Chapter Text
“My mom is pissed,” I announced.
“What? Why?” Robbe questioned. “It isn’t because you’re here, right?” he asked as I nonchalantly shrugged my shoulders.
“No. Just…because… she would love to meet you.” I replied with a wry smile.
“Ok,” he replied definitively, also, with a smile.
“Do you want to come over tomorrow?” I proposed.
“Yes, that’s fine.” He nodded.
“I mean, you don’t have to. It’s the first time I’m bringing a boy home. So, if you think it’s embarrassing…”
“Embarrassing?” he interrupted me, smiling all the while.
“Sander, as long as you keep your clothes on, nothing is embarrassing anymore.” Robbe confirmed. I bowed my head sheepishly.
“Ok, ok. I will keep my clothes on tomorrow. Tonight?” I offered ever so slyly as Robbe smiled, placed his hand on my shoulder, and came closer for a kiss.
“That’s allowed,” he offered eyes wide with possibility. Then, he kissed me deeply.
“You know, it might sound cliché, but, you never know who lives or dies tomorrow. The only thing we can really be sure of…” he trailed off as Jana grabbed his shoulders from behind and pulled him on to the dance floor.
“What?” I followed him shouting over the music.
“That we live now.” He confirmed smiling uncontrollably and pulling me with him into the crowd. He reached his hands to the back of my head and I let him pull me to his lips. He boxed his arms resting on my shoulders and held me close as we danced and kissed. The electricity bouncing between our bodies tonight felt nearly lost just a few days ago as I floundered despondently. This boy saved me and for the first time in a long time, hope burned brightly inside me.
We danced and laughed and celebrated life into the night until our guests started sacking out in the living room or heading for their own homes. A tired Robbe yawned his way to the door saying farewell to Jana, Amber, and Aaron. I hung back and waved them off. Robbe latched and locked the door, then, sleepily stumbled back to me. I held him in my arms as he rested his head on my shoulder.
“Ready for bed?” I asked. I felt his head nodding affirmatively against my chest. I bent to kiss his head and we slipped inside the solace of his room. He pulled his shirt off and stepped out of his shoes and pants leaving everything heaped on the floor. I followed and we climbed into bed. The whole week, he supported me, held me, loved me. I wanted to give back to him.
Snaking my arms around his shoulders, I hugged his back to my front. Within seconds, I felt him slip into a deep sleep with rhythmic, measured breaths. Of course he’s exhausted. The whole time I rested this week, he watched, worried, and kept the world turning. I couldn’t be here without him. I lay there wondering about how I could make it up to him. Thinking too much still made me feel very anxious. I stopped myself from getting worked up as Robbe sighed in my arms. I kissed his ear and down his neck eventually just rubbing my lips across his skin and inhaling deeply. His scent comforted me beyond measure. I closed my eyes and breathed him with my every breath.
Later today, I would bring him to my home and to meet my mother. There would be plenty of time to be nervous then. Right now, I want to savor my boyfriend. I fell asleep with the greatest feeling of gratitude.
***
I awoke to sunlight streaming in the window and shuffling noises in the hallway. Unwrapping myself from a still slumbering Robbe, I moved with stealth. I pulled my shirt from the heap and lightly, made my way across the floor. I latched the door quietly behind me seeing Jens fumbling with his shoes.
“Morning,” I whispered.
“Hey,” he replied. “Robbe up yet?”
“No. Still sleeping. I was going to make coffee and bring it to him. It’s a big day...” Jens looked at me quizzically. “I’m taking Robbe to my home and to meet my mother.”
“Whoa. Success,” he said, still whispering.
“Headache?” I questioned. He simply nodded his head.
“You want some water?” He eased his head from side-to-side in a “no.”
“Just tell Robbe you saw me leave and I’ll text him later.”
“Of course. Get home safely.” We wrapped arms and grabbed each other’s right hands pulling into a hug. He unlocked the door and closed it gently behind him. I flipped the lock and padded off to the kitchen.
“Good morning, Sander,” Milan greeted.
“Good morning, Milan,” I replied. “May I help with coffee? I wanted to bring some to Robbe. He’s still sleeping.”
“Sure. Grab three cups from over there,” he pointed to a cabinet. We bantered about the well-received party and the smattering of guests rising and departing in sequence.
“He likes his coffee with sugar,” he reminded me. I nodded and he dropped a couple cubes in with one hand and stirred with the spoon in the other.
I balanced both hot cups in my hand as I opened the bedroom door. I put both cups down on the table next to Robbe before I bent down and nuzzled his neck. As he stirred, he reached up and tousled my hair. He held my face and looked deeply into my eyes.
“How long have I been sleeping?”
“Only all night, my sweet.” I responded. “I brought you some coffee to wake up.
“Thank you,” he said rolling over and sliding up in bed to receive the cup and take a sip. I grabbed my cup and climbed over him assuming my previous position on the other side of the bed.
“Jens just left. He said he’d text you later,” I sipped.
“Ok. Are there a lot of people still here?” Robbe asked.
“I saw several bodies but didn’t stop to look who. Milan is awake in the kitchen.” I gestured with my coffee cup.
Robbe rested his head on my shoulder and I rested my head on his head. We finished our coffee and agreed to get out of bed and start the day. He led me to the bathroom and we began with a couples’ shower. I held him tightly and, mostly chastely, while the warm water poured down over us. We dressed and left the house with some fruit to eat.
We hopped on our bicycles and I led the way pedaling leisurely to my part of town. I secured mine and Robbe’s bikes before we went upstairs.
“Hello?” I called as we opened the door and came through.
“Sander?” Mama replied.
“Yes, it’s me. And, Robbe.” I led the way hanging up my jacket and walking into the lounge. My mother met us there and embraced me tightly for a long time.
“I missed you. I’m glad you’re here.” She whispered. Before she let go, she held my face and stared into my eyes. Robbe hung back and waited without saying anything.
“You must be Robbe,” she said extending her hand for him to shake and then, pulling him into an embrace as long as ours. When she pulled back, she kissed him on each cheek and thanked him for taking good care of me.
“My son looks so happy,” she said turning for me to see tears in her eyes.
“I am, Mama. Robbe makes me happy.”
Robbe and I stood on opposite sides of her, both beaming, with our hands in our pockets.
“Are you hungry? I made sandwiches. Let’s eat lunch,” she suggested and walked off toward the kitchen. Robbe leaned in to kiss me quickly and followed her.