Falling Down(135)

I pull her to me. "Lucy, I mean it when I say this is your house too. Please treat it as yours not just mine and the guys', okay?"
She nods.
"You don't see Sera, Jace, Meggie or even Trace having an issue with it, do you?"
"No, but--"
"But…" I pause. Wait. She's used to taking care of everyone, providing for everyone, that she's not sure how to react when someone does the same for her.
"Lucy?"
"Hmm?"
"You're used to taking care of everyone, right?"
"Well, yeah, I just always--"
"Okay. I get it but you can still take care of them from here, and seeing as we're in a relationship and we love each other, you're going to have to get used to someone taking care of you, too."
"I thought I was doing pretty well."
"You are. Don't get me wrong, you're doing great. I just didn't realize that was what was going on. You can talk to me, Lucy. You know that, right?"
"I do."
"Don't hesitate because you think I'll judge you. I never will. It's part of that pinky-swear and X over heart promise."
She nods.
"Trust me, Luce. Here's how much I trust you."
She just looks at me.
"I keep thinking all these f*cking mushy romantic thoughts that would have Ben or the guys giving me shit and you know what?"
"What?" she asks.
"I don't give a f*ck. I like it. I like feeling like this about you and I don't care who knows it. I like knowing you'll be here when I go to sleep at night and when I wake up in the morning. I like cooking for you. I like your reactions to each of the f*cking different settings for this shower. That's how pathetic I am, how whipped I am, and I'm not too proud to tell you. A year ago I'd have probably thrown you out--no, that's not true either. It'd have been you and you're you and there's no wanting you gone. Period. Ever."
"Wow."
"Yeah. Word vomit."
She nods. I turn off the shower and we step out, drying off. She wraps a towel around her head like some turban or something.
"See? That right there? I think that's f*cking adorable."
"What?" she asks.
"The turban thing you've got going on."
Her eyes are wide as she asks, "Jesse, you're all in, huh?"
I nod, head hanging, hands braced on my hips, only my head moving as I accept my fate.
"Me too," she tells me.
I lift my head up. "Yeah?"
She nods. "I'm used to taking care of everyone. I've always taken care of Sera, ever since her parents… well, since then. She was in such a bad way for so long and then she gave up her dream of music to model while I acted all because my mom wanted it. I made ridiculous amounts of money and she did as well, but I just bought the houses, paid the bills, paid for vacations, and made sure she was comfortable, happy, and never wanted for anything. I like doing that for everyone. Now there's Jace, Meggie, and Trace. I know they can all take care of themselves, but I just like to do it."
I nod. "It's a good thing. It's part of who you are. You nurture and take care of people, giving them what they need monetarily or emotionally. I saw that from the beginning. But, babe, you don't have to own your own house--hell, you already do. You can take care of everyone from here. I'd really like it if you'd stay. We can talk to the others later, especially Sera, and make sure she's good with staying here. The house is plenty big and she has tons of freedom here."
She nods. "You're amazing, Jesse. Thank you," she says, giving me a hug. I gently hug her back, careful not to hurt her sore areas.
"Want to see your tattoo now?"