LOVE, LOSS, LEYSIN LOOKING

HOME COMFORTS Chapter 3

Agnetha reached out towards the lock, but for a moment hesitated. She needed to get a grip on her emotions, which were raging inside her. She felt close to tears and wanted to prevent this from happening, the last thing she needed was for Bjorn to see her crying. He would instantly be there to comfort her in her moment of need, but she didn't want his sympathy, his empathy. She wanted his love, his affection and did not want to show too much weakness right now. After a few deep breaths and silently, mentally talking to herself, she slid the key into the familiar door lock, turned it clockwise and it clicked open. Ushering Linda and Christian into the house she stepped in and closed the door. A feeling of familiarity washed over her, the house seemed so much like her real home and the feeling of warmth was tangible and not just from the heating that warmed the house in the biting winter cold. having taken coats and gloves, scarves too from her young children she hung them up and turned to see them rush off to their Father. Screaming and squealing with delight they raced to him, he crouched low and took them both into his arms, kissing them gently, lovingly "There you are. Oh it's so good to have you here my darlings" Agnetha watched this touching scene and her heart melted as she witnessed again, the sheer love between Bjorn, Linda and Christian. The bond between them was unbreakable and not for the first time she had regrets about her decision to separate them from him. They finally broke away and raced off upstairs to their bedrooms, giggling, chattering with joy and excitement. Bjorn smiled to her gently, finally they were alone and he could focus on her alone "I think they're pleased to be here!" he said with a smirk and she laughed herself "I sort of got that impression myself!" he stepped closer now, wanting to be near "Welcome..Welcome home!" he spoke softly, gently and as she smiled he leaned closer and softly kissed her right cheek, she blushed and returned an identical kiss to him "Thank you. And thank you for inviting us here. To stay in your home" she was trying to distance herself from her emotions, her own deepest, private thoughts. But almost as though he could read her mind, as Agnetha had often thought to be the case, Bjorn shook his head "My home? No! OUR HOME!! This is your home, always will be" she blushed a little and looked down at her feet, biting her bottom lip as she often did. there was a moment of awkward silence as she digested his words and he waited with bared breath to see how she would respond, he'd used these words very deliberately. The silence was held so Bjorn made a move to break the ice "Here, let me take your coat and so forth" he held out his hands and smiled as she fumbled with her buttons "I think you'd better let me help. Gloves are not made for buttons! Besides, it's not as if I haven't unbuttoned you before!" her face turned crimson red, as memories came flooding back of times when he had indeed unbuttoned, unzipped her frequently, before making love. Her mind was having trouble focusing on right now, hence why she'd started trying to undo her coat whilst still wearing her thick winter gloves. She pulled them off and pocketed them, trying to distract herself from Bjorn undoing her buttons and all the sharp memories that this brought with it. finally he was done and she was able to shrug her coat off and to take off her Ushanka hat and allow her hair to flow freely once again. For a moment Bjorn stood transfixed by her beauty, as he so often had been, her slender legs clad in tight Black leather trousers, a thick White jumper clinging to her beautiful body with a hint of a White blouse underneath. She looked amazing, gorgeous and as was so often the case he found her jaw dropping, breath taking "Wow! You look beautiful. You are a sight for sore eyes!" Agnetha blushed furiously and looked away for a moment, she was as ever thrilled with his compliments but of course they were making things more than a little awkward. As much as she delighted in everything he said, she felt she had to stay in control, this was a difficult enough moment already without her swooning and throwing herself into his arms, much as she wanted to. She managed to compose herself, not before Bjorn notice the flush in her cheeks and turned to face him, lightly shaking her head "Flirt! You never change do you!" she smiled as she spoke these words as did he, he then gestured with his head "Come sit down. You know the way. I'll get your luggage a little later. I'd like to spend some time with you first" It was a mere few steps to the living room, yet for Agnetha it felt as though she was stepping through a time portal, this place was so familiar, so comfortable, it could easily have been 2 years previously when they'd moved into this house, so full of love and happiness. Tentatively she walked into the living room and was bombarded with memories as she stepped through the doorway. Everything was just as she had left it, nothing had been moved, it felt like stepping into her own memories. Smiling gently she made her way to the sofa they had bought together when they moved in here, for a moment she stood and looked as more memories charged to the front of her mind, sitting here sharing cuddles and kisses together so often, she couldn't help but reflect upon these happier times, better days. Bjorn had been watching her as she moved across the room, he'd suspected she would find this a little overwhelming, she'd not been here since moving out