During the ride home, Luca began sneezing and coughing. Other than the sneezes and coughs, the ride home was filled with sounds of the rain and droning car engine.

He parked the car in the garage, stifling a sneeze as he moved to get out. I followed closely behind him as he walked up to the house without acknowledging if I was behind him or not.

He stormed into the house, muttering profanities as he began sneezing uncontrollably. Guilt gnawed at me. If he didn't search in the rain for me he wouldn't have caught a cold. I should have apologized, but when it came to Luca, I was suddenly a very prideful person that had to prove a point.

He coughed into his elbow and ran up the steps, pulling the wet shirt off his body in a rush to discard it. I couldn't wait to get out of my clothes but I'd wait till I was in the bathroom to begin stripping.

As he walked into his bedroom he began removing his belt and I averted my eyes in case he was about to remove his pants. I went over to my bag to get a set of clean clothes.

I could hear Luca searching in his drawers. "Go shower," his guttural voice got me to look up at him. It was hoarse and he cleared his throat. "I'll use the downstairs bathroom." He left the room leaving me in awe. I didn't think he would have spoken to me so soon.

I took my clothes and went to the shower. The guilt was still eating at me. It's not like I asked the big dummy to come after me. He did it on his own and I didn't understand why he just didn't use his car. He had to chase after me in the rain and make me feel guilty when he caught a cold.

After I was done with the shower. I exited the bathroom to see Luca laying in bed with an arm over his face. I wanted to say something to him anything at all, but my cowardly voice refused to leave my lips.

I left the room. Giving him space. I bit the tip of my thumb as I felt my stomach churn. I walked down the hallway aimlessly. I had to do something. I had to apologize or make things better between us or else I'd go insane.

Since he was inevitably coming down with a cold and his cough was annoying him. I decided that I would make him some tea to soothe his throat. Like a peace offering. I could only hope that he wasn't angry enough to throw the tea at me and tell me to get out of his sight.

As I descended the steps I saw Jameson."James," I called after him and he stopped.

"Liz," he smiled. "Can I help you with something?"

"Yeah. I was wondering if I'd be able to use the kitchen to make tea for Luca."

"Luca doesn't drink tea," James laughed and I gulped. Crap. I'm his fake girlfriend I was supposed to know that."I know," I shamefully lied to James' face. "But this is not normal tea. Its tea for a sore throat."

"What's wrong with Luca, has he gotten sick?" James asked, worry clouding his facial features.

"We got caught in the rain. So he is coming down with a slight cold."

"Okay follow me, Liz. The kitchen is this way." I followed him throughout the house and he led me through a door to a massive kitchen.

The kitchen was painted a pearl white. There was a winding staircase at the end showing that there was another entrance to the kitchen from the upper floors of the house. There were white marble countertops that had bar stools around it and the cupboards were light oakwood. The tiles were black and white and at the far end of the kitchen was the pantry. The kitchen had a clean theme of black, white, and gold.

I immediately began rummaging through the cupboards for a small pot. I wasn't going to waste any time. "So Elizabeth," James started and I looked up at him from finally finding a small yet sufficient pot. "How long are you and Luca going to pretend?" He smiled and I dropped the pot I had in my hands causing it to make a loud chiming sound as it hit the ground, echoing throughout the large kitchen.

I cleared my throat. "U-r-h, whatever are you talking about?" I picked up the pot and moved over to the sink, avoiding all eye contact with James and filling the pot up with water.

"Come on. I've lived with Luca for four years. Known the lad for twelve years. I know when he's lying," James laughed.

I let out a deep breath. There was no point in lying to him when he knew the truth. The surprising part was that he didn't seem angry at us for lying to everyone. "How long have you known?" I asked, taking the pot with water and placing it on the stove.

"The first time he brought you over to the apartment," he chuckled. I continued listening to James as I went over to the fridge in search of some fresh ginger. I found the ginger, honey, and lemon to make the tea. "So my only question is why did you agree?" James asked and when I turned around I saw him sitting on one of the stools that surrounded the large island countertop.

