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“What is that?” I mumble, my voice weak yet filled with curiosity.
Dion glances down at me, a soft smile playing on his lips. “You’ll see.”
We reach the greenhouse, and Dion pushes the door open with his foot, careful not to jostle me too much. The smell of plants and flowers immediately fills my nose, a sweet and earthy aroma that’s both invigorating and calming.
He sets me down gently on the ground, and I wobble slightly. Dion keeps a hand on my arm until I find my balance. I look around, taking in everything. It’s beautiful. Sunlight filters through the glass, while rows of vibrant flowers and lush greenery surround us, creating a little oasis of life and color.
“I can’t believe you did this,” I murmur.
Dion smiles, but I can see a hint of sadness in his eyes.
“I needed something to distract myself with while we were apart,” he explains. “When you told me how much you loved gardening and growing flowers and plants, I decided I needed to add more to the property.”
He takes a deep breath. “That’s when I planted the new flowers at the front.” My hands instinctively reach out to brush against the soft petals of a nearby flower. The sensation is grounding.
“But it wasn’t enough. It wasn’t enough to mend the hole that had formed in my chest. So, I planted more and more. Eventually, I had this structure built,” he adds, gesturing around the space filled with greenery.
“I needed something to keep me going. To give me hope that one day, you’d come back to me, and you’d have a place where you could feel at peace.”
I swallow hard, my throat tight with unshed tears. “It’s gorgeous, Dion.”
He looks down at me, his eyes searching mine. “Just know that I’m here for you, Aria. Always.”
I nod, unable to find the right words. The greenhouse, this moment, it’s all too much—and yet not enough. I rest my head on his shoulder, letting the silence speak for us.
“Come on,” Dion says softly, guiding me further into the greenhouse. “Let me show you around.”
We walk slowly, his arm still supporting me. He points out different flowers, telling me their names and a little about each one.
“Here are the orchids.” He gestures to a row of delicate blooms in shades of purple and white. “Those fuckers are a bit temperamental but worth the effort.” He grimaces, and I chuckle.
I reach out to touch a petal. “They’re stunning. You’ve done a great job.” I look to the right. “Except for the petunias. They look a little feeble, which is surprising given that they’re fuss-free flowers,” I tease with a wink.
Dion gasps, hand to his chest, feigning indignation at the harmless jab.
I smile as he leads me to the next section. “And here are roses. Not just any roses. Heirloom varieties. They have a stronger fragrance than the ones you usually find in the wild.”
“Someone did his homework,” I joke, and he laughs. God, I haven’t heard that sound in forever.
I lean in, inhaling the rich, sweet smell of the roses in front of me. It’s intoxicating. “I love them.”
Dion nods, pleased, and continues the tour. “Over here, we have some lavender.” The air is fragrant with its calming scent, and I can already feel some tension easing from my shoulders.
We move onto a section filled with vibrant, cheerful sunflowers. “These are my favorite,” Dion admits, sheepishly. “They’re just so...happy.”
I smile, genuine warmth spreading through me. “They suit you,” I respond, nudging his shoulder.
“Don’t make fun of me,” he mock scowls.
I throw my arms up in the air. “I’m not. Scout’s honor.”
We finish the tour at a small sitting area in the center of the greenhouse. Dion helps me sit down on a cushioned bench.
Suddenly, the sound of rushing water fills the room as the sprinklers go off, dousing us both.
“Ti sto diáolo?” Dion exclaims, jumping up from his seat as water cascades onto us.
“Did you forget you’d set them?” I shout over the noise with a laugh, trying to shield myself from the spray. I probably already look like a mess, and my makeup must be running down my face.
