Scared

Chapter 27

Snow had started falling, the soft whiteness blanketing everything.

Three figures were walking the slightly snowed cobble stone's street.

Mimi, John and Paul were ready to spend their first Christmas all together, along with Paul's father, Jim, and younger brother, Mike.

They were now walking to Jim's house, Paul giving John a piggy back ride, since the younger man didn't want to be seen on a wheelchair or with a walker on the first meeting with his boyfriend's family.

Paul knocked on the door, having put John down next to his aunt.

The man was now strong enough to stand if aided, so he was standing with a bit of help from Mimi.

He was very nervous.

What if Jim didn't like him? What if he thought he wasn't good enough for his son since he needed a lot of help?

Paul had reassured him that Jim was quite excited about meeting him; Paul had obviously called beforehand to let him know about John's condition.

The door opened, Jim McCartney opening it with a smile.

He was a man in his late 50s, with a balding head and crows feet around the corners of his eyes.

He smiled, hugging his son warmly, "Hello, Paul"

Paul smiled back, unlatching himself from the hug, "Hello, dad"

He gestured towards his boyfriend and aunt, who were standing slightly behind, watching the interaction with a smile.

"Dad, these are John, my boyfriend, and his aunt, Mary. John, Mary, this is my father, Jim"

They shook hands, "It's a pleasure to be finally able to meet you, Paul had talked a lot about you two" Jim's smile was warm as he looked at John, gesturing for them to enter.

They all entered, before Mike McCartney, along with his wife, walked towards them and greeted them.

After the greetings and the happy Christmas, they all walked to the kitchen.

Jim had prepared a rather big traditional dish for Christmas. John's eyes widened a little at the sight of the huge amount of food Jim put in his plate.

He didn't want to look like a prick and not eat everything, but the thought of swallowing so much was already making his throat hurt.

Paul understood what was bothering John, so he grabbed his hand, squeezing it reassuringly.

"Dad, I think you gave us a bit too much to eat," he said, looking at his dad.

John appreciated that Paul said 'us' and not only John, it made him feel less like a jerk.

Jim's eyes widened, "Oh God, I forgot you've been to the hospital, I don't want you to feel sick! Here" he grabbed the plate, scraping off a bit of food so there was only half the amount.

John thanked him with a smile and Paul leaned down to kiss the side of his head, "Yeah, but he's feeling a lot better"

"Oh, really? Well, that's great!" Jim genuinely looked happy to hear about John's well being, so Mimi too was feeling more at ease.

They kept talking about everything, John growing more comfortable when he saw Jim wasn't an arsehole to him or his aunt.

He didn't even comment on the fact Paul had to cut John's beef and how his hand was quite shaky.

No one even acknowledged John needing help the only time he had excused himself to go to the restroom, Paul immediately leaving with him.

Mimi had found not being feeling embarrassed and in need of explaining what was wrong with John;

Jim, Mike and Angela - Mike's wife- weren't noisy at all.

After dinner, they all moved to the sitting room, John and Paul sitting at the piano under the others' pleiades.

"C'mon, Paulie, you can perfectly play!" had whined Mike, looking at his brother with annoying puppy eyes.

It took little time to convince him, especially when John pleaded with him to play too.

"C'mon, play with me, love"
Paul helped John to the piano, holding his hand tightly.

John was moving rather shakily, still pretty weak and feeling a bit queasy because of the largest meal he had since before he was recovered.

Mimi could see he wasn't still feeling at the top, but as long as he didn't show any sign of his fever returning, she wasn't completely concerned yet.

John worriedly looked at Paul, biting his lip. He hadn't played the piano in a very long time and usually the only viewers were Mimi, occasionally Cynthia and Stuart and once or twice Paul.

And now, his fine motor skills were even worse than before.

"It's alright, sweetie, I know you can do it" Paul was gentle as he posed his left hand on the keys, starting pressing them into a slow melody.

John gulped, his hand shakily posed onto the keys. With a sigh, he started playing too, his hand hesitant and slightly shaky, but no one commented on it.

Slowly, Love Me Tender by the great Elvis Presley resounded throughout the small room, everyone watching lovingly the two playing boys, the stolen glances full of love and soft smiles playing on their lips.

John leaned over, pressing a kiss onto Paul's cheek, while the older man turned around, nuzzling his nose into the soft skin.

John grinned and the two finally kissed on the lips, making everyone around them coo loudly.

The two separated themselves, grinning with blushes adorning their cheeks as their intertwined hands and turned around to face their clapping relatives.

Mike and Angela were now kissing under the mistletoe, while John and Paul were now cuddled on the sofa together, lost into their little world.

Paul was whispering to the other one, gently stroking his hair, John giggling and blushing, the two stealing kisses from each other.

Mimi and Jim were watching amused the interaction, drinking their coke and scotch.

"Guess we're the only singles of the family now" joked Jim. Mimi laughed, "Yeah, we are. My little boy is all grown up now" she laughed slightly drunk.

It was probably one of the first times she could let herself go; that she knew John was looked after.

After her husband's death, she had celebrated Christmas somberly, usually only with John.

There were a few times throughout the years where they would celebrate along with their family; but it was usually tense, as no one in the family still hadn't forgiven Julia and wasn't too keen on John.

So for the longest time, there were only John and Mimi against the world.

But now, Paul was there too. And Jim, the humble man had insisted on being a true gentleman, much to Mimi's amusement.

Now, watching John sleepily cuddle into an equally sleepy Paul's arms as the fire crackled into the fireplace, she finally found peace again.

Her and John weren't alone anymore.