In this life

Chapter 23

Daniel had been a gentleman and let me shower and get dressed in peace in the bathroom, while he showered in his en-suite. I'd heard him go downstairs as I was applying my makeup in the large mirror. Once I was ready I tidied all my things into my bag and chucked it over my shoulder and went to find Daniel, leaving my bag by the front door.
He was in the living room, sat casually in an armchair with his head backwards and his ankle resting his leg over the other knee. He was effortlessly plucking the strings of his guitar with precision, to a tune I knew but couldn't place.
"Is there anything you can't do?" I asked kindly as I entered the room. He lifted his head to look at me and carried on playing.
"Age" he suggested, eyeing me up and down with a smile.
I laughed "Good point" I flopped down on to the sofa "What's that song?"
"Sylvia's Mother, do you know it?"
"Ah, yes" realising why I recognised it, "my Mum is called Sylvia, my Dad used to sing it when I was little" I explained, "I loved that song".
He smiled, looking at me sweetly and continued with the chorus.
"Actually I'd better phone my Mum" I reached my mobile out of my back pocket, got her number up and pushed the call button.

"Hello?"
"Hi Mum, it's me"
"Oh hello pumpkin, are you ok?"
"Yeah I'm good. I was just wondering what time you wanted us to be at yours tonight?"
"Us? Is Daniel definitely coming then?" She sounded excited.
"Yes"
"Oh lovely!" She exclaimed "I can't wait to meet him"
I looked at Daniel, knowing he was listening to her. He winked at me, smiling with the corner of his mouth.
"So what time?" I asked again.
"Well, I've been having dramas with my stove, it's not working properly, you're Dad seems to think he knows what's wrong with it, but you know what he's like with electrical things so I'm not counting on it being fixed" she rambled, "So I've just got off the phone to Liam and he's suggested we get a take away instead, is that ok with you two?"
Daniel nodded before I could ask him,  still playing his guitar. I smiled "Yep, fine with us. So Mum, what time do you want us to come?"
"Well, if you get here for six o'clock then we can have a drink and a chat while we are waiting for the food to arrive and maybe sit down to eat at seven?"
"Sounds great, ok, we'll see you later"
"Rosie" Mum stopped me from hanging up.
"Yes?"
"I'm glad you've got Daniel. It's so lovely to hear you saying 'us' and 'we', I'm very happy for you sweetie, I hope you're happy too"
I blushed at the soppiness of her tone "Thanks Mum. I am" I silently blew a kiss to Daniel, who pretend to catch it "see you later ok?"
"Ok darling, bye bye"
"Bye" I hung up and put my phone back in my pocket, knowing I didn't have to relay any of the conversation.

Daniel put his guitar down beside his chair, "I'd best be sure to make a good impression tonight then"
"Yes, because all my Dad is going to think is that you're the man who will eventually share your bed with his innocent-little-princess on our wedding night" I teased, purposely adding pressure for him to behave.
He gave me an exaggerated look of mocked worry and casually got out of his chair to come over to me.
"So... I wont mention how I've already seen you completely naked and explored every inch of your body with my tongue..."
"No!" I pouted, then gave him a naughty smile.
He put his hands on the sofa either side of my head and one knee between my thighs, lowering himself on top of me.
"...And I suppose I should definitely not let on about how you loved it when I sank my teeth into you last night either..."
"Definitely not!" I giggled.
"Mmm, you tasted sooo good..." He held his head back, opened his mouth wide and his sharp fangs grew longer. He hissed as he quickly lowered his mouth to my neck as if to devour me. But nuzzled his nose into my neck and tickled my ribs with his fingers instead. I screamed and laughed and tried to fight him off as he playfully attacked me.

