The Suburbs

Chapter thirty-one

I'm almost disappointed when I notice that we are starting to pull over and that our car journey full of cheesy karaoke songs has come to an end.

"It's a muddy field?" I ask, confused.

"It's what is on the other side of the muddy field that counts." He reassures before getting out and opening my car door for me, like the gentleman he is.

I feel quite excited about our little adventure out that I don't even mind one bit that my boots are getting covered in mud already.

As we walk deeper into the field our surroundings grow quieter and everything that fills my eyesight is nothing but green grass, that is until we come to a small footpath through some woods.

"Do you have a favourite movie, Mia?" Jacob asks and watches attentively for my answer.

"Hmm, that's a tough one really. It depends what I'm in the mood for. Although I am a true sucker for a romantic comedy. Why do you ask?"

"Well, it kind of ties in with where we are going. When I was a kid my favourite ever movie was My Girl. Have you seen it?"

"Of course! Wanna go tree climbing Thomas Jay?" I giggle, as I quote the movie.

"It's a classic."

"It is, but I didn't think it was a movie boys would have enjoyed that much?"

Jacob puts his hands in his jacket pockets and shifts a little awkwardly as his face looks busy trying to find the right words.

"I think I loved it because it was just so different. My family were all highly educated professionals with a very organised lifestyle. Every bit of their life was planned and mapped out, just like mine was. Before I even had a say." He begins to explain.

I nod along as I listen carefully. I can tell by his soft voice that what he is saying is important to him. I get the feeling this is a side he doesn't expose often.

"Well, in the film Vada's dad was like some funeral director, I remember thinking it was so random and different. Then he met Shelley who was hugely free spirited. She even rocked up in a trailer. Then there was Vada herself who was so unconventional. She spent all of her time outside, exploring and having fun. Living just the way she wanted too. She didn't fit in with the girl group but that didn't matter, because she had Thomas Jay. Do you know what I'm trying to say? Or am I just completely fucking this up?"
He sighs as he stops in his tracks and turns to face me.

"I think you're trying to tell me that you wish your life was more unpredictable?"

"Yes. I wanted a real childhood. I wanted to explore the outdoors, climb trees and ride a bike. I wanted to be left alone to discover what it is that I'm passionate about. Vada ended up finding out that she loved poetry, my god my parents scoffed at the part of the movie. I so desperately wanted my life to be free like that though. But more than anything else, I wanted my Vada." He says as his thumb gently brushes over my lips.

"Now who's the cheese ball?" I smirk just as he pushes his lips against mine and I bring my arms up to wrap tightly around his neck just as his warm tongue slides over mine.

After he pulls away, he takes me by the hand and leads me out the other side of the woods and out onto a bank, revealing a breathtakingly beautiful lake in front of me. It's huge. You'd think it would be such a popular spot for visitors but it's so quiet. I can hear nothing but the birds in the trees.

In front of us is a long wooden fishing platform. Instantly it makes me think of something very familiar.

"It reminds me of the scene in the film, where Vada and Thomas Jay became blood brothers." He answers, as if he just read my mind.

"And I love it. It's one of my favourite places I have ever had the luck of finding and up until now I have never told another soul about it. Not even Elle."

"It's stunning. A real place to get some head space from the world." I say, taking in the view around me.
I catch Jacob intently enjoying my positive reaction to his secret place.

"It's where I have been coming to figure everything out. I've been talking to my solicitor and we've decided it's best I move out of the house as soon as I have told Elle. I don't want her to think I'm trying to take everything away from her. I don't want her to react any worse than I already expect her too. I have rented a house near here."

"Wow." Is all I manage to say. I knew we were obviously getting to this point. It needed to happen but hearing the words surprises me still.

"I'll give her a day or two when she's back from Cape Verde to get over all the partying she'd of been doing and then I'll sit her down and tell her." He continues as he takes a few steps towards me, closing the gap between us.

Holy shit. It's all getting so real. I want Jacob more than anything but I'd be lying to myself if I said I wasn't scared. I'm scared of hurting people, I'm scared of getting hurt and I'm mostly I'm scared of Jacob's entire life turning upside down.

"But you love your house?" I say, anxiety thick in my voice.

"No I don't! When did I say that? I love my man cave, there's a difference." Jacob chuckles.
"Besides, if I have to lose it all to start a new life with you, then so be it."

"Are you sure about this?"

"Mia. You're everything I didn't even know I needed until I met you. You've opened my eyes to so much. I've learned about the kind of man I am and the kind of man I want to be. Before you, my life was afternoon tea's at the ritz, shopping in Covent Garden and glitzy house parties with people I can't even stand. All because I was trying to impress even more people I can't stand. Then I met a crazy girl who lights up at the mention of sports, gets drunk and becomes best friends with a stray cat, swears at her vacuum and gets naked in my hot tub. You are crazy in a wonderful way. Because of you, I've become crazy. I'm sneaking around like a teenager in love. Something I never thought in a million years I could be capable of, it's way too much drama than I could ever want to entertain. But I just can't keep away from you, no matter how hard I tried at the start, you're like a magnet to me. I feel the best I have ever felt when I'm with you. I can't lose that."

My eyes sting as my overwhelming emotions spill over the surface. I swallow hard to try and conceal my feelings, although it's clear Jacob can see the small tear leaving the corner of my eye. I wipe it quickly before smiling up at his big brown eyes.

"A simple yes would have done." I sarcastically tease and playfully nudge him.

He simply rolls his eyes with a big grin before dropping his forehead down slightly so it rests gently against mine.

"I don't have all the answers. I'm not sure what house we will end up living in, or even if it'll still be around here. I can't promise that this won't get messy but I can promise that I'm going to protect you as best I can. I just need you to promise me that you'll be mine." He says so softly that it's almost a whisper.

I nod instantly against his forehead without even thinking. It's the easiest question I have had to answer. Just as I tilt my head up towards him I catch a look of relief in his eyes. He needed to have this reassurance for a while now, I can tell. I truly can't believe what is about to happen.

But for him, I'm ready.