Language of Love

Chapter 20 - As Much As I Do

Two days had passed since Abi had been called to Hoppo's office. She'd met with the BondiRescue producer and signed the filming contract, also giving a short interview, feeling the most awkward she ever had despite the crews efforts to put her at ease.

Now she was sat on Chappo's sofa her legs across Troy's lap as they shared a rare day off together. They'd been on a punishing morning run and returned to the apartment to shower. It was approaching 9 now, and they were about to go to Bronte beach to go surfing. Tonight, she was going for dinner at his parents.

Abi thought back to yesterday. She'd had lunch with Sam and Sam had raised her concerns that Abi's relationship was becoming serious really fast. It had only been a month since she'd met Troy and since the Icebergs they hadn't spent a night apart. Sam had pointed out they hadn't even had a proper date yet. Abi argued that not having romantic dinner dates didn't mean they hadn't been dating. They'd had plenty of lunches, several surf sessions and just spent time together before going for drinks with the lifeguards and staying over at each others places each night. Sam had also argued it was too soon to meet his family. But Abi already felt like she'd been adopted by his work family. She was nervous but excited that he wanted her to meet his family. She couldn't explain it to Sam. That feeling of rightness, that it was more than just the exciting butterflies and sparks of passion, that it felt like something deeper and that she'd quickly come to love him.

Watching him now, relaxed on the sofa with one hand on her shin, she was really glad she'd stopped to help on the beach that day. He glanced her way and she smiled at him softly.
"I'm going to change." She said and swung her legs off the sofa.

The waves were small, the perfect opportunity for Abi to practise. Once again, Troy patiently encouraged her and helped her improve her skills. Harries walked past occasionally on patrol and shouted his own words of advice at her or heckled them.

Returning to the sand they sat and Abi began to reapply her sun cream. Troy stole the bottle and took over. Abi closed her eyes and hummed as his hands moved over her back and down her arms. Troy leant closer and kissed her softly beneath her ear.
"I can't get enough of you." He whispered huskily as he trailed his fingers teasingly up her sides.
"Keep it PG." Harries announced as he walked past. His trademark laugh following him down the beach.
Troy fell backwards into the sand in defeat. Abi laughed but soon found herself dragged down into the sand too and then sand being dumped on her.
"Troy! No!" She squealed through her giggles but began to retaliate, dumping sand all over him as well.

Covered head to toe in sand they ran up to the surf club and used the outside showers to rinse themselves off.
"Now you're a proper Bronte surfer."
He told her.
"Baptised in sand?" She laughed. "Can we head back? I'll need a proper shower to get this sand out of my hair."

The evening arrived quickly. Abi tried to swallow her nerves as she slipped into the sage green, knee length, butterfly sleeve dress she'd bought especially.
She stepped out of Troy's room to find Chappo had returned home.
"Looking good, Bambi." He smiled.
"Thanks Chap." She twisted her hands nervously.
"Quincy and Mary are good people. You'll be sweet." He reassured her before he retreated to his room.

Troy came out of the bathroom in dark jeans and a tight blue t-shirt.
"You look stunning Abs." He kissed her softly on the cheek. "Ready?"
"Yeah." She said quietly.
"You've met Dad already. It's just him, Mum and Christian. They're gonna love you as much as I do."
"As much as you do?" Abi turned to him with a soft smile. Troy ran his hand over the back of his neck and didn't make eye contact.
"Yeah." He eventually responded and looked at her intently. "I love you Abs."
Abi blushed and now it was her turn to look away briefly. 
"I know it's probably way too early to say it, and you don't have to..." Troy babbled.
"Troy!" Abi cut his babbling short. "It probably is too soon, but I feel the same. I love you."
He pulled her into a deep kiss but soon withdrew. "We better get going."

Troy's parents were just 10 minutes walking distance. They still lived in the house Troy had grown up in and his younger brother still lived with them.

Abi clutched the bag, containing a bottle of wine and some home baked cookies, tightly as they approached the house. Troy squeezed her waist reassuringly as he knocked on the door.

