my salvation (chris evans)

chapter seven - reuniting in more ways than one

Within five minutes, I'm parking outside my house. After I kill the engine and unplug my phone, my eyes widen. "Oh fuck—"

"What is it?"

"You're about to meet my mother..." I say in a panic and he smiles, letting out a small laugh. "I mean, l-like, I know you t-talked to her, but you haven't p-properly met her... in the fl-flesh..."

"Err, I actually have." Oh no. I snap my eyes to him. "Only briefly. I came here first. She answered and told me you were at work."

"So... you've met my mum.." I breathe out and he nods, smiling.

"Don't look so panicked. She's great. We're going to get on like a house on fire, I think."

"That's w-what I'm afraid of." I joke and he laughs, shaking his head. We both hop out of the car, then he collects his suitcase from the back. As he walks around to me, I crawl over the seat to lock the passenger door.

"What are you doing?"

"Locking your s-side." I state, wiggling out and then locking the driver's side. "My car is old, so y-you have to l-lock each door."

"Oh, I see."

"Mhmmm." He grins and slips his hand in mine. I smile too, still not quite believing this is all happening. We walk down to the front door and I unlock it, before stepping inside. The dogs start barking. "I hope you're r-ready to get attacked by an army of dogs."

"I've been ready ever since you said you have f-four dogs." I laugh softly and open the door to the living room. I walk in and Chris trails behind me. Lily starts howling. All the dogs are wagging their tails, getting excited. My mum is sat on the sofa by the window, watching TV. "Hello again." Chris says with a wave, and my mum returns the hello, and Evans then bends down to pet the dogs. "Ohhh my gaahhhhd!" He strokes them all, as they bounce around him. Lily keeps howling, getting nervous.

"Lily! Stop being silly." I say, picking her up. Evans smiles and carefully brings his hand to stroke her. "This is Lily. The howler." He chuckles, and Fred jumps up on the sofa arm, trying to lick his hand. "And that's Fred. The ssspoilt one." He laughs and strokes Fred again, then bends down to Ted.

"And let me guess; this big ball of fluff is Teddy." I laugh and nod.

"Yep! And then th-that one is Ruby. The old girl."

"They are so cute." He says, giving them all kisses. That's when Mark trails in from being in the garden. Chris stands up straight and holds out his hand.

"Hi, I'm Chris. It's nice to meet you." Mark shakes his hand.

"Alright, nice to meet you too."

"What do you want for tea?" My mum asks.

"Oh, we'll go get our own food—" I answer. That is an awkward get together I'm not ready for yet. I open the door again, trying to pull Chris away. He stops me, though.

"Would it be okay if I stay here for a few days? If it's no trouble, of course. I can sleep on the sofa, if that's an issue. Or if you'd prefer for me to stay in a hotel, I would completely understand." My eyes widen. Evans, shut it. Stop being so polite. My mum smiles.

"Don't be silly. Course you can stay. And not on the sofa." She tells him. "We have a blow-up bed." She jokes.

"Mum!" She laughs and I pull Chris into the hallway. I shut the door and take his suitcase. "Stop being so bloody polite!" I whisper shout, before dragging him up the stairs. I push open my bedroom door and drag him inside. I set his suitcase down and when I look at him, he's smirking.

"Do you really think I would stay on the sofa?" He asks me, pulling me into him. Oh. I bite my lip. "I've got to make a good impression, though."

"And you say I'm the dangerous one..." He grins, tightening his grip around me. "And what if sh-she turned around and said you c-couldn't stay, hm?" He gives me those eyes.

"She made you take condoms with you to LA. I liked my chances." He says with a shrug, making me blush a little and roll my eyes.

"And what if M-Mark said no?"

"Hmm, well, then I'd have to get creative. Sneak around. Throw rocks at your window." He says with a wink, leaning in. I uncontrollably smile, shaking my head.

"You're such a sap." Chuckling, he wraps his arms around me tightly.

"I can't help it. I've missed you. I was so scared that I was losing you, and I don't know what I would have done if I did. You're the best thing that's happened to me in a long time, Meg. You make me happy. The time we spent together in LA, it was the happiest I'd been in a really long time. I really felt like I could be myself and I felt so relaxed — almost care-free about stuff I usually worry about. I wish I never let you get on that stupid plane. I'm never going to make that mistake again. I'm never letting you go again. Ever." Biting my lip, I stand on the tips of my toes, snaking my arms around his neck.