John and Christine had eagerly awaited this trip to visit Christine's mother for weeks. It was a much-needed break from their busy lives, offering them a chance to reconnect with family and enjoy some time away from the hustle and bustle of the city. As they set off on the long drive to Christine's mother's house, the sun shining brightly overhead, Christine couldn't contain her excitement. She rolled down the windows, letting the warm breeze tousle her hair as she sang along to every song that came on the radio. John couldn't help but smile at her infectious energy, feeling grateful to have her by his side.
After several hours on the road, they finally arrived at Christine's mother's cozy cottage nestled in the countryside. Christine's face lit up with delight as she hugged her mother tightly, exchanging warm greetings and catching up on each other's lives. As they settled in, John and Christine joined Christine's mum at the table, their laughter filling the room as they reminisced about old times and shared stories from their lives.
Amidst the chatter and laughter, Christine's joyful demeanor suddenly shifted as a migraine hit her hard. "Bloody 'ell," she muttered, her hand flying to her temple. Her mother's eyebrows shot up in disapproval. "Language, Christine," she scolded gently, though concern lingered in her eyes. Christine apologized, rubbing her temples. "Sorry, Mum. My head's killing me."
Concern etched her mother's face as she asked, "How's your vision?" "The light's bothering me," Christine admitted. Her mother's expression softened as she reached out a hand to pat Christine's arm. "It's okay, sounds like a migraine, sweetheart. Go lay down, and I'll bring you some tea."
Grateful for her mother's understanding, Christine stood up and made her way to her room. As Christine's mother entered the room, she whispered, "Let's get these closed," closing the curtains to dim the light. She set the tea on the nightstand and said, "Get some rest." Christine nodded against the pillow, not having the energy to respond. Just before her mother exited Christine's room, she placed a tender kiss on her daughter's head, closing the door just a smidge as she left the room.
Christine's mother went back to the kitchen where John was sitting at the table. The two sat and had some coffee as they talked about life and the weather. After a while, John excused himself and headed for the bedroom. Christine's mum, out of worry, followed him, thinking he might disturb Christine, knowing she needed her rest. However, what she witnessed melted her heart. She watched as John entered the bedroom, crawling under the blankets and laying in the bed next to Christine, putting his arm around her waist and just laying there.
Back in the kitchen, Christine's mother prepared one of Christine's favorite meals—her famous shepherd's pie. The savory aroma filled the house, creating a comforting atmosphere. The simple act of John lying beside Christine spoke volumes about the depth of their connection and the care he held for her.
After a while, Christine woke to the smell of food, a familiar scent of her mother's shepherd's pie. She crawled out from under John's arm and grabbed the teacup, going to the kitchen. Her mother asked, "How are you feeling, dear?" Christine responded, "Better."
"Christine, I have to tell you," her mother began with a grin, "John is such a gem. We were having a lovely chat, and then he excused himself without saying why. I saw him heading towards your bedroom, and I must admit, I grew a bit worried that he might disturb your rest, but imagine my surprise when I peeked in and saw him crawling under the blankets with you. He put his arm around you and just lay there, as if he knew exactly what you needed without a single word. You've got yourself a real keeper there, my dear."
After some time of conversation, Christine's mum suggested, "Why don't you go get John up and tell him dinner's ready?" Christine nodded, heading to the bedroom to wake John. "Dinner's ready," she whispered, gently shaking him awake. John stirred, rubbing his eyes before nodding in acknowledgment. The two made their way to the kitchen, where Christine's mum greeted them warmly.