and just for a moment he stood in the doorway, leaning on the door jam and studied her intently. he was sure he could see memories flashing through her mind, he knew what she was thinking about, the very same things he did every time he entered this very room. Finally he decided to say something, just to distract her as much as anything "Take a seat darling. Make yourself comfortable, this is as much yours as mine" she looked at him and smiled, nodding gently. She took a breath and turned sitting down slowly, gently. In spite of her familiarity and the sheer joy of being home again, she felt more than a little strange being there again. As a result she was feeling distinctly uncomfortable and perched herself on the edge of the sofa cushion, not sitting back and relaxing. It all felt a little peculiar to her, because if there was anywhere she would feel at home, feel comfortable it was here, this was much more home than where she now lived and yet the situation, the circumstances they found themselves in was making her feel rather uncomfortable. Bjorn observed this from the doorway and sadly he shook his head, almost imperceptibly. he wanted her to relax, to make herself at home here again, so he walked over to where she sat "Mind if I sit here? With you?" gently he asked, she looked at him and smiled that dazzling smile "Oh of course. Look this is your home, you shouldn't be asking me if you can sit somewhere" A smile crossed his handsome face and he sat down right next to her, almost touching her left shoulder "Well, it's force of habit. I didn't want to startle you by plonking myself right next to you, without asking" she smiled and forced herself to look away, around this oh so familiar room. It was not easy, he was as ever looking handsome, full of charm and kindness. She could smell the distinct aroma of his after shave, the Brut that she knew she'd bought him and it reminded her of happy times and she could not deny that she loved the scent of it on him. She was trying to think of something to say, something banal, meaningless that would not stir her emotions or memories but was struggling to do so. Everywhere here there were memories of their life, their love and it was almost overwhelming her. Bjorn observed this quietly, he could feel her unease and wanted to end it right away "Look darling, listen to me for a moment. This is your home, where you belong, so please just relax. Sit back on the sofa and be comfortable, just like any other time. We can chat, have a nice warm coffee, later have a bite to eat. It will be like any other evening, just relax and make yourself at home, comfortable here again" She looked over to him and smiled gently. He was so full of love, so gentle and ever charming. Taking a deep breath she moved backwards and rested against the rear cushion of the sofa. She had to admit this did feel so right, so like home. She smiled at him "Thanks Bjorn. I know I'm a little, how shall I say, uncomfortable. It's just circumstances, the last time I was here I..Well, I guess you know all too well about that. And it feels a little strange to be here again, especially as your guest" Bjorn smiled very softly, in truth knowing her as well as he did, he'd expected this kind of reaction, she was a girl who's heart was always on her sleeve, she was sensitive and being here again was bound to unsettle her. he wanted very much for her to be comfortable here, with him, he was secretly hoping that they would be spending much more time here together "Oh I know sweetheart, I know. It's bound to be a little odd after everything. But never forget that this is where you belong. You should always be at home here, relaxed, comfortable. Promise me that you'll enjoy being here tonight" she looked into those Blue eyes of his, she could as ever see the sheer depth of his feelings for her, the extraordinary love that he had for her "I promise, really I do. I just need to settle, being back here again" she reached over and gently squeezed his hand, sending a shiver up his spine, just with her mere touch. He rose a few minutes later and returned with a steaming cup of coffee that he'd had brewing just as she arrived "I though you might need this, after being out in the cold" he handed her her very own cup, which she'd left behind when leaving. The smell of the coffee and the sheer warmth of the mug warmed her heart, this was the very coffee she loved and shared with him so often "Oh you are an angel! Just what I need. And my favourite coffee too, I recognise that aroma anywhere!" he smiled as both sipped their mug of coffee "Well naturally. I mean a very special girl needs to be treated to some of her favourite things! Besides which I still buy this blend, it brings back so many happy memories. And it is delicious at the end of the day!" Finally she began to feel at home again, the sheer warmth of his welcome, the familiar, much loved coffee combined with everything here being so close and familiar to her, began to make her relax and feel as if she was home again. She looked around the room again and a smile crossed her beautiful face "Nothing seems to have changed here. Not tempted to alter things to suit yourself?" she was curious , all was as it always had been and she watched as he swallowed a sip of coffee and set his mug down on the coaster in front of him "Not for one second. This place was perfect as it was and that's how it will stay. Always" they were now beginning to settle, to feel comfortable, just as Bjorn hoped, He was hoping for more, much more, but he'd be patient, at least for now......