Love protection (book 1: to be loved)

Happy Christmas

Abby and Samuel POV : 

Christmas is coming, their first with Samuel. She's sad she won't be celebrating with him, but she can't leave my dad. You can't be alone at Christmas, it's horrible.

— I've been thinking about Christmas. Samuel said to me, coming back from the kitchen.

— I can't leave my dad alone. He doesn't know about the magic. I wouldn't want you not to be able to be yourself. I think it would be better to separate him on the evening of the 24th. I spend it in my flat, he drives up to see me.

— I know, Abby. He replied adorably, even if he is disappointed. He sat down, and she joined him, nervous and sad.

— I'm going to miss you, he came closer, I can feel him against me. We can have the 25th for the night. Our Christmas after midnight, no matter what time our two— family celebrations end. I'll pick you up and take you home. I'll drop you off again the next day.

She smiled at the idea, perfect.

— I can tell her I'm sleeping at your place. I'll say I'll go when he's asleep. That usually happens early.

Samuel kissed her !

— Perfect! He celebrated afterwards, getting up. Everyone's happy. I won't have a good Christmas without seeing you!

— Neither will I. That reminds me. He's talking about inviting you over for dinner on the 25th.

— I will do it!

She stood up, jumping for joy, for this night, the invitation, for him. She smiled even more when she felt his admiring gaze on her. It turned into a dance, a little ridiculous, but so pleasant. Samuel laughed, moving closer and kissing her. She closed her eyes to take it all in, putting her hands behind him. The present froze, just the two of them, her heart exploding with happiness.

— I love you. he whispered. She shivered.

— I love you too, so much!

On the evening of the 24th, she waited outside, her bag packed, unable to sit still while she waited for Samuel.

He arrived, smiling when he saw her.

— Happy Christmas," she wished him, before kissing him.

When they parted, he laughed, asking her if she was ready to go. Of course she was! Once he arrived, he turned on all the tinsel, happy as a child. The space is decorated with even more light than before.

— You can't do too much for Christmas! he laughed.

— No !

Two hours later, they were together, curled up in a blanket. Christmas music playing in the background and warm milk in hand.

— My studies in Ireland. He recounted one of his fond memories. Galway. My studies were not restrictive. I could really be myself for a year, but after a bit of work, it got easier. Ireland, he dreamt. I... how could I describe the scenery to you. Connemara National Park. She closed her eyes to imagine. A valley, the sound of water. A quiet river flowing through the valley. Looking up at the mountains. All the blue sky on the horizon. I... he stood up, she opened my eyes, back in England.

He picked up the computer, pointing straight at her. I want to go there, she thought immediately. The lake, the sunset, the mountains! He went on to Galway, the city, the little houses.

— I fell in love with Ireland. Everyone should see it one day!

— What brought you back to England? Why didn't you stay there?

— I thought about it. I missed England, especially Astoria, but I refused to go back to London. I was going to come back to Samuel Greengrass, the wizard. I applied for jobs in shops in nice little towns and was accepted in Burford. I could ask you the same question?

— She smiled. I'd known Gloucester since I was a little girl. The school where my mother worked, my high school, my university. Even my first job at a newspaper was only 20 minutes away. I needed a change. A journalism job opened up here. It was the perfect opportunity.

— And as luck would have it, we both ended up here.

— Yes, we did. Thanks to chance !

She took his hand and rested her head against his. He adjusted himself to make her more comfortable.

— 'We probably haven't been in the same city together. London maybe on rare occasions, you'd never have noticed me.

— How could I not?" he said, surprised.

— She blushed. I'm a realist. — The first time I met you, I was stunned by you. You were gorgeous, I couldn't have missed you. She turned crimson.

— No, not true. She fought back.

He stood in front of her. She took a slip of drink, embarrassed.

— Abby, it was and it is. You're gorgeous, I don't just mean physically, even if... he got confused, it triggered a smile from her. You radiate! Your smiles, your intelligence, much more than me, your concentrated airs, your creativity. She smiled, believing him. She won't admit it, but he's really the one who makes her feel that way. You can't see yourself the way I see you, but I'm going to make you see me that way. Even if you blush, I won't stop complimenting you. He stopped, then surprised her with a kiss on the forehead, titillating her.

— She recovered from her emotions. I'm getting a bit used to it, well, at times, she moderated. I feel good with you, except when I think too much, but you bring me back to the present.

— He cracked a smile, making her melt. My plan is working, then.

She started to laugh, with happiness, with pleasure.

— To pick up on what you said about yourself, you're intelligent. You're brave, you've changed your life to be the person you are now. You may be very proud of yourself.

— You... uh. She frowned, she said something wrong... You're turning my plan against me. Uh... still working on that. We drifted. I'd like to hear one of your good memories.

He's changing the subject. She didn't dare push, she didn't have the right words.

— Erm... my first childhood memory. My fourth birthday party. Strawberry theme, at my request even if it's a strange one. My mum and dad organised the whole thing. Decoration, cake, games. Everything was perfectly themed. My mother, as a typical primary school teacher, made it the guiding theme. And so began my passion for strawberries!

— The strawberry. He laughed, not mockingly. It's original. It sounds like a fantastic birthday. She lost her joy. What an idiot, he told her a bit about his childhood, his parents would never have done that. She's just...

­— It's your turn now, she changed the subject quickly. He started again, without realising it, but she promised herself she wouldn't change the subject again tonight.