Dareen

30# I Bet My Life

Song: I Bet My Life- Imagine Dragons.
Elliot
"Alice, please go see what Ethan's doing cause I want to talk with mum for a minute." I sighed sitting on the edge of her bed.
"Fine." She rolled her eyes.
"Be polite." I glared as she stepped outside closing the door behind her.
"What's wrong, Elliot?" Mum sighed taking a deep breath.
"I took a decision, and I want you to know it."
"What is it?"
"You'll stay here with me and Ethan and Alice. I'm not letting you leave again."
"I just put my husband six feet under ground, and you're telling me that you won't let us go home?" She narrowed her eyes.
"This is your home because we are your family. I've had enough, mum."
"Mum? You're telling Alice to be polite when you don't know how to be polite while you talk to your mother?!"
"Mum, I miss you, and I need you as much as you need me. Think about us for a minute- just a minute, please." I whispered before leaning in to kiss the top of her head. "Think about it, okay?" I sighed walking out and closing the door behind me.
Entering the kitchen, I pulled out a glass of water. I feel so stressed as if all the problems in this world are on my shoulders.
Placing the glass in the sink, I looked out of the window to see Linda hugging our neighbour whom I can't really remember his name.
As she turned to walk towards the front door, I ran out of the kitchen to open it for her.
"Elliot?" Her eyes widened.
"What was our neighbour's name?" I furrowed my brows.
"Why are you asking?"
"Just a question." I shrugged.
"Joseph."
"I think you should invite him over by the end of this week."
"Why?" She turned to face me.
"You know Patricia?" I asked.
"Yeah, the receptionist." She nodded.
"I think he's her style. You know, he's single and she's sing-"
"No." She shook her head. "He's not her style at all."
"Maybe, you know him better." I shrugged turning around.
"Elliot." She called out shyly.
"Yeah?"
"Sit down." She blushed.
"I'm listening." I nodded as I sat in front of her.
"Joseph and I..."
"Hmm?" I nodded for her to continue.
"I feel like we're more than friends, actually-uh-" She sighed awkwardly not knowing how to continue.
"So, you love him and he loves you. Did I get it?" I raised a brow as she covered her face which was radiating heat. "Linda, c'mon." I chuckled moving her hands. "Invite him over, and we'll talk, but I won't let you go except when I make sure that he's good for you."
"When will you be free?"
"This Saturday is okay." I smiled.
"Okay," She grinned pulling me into a tight embrace. "but you won't let me go cause I'll never leave you anyway. You're stuck." She giggled.
"Glad I do." I smiled kissing her forehead.
-------
"Good evening." I smiled kissing Dareen.
"Good evening." She smiled as we walked inside, "Picky is sleeping on the sofa, don't wake her up." She warned as she closed the door.
"Fine." I sighed walking to the kitchen. "I think you care about her more than you'll even care about our kids." I chuckled.
"Our kids?" She turned to face me.
"Maybe?" I chuckled. "Don't you want kids from me?" I furrowed my brows pulling her to me.
"It's not about that, but- I was taken off back." She shrugged sitting on a high stool in front of me.
"Why?"
"Christina's pregnant, and-" She closed her eyes for a second before continuing. "I didn't like Harry's reaction."
"Don't say it. He wants her to abort the baby?" My eyes widened.
"No, he said that he wants him, but he hesitated as if he wasn't sure about his feelings for her."
"It's the normal thing, baby." I shrugged.
"You've got to be kidding me! It's not his right to hesitate or even think about her aborting the baby. If they both made a mistake, they both should be able to face the consequences without hesitating!"
"I guess you're right." I nodded.
"If you were in his shoes, would you hesitate?" She narrowed her eyes.
"No," I shook my head.
"Why? What's the difference?"
"Harry just thinks that he's not ready. He's still young to carry the responsibility- at least that's what he thinks, but I, one the other hand, am ten years older than him. Another point is that he has no money to get a child who will need diapers and school later, but thank God, I don't have this problem. I think I am ready. In fact, I can't wait for the moment when your pee turns pink." I chuckled as she slapped my shoulder.
"It's not the pee that turns pink, you ass." She shook her head.
"Whatever. That's what they say in movies. How would I know this shit?" I teased.
"You're just a parrot repeating everything without comprehending." She rolled her eyes teasingly.
"Girl, I'm your boss." I teased.
"Yeah, that's back there- at work, but here, I'm the boss." She giggled flexing her fake muscles.
"Whatever you say." I chuckled. "But seriously, I want kids. I am ready." I told her.
"Really?" She shook her head.
"Yes, really." I ressured.
"Okay, but I'm still not ready." She sighed.
"And I'm willing to wait." I smiled pecking her nose.
"Alright, daddy."
-----
"Ethan, breakfast's ready." I barged into the room.
"Can't you knock on the freaking door?" He glared at me as he opened a book on his desk.
"Sorry. What are you doing?" I asked quietly walking to him.
"I was trying to study, but you cut me off."
"Sorry, man. Let's eat then you can finish."
"Fine." He sighed getting up.
"I told Linda to invite that Joseph over tomorrow, what do you think?" I turned around to find him leaning against the wall. "Are you okay?"
"Just a bit dizzy. I think I got up so fast." He whispered closing his eyes.
"Should I get you a chair or something?" I frowned.
"No, I'm fine." He smiled walking towards the kitchen with me following. "What were you saying?"
"We will have a guest on Saturday." I told him.
"Uh Joseph, you say." He nodded, and I could feel Linda blushing from the other end of the kitchen.
"Who's Joseph?" Mum asked.
"He's our neighbour." Linda smiled sitting down.
"Uh- Elliot, I didn't get the chance to meet your girlfriend. What was her name again?" Mum turned to me.
"Dareen."
"It's a strange name. What does it mean?"
"It means wise, darling and some people say that it means creation of God." I replied.
"Oh, I love." She smiled. "Invite her over cause I want to see her." She suggested.
"I was waiting- till you recover." I said awkwardly.
"No no, I'm fine. Tell her to come next Sunday if that's okay with everyone."
"It's okay for sure. She's a pretty lady." Linda smiled.
"I'll ask her tomorrow if it's okay with her." I nodded.
"Why aren't you eating?" I turned to Ethan.
"Don't you like it?" Linda frowned.
"No, it's really good, but I'm really full." He sighed getting up.
"Ethan," I stood up to follow him.
"Sit down, Elliot. He needs to be by himself these days." Linda sighed making me sit back down.