CHAPTER NINE - You Begun This, Luke

"Eddie!" Eddie cringes at Kate's signature high-pitched shriek. Eddie rotates around to face the commotion while holding a cup of coffee.

"Kate. I believed you two were-"

"He regained his composure. pleaded with me to come back.

Eddie struggled to see Luca pleading, but she had lately come to the realization that she didn't know him as well as she believed. Since Marc's departure for New York three days prior, Luca and Eddie have scarcely spoken to one another at all in the apartment. Eddie is still unsure of what she did to enrage Luca, but she doesn't like to brood. She would merely make peace with him if he decided to stop being pals.

"So... Parker Collins and I saw you on campus! What is happening there?

We are a couple. Playing along with Kate's dialogue, Eddie says.

God, oh God! He is hot, too! That is very cool.

At Kate's remark, Eddie grinned. Parker is very gorgeous.

But shortly after, the man who truly has her heart enters the kitchen. Eddie stares at Luca's bare chest for a time or two before her subconscious chastises her.

Eddie looks. Luca pulled Kate into his chest by encircling her at the waist. Next to Eddie, a landline phone rings, and she reflexively picks it up.

"Speaking of Edison."

"Cara, how are you?" An dialect she recognizes from Italy makes her smile.

Mrs. Moretti, good morning. I'm doing OK, thank you.

Eddie is being cautiously observed by Luca as she converses with his mother.

"Magnifico! To celebrate Thanksgiving in New York, when will you and Luciano be arriving?

Eddie experienced anxiety. She regularly attended the Moretti family's Thanksgiving meal. But this year, she didn't want to be there at all. Particularly given that getting there required spending four hours in a small room with Luca.

"Oh ...ah ... I have a lot of studying to do, so I doubt I'll succeed.

"No! Nonsense!"

"I'll pay you a visit on another weekend. I'll let Luca know about you.

"Thanks, Cara. Enjoy your day, Eddison.

Luca silently takes Eddie's phone and places it in his ear.

"Ciao, mama."

When will you be arriving for Thanksgiving, Luciano?

"Ma, Wednesday. The day prior, most likely at noon.

Eddie is seen by Luca washing her coffee cup before returning to her room while bouncing her hips. He sighs loudly and looks down at Katie as she checks herself out on her phone.

And why won't Eddison be attending Thanksgiving?

"She is busy, Ma, leave it alone."

"You bring her, not me! We are the only family the girl has, Luciano.

"Fine. Bye Ma."

Luca hung up the phone before his mother since he knew he would later receive a lecture he didn't want to hear.

"Before class, I have some time. Do you want to go again? With a wink, Kate enquires. Just as Eddie is about to open the door, Luca muses over shoving her out. As she opens the front door, Parker welcomes her with a discreet kiss. As his rage grows, he drags Kate into his room before the two leave the house holding hands.

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

At the end of the day, when Parker drops her off in front of her building, she pushes her lips on his. After bidding them farewell, Eddie enters. As she enters the room, the aroma of roasted tomatoes and garlic hits her. She investigates in the kitchen out of curiosity.

Over the stove, Eddie notices Luca stirring a sizable pot. She didn't notice this. Luca and Eddie would frequently cook together before Eddie accidentally irritated him. Eddie felt that enough time had passed for this; she is tired of the stillness but is unsure how to approach him.

Eddie makes an effort to sneak out of the kitchen, but she accidentally kicks her toe on one of the cupboards, which causes her to take a deep breath.

"Shit!"

Luca turns his attention in her direction. His anxious eyes were wide. He instantly runs to her rescue while seated on the ground and holding her injured foot. Eddie, are you alright?

All it is is my toe. She yanks her foot free and says, "I'm fine." She smiles as Luca locks eyes with her. I would have done that a few days ago if I had known that stubbing my toe would get you to talk to me.

Luca gets to his feet and grabs her in his arms, bringing her close to his chest. I was missing you.

Eddie pulls him aside while warily observing him. Luke, you initiated this.

"I recognize my stupidity. To obtain your pardon, I'm cooking. He points to the stovetop pots and pans as he speaks. "Homemade gnocchi, just like my mother taught me."

You despise gnocchi.

You do not. He says while shrugging. I informed Ma that we would arrive in New York at noon on Wednesday. Is that convenient for you?

I had informed your mother that I was not going, Luke.

Do you celebrate Thanksgiving with him?

"Parker? He won't be there; his family will be in Miami.

"So, you are now free."

"No, Luca!"

"Eddie, get going."

"I cannot simply act as though everything is fine. I desire to. My roommate needs to come back.

But Luca, you injured me when I had no idea what I had done wrong.

"You need to go. What other places are you heading to?

Eddie moves away when Luca asks an inquiry. His eyes widen as he quickly regrets what he just uttered. True, Eddie doesn't have a family.

None that she is aware of. For as long as she could remember, she had been in foster care. When she was twelve years old, she was adopted, but when the couple got pregnant, they had to send her back. In February, she resembled the rejected Christmas puppy. Mrs. Moretti frequently expressed the wish that she had known her sooner. It seemed odd that their paths had never crossed. Queens is where the Moretti family lives, and Eddie has been moved about Brooklyn, Queens, and New York from foster home to foster home. The majority of her savings were spent on the bus ride to Boston and her first rent payment to Luca after she was fortunate enough to receive a scholarship to Boston College.

When Luca's arms around Eddie once more, she leaned back against the kitchen counter, tears threatening to spill. "Eddie I apologize. That was a bad thing for me to say. Welcome to Thanksgiving, please. Ma might really injure me if you don't arrive, and I won't be able to give her grandchildren.

"I don't think-"

"Please! I'll take any action.

"Luca I -"

"Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease!

"I'll come --"

A heartfelt "Thank you!"

If you explain your ire toward me.