"Well he wanted to come back home and I owed him because he helped me once," James eyebrow arched. I didn't want to mention getting drunk at a college party. If he took it in the wrong way he would have a questionable impression about my character. I felt embarrassed about the entire ordeal. "Long story short. He threatened to make my job a living hell if I didn't agree."

James chuckled. "I think you're a sweetheart for going along with Luca's shenanigans."

"I feel guilty for lying to the family," I admitted.

James gave me a small smile and came over to me patting me on the shoulder. "Everything will work out. Don't worry the secret is safe. I won't tell a soul."

"I wasn't worried," I smiled.

"Well, I shall take my leave now. Mr. Hendricks will be back at any minute and I'm accompanying him to a meeting since Luca won't." He began walking to the door. He stopped and turned around to face me again. He had a smile on his face. "Oh and Liz don't tell Luca that I know about his little plan," James laughed.

"Why?" I smiled.

"Because it's funny when he thinks he has everyone including me fooled," with one last laugh he left the kitchen and I shook my head.

I grated the ginger and added it to the pot with some fresh lemon juice and a few spoons of honey. When it boiled I switched the stove off and poured the tea into a mug. Now it was only a matter of facing Luca and trying to make things right.

I left the kitchen and went back up the stairs carefully trying not to spill the contents from the large mug. When I entered the room Luca was laying in the same position.

The room was silent and I wasn't sure if he had fallen asleep or not because no snores or sounds were coming from him. The only indication of him being alive was his rising and falling chest. "I made you some tea." My voice broke the silence and he didn't move or say anything.

I let out a sigh, biting my bottom lip. I gathered that maybe he wasn't going to forgive me so easily. I left the tea on the bedside table and left the room again.

I went to the library and sat on the sofa with my knees close to my body for warmth as I stared out at the rain pelting against the large window. Sleep soon overtook me.

***********************

I woke up to the feel of muscular arms around me, someone was carrying me. By the scent of the person, I knew it was Luca. His scent was distinct. I didn't want to open my eyes because I knew it would be awkward or he might just drop me on my backside.

Why was he being nice to me.

He needed to stop carrying me.

I'd bring it up with him when we were on speaking terms again. With the feel of something soft under me and the loss of his warmth. I knew I was being placed on the bed. "You not my responsibility but I just I..." he trailed. "I feel the need to protect you," he whispered and I felt him move a strand of hair off my face.

My cheeks began to heat up and I silently prayed that he walked away or else he would know I was awake and heard everything he said.

After a while, I opened my eyes and I saw him sleeping on the comforter. His legs stuck out because he was too tall for it. He must have felt so uncomfortable. I looked at the bedside table and saw that the cup of lemon and honey tea was finished.

I smiled as I stared at the empty cup. To my brain, he had accepted the peace offering and we were one step closer to being on friendly or normal terms again. "How are you feeling?" I asked and for a minute I thought he wouldn't reply. That he would only talk to me if he thought I was asleep.

"Like shit princess," he suddenly said, and my stomach fluttered at the use of the obnoxious nickname. I got out of bed and walked over to him. He looked up at me. "What's wrong are you feeling sick?" He asked.

I shook my head. "No. Take the bed let me sleep on the couch. You too big for it."

"Now you calling me fat after everything. You horrible," he smiled. I rolled my eyes at him and he sat up straight. "Fine just for a little while." He moved and went over to the bed and I laid back on the couch.

After everything, I said to him. He still brought me back to his room. My heart felt heavy. I knew it was time to apologize and I wasn't feeling arrogant about it anymore. I closed my eyes, mustering up the courage. "I'm sorry," I said and I heard him sigh.

"Don't apologize princess. I'm the one that's sorry. I shouldn't have taken you there in the first place." I turned around to look at him and he was lying flat on the bed as he stared up at the ceiling. "But since you sorry." I could hear the smile in his voice, indicating that something nefarious was about to leave his mouth. "You're forgiven." The cockiness in his voice returned with a certain amount of vengeance.

"No, no, no you are forgiven." I had to argue. It was the natural order of things. I couldn't just let it go.

He laughed. "You impossible."

I turned to face the window again. A stupid smile on my face. After a few minutes, the door banged against the wall and I turned around instinctively.

