Page 34 of Temporary Omega
“Hello, Mr. Wentworth.” Luca extended his right hand.
“None of that Mr. Wentworth stuff. Please, call me Jules.” He extended his gloved hand before drawing it back with a laugh. “Oh my, forgive my appearance,” he said to Luca. To Lincoln, he accused, “You’re early.”
Lincoln shook his head, looking amused and the smile lighting up his eyes. “We’re exactly on time, Papa. You just got caught up in gardening again.”
“I was just going to get some fresh flowers for the table, but then I got caught up pruning, and weeding, the next thing I know I hear a car pulling up.”
“It’s okay, Papa, I’m sure your vegetables and plants enjoyed having some TLC from you and I’m so happy to see you’re back to gardening,” Lincoln placed a hand on his papa’s shoulder. Their gazes met before his papa leaned in for a side hug, careful not to stain Linc’s clothes.
“I would hug you too,” Jules said, then looked down at his clothes, “but I’m a mess. But I’m so pleased you’re here, so happy to meet you.”
“So am I,” Luca replied, his face breaking out in a wide grin. “So am I.”
Luca saw Jules sniff discreetly and looked up at Linc, clearly confused.
“Let’s go inside, Papa. I’m sure we can keep Jackie company while you… clean up.” Lincoln put an arm around his papa’s shoulders and hugged him to his side as they walked to the front door.
Luca didn’t miss the fact that Lincoln also took his hand and didn’t let go as they walked into the house. And why did that have his heart beating faster?
“I’m sure Jackie will be happy to see you, go visit while I freshen up. I won’t be long.”
After Jules excused himself and disappeared up the staircase that curved off from the foyer, Lincoln led Luca through the house, past the living room, a formal dining room,and a couple other rooms. All the rooms passed were tastefully decorated. Each of them filled with gorgeous furnishings and some amazing artwork he couldn’t wait to explore, given a chance. Luca could tell these rooms were not for show, but actual living spaces. He could see the care that had been taken to make sure each space was comfortable and inviting. Luca would bet it had been decorated by Linc’s papa, Jules.
He could also see how Lincoln had grown up from the space he stood in. And why the man’s penthouse apartment had the same welcoming feel.
More of his nervousness faded.
Luca followed Lincoln, their hands still linked, till they entered the kitchen. It was a stunning kitchen, and Luca hoped he wasn’t drooling at the sight.
It was a large modern farmhouse kitchen that Luca would have definitely chosen for his home. A chubby woman, with black hair streaked with silver, stood at the island, putting the finishing touches to what looked like a cold pasta salad.
“Jackie,” Lincoln called the moment they walked into the kitchen.
“Mr. Lincoln,” the woman replied the moment her eyes landed on Linc. She wiped her hands on her apron and came around the island towards Linc for a hug.
Linc finally let go of Luca’s hand and he felt the loss immediately. Lincoln hugged the woman and Luca realized how short she was as he held her in his arms.
He let go of her and took Luca’s hand again, which had him cheering on the inside, even though he did his best to keep calm.
“Luca this is Mrs. Jackie, she’s like my third parent, and has been here all my life.”
Mrs. Jackie looked him up and down then said something to Lincoln in what sounded like Russian or something of the sort.
Linc replied to her in the same language, surprising Luca.
They went back and forth like that for a few more seconds before Mrs. Jackie went around the island and back to her salad.
Luca whispered, “I didn’t know you spoke Russian? And what did she say?”
“I learned from Mrs. Jackie when I was younger and she said she approves,” Lincoln smiled. Then turned around leading Luca back the way they came. Before they left the kitchen, Luca turned around and looked back and he saw Mrs. Jackie’s eyes on him. He gave a tentative smile and was relieved when after a brief second the woman gave him one back.
Hey maybe today wouldn’t be a train wreck of a day. Mrs. Jackie seemed to like him, now if he could get the same reaction from Lincoln’s papa, then maybe the nervous feeling in his belly would disappear.
Lincoln led him through the house pointing out different spots, and telling stories from his childhood. They stopped at a closed door, and Linc touched it almost reverently, making Luca look up at him.
“This was my dad’s study,” Lincoln said, his voice thick with sadness.
Luca squeezed Lincoln’s hand trying to comfort him without words so he wouldn’t interrupt whatever it was that the man needed to say. Linc rubbed his hand up and down the door almost tenderly, “Not been in there since after the funeral. Don’t think papa has either.”