The Things That I Know || George Michael

thirty-seven - all this time

Note: this chapter contains very mild depiction of intimacy.

• • •

"So, darling, how did your mother react to you graduating from university?"

Thirteen years later, a much older George looks to his twenty-one-year-old daughter, who is sat eating a bowl of cereal, at the kitchen table with him.

"She bought me a congratulations card." Gemma chuckles a little, her mouth full of food. She holds her hand — which holds a spoon — over her lips as she talks. "It was actually really sweet. Even Kieran's mum bought me a bunch of flowers as a gift. I thought it was a very kind gesture."

"That is lovely," Levi, now sixty-five years of age, chimes in. "Speaking of Kieran — where has he gone? He's been out for hours, now."

"He's with his lady friend," Gemma remarks. "Where else would he be?"

"A valid point," George snickers. "He'll probably drag the poor girl over here with him."

"She's used to his ridiculousness by now," Gemma comments, finishing her food. She heads over to the sink, quickly washing the pots she's used, before joining her fathers back at the table. "I won't pretend — it'll definitely be amusing seeing his little puppy dog eyes once he has to ditch her for uni after the summer."

"At least he has a partner to ditch," Levi quips, already knowing that his teasing will earn him a playful slap to the arm. In quick defence, he raises his arms in surrender. "Kidding! I'm sure Mister or Missus Right will come along for you some day, sweetheart."

"Good save, Dad." Gemma squints her eyes, giving her father a jokey death stare. "You're lucky I love you."

"And we must love you, too," George answers, leaning back in his chair. "Considering you've lived in this place rent-free since two-thousand-and-six."

"It's only twenty-twenty-seven," Gemma reminds him. "And I'm only twenty-one. Some people don't leave home until they're in their forties. But, rest assured, I will not be one of those people."

"Well, with a new degree, I should hope not," Levi hits back. "I expect you gone by next year."

"Whatever, Dad." Gemma sticks her tongue out disparagingly, but is interrupted when the front door opens. "Oh! Is Lover Boy back with his beloved?"

"Kieran?" George calls through the house. "Is that you?"

"Yeah, Pops," Kieran shouts back. "I brought Esme back with me, if that's okay."

"Not a problem, mate," George assures him. Moments later, he spots the two young lovers as they enter the room together. "Hello son. Hello, Esme."

"Hi, George," Esme smiles, slipping her hand into Kieran's for comfort. "How are you today?"

"We're good, thank you," George replies. "How's Mum and Dad?"

"Um, Mum is still a psycho — but that's nothing new. And Dad is ... well, he's Dad," Esme jibes. "But he's fine, thank you."

"Anyway, Pops," Kieran intervenes. "We were just going to head upstairs to my room, if that's alright. We already ate dinner out."

"Of course," George responds. As his son and Esme head towards the staircase in the hallway, he can't help but add to his words. "Don't forget to use protection!"

"Shut up!" Kieran calls back, finding amusement in his father, as much as he hates to admit it.

Levi can't help but laugh. "It's like a cliché teen movie, isn't it? Falling in love with your school bully."