44. Chapter 44
44
You're Learning Already
“Darling, will you breathe? It’s going to be fine. It’s just your family.” I try to grab her hand, but she’s wiping her palms on her skirt.
“Says you, Leo. You’re the one who lit a stress cigarette earlier.” I can only nod, because she’s right. I’m nervous to meet her family for the first time, but from what I know about them, I’m sure it will be a fine night. Ella hates when I smoke, so she grabbed it from me and stomped on it before we got into my car.
Her mum isn't around anymore—at least not as much as she was a few months ago—and I’m glad all that has been sorted. I know how much it weighed on Ella, and I’m glad to see the happiness back on her face.
I’m glad to see her glowing like she used to, and I can’t believe this beautiful, powerhouse of a woman is mine to kiss whenever I want. I grab her hand as I turn onto her street, pressing a kiss to her knuckles to try and calm her nerves.
She’s calming mine just by being next to me.
I park the car and swing around to open her door for her.
“Leo, I can do it myself,” she says, grabbing the dessert she made for tonight.
“I know you can, but it doesn't mean you have to.” This girl will never not argue with me, and I love it. I crave it. “I love how independent you are, but you can let me help you sometimes. I am your boyfriend.”
She only rolls her eyes at me. “If you must, then I can’t stop you.” I follow her to the door, my hand behind her back the entire time in case she slips. It’s a bit icy out; December in Virginia is a bitch and a half weather-wise.
Ella opens the door to her house and, instantly, I’m hit with a warm familiarity. This place feels like a home, not just a house.
It reminds me of my home back in England, and I make a mental note to call our parents tomorrow before the new year. We talk every day now, but I still miss them. It was another adjustment, being so far apart again. I’ll never get used to it.
And they keep asking me about Ella. We had a call with them a few days ago, when I formally introduced her as my girlfriend, and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. They welcomed her with open arms, especially after she dropped everything and came to England with us when Dad wasn't doing well.
They’ve loved her ever since, and she finally got to meet my father. They clicked instantly, and I went to sleep that night with a huge smile on my face and her tucked into the side of me.
“Dad? Lizzie?”
“In the kitchen, Ells!” I hear a voice say.
I follow her, taking off my shoes and leaving them at the door. When we get into the kitchen, Ella immediately steps into action and starts stirring things. I’m unsure of what to do, so I stand in the doorway and try not to look like I’m freaking out.
I’ve never met a girlfriend’s family before. In fact, I’ve never really dated anyone, at least not as seriously as this current situation.
Her sister wraps her arms around her, a huge smile on her face, before Ella hugs her dad and then turns back to me.
“This is Leo, my boyfriend,” Ella says with a smile, and I reach my hand out for her father to shake.
“It’s nice to meet you guys. Ella doesn't stop talking about you both.”
Her dad smiles at me, shaking my hand before her sister holds hers out to me too.
“I’m Lizzie, but you can call me Elizabeth.” Her stern expression makes my mouth turn up.
“Nice to meet you, Elizabeth.”
“Lizzie, don’t.”
Her eyes narrow at me. “I’m just making sure he knows his place.”
Yup, they’re definitely sisters. “Believe me, Ella reminds me every single day.”
Ella rolls her eyes as she takes in the kitchen. “What can I help with?”
“Take over for me if you can.” Her father looks toward me before he speaks again. “Can we have a talk away from the girls?”
“Dad…” Ella warns.
“It’s fine, darling,” I tell her. “I’ll follow you, sir.”
“Good man,” he says as he walks past me into the living room. He sits on the couch, and I sit across from him in a chair.
Neither of us speaks for a few minutes, and I shift in my seat, uncomfortable because I don’t know what he wants to chat about and nervous for what he’s going to say.
Ella told me a lot about her childhood; we laid everything out on the table one night when we stayed up chatting. She told me all about what happened at Thanksgiving and why she came to my flat.
I know all she has had her entire life is her father and her sister, and I’m really scared he won’t like me. Mostly everyone does when they meet me, but Ella’s father? I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't like me.
“Do you realize how big of a night this is?” he asks me, his voice serious and tense.
“Yes, sir, I do.”
“No, I don’t think you do, son, so I’m going to tell you.” He leans forward as he speaks. “My daughter can be stubborn, and I guess she gets that from me. She doesn't let people in very often, but when she does, it’s special. Do you realize how special it is that you’re here right now? That she let you in enough to bring you here?”
“I know how special your daughter is, sir. She might be a tough nut to crack, but I do know how huge this is. I’ve known her for a long time.”
He only nods at me.
“You’ve raised a wonderful daughter, sir.”
“That’s nice of you to say.” He pauses to put his arm on my shoulder. “Ella has one of the biggest hearts I know, and she’s kept it to herself for most of her life, always worrying about everyone else. All she’s done is look out for her sister and me, especially when her mom left.”
“All I want to do is take care of her—if she lets me.” Which she has over the past week. She’s slowly becoming more dependent on me; I never want her to lose her independence, because it makes her who she is, but I want her to know I’ll always be here for her.
“Good, because if you fuck this special thing up, I might have to hurt you.”
I smile to myself. “I’m sure her sister will also be first in line, sir.”
He can only laugh. “Good man. You’re learning already.”
“Dad?” I hear Ella yell from the kitchen. “Tell me Leo’s still alive out there, please.”
The two of us laugh as we rejoin them in the kitchen, and Ella sighs with relief. Did she really think he would send me running?
“Now, how can I help?” I ask as I roll my sleeves up. Ella smiles at me before putting me to work.
I can’t wait for more nights like this with her by my side.
I never thought the two of us would end up here, but I wouldn't change anything about our story. We’ve seen the messiest parts of one another, yet we still found each other amidst it all.
I guess hope really isn't that dangerous of a thing if it’s what got me to Ella. All I feel about our collective future is hope that it’ll be messy, fun, and everything the two of us deserve.