Completing the family 1: The Apt One

SEVEN

“It seems it won’t be a bad idea being the latest news in town,” Celeste said after the blissful kiss ended.

“I don’t mind at all.” Still held her in his arms. “If the news is associated with you and me in it.”

“Neil will be thrilled to hear this, He likes you a lot.”

“And I like him too, a courageous boy just like his mom.” He kissed her again. Neither of them saw the Family-Carly, Neil, and the old man (Mr. Trevor), standing at the front parlor window, barely concealed by the white lace curtains.

“I knew it,” Mr. Trevor crowded. “There’ll be a double summer wedding or I’ll chew my cowboy hat in worries”

“Some kisses don’t necessarily make a marriage,” Carly said. As she jumped in excitement, giggling.

“But this is a miracle, Dad. Celeste is in love again”

“True,” Mr. Trevor agreed. “They are so bright. It’s obvious that Nathan and Celeste are destined to be with one another.”

“If that kiss gets any hotter, they’d be setting the porch on fire.”

“It won’t be bad after all to have a new father who cares for me and my mom,” Neil added. “It’ll be fun having a sister or brother in the family, it’s boring being the only one.

“Yep.” Carly sounded excited and looked once again if she was imagining things or not.

“I’d rather to my room now before Mom finds out we’re eavesdropping on her.” He ran off to his room while Mr. Trevor wheeled to the dining table to read newspapers.

Carly stood there “Wow, this is a new beginning for me, sis, Celeste. She deserves to be happy again. Totally.”

She lifted their joined hands and touched his knuckles to her lips. “There was a time in my life when I would have given away everything I owned, for even a little bit of adventure.”

Having figured out that she seldom said anything she didn’t mean, Nathan immediately noticed her use of the past tense “and now?”

Another pause. “And now,” she said slowly and a little regretfully, he thought, “I’ve learned not to count on anyone except myself.”

“That’s sad.”

“No,” she corrected, lowering their hands and releasing his. “It’s safe.”

“Safe can be a close cousin to boring.” He said mildly. He reached out and put his arms around her shoulders.

“And believe me, darling, you’re anything but boring, Nah.”

She smiled at that, as he’d intended. “I believe I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Oh, I’ve got a lot more where that one came from.”

He grinned. “Did I mention that your hair reminds me of silk” he fisted his hands in the auburn strands.

“I vaguely recall something along those lines.”

He kissed her hand. “How about the fact that the color in your cheeks after I kissed you reminds me of strawberries on new snow?”

“Oh, I like that one,” the smile was shining in her eyes again.

“But maybe you ought to kiss me again. Just to be certain.”

“Absolutely,” light, quick nibbles turned longer and deeper. “And your eyes.” Her lids fluttered obediently shut as he dropped a kiss on each one. “are like antique gold coins.”

“They’re just brown,” she twined her fingers around his neck again and arched her back, inviting his lips to continue their sensual quest.

He rose his head up “You shouldn’t lay down your guard like this.” He smiled when she flushed. “We’re at your home, you know, Neil wouldn’t believe that his strong mother is melting right now.”

She shifted away “You started it” she cried.

“I’ll deny that.”

“See you” She kissed his cheek and ran into the house.

He stood for a while wondering how so connected his life was from a mere coincidence. He had come to terms with this woman through her son and he started to feel so obliged now. He wanted more every day. With him forever. But could she love him, he decided to just enjoy the moments now and go with the flow. It wouldn’t hurt at the end of the tunnel. He was damn sure about that.

Celeste had suspected that her life after making love with Nathan would be complicated. It was more than just the sex, as wonderful as that was. Their earlier conversations, comparing her upbringing with his, had gotten her thinking about families and loyalty and commitment once again.

She hated to admit it, even to herself but suspected that he may be right. About so much unhappiness over the years has been because of one unfortunate experience.

Dammit, she wasn’t used to this. This needs to balance her own needs and desires with anyone else's. She wasn’t good at that. Especially when compared to Nathan, who somehow managed to balance his life and plans with so much carefulness. She tried to picture him in the box during an argument to keep a toy kitten alive for a little girl who’d already suffered so much and failed.

“I hope I’m not the cause of that cold expression”

Nathan’s mild voice infiltrated her turmoil thoughts as she was swinging.

“No. I was thinking of something.”

“Care to share, want to talk about it?”

Her careless shrug was as fake as her smile, “It’s not that important.”

It was a lie and they both know it. Nathan didn’t immediately answer.

“All yours,” he raised his hands in haste

“As I said, it’s not that important.” She yelled

He shrugged. “Whatever you say.” His tone was casual, but Celeste wasn’t fooled for a moment, he didn’t believe her. And they both well know it.