Chapter Text
“Just open the email Otis” Maeve said sternly
“Ok, ok” replied Otis nervously
“Whatever the outcome darling just know I am so very proud of you” said Jean placing a reassuring hand on Otis’s shoulder.
“Thanks mum” Otis said giving his mum a small smile as he clicked on the email.
Today was the day Otis found out if he was accepted into university. He had achieved good final grades at the end of sixth form and was hoping to get into the psychology program at the University College London. Otis had set up his laptop on the dining table so he, Maeve and Jean could all gather around it. Otis opened the email and they all leaned in close to read it..
Dear Otis Milburn,
Congratulations, you have been offered a place in the Psychology BSc (Hons) program commencing term one at the University College London. We look forward to welcoming you in September.
Kind regards,
Admissions department
Otis leapt out of his chair in excitement while Maeve and Jean both wrapped their arms around him sharing in his delight.
“Oh wow, I got in, I can’t actually believe it” Otis said with an expression that was a mix of happiness and shock
“I knew you would, you had the grades” replied Maeve happily while still hugging him around the waist.
“I’m so happy for you darling, you truly deserve it, you worked so hard” Jean said with a look of pride and a few tears developing in her eyes. “Right, time to pop open that champagne” and she headed into the kitchen to retrieve it and some glasses leaving Maeve and Otis alone.
Otis turned in Maeve’s hug and wrapped her up in his arms.
“Wow” he said again with a smile
“Yeah, wow” she replied then leant up to meet his lips with a kiss “I’m so happy for you” and truly she was. But also, the reality was beginning to sink in for Maeve that in a few weeks times she would be heading off to America to begin her studies at NYU, where she had been accepted on a full scholarship to study English literature, and now it was confirmed that Otis would be staying in the UK. There was a part of her, a small selfish part, that had hoped he wasn’t accepted the first time, as they had agreed if he didn’t get in, he would go with her to America for a year and then reapply. But Maeve knew she had to push those feelings aside for now, this was Otis’s moment, and it was important she be happy for him, like he was for her when she was accepted into NYU.
“Seems we both got accepted into our dream programs” Otis said still smiling.
“So, it does” Maeve smiled back
“I couldn’t have done it without all your help though”
“I didn’t help that much Otis”
“Oh, I don’t know Maeve you definitely provided me with some much needed distractions during those long study blocks” Otis said with a flirtatious grin while leaning down to kiss Maeve again
“Um-hum” smiled Maeve as she met his lips
“Alright you two, time for a celebratory toast” declared Jean as she re-entered the room causing Otis and Maeve to part. Jean handed Otis the champagne bottle to open and he obliged, popping the cork, and then filling the three glasses. Otis handed them each a glass and Jean took the lead by raising hers “Congratulations Otis, as I said I’m so proud of you and the man you have become, and I know in my heart of hearts you have a bright future in whatever life throws your way. I love you very much”
“Cheers” all three then said as the clinked their glasses together and took a sip. Just then Otis’s phone started ringing
“It’s Eric, I should answer it” both Jean and Maeve nodded in agreement
“Hey man, how’d you go?…….Oh that’s awesome news…….I’m so happy for you……Seems you’ll be stuck with me a bit longer then….yep I got in……yeah I know I’m really excited……Ok well better go but again congratulations man………yeah for sure, talk later, bye.
“Eric got accepted into the university of arts” Otis announced to Maeve and Jean.
****
Later that evening Otis and Maeve where up in Otis’s room lying on his bed. Otis’s was propped up at the end of the bed with his arms around Maeve and her head was resting on his chest.
“It’s exciting you and Eric will be in London together, maybe you guys could get a place? Maeve said while intertwining her fingers with Otis’s.
“Yeah maybe, I haven’t thought that far ahead to be honest, still trying to process it all” replied Otis while he too was intertwining his fingers with Maeve’s. “How are you feeling? “
“About what?” Asked Maeve looking up at him
“Gee I don’t know, how about the fact that we will be studying on opposite sides of the globe?” Otis said with a hint of sarcasm but also some honesty.
“Oh that, yeah I’m completely cool with it” said Maeve jokingly.
“Ha ha” said Otis as he began to sit up causing Maeve to do the same. They were now sitting at the edge of the bed facing each other, Otis reached out and placed one hand on Maeve’s cheek and continued “but seriously how are you, because I’ve had this horrible knot in my stomach since I found out I got in and what that means for us”
“Me too” said Maeve as she placed her hand over the one he had cupping her face “But today has been a happy day, so let’s not end it on a sad note yeah?”
Otis smiled and nodded “ok so how should we end the day then?”
“Oh, I’ve got a few ideas” said Maeve while offering Otis’s a flirtatious look
“I’d love to hear them” he said as he placed a hand either side of Maeve and moved his body forward causing her to lie back down on the bed allowing him to hover over her.
Maeve smiled and Otis paused for a moment as he wanted to savour that smile, he wanted to remember it forever. He returned her smile then leaned down and kissed her softly to start with, but it wasn’t long before the intensity rose, and they were removing each other’s clothing at a ferocious pace.