Hello guys! I'm so sorry for not updating before. Thank you so much for the few reviews I received. Here's the last chapter, already. I hope you will like it!
Lanie put her pasta box and her chopsticks on the small table of the living room, before grabbing her glass of wine. They were both sitting on the sofa, and they had been talking about a few ins and outs for over 20 minutes long, like they used to do a long time ago. It just felt so natural.
« It was so delicious…if only I could cook like that », Lanie sighed as she put her glass on the table, while Esposito grabbed his.
« Well you can't be worse than me in cooking » he said with a smile.
« Yeah, I know that », she teased him with a playfullook, waiting for his reaction. He raised his eyes to hers and smiled. Lanie seemed more relaxed, comparing to the beginning of the evening.
« Hey, don't brag about yourself, » said Javier. « But it's okay, as long as you can dial the number of the best caterers, i can forgive you…and you have plenty of other qualities… » he added with a wink. Lanie smiled softly.
« Oh really ? Which ones ? »
« Come on, you know well. »
« Actually I don't », Lanie lied, as she twiddled a lock of her hair between her fingers. She was being more playful than a few minutes ago. She definitely looked more and more like the « normal Lanie ».
« Well…you are smart, perceptive, funny and most of all, you can be sexy even if your wear jogging pants. »
Lanie let out a laugh.
« Give me a break, » she said as she rolled her eyes.
« I swear. Jogging suits fit you so well. And this tank top… » he didn't finish his sentence and gazed at her with a charming look. Lanie met his eyes, moved by his words.
« You're not so bad either, you know », she said with a charming tone too.
« That's what my ex-girlfriend said, » Javier replied as he put his glass of wine on the table.
« The problem… » he added after clearing his throat, « is that she left me for no good reasons. In fact, she had a mental block against marriage and wouldn't tell me about her life… » he explained with a teasing look.
Lanie frowned, with a soft smile.
« All right, you win, » she sighed. Javier smiled proudly.
« Tell me. »
Lanie ran her hand through her hair. She always did that when she was searching for what to say.
« All right. His name was Michael and we met at med's school. We spent two semesters together, two semesters completely hot… »
« Oh really, it was that hot ? » Javier interrupted.
« Ooooh yeah it was », Lanie emphasized, her eyes wide opened. Javier gritted his teeth.
« Well done, Michael », he said in a low tone.
« We've been dating for only one year when we decided to get married. He proposed quite randomly by the way, and I said yes. I was still an immature kid, emotionally unstable and most of all, desperately blindly in love », Lanie said.
« Of course my mom wasn't going to give her consent. And he had no parents either. I sort of turned my back to my family for him, » she remembered.
« I guess it wasn't easy… » Esposito said. Lanie nodded.
« Not really. That's why I don't get along so well with my mother now…She always blamed me for doing that without her consent. Anyway, a few months later, Michael started to hang around disreputable people, and dropped school overnight. He didn't even want to become a doctor anymore. Actually he didn't want to do anything in his life. He started to be into drugs, drinking…and eventually cheated on me…a million times », she said, trying to remember all the girls he betrayed her with.
« What a jerk, » Esposito interrupted, shaking his head. Lanie smiled softly.
« Yes he was actually », she nodded. « Anyway, one night when I found out he was cheating on me, we started a fight and then he became violent », she said more seriously, with a shaky voice. Javier stopped smiling. He stared at her, as he could feel she was more tensed.
« He barely touched me that day but it happened, once. And that was it. That night, I realized I had no future with him. So I wanted to leave him. It was not that easy because I was afraid of him…and even if he swore a million times he would stop fooling around, I wanted to divorce. One year after that, it was over, we got divorced. Then he insisted to make up but I decided to leave, change town, and I finished my studies in New York », she finally said.
« I see…now I understand », Esposito replied with a soft voice.
« Now you know everything. Are you happy now ? »
He shrugged.