"Wake up you lazy lot. It's four o'clock and you sleeping," Came Stephanie's voice.

"Steph do me a favor and go be creepy somewhere else," Luca groaned causing Stephanie to chuckle.

I sat up and she came over to me. "You coming with me Lizzy," she said reaching for my hand and pulling me off the couch.

"Might as well. That's right both of you can get out," Luca's voice was groggy, hinting that he was feeling sleepy.

Stephanie ignored her brother as she pulled me out of the room. "Steph where are you taking me?" I stumbled behind her.

"You have to see the dresses I got you."

"Dresses?" I repeated.

"Okay. I was going to surprise you, but I just couldn't wait anymore."

She walked a few more paces down the hall and pushed open a door. The room was painted white and had rose gold curtains and bed covers. On the wall above the bed was Stephanie's name in sparkling letters. On the bed was a bunch of black suite bags. "Steph, how many dresses did you get me?"

"Just three. I promise," she smiled mischievously and I groaned.

"You didn't have to go through so much trouble for me."

"It was no trouble at all. We're going to be family one day Liz. Plus, you the only girl I like from all the girls my brother dated. His ex Allison was a real something. Somehow she managed to get her claws real deep into my brother. But you saved him from all of that and I'll forever be grateful," she squeezed my shoulder gently as she gave me a reassuring smile. "Anyway, I don't want to bring all of that up. It's a drag and I'm glad that evil has been vanquished!" she declared dramatically.

For someone that was pregnant, she sure was filled with a lot of energy.

Luca didn't tell me much about Allison or their relationship. He just told me bits and pieces of how his mother didn't like her and how they hadn't always been true to each other. I didn't understand their relationship but then again who was I to judge. Every relationship was unique.

"Ooh," Stephanie gasped, hunching over and holding onto her tummy. I moved towards her in worry. She wasn't supposed to be running around and stressing during pregnancy.

"Are you okay Steph?" I looked over her and she nodded, standing up straight again.

"I'm fine the baby is just kicking," she smiled. I looked at her tummy. The concept of this is how people come into the world fascinated me. "You want to feel?" She asked and I nodded 

She took my hand and placed it on her belly. After a while, I felt movement, and Stephanie's eyes sparkled in amusement. "I think the baby likes you."

I felt a tinge of sadness that I wouldn't be around for when the baby is born. That I wouldn't be able to see Stephanie or Charlotte again. "Did you and Christian find out the gender yet?" I asked and she shook her head.

"We said we didn't want to know," she sighed. "But I kind of do want to know. Just to know. I mean it doesn't matter to me if it's a boy or girl. I just want to know so I would be better prepared," she vented, picking up a suit bag. "Now try on this sexy little number."

She handed me the bag and I took out a black long-sleeved sequenced dress. It looked fancy and the light bounced off it. I looked at Steph sheepishly. I was shy to change in front of her. "Oh," she chuckled. "I'm not looking," she said, making a show of covering her eyes.

I took my clothes off and placed them on Steph's bed. I pulled the dress over my head and down my body. The dress felt snug. Like it was one chocolate bar away from being too tight for me. "Okay, you can look," I chuckled and she removed her hands.

She removed her hands and came over to me. "Liz you look amazing," she mused, pulling me to a long wall mirror. "My brother's heart is going to stop when he sees you in this."

The sun will go out before that happens.

The dress hugged my body, it ended just above my knee and if I didn't know that this was how the dress was supposed to fit I'd say it's tight. "Steph. What would I wear this to?"

"For the bachelor and bachelorette party of course. Oh please promise me you'll wear it. I would if I could but I can't," she pouted, rubbing her belly.

She looked at me with such expectancy that I couldn't help but make that promise. "I'll wear it."

I needed to stop making promises...

**********************************************************
A/N

So here I am publishing chapters when I have projects that are due. Don't mind me, procrastination is the devil.

I hope you guys enjoyed the song. Urgh, I'm jealous of Sia's voice. I could never hit high notes.

You, humans, are lovely. Thank you all for reading. Please remember vote, comment, and share with your fellow wattapadians!

💜P. A