A young man answered and took in the two on the doorstep. He smiled warmly at Abi.
"Punching above your weight there bro." He greeted his brother. Troy gave him a shove.
"Abi, this is Christian. Christian, Abi."
"Come in Abi. Mum is a flustered mess in the kitchen trying to make sure she impresses you. Dad's in the yard firing up the barbie. Want a beer bro? Abi?"
Abi accepted the offer of a beer and followed Troy into the house. He took her hand and led her to the kitchen where a dark blonde woman in flowing trousers and a dark blue blouse was washing her hands.
"Abi. So good to finally meet you." She wiped her hands on a towel,  then swept across the room and engulfed Abi in a hug before Abi could respond. She released her quickly and turned to hug her son.
Christian passed Abi a beer.
"Thank you."
"Christian. Take over the barbie." Quincy said as he walked into the kitchen through the open doors that led out to the yard. He embraced Abi in a hug.
"Good to see you again, sweetheart."
"Hi Quincy. Thanks for having me over." Abi turned to Mary, who had released Troy. "Can I help at all?"
"No dear, you're our guest. You and Troy go relax outside."
Mary shooed them into the yard. Troy slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her close, guiding her over to a bench.

The yard was large and well kept. A pool was towards the back and a patio area had a large dining table and built-in barbeque where Christian and Quincy stood talking. Flowers and plants of all kinds grew in borders and pots. A covered area along the side of the house had a store of surf boards.

Food was soon ready and they settled around the table. Mary placed bowls of salad out then slid onto a bench beside Quincy.
"Dig in." She said.
Troy, Christian and Quincy piled their plates high. Abi took a little of everything. Troy looked at her and her plate, raising an eyebrow before adding another burger to her plate with a smirk.
"Troy says Hoppo's signed you up as a volunteer translator on the beach?" Quincy addressed Abi.
She nodded "Yeah. I started helping out when I could and Hoppo made it official. It's a really good chance to practise my languages. I've just signed up to improve my Japanese and learn Australian Sign Language too, as they'll be useful on the beach."
"I'm surprised they'd not thought of getting a translator before. Those boys are always complaining about how hard it is to be understood." Mary commented.
"Do you really speak 8 languages?" Christian asked. "Troy can barely speak Aussie."
The brothers began to bicker good naturedly. Abi listened and smiled fondly at Troy as the brothers mocked each other.

Conversation flowed easily between the Quinlan's and they included Abi without peppering her with too many questions. Just like the first time she met Quincy as dinner progressed, she began to feel herself relaxing in their company. Mary rose to get deserts.
"I'll help." Abi volunteered and followed Mary to the kitchen.
"Thank you Dear. I've just got to pop some berries on top of this cake. Can you grab the ice cream. It's in the top drawer of the freezer."
Abi did as instructed.
"Troy doesn't stop talking about you, you know." Mary told her. Abi glanced up as she shut the freezer to see Mary smiling at her. "Never heard him talk about someone like he does you." Abi blushed a little.
"It's a brave thing to come to the other side of the world alone. You miss your family?"
"So much. I video call them as much as I can but it's hard to get the timings right with the time difference."
"If you ever feel lonely love you're always welcome round here."
"Thank you Mary."
"Troy says your visa is for 2 years?"
"Yes. I spent 2 months in Melbourne and its been just over a month here."
"What will you do when your Visa is up?" Abi sensed a protective Mother behind that question and honestly she'd been trying not to think about it herself.
"It's still a long way off yet. I've been trying not to think about it and Troy and I haven't spoken about it."
Abi saw worry in Mary's eyes and she was sure her own echoed that emotion. Mary gave her a brief hug.
"Let's get this out to those three." Mary said.

After dinner, Troy and Abi volunteered to load the dishwasher. Once inside, Troy drew Abi close.
"You okay?"
"You're family are lovely Troy. Makes me miss mine."
He hugged her tight, placing a kiss on her forehead and resting his own forehead against hers.
"Love ya Abs." He whispered. She kissed him softly.

Returning to the yard, Quincy passed them another beer each. He'd lit a small firepit and they sat around it chatting.

The sun had long set before they went to leave. Abi was drawn into tight embraces by all of Troy's family.
"Family dinner again next week?" Mary asked them.
"We'll check our work schedules Mum." Troy assured her.
Hand in hand they walked back towards Troy's apartment.