The Next Best Thing: Part II

Forty-Nine

"Zo, I've been meaning to ask you something." I sauntered back to the couch, nursing a steaming cup of hot cocoa. "Does it bother you that I'm much older than you and most of your friends?"

He stayed the night again; he was in no hurry to leave my side, not that I'd ever have been able to watch him go. We were finally together and we wanted to spend as much time alone as possible. We cuddled in front of the fire and learnt much more about each other, allowing a veil of openness to blanket our relationship.

I shrugged. "Not at all. Does it bother you that I'm so much younger than all your friends?" He shook his head as I continued, "I mean it's quite scandalous, don't you think? I was afraid of how your family would react to our relationship."

Meeting his parents so early on in our relationship, I had to make sure to make a good impression. Eoin's family meant everything to him, and their opinions even more. Not only would a good impression mean that they would warm up to me and possibly welcome me, but it would validate our relationship.

"My family loves you. I love you, baby. And my mom loves her fair share of scandal. Besides, it allows us to learn a lot from each other." He leaned in to whisper in my ear, "Like that thing you did this morning. I loved learning that."

We talked about having children, and he explained his reluctance to become a dad. "I wouldn't want to bring up something so precious and impressionable in the world we live in."

I could understand that but in the back of my mind, a light dimmed on the premature idea of our future together.

"I've never envisioned children in my future. I love kids, I do. I love the way you are around kids, by the way. You have an amazing soul." He planted a sweet kiss on my forehead, pausing his honest sharing to appreciate me. "I just don't want any children of my own, and I hope that doesn't affect you and me, what we have right now."

"Well, I've always wanted to meet the right guy, fall in love and have a family. When I met Mitchell for instance, I thought I'd found the One. I fell in love with him immediately after that, and it wasn't long before he became the most important person in my life." I poured my heart out to Eoin with my head resting on his chest, his fingers interlocked with mine. I wanted him to understand how easily plans could change, how easily my plans could change, and how I could manage to get used to change.

"He was my first boyfriend, my first time, my first true love. Although there were so many red flags in our relationship, not being honest and forthcoming with each other and him wanting to keep us a secret, I overlooked everything. Love does that, you know? We had the best highs and the worst lows, until one day I finally decided to end it on the same note, an amazing high and a gut-wrenching low. He still has a special place in my heart, and I'll always love him."

It was also very important for Eoin to understand my relationship with Mitchell. A major part of my past, he would have still been a part of my life and our life together.

"I'm just so grateful for you, baby. You've shown me so much love, your love for me, for us, and you've helped me fall in love with me. You've brought so much happiness into my life, so much peace and ecstasy, and I want you to know how much I adore you." We shared a beautiful, vulnerable kiss. "My love for you, darling, so, so much. Thank you. "

...

I was awoken by the vibrating of Eoin's phone early the next day, an incessant noise that echoed the anxiety of the caller. I glanced at the caller ID and I answered it for him with the assumption that it wasn't of great importance. I was wrong, of course.

"Eoin, honey? It's your mother calling," the voice on the other end of the line confirmed.

"Good morning, Mrs. Macken. Sorry, he's asleep right now. You're speaking with Zoe," I said. "Can I take a message?"

"Oh, my darling. I hope you're well. This is urgent and it's very important that he wake up."

I proceeded to wake him up as I kept her on the line, making polite chatter. "Eoin? Babe, get up. Your mom's calling and it's urgent."

"Mom? What's up?" he said into the phone. "Is everything alright?"

He began to pace around the room, clumping his hair in his palms with an increasing concern written on his face. "Okay. I understand. Mother, it's going to be okay. I'll be there as soon as I can. It's going to be okay."

"It's not going to be okay, is it?"

The catch in Mrs. Macken's voice had told me that something was wrong, but the worried expression written on Eoin's face confirmed my suspicions.

"Imogen's in the hospital, Zoe," he began with a sigh and I quickly shushed him.

"Go, I understand. I'll call you a cab right now. Take a quick shower and change. You can't fly all the way there looking like this," I instructed, steering him upstairs. I pulled out a change of clothes for him whilst he got ready and made him some coffee to go for the long ride to the airport.

The cab was waiting downstairs fifteen minutes later due to the slow holiday traffic, the snow blocked roads and the fact that it was the break of dawn the day after Christmas. He was done and ready in record time, his bags already packed and a last minute flight out to London already booked. I walked him downstairs in my two day old silk pyjamas and kissed him goodbye.

"Come with me," he said suddenly as I turned around in the downstairs foyer. "I don't want to leave you alone here, especially not during this holiday."

I protested numerous times - I wasn't close enough to his family to be around for something like this; he would have none of it, making a convincing argument and persuading me with his sweet words.

"I'm technically in my pyjamas," I tried one last time, tugging on my coat.

"We'll get you something more appropriate to wear at the airport. Now get over here, please?"