March, 2016.
Almost three weeks have passed since he came to my apartment to talk, yet if feels like ages.
The first week was all about rediscovering each other, mind body and soul. And although we quickly realized we never actually forgot even the smallest of details, we kept going all the same.
It was so surreal, being together after all those months, we could barely keep our eyes off of one another. Let alone our hands.
We were all energy and eagerness to make up for the lost time; always tangled together whenever we had the chance.
By the time the second week rolled in, as if we were finally convinced this was not a dream we would soon be slapped right out off, we managed to restrain our urges long enough to have actual conversations.
And we talked. Sometimes for hours, until our mouths were dry and every word was exhausted. We laughed really hard, and we cried too.
Nothing was left unsaid, and by now everything flows effortlessly and perfectly oiled, as if the last seven months we were apart never really came to pass.
"I was thinking..." I say, from behind the brim of my coffee mug, as he sits in front of me on the kitchen table reading something on his phone. "Maybe you could pick me up at work today... we could do something outside this flat for a change."
He's now tipping rather fast, holding the phone close to his face. I don't think he heard me speaking so I open my mouth to repeat myself.
"Yeah... sure." He replies before I get the chance to speak again, but he keeps staring at the screen.
"Cool." I continue, putting down my cup and standing up from the chair to walk around the table. "I was thinking maybe we could grab some lunch..."
I'm getting closer and he doesn't even seem to notice; which makes me laugh a little but also makes feel somewhat annoyed.
"I though we could invite Beth along. She has been dying to meet you, and properly apologize to you for going all vigilante in you that night..."
"Sounds nice."
I'm close enough to see that he's texting someone, but not as close as to read exactly what he's writing or whom is he writing to.
"And after that... we could just get married."
It is hilarious, to say the least, watching him drop the phone on the table as he turns around like a whip to face me. His eyes are as big as plates, almost threatening to jump out of his skull, and his lips are opened in a silent scream.
"What!?" He squeals, jolting out of his chair as it squeaks against the tile floor.
I crack up with a mischievous cackle and I lift my hands.
"Oh! So you are listening to me." I mock him, trying not to laugh so hard at him.
He lets out a fake chuckle, which I can tell is out of relief as well, snaking his arms around me and roughly pulling me against his hips. His shocked expression is now twisting into a playful one, and his grip becomes tighter.
"Of course I was, love." He states proudly, before planting a quick peck on my lips. "So be careful what you say. I might just say yes and then the joke would be on you."
Another kiss lands on my mouth, this time deeper and more passionate, to which I gladly respond in the same manner.
"So..." I say, barely catching my breathe when we break apart. "About lunch, Beth really does want to meet you."
He looks at me pulling slightly backwards yet keeping his hands on my sides. Is like he's trying to read my expression or something.
"Really?" He asks, frowning. "You would be up for that? Meeting your friends and such?"
I wrap my arms around his neck and I sigh. "I wouldn't have suggested it otherwise, now would I?"
We never really talked about the future, in all of those late night conversations, so I guess I shouldn't be so surprised about his incredulity.
And I wasn't really planning on suggesting it in the first place. But if it came so candidly out of me, then I have to assume that I'm as ready as I will ever be.
"Okay, then." He agrees with a huge smile on his face. "I'm in."
I chuckle when he squeezes my bum, as though he's closing the deal or something, and I playfully smack his insolent hand away, pretending to be vexed by it.
"I get off at noon today." I say, reaching for my bag that's hanging from the chair, and I swing it across my shoulders. "I'll text you the address later."
He nods and winks an eye at me as he follows me out of the kitchen.
I grab my coat and scarf from the hanger and I'm ready to be off.
"Just so I know what to wear..." He shouts when I'm about to shut the door behind me so I turn around to poke my head in. "Are we getting married or not?"
I laugh and lean against the threshold as he stands in the hall with his eyebrows raised and a crooked smirk tucking at the corner of his mouth.
"Not just yet, sweetie." I tease. "You'll have to run it pass my father first."
"Tell me when and where." He retorts, and a small part of me gets the feeling he's not actually kidding. "I'll have him begging me to be his son in law in a matter of seconds."
The memory of my father mocking him for his hair and skinny legs flashes through my head, and I can't help but to chuckle at the thought of them meeting.
In fact, I even dare to say I would love to see that sooner rather than later; the look on my father's face would be priceless.
"I bet you will. But for the time being, let's just start with Beth."
The rest of the morning passes by rather quickly; with the girls being particularly active and excited.
Even after almost a month, the euphoria caused by the recital shows no signs of fading out and they are already begging us to prepare the next one. Idea that, to say the least, has Beth and I utterly exhausted just thinking about it.
Harry has texted me a few minutes ago to tell me he's already on his way and by the time the girls are all gone, he is waiting for us in the car.
He wanted to pick us up at the door, like a proper gentleman would do - his words, not mine -, but I eventually convinced him that him standing at the door from where I fair amount of girls from the age of four to fifteen would be coming in and out was, to say the least, the perfect recipe for disaster.
"Shotgun!" Beth lunges forward when Harry opens the passenger door for me, quickly fastening the seatbelt before I get the chance to say a word. "What? We're the ones who need to get acquainted, aren't we?"
She turns her head to the side to look at Harry, who looks equally surprised and amused. I do the same and he simply shrugs, gesturing me with his head to jump in the back.
I oblige with a chuckle and I slide into the backseat. By the time I'm closing the door and settling myself in, she's offering her hand for Harry to shake.
"I'm Beth, nice to meet you." She beams, and he returns the greeting. "Officially, that is. I'm awfully sorry about the mace thing, by the way."
Harry smiles, ever so charmingly, and I can see how her eyes sparkle with dazzlement for a brief moment. And far from feeling annoyed or jealous by it, since I reckon that is the effect he usually has on people, I find it rather endearing.
"It's no problem. You were just looking after a friend, after all." He reassures her, turning the key inside the ignition and I feel the engine start to purr under me.
"I was. So I guess it's her fault..." She says, and I frown. "For being such a deceiving little thing and keeping so many secrets."
They both cackle and simultaneously shift on their seats to shoot an accusatory glance at me.
"Alright, I think you're acquainted enough." I complain between gritted teeth. "Now shut up and drive. I'm starving."
I am famished, to be honest. And already regretting having thought about them meeting in the first place.
A/N:
Hello!! How are you? I just wanted to apologize for the belated chapter. I had a terrible case of the block! But luckily it passed and I even have the next chapter ready to go.
Thank you for the patience, and as always, thank you for reading and voting.
Love, Lucy.