The love that binds us

Untitled Part 10

'Hi, what are you guys doing?' He asked and I shifted on my feet, not because I was scared but I was nervous, Tyler didn't have Mr Blanch, I'm not even sure that they've met before so this was kind of like getting my boyfriend to meet my dad who was okay with me being gay.

'I'm staying at Tyler's tonight, we're just getting supplies, I'm making lasagne for dinner.' Mr Blanch smiled happily, eyes flicking over to Tyler for a moment, watching him before grinning back at me.

'Well that's great, I hope the two of you have a nice time.' I bet he really wants to know what we're going to be doing; he's a bit of a gossip whore sometimes.

'What are you doing here?' I asked walking back to the cart and Tyler pulled on my sleeve, the action pulled me closer me closer to him, Mr Blanch smile and looked down into his basket. He didn't have much in there, some herbs and spices so far.

'Much the same as you, but if I don't get going Don will be upset with me if I don't get home soon, it's our anniversary tonight.' He smiled and I swear I saw pink on his cheeks, it surprised me that he was still so in love even though he was nearly fifty. 'Don't have too much fun now.' He winked and I smiled, Tyler keeping quiet the entire time.

'I'd say the same to you sir.' This made Mr Blanch chuckle as he continued down to the body wash section, picking something up quickly before moving onto the next isle.

'Who was that?' Tyler's voice pulled me back and I looked up at him, he seemed slightly annoyed.

'Oh, that's my chemistry teacher, he's nice. He's like us.' I smiled and we continued, heading towards the check out and then back to Tyler's place.

'What are you doing for Christmas?' He asked out of the blue, I was in the middle of making the sauce that goes on top of the lasagne before the cheese and I stopped, swallowing hard before looking up at him as my arms moved slowly to stir the sauce.

'Pardon?'

'Christmas? Do you have plans to go away with your family?'

'Ah, no, we don't go away. My dad works most of the time.'

'Titus says that I have to go back home for Christmas, I would like you to come with me please.' I kept quiet as I poured the sauce, he wants me to go home, that means meeting his mum and dad, and extended family... I felt my breathing pick up and braced myself on the counter.

Strong hands slid up my back onto my shoulders and held gently, I could feel his breath against my ear and left cheek, his lips pressing against my neck.

'Calm down.' Tyler liked to read a lot of the medical books I had in my room and he realised that I suffer from panic attacks. Because he's so attentive he knows when I'm having one before I know I'm actually having one. 'What's gotten you so scared?'

'If I go, that means I have to meet your parents and extended family, and if I go my dad will think something is weird and... and...'

'Take a deep breath.' I nodded doing as I was told. 'Now let it out very slowly.' I nodded again and slowly the air out through my lips, calming ever so slightly.

'You will have to meet my parents but if you're not ready for that then that's okay. If you don't want to meet my extended family that's also okay because I don't really like them, but your dad can't say much, my family have just invited you away is all, it's not a big deal for him to get mad about.' I nodded, my eyes have been closed for a while, and I leant back against him, his hands moving to capture my waist. 'You don't have to answer now and you don't have to say yes, but I would like for you to come away with me at Christmas. It's still nearly five months away and you have time to decide. Just think about it.' I nodded and he kissed the top of my head before letting me go so I could finish. When I put diner in the oven we headed up stairs to Tyler's room to watch a movie, the timer on so I would know when to head back down.