conversation." Says Paul barging in.

"Chris is just playing the over protective brother part and the over protective boyfriend." I say smirking.

"Lucy I'm worried too. I don't trust him yet. He has a lot to prove. I hope he's not just using you and I can't say for sex either." Paul says worried.

"What makes you say that?" I ask.

"Well if you two were having sex I'd know. Your face, your body, your attitude shows it all when you've gotten some." Paul laughs.

"Paul! Really? He's not using me, there's no way."

"No way what? What are you guys talking about?" Zane suddenly appears asking what we are talking about.

"I don't maybe that we all want to know how real you are and how long before you break Lucy's heart." Chris answers.

"Who says I'm going to break her heart?" Zane asks and looks at Paul for a little help. "Oh come on Paul! You mean to tell me you agree with this ass?"

"Zane don't. They only care about me."

"Paul's my brother for fucks sake!" He yells.

"Calm down Zane. Doesn't mean that I'm against you. I would be just as upset with Lucy if she hurts you." Paul explains.

"So why aren't you asking her how real she is and how long until she breaks my fucking heart?" Zane shakes his head and starts to walk away but turns and looks at me. "I'm not Lucy. I promised you." He said as if answering my thoughts.

He storms over into the bathroom and slams the door. I heard the lock click and I look at Paul and Chris with a pleading look in my eyes. My heart aches because Zane is right. Why so much doubt in him but not in me? He's trying and I'm trying. You can't rush a good thing. You have to let it happen on its own. I huff and walk over to the bathroom door and knock lightly on it.

"Zane? Can you please let me in?" I softly say with a begging in my tone. "Please Zane." Nothing just silence. "Zane please let me in." Finally the lock clicks so I turn the knob.

Zane is sitting on the counter looking defeated and I walk over and curl my fingers around the back of his neck looking him straight in the eyes. He doesn't look back at me and my heart aches. His chest rises as he inhales deep and let's it out like he is giving up.

"Lucy...what if they are right? What if I do break your heart? What if I can't keep my promise?"

"And what if I break your heart? What if I'm the one to walk away? Zane we can't do this to each other. Do you believe in me?"

Without hesitation he answers. "Of coarse I do Lucy."

"Good because I believe in you too." I press my lips to his and I feel his body relax. "Come on we have people out there."

We walk out of the bathroom and Paul is quick to apologize and then Chris does. I think they finally can see that he's really trying and his words "I'm not a project" echoes is the back of my mind.