In the next, a hand grabs mine and pulls up. Hard.
There is no other way to accurately describe what happens next other than to say I fly up.
Only, my body doesn't hit the ground. Instead, I go from flying to being embraced by a hard, lean body that carries a familiar scent of warmth, love, and safety.
I press my face against the crook of Lucian's neck and shoulders and I let all the tears I was holding in out.
I cry for a long time.
Eventually, I lift my head. "I feel like I'm always crying over you," I say, as I try to pull away.
His hand cradles the back of my head and brings me right back. "It's okay if you want to keep the tears coming, I can swim."
I cry and laugh at the same time because what he's saying isn't making any sense. As I do, he strokes a hand up and down my back until I'm finally able to get a handle on my tears.
Again, it takes a while.
When I peel my face away from his neck, this time he doesn't stop me.