« Happy that you suffered so much in the past, certainly not. But happy that you told me about it, yes », he replied with a smile.
« Well you left me no choice… » she mumbled before taking a sip of red wine.
« Ok, maybe I insisted too much, but it was for a good reason », he argued. Lanie smiled softly.
« But still, there's something I don't understand, » he said, frowning.
« Tell me. »
« You said that you're not proud of that part of your life, and this marriage. But, it wasn't your fault it didn't work. So why do you keep blaming yourself for it, today ? » he asked.
« Because a failing marriage for me, is not that insignificant. Because I would have liked to get married once in my life, with the good person, you know. I used to have a traditional view of things…a functional marriage, spending my life with the same person, having kids…But since then, I completely changed my way of thinking. And I don't know if I would be able to remarry someday », she explained. Esposito shook his head.
« You should stop torturing yourself with that, Lanie. It's the past…and you don't have to get married », he added with a soft voice. Lanie looked at him, raising her eyebrow.
« Do you really think that ? » she said, surprised. Then he added :
« Well, it's true that I was raised in a traditional family, that marriage for Latinos is sacred and I have to admit I've always thought that I would get married someday, but it doesn't mean that it's going to happen…After all, it's a commitment of two people. If my girl doesn't want to, I can't get married by myself… » he said slightly, staring into space. Lanie was gazing at him and smiled. He was just adorable.
« You're right, » she said. « I have to stop thinking about it. It's the past anyway, end of story. It's just a personal failure, and I HATE failing…and being a loser », she said as she rolled her eyes, which made Esposito smile.
« Yeah, I know that », he laughed. « Remember that night when we went to this rec room at the corner of the 6th and the 42nd ? You made a fuss when we went home », he recalled with a laugh.
« You cheated ! » Lanie protested. She couldn't help but pinched his arm.
« No i didn't », he claimed as he shook his head. Lanie glared at him in silence. She didn't want to argue about it anymore as the thought of that night still made her upset.
« Anyways…it was good talking to you », she admitted, a little bit awkward. Esposito gazed at her for a few seconds before starting to speak.
« Lanie, you have to understand something. Marriage or not, I'm not Michael, and I won't ever be him. I don't do drugs, I drink…mmm let's say, moderately… » he said with a smile.
« Except for when you hang out with your buddies from the army, » Lanie interrupted sarcastically.
« Okay, being drunk from time to time is no big deal, it reminds us the service…you know how nostalgic I am sometimes, » he pleaded with humor.
« Give me a break », she smirked.
« Anyway, most of all, I will never, ever, lay a hand on you. You know that, right ? » he asked, raising his eyes to hers. Lanie smiled and reached her hand to softly stroke Javier's cheek. She tenderly caressed his warm and unshaven cheek with her fresh palm.
« Of course I know. You've always been great to me. And I know i'm safe with you. » she whispered without removing her hand from his skin. He let her caress him, as if he was hypnotized by her touch.
« I could never hurt you », he added in a low voice. Lanie winced slightly and lowered her hand.
« Mm…You already did actually…when you brought Kaylie at your place », she mumbled, upset by the thought of it. Javier tried not to smile.
« So, you were jealous, then ? » he asked, looking at her. Lanie bit her lips, trying hard to hide her jealousy.
« Mmm…I don't know if jealous is the right word… »
« I think you were », Javier interrupted with a smile. She glanced at him, and sighed. He was right, she couldn't deny it.
« Okay, maybe a little bit jealous, » she lied. « Let's say I was surprised…I didn't think she was your type of girl, that's all », she added.
Esposito smiled and grabbed her hand, the one she was using to stroke his cheeks just a few seconds before.
« She's not my type of girl at all », he admitted. Lanie's eyes widened.
« Javier Esposito, you are a liar. »
« Not at all, Doctor Parish », he replied, nodding. He was still holding her hand.
