Chapter 35
CHAPTER 35
L evon
I grabbed the packing tape and unrolled a long strip, applying it to a box that was filled with books. When the box was properly taped, I shoved it aside near the bookshelf and went about collecting some clothes from the closet.
“Do I really need all these ties?”
I held up a huge collection of them while wearing a goofy smile.
“Of course, I do.”
I tossed them into a trash bag and set those aside. I dove into my closet, discovering a plethora of clothes I hadn't worn in many years. I pulled a few work shirts from their hangers, holding them up to the light to inspect them. Some of them had never been worn at all. I tried each of them on to make sure they fit, delighted to find they were still the right size.
I took them to the bag of ties and shoved them inside. I could iron them later. I imagined Clara had an ironing board. If not, I could always purchase one for our house.
Our house , I reflected mirthfully. We're going to have a house—together.
A smile crept across my lips as I continued gathering clothes. I tossed whatever used shirts and pants I didn't need into a separate trash bag, reminding myself to drop it off at a donation store somewhere in between moving.
I also have furniture in storage that I need to pick up. I whipped my phone from my pocket to text Ryan. I could ask to borrow his truck for an hour. That would help move some of those items.
I heard a knock at my door. I looked up to see my mother standing there, wearing her usual peaceful grin. The lines around her eyes betrayed her age but her smile denoted her youthful spirit.
“Hey, Mom,” I said with a grin. “Is it time for lunch yet?”
“Not yet. I was wondering if you had a minute?”
“Of course.”
She wandered inside my room and sat on the edge of my bed. The mattress squeaked beneath her. She bounced slightly on the bed and then patted the mattress, chuckling lightly. “Looks like we'll need a new bed for the guest room.”
“Ah, so this will be the guest room?”
“Jen's room will be the craft room, but you're always welcome to come back.”
I laughed. “You know I'll come back and visit. We'll be right in town.”
“I know, dear. I just wanted to let you know we've always loved Clara. You've always had our blessing with her. But I don't want either of you to get hurt again.”
“Mom.”
She held up her hands. “I know—I'm being a worry wart. I don't mean to be. I just care about you both and I don't want to see the two of you falling apart because you're moving too fast.”
“I think it's just the right pace for us. We've known each other for so long. It feels right to do this.”
“I just want to make sure that you're sure about your decision.”
I chuckled. “I'm not eighteen anymore, Mom.”
“No, you're not. You're a grown man. You sprouted up right before my eyes and I can't even believe it sometimes.”
“I'll always be your son, but I'll always make my own decisions.”
“Of course, my dear. I support that.”
“And I'm not going anywhere. I intend to stay with Clara as long as she'll have me and I think that will be for a long time.”
She smiled warmly. “That's good to hear, Levon.”
“I plan on taking her with me on as many trips as she can stand. I think she'll enjoy seeing the major cities here in the US. There's a lot of neat places that would appeal to her.”
“I don't mean to jump the gun, but what about when you start having kids?”
“Oh, geeze, Mom!” I groaned while chuckling. “We're not even engaged yet. We'll worry about kids when we start planning our wedding.”
“I'll be invited to that, right?”
I rolled my eyes. “Nope.”
“It's good to see you still have your sarcastic sense of humor.”
“And it's good to see you being a good sport about it.”
“I mean, where do you think you got it from?”
I laughed as I sank next to my mother. She took my hand and patted my knuckles the same way she used to do when I was sick in bed as a child.
She smiled. “So, you want kids.”
I stared at her without saying a word. But a knowing smile crossed her lips as she snickered and stood up. She kissed my hand.
“I look forward to having grandchildren from both of my children. I'll start making lunch, okay? Let Clara know she's welcome to join us.”
“I'll let her know.”
When my mother left, I shook my head and chuckled.
Of course, she wants grandchildren. Now, the question is, do I want children? I hummed as I stared at the items surrounding my bed. I needed to start taking them down to my car. I guess I could talk to Clara about that.
I clapped my hands together and stood up. As I rubbed my palms on my pants, I studied the amount of boxes that were ready to be transported. There were only four boxes. I didn't have that many things stored at my parents’ house, considering I traveled most of the time. I set the boxes near the door and took another glance at my room.
I smiled. “No more sleeping alone.”
* * *
Clara arrived just after lunch. As soon as Mom fed her, we wandered up the stairs to my bedroom. She paused in the doorway as I went to start collecting the trash bags that held donations.
I turned to see her wearing the most nostalgic expression.
“What's wrong, darling?”
She grinned. “Just thinking.”
“About?”
“This room.”
I chuckled. “Brings back memories, huh?”
“I remember laying on your bed and staring at that stupid poster you had over your bed.” Her eyes flitted up to the ceiling. “Yep, it's still there.”
I nodded as I sat on my bed. “Care to recreate that?”
“I'd love to.”
