A Few Steps To Your Heart

Chapter 39

After Gavin's second physical therapy session, Georgia noticed he was withdrawing into himself once more. It was mentally challenging for him to regain the ground he had lost, but they were making progress. She understood that he sometimes needed moments alone. Deciding to prepare a more intimate lunch for both of them in the kitchen, she set everything up and even adorned the table with fresh flowers.

When she had everything ready, including the table settings, she went in search of Gavin. This time, she found him sitting in front of the window, gazing outside. She knocked on the door gently, although she had already entered the room. Gavin turned to look behind him, and she greeted him with a small, comforting smile.

"I made something to eat if you're hungry."

He nodded in acknowledgment, but no words escaped his lips. They went back to the kitchen together, and Gavin noticed how she had meticulously arranged things on the small dining table. They had a larger one in the dining room, but he appreciated the intimacy of this moment. As they sat down and exchanged smiles, Gavin recognized that this was an opportune time for them to move a step forward.

"How are your parents doing?" he asked. "I think I've only met them a few times over the years."

"They're fine," she replied. "My mother continues to teach art, and my father still works in his mechanic shop, although he'll admit he's not the same young man anymore. He has employees now."

"He has a passion for old cars, doesn't he?"

"He does. We used to work on one when I was a little girl, although we never managed to get it running," she confessed, a fond smile gracing her lips as she reminisced about those happy times.

"How are they handling everything you're going through?"

"Despite being close to them, I tend to keep them at arm's length," she admitted.

"Why is that?"

"I dislike it when people are sad, especially if I'm the reason for their sorrow."

"But you're not directly responsible for it. You didn't ask to be ill."

"True, but I still don't want them to worry about me. I only tell them what's necessary and reassure them that I'm fine," she explained.

"I guess I'm not doing it much differently," he sighed. "Except I've chosen a different way to keep them at bay."

"Do you think you might move out at some point?"

"Is it strange that I live with my parents?" he teased.

She shook her head. "Not at all, considering the circumstances. I was just wondering if you might want your own place again."

"I hadn't thought that far ahead, but now that I'm trying to recover, I think I might," he said. "It would be nice to have my own place again and not feel like such a dark cloud over their lives."

"I'm sure you're not. You're just dealing with your own struggles."

"But I've been rather harsh."

"I can't deny that," she admitted, earning a smile from him. "But you're fighting to regain control now."

"I'm trying."

"You should be proud of that," she insisted.

"Let's hold off on the champagne celebration for now."

She chuckled and nodded in agreement. "All right, it can wait."

***

Later in the day, they found themselves on the oversized couch in Gavin's room. He had discreetly maneuvered onto the couch to be closer to Georgia. Although they had chosen a movie to watch, Gavin's thoughts quickly ventured elsewhere. He extended his hand, gently grazing her thigh, and when he noticed her glancing in his direction, he effortlessly moved her onto his lap. She chuckled with delight, and he leaned in to kiss her once more. They resembled two infatuated teenagers, deeply in love, as they began to passionately kiss on the couch. Gavin skillfully shifted their positions, with Georgia ending up beneath him. He supported himself on his arms, hovering above her, while settling comfortably between her legs. Although he had lost sensation below the waist, it did nothing to dampen the warmth coursing through him as their bodies touched. Georgia had the remarkable ability to ignite a whirlwind of emotions within him. As they reveled in the rising tension between them, there came a knock at Gavin's door.

"Gavin?" his mother called, arriving home earlier than expected.

"It truly does feel like I'm a teenager again," he whispered, eliciting a smile from Georgia.

They slowly pushed themselves up, discreetly rearranging their clothes. As Gavin invited his mother to enter, Georgia stood up and greeted Martha with a warm smile.

"I took some time off early. I wanted to hear about your session," Martha told her son.

"Then I should be off."

"Shall I walk you out?" Martha offered.

Georgia shook her head and left the room, while Martha stayed behind. She couldn't help but notice the annoyed look on her son's face.

"What?" she questioned.

"You have terrible timing."

"Me?"

"Yes, you, Mother."

"How so?" she asked, genuinely puzzled.

Gavin smiled, shaking his head, and Martha slowly began to piece things together.

"Oh, was I interrupting something? Do you like Georgia?" she asked, pointing behind her.

"As if you hadn't hoped for that outcome."

"Hope and it becoming a reality are very different," she reminded her son.

"We are slowly moving forward."

"Oh, this is even more wonderful!" she exclaimed.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves."

"Well, of course when I said entertain you, I didn't mean—"

"Mom!" he interrupted, shaking his head. Martha chuckled, and he was relieved to see a smile on her lips instead of the gloomy expression she had worn for so long.

"I was simply implying—"

"I know what you were saying."

She smiled and walked over to her son, sitting down beside him, her face radiant with joy.

"I am happy to see you smile again. I feared I never would again."

"Mom..." he whispered, touched by her words.

"I lost you too," she confided, placing a hand on his shoulder. "And whatever happens, you know I love you, right?"

"Let's not have this talk now."

"But we should. I want you to know you never stand alone."

"Mom..." he sighed, looking away, not comfortable with such open displays of vulnerability.

"All right, all right. I will let it go," she conceded, but her support was evident in her warm smile. "But I wholeheartedly support you two. If you like each other, only continue to explore that feeling. You know Georgia would never judge you."

"Yes, I do."

They shared a heartfelt smile, and Gavin couldn't wait for another chance to be alone with Georgia. It felt exciting, and it made him feel like he was returning to a sense of normalcy whenever he was around her. She had a way of making him feel good, and he hoped that feeling would continue.