« Come on ! » Lanie let out a laugh. « Blond, well-built, green eyes, big boobs ? »
« You're a thousand times more beautiful than her », Esposito interrupted. She looked at him for a few seconds, considering his words, and finally smiled victoriously.
« It's nice of you. Not true though, but nice », Lanie said.
Javier intertwined his fingers in hers.
« It is the truth », he corrected her. Then he started to move his fingers so gently that she was suddenly all in a flutter. She wanted to throw herself in his arms and kiss him but she wouldn't move. Esposito was gazing at her, and the idea of kissing her wildly was also crossing his mind…but somehow he couldn't do it.
« So, tell me. What's your ex-husband's name ? » he said after a few seconds. Lanie cleared her throat, pulled out from her fantasy.
« Kramer. Michael Kramer. Why ? »
« Just asking…and where does he live ? » he asked.
Lanie nodded.
« We were studying and got married in Virginia State. But God only knows where he is now. Anyway, why are you asking this ? »
« I'd like to do some research about him tomorrow at the precinct. You know, just to find him and kick his ass… » he confided with a protective and threatening tone. Lanie let out a laugh and let go his hand, in order to come closer to Javier. She reached towards him and huddled up to his chest. He seemed a little bit surprised by her gesture but let her do so.
« Nevermind…I'm over him. We were just two kids, Michael and that marriage were a complete mistake… »
« A HOT mistake, though, as you said » Esposito corrected, a little bit jealous. Lanie grinned mischievously.
« Well, I have to admit that for that, he was… » she didn't finish her sentence and bit her lips, amused.
« You don't have to say more, » he moaned, grumpy. She was hurting his ego.
« But what I remember the most, » Lanie said, « is that you'd be ready to kick his ass for me…and that makes you 70% sexier than you already are, » she admitted with a smile, before kissing his neck softly. Javier stroke her hair, flattered by her words.
« Anyway, because of him you don't wanna be with me anymore, that's a good reason to smash his face in, isn't it ? » he said ironically. Lanie looked up at him and Javier's eyes met hers.
« I still wanna be with you. »
He looked at her carefully, slightly surprised by her words.
« You're serious ? »
« Of course I am. I have loved every second of every moment that we shared. You're a good man, you know, Javier Esposito. » she whispered before laying her head next to his neck. Javier closed his eyes as he savored her touch, while stroking his long dark hair.
« And you, you are an extraordinary woman…brave, strong…i think I love you mostly for that…added to the fact that you are physically gorgeous, of course », he added with humor. Lanie let out a laugh, again. She felt so good with him.
« So, you still love me ? » she asked.
« Duh », he sighed, avoiding her look. Lanie smiled and looked up at him, as he finally looked down.
« Say it », she whispered. Javier slightly frowned.
« You…You're not going to think it's a proposal or stuff like that, and be mad at me, right ? » he asked carefully. Lanie just nudged him in the ribs.
« Ouch. »
« Say it », she demanded again.
« If you insist… » he sighed. He stared at her a few seconds before talking.
« I love you, Lanie Parish. Like crazy. » he finally said in a whisper as he gazed at her in a way that could make her melt.
She laid back against his torso, with a smile of satisfaction.
« Like crazy. Oh really ? »
« Yup, really. » he repeated.
« So, you're not mad at me for leaving you instead of talking to you ? » she asked, a little bit concerned.
« A little bit », he admitted. « But that doesn't mean I don't love you anymore. And you have to know that I still wanna be with you, too. » he said, as he played with one of her long dark lock. Lanie always loved when he touched her hair and he knew it.
« What a sweet declaration. » Lanie grinned as she raised her look to meet Javier's eyes.
« Speaking of which, I kinda feel lonely…I'd like you to return the favor,» he teased as he offered her a sexy smile. Lanie felt butterflies inside her stomach, just like every time he looked at her like that.
