The Driving Force to Love (MXM) ✔

Chapter 51

Antonio Angel Hernandez Sanchez

I woke with a start as my alarm went off. My back and shoulders ached as I rolled on the bed to turn off the alarm. For a few tired moments I was confused as to why I ached, then I remembered the previous night and how both Liz and I came out to our parents. Dean had come over. My lips curved up in a smile as I remembered Dean. I opened my eyes and looked to where he had been the night before. But the spot was empty. I sat up and looked around. The door to my bathroom was shut. Dean must have been inside.

I got up and went to my dresser out of habit. Normally I went to the gym first thing in the morning. I wasn't sure I was going to do that today though. Not when Dean had spent the night.

When I was deciding what to wear that day, the bathroom door opened and Dean stepped out. He was fully dressed, but his hair was wet so he must have taken a shower while I was still asleep.

"Good morning," he said when he saw me.

"Good morning," I said.

"I'm going to make breakfast," he said. "Do you want anything in particular?"

"I'm not sure what we have for ingredients. Surprise me."

He smiled and left the bedroom. I quickly took a shower, got dressed and went downstairs. When I got to the kitchen, Sarah was already sitting at the kitchen table. She had a coffee cup in her hands. She took a sip and smiled at me as I rounded the table to sit on the opposite side. Dean was in front of the stove sliding an omelet out of the frying pan and onto a plate. He handed the plate to Sarah then went back to start another omelet.

"I'm proud of you," Sarah said to me. When I didn't reply right away she went on, "You could have kept silent and let Liz go through that alone, but you didn't. Thank you. I can finally take her to family get-togethers as my girlfriend."

As if summoned, Liz entered the kitchen. Her long black hair was disheveled and unlike the rest of us, she still wore her nightgown. The nightgown was a pale pink that came to just above her knees. She yawned and made her way to Sarah. Instead of sitting in the seat next to her, she slid onto Sarah's lap and placed her head tiredly on Sarah's shoulder.

"Maybe you should take the day off today," Sarah said to her as she stroked her hair.

"Mmm," Liz said as her eyes closed. She was clearly exhausted and a lot probably had to do with the emotions of the day before. "I can't. I have appointments today."

"You can cancel them," Sarah said.

"Maybe," Liz said. She noticed the omelet in front of Sarah and took a bite of it. "This is delicious," she said to Dean.

"Thank you," he said. When the second omelet was ready, he placed it in front of me and then went back to make a third.

"I've been thinking," I said to Liz. She had slid onto the seat next to Sarah. Sarah had slid the plate with her omelet in front of Liz and Liz was eagerly devouring it. Liz's dark brown eyes looked up at me as I spoke, but she didn't stop eating. "I think you should get the house in the divorce."

She stopped eating and sat up straight. "Why? I thought you loved this house."

"I do," I said, "but it's much too big for just me. And you and Sarah wanted to foster that little girl. It makes more sense for you to have the house."

Liz smiled. She placed her fork on the plate and then stood up, rounded the table and wrapped her arms around my neck. "Thank you," she said. "You are truly the best friend I could ever have." She kissed me on the cheek and then went back to her seat.