She shuffled over the carpet and set next to me, her hands on either side of her. I rested back and held out my arm for her to lay on. She nestled into my side with her head on my shoulder as she placed her hand over my heart. Her palm was warm against my chest.
I grinned. “Remember when I would sneak you in?”
“Those were the days.”
“Now, we can just do this on purpose.”
“Oh, so no more sneaking me in?”
I chuckled. “I mean, we could recreate all that for nostalgia's sake if you want.”
“I think that would be cute.”
“I like this. It feels right.”
She sighed contentedly. “Please, tell me you aren't bringing this poster for the ceiling above our bed.”
“Awe, why not?”
“It always gave me the creeps.”
“But I'll be there to keep you safe at night. I'll wrap my arms around you and protect you.”
“I could compromise.”
I perked up. “Yeah?”
“You can get it framed and hang it in the living room.”
“That sounds like a good idea. It's a vintage poster. I would have to get rid of it.”
“Do you need help getting it down?”
I shook my head. “Not yet. I'm enjoying this.”
She hummed. “Me, too.”
I went quiet as I listened to her rhythmic breathing. She sounded calm. Her skin felt warm under my hand and I rubbed her arm steadily, recalling the ways I had done this in the past. I stroked her arm down to her elbow, circling it before returning to her upper arm.
She sighed.
“My mother said something today,” I whispered. “About having kids.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah.”
She went quiet for a moment, then she whispered, “Do you want kids someday?”
I turned to face her. I held her chin gently, directing her gaze to me. I smiled warmly. “Honestly, I never did want any. I just wanted to travel the world.”
“I know.”
“But I've done enough traveling to last a lifetime. I can't imagine not having kids.”
She smiled. “Really?”
“I think it's time for these old bones to settle.”
“You're not even that old!”
“I feel old.”
She laughed. “You're ridiculous, Levon.”
“I think I've gained enough experience to pass along to our children. I'll add those experiences to their bedtime stories and tell them about the entire world.”
“I bet they'll love that.”
“And I'll show them the photo albums I put together. I'll tell them the story about you.”
“You'll leave out the bad parts, right?”
I shrugged and chuckled lightly. “I mean, it's part of the story. Why not mention that we had parted for a time? It's the truth. And I think it makes it that much more romantic.”
“We were reunited after a few years of you traveling. Yeah, I can see that being romantic.”
“I'll tell them whatever you think I should tell them. But I want to be honest.”
“I've always liked that about you.”
I smiled. “You always did encourage me to tell you everything.”
“Sometimes, I didn't like what I heard.”
“Yeah, that always led to an argument, didn't it?”
“Well, it wasn't entirely your fault.”
I nodded. “Nor was it yours. We were just at odds with each other and that's okay. People argue sometimes. It doesn't mean we don't love each other.”
“I wish I knew that then. Do you remember when we argued about having kids?”
A pang ripped through my chest. “I remember.”
“I was so angry with you. I thought we would break up right then and there.”
“I think we almost did.”
She nodded. “Yeah, you spent the night on the couch.”
“I hated that. I hated not being able to hold you.”
“I hate it, too. It was awful sleeping alone in our bed when I knew you were ten feet away.”
“I promise I've grown past that, Clara. I don't feel like the young man I once was. I'm not wild and crazy anymore. I'm just me.”
She huffed with amusement. “Well, you're still a little bit wild.”
“Maybe I've lost a few marbles.”
“And gained a few gray hairs.”
I frantically ran my hands through my hair. “Are they showing?!”
She cackled. “I'm just kidding!”
“I guess I should invest in some hair dye.”
“Please, don't. I would love to see you with some wisdom.”
“Hey, I have wisdom. I don't need to show it.”
She giggled. “Maybe sometimes.”
I dug my fingers into her sides, causing her to erupt with giggles. When I finished tickling her, she collapsed on top of me, straddling my lap. I held her hips.
“So, what is going to our place?” she asked. “I see a few bags in here. Are you taking your shelf?”
“Yes, I figured it would be useful. I also have some furniture in storage.”
“Do you need a truck for that?”
I nodded. “I already texted Ryan. He said I could use his truck and he volunteered to help.”
“What do you have stored?”
“I think it's a dresser, another shelf, a coffee table, and a couch.”
“That sounds good to me. Will it all fit?”
I wiggled my eyebrows playfully. “You know I can fit.”
She cackled. “Levon!”
“Clara!”
“Let's not cause your mother to barge in here.” She slid off my lap and stood up, staring at the bags near the bed. “Are all of these going?”
“The one with the red tape is being donated.”
“Okay, I'll take that down to my car.”
“Hey, before you do that,” I stood up and took her hand, pulling her gently toward me. “How long has it been since I've kissed you?”
“Oh, maybe a few hours?”
I smiled as I leaned forward, closing in on her lips. She tasted sweet like candy. I sighed as I kissed her, feeling a jolt of lightning dance between us.
I pulled away slowly. “I could never get tired of kissing you.”