She offered him one of her most beautiful smiles in return, then raised her head to him. He slightly leaned over her as he felt she was going to kiss him. Their lips met with passion as she placed her palm on his bristly cheek. He responded to her hot kiss and ran his powerful hands through her long dark hair. After a few seconds of kissing, they finally pulled away from each other, both of them out of breath.
« How was that ? » she whispered, still breathless.
« That…that's a good start », he managed to say, satisfied, as he wiped his wet lips with one finger.
« So…we're back together? » he asked then.
« We are », she confirmed with a beautiful smile.
« Gee…I can't believe we owe that to Beckett. You can thank her, that damn snooper… » he whispered as he kissed her forehead.
« I'm going to kill her, instead » Lanie replied.
« I can see how glad you are we're back together, thanks ! »
Lanie rolled her eyes.
« Whatever the result, she betrayed me. I'm not going to forget that, » she said.
« Don't be too hard on her, Lanie. » he said more seriously. « She was worried about you. And it's my fault, I almost forced her to confess. »
Lanie sighed, lost in her thoughts.
« All right…I won't be too hard on her…but I'd really like to take my revenge though… » she said as she bit her nail.
Esposito rolled his eyes and smiled.
« Why so much hate… » he sighed, amused. But Lanie wasn't listening, already thinking about some evil plans.
« First we're going to make them think we're still separated, okay ? »
Javier seemed to be reluctant a few seconds, then nodded.
« Yeah, it could be fun to ignore each other at work. »
« We'll have to be convincing. Because the three musketeers are not fooled that easily ! » she joked as she thought of Ryan, Castle and Beckett.
« Can I tell Kevin the truth at least ? You know, since that night at the restaurant, he's so desperate every time he sees me, he keeps apologizing and it's umbearable….it seems that Jenny feels awful about it. »
« She can ! » Lanie replied. « It's her fault that we broke up », she grumbled.
« Mm…I'd rather say it's yours, but… » Esposito mumbled.
« Whatever, » Lanie stopped him. « You forgot that he spends his time chatting with Castle…Believe me, your friend is a leak », Lanie added. Esposito listened to her, pensive.
« Mm…it's true he talks with Rick, more than me recently… » he had to admit, with a hint of jealousy.
« You'll be fine, baby, » Lanie kidded, poking his cheek.
« And after that, I need to make an embarrassing situation happen between Rick and Kate so that they FINALLY get together », Lanie thought out loud, still thinking about her mischevious plans. « Then she'll be mad at me at the moment, but since she'll have a happy ending, she will forgive me anyway », Lanie concluded with a smile, proud of her.
« My girl is so smart », Javier teased, kissing her forehead.
« Yeah, I know. » she said in all modesty. « But I need your help to trap them. »
« You know I can refuse you nothing, chica », Esposito replied, kissing her again.
« Besides, the way Kate interferes in our lives, we can pay her back, right ? » he added, trying to ease his conscience.
« Oh yes, that's a good reason. » Lanie approved with a smile and raising her eyes to his.
« We are a great team, Doctor Parish » he whispered, leaning towards her.
« Super great », Lanie nodded in a whisper, before kissing him with passion as their lips met again. She placed a hand on the back of his head and pulled him closer to her as they laid down progressively on the couch. As they kept kissing, Javier laid on top of her, trying not to put too much weight on her.
« I missed you », he whispered before kissing her hungrily.
« Me too... » she said as Javier's lips slipped from her mouth to her neck, slowly. She arched her back in pleasure when suddenly he stopped himself.
« Wait, I need to ask you something. » he said, searching her look.
« What ? » she asked, breathless and surprised.
« Tell me… » he said, hesitantly. « With me, it's hotter than with your lousy ex-mistake-husband, right ? » he finally asked.
Lanie let out a laugh and wanted to kiss him more.
« Come on, compared to you, he was an angel, baby… » she said with a warm look and a soft voice.
Blushing, Esposito felt his smile widening and his ego boosting considerably.
« Good answer », he replied softly before kissing her again.
THE END
thanks for reading :)