***

Daniel pulled his car up on my parent's drive and switched off the engine.
"Ready?" I asked.
"Yeah I guess so" for a moment he looked quite nervous but played it cool as he smiled and came round to open my door. He always managed to be there before I'd even picked up my bag. I climbed out the car and thanked him as I started to walk towards the front door, but Daniel caught my hand, stopping me.
"Who actually lives here?" He asked.
"Just Mum and Dad" I answered, "Why?"
"Because I'm gonna need one of them to invite me in!"
"Oh, yeah, of course" I hesitated. I was just going to use my key. I was wondering how I'd get an invitation for him without it looking weird.
Luckily, my Mum had been looking out the window and opened the front door. We both looked round to her.
"Rosie!" She nearly shouted in excitement, stepping out the door. Daniel and I gave each other a quick glance and made our way over to her.
"Hi Mum. Umm, this is Daniel" I introduced him to her, "Daniel, this is my Mum, Sylvia"
He held his hand out to hers and as she took it he kissed her politely on each cheek "it's nice to meet you Sylvia" he said.
Mum gave me a quick smile. He'd won her over already.
"The pleasure is all mine Daniel. Please, do come in, let me get the two of you a drink"
As she turned to lead the way inside Daniel gestured for me to go first and muttered so only I could hear him, "Well that worked out nicely!"
I smiled, relieved, and he stepped inside.
"Robert" Mum called to Dad letting him know we were here, as we took our jackets off and I hung Daniel's up with mine. Dad poked his head round the corner from the kitchen.
"Ah" he headed over to us, "Hello princess" he kissed me on the top of my head. Daniel looked relaxed and stepped forward offering his hand to my dad.
"And you must be Daniel" my dad said shaking his hand firmly, "Robert".
"Pleased to meet you Robert" he nodded his head towards him and as they released their hands Daniel held up the bottle of vintage Port he'd bought with him. "Rosie tells me you're Port man, so -" he started.
My dad took the bottle and interrupted,
"Oh! thank you" he examined the bottle, "This looks like a vintage, must have cost a few bob?" He looked impressed.
"Actually, Daniel has a few bottles in his cellar" I explained. Letting my dad know Daniel was doing well financially, thinking it might impress him so he'd be more relaxed about my new boyfriend. It worked, I could see my dads face light up. "Well thank you Daniel, that's very kind"
"Let me get you two something to drink" Mum fussed "Daniel what would you like? Do you drink beer? Wine?"
"A beer would be great, thank you"
"Rosie?" Mum turned to me "wine?"
"Please" I smiled "Are the others here?"
"Yes, they're in the garden. Go through, I'll bring you're drinks out." She and Dad hesitated to watch us walk into the living room, to make our way through to the back door situated in the dining room.
I stopped once we were out of sight and turned to Daniel, holding his hand, "you ok?" I whispered.
He smiled as he stepped towards me and brushed my cheek with his thumb. "Fine" He was about to lean in and kiss me but I moved backwards to stop him, "Don't" smiled, "I don't want anyone to catch us"
"It's fine" he titled his head "umm... your mum and dad are in the kitchen, your dad is explaining to your mum about why it's a good bottle of port and everyone else is joking about outside" he slowly leaned in. I let him kiss me.
"You can hear them?" 
We kissed again.
Daniel nodded. Smiling onto my lips, he said "apparently you're mum likes me" he raised his eyebrows twice in quick succession and kissed me again. I smiled and held the back of his neck as I allowed his tongue access to mine.
"Well that's because you're awesome" I grinned "come on then, let me introduce you to my three, big, scary, older brothers." I teased, knowing in reality, together, they paled into insignificance.
Holding hands we stepped out the back door and walked round to the garden where my brothers and their partners were. Emily was sat with Sophie and Claire at the large patio table and Liam, Johnny and Harry were mucking about with the basketball hoop my Dad had put up for them when we were younger.
"Hi guys" I called cheerfully. They all acknowledged me in different ways, I smiled back at them. "This is Daniel" I introduced him and then speaking directly to Daniel I pointed everyone out, giving him all of their names as they waved their hellos.
Liam bowled over to us, his chest puffed out slightly with a stern look on his face, "Daniel" he addressed him bluntly. Daniel offered a handshake. Liam eyed him up before shaking it. Daniel's jaw clenched. I cringed willing Liam not to break out some shit 'if you hurt her' big brother speech.
"Daniel" Johnny called over, breaking the awkward tension, "d'you play?" He held up the basketball.
Daniel smiled "Yes mate, but not for ages, so I mightn't be any good"
Johnny gestured for him to join them and Daniel headed over, giving me a gentle squeeze on my shoulder as he passed me. Johnny threw him the ball and Daniel caught it one handed, with very little effort. I loved that Johnny just included him and let him join in without the third degree. Johnny looked at me and I mouthed the words 'Thank you'. He smiled at me and nodded.
"Right. Me and Danny boy" he playfully slapped his shoulder, stealing the ball from his hands (I knew Daniel had let him take it) "Against Harry and Hot-Shot" he looked over to Liam "First to ten hoops wins?"
Liam stood next to me and was about to say something but I spoke over him instead "Liam, how about, just for today you're not a complete fucking dick!"
I walked off to sit with the girls as Mum came out with drinks for me and Daniel. She put them on the table "Does anyone else need a top up?" She asked everyone collectively. They all said they were fine and thanked her anyway. So she sat down with us.
"Daniel seems nice sweetie" Mum spoke quietly so he couldn't hear, but of course, I knew he could. I looked over to him to see if I could tell if he was listening. He was playing with the boys and had just passed the ball to Johnny, dodging Liam's defences and Johnny shot the ball through the hoop, they high fived and Harry fetched it.
"He is nice" I smiled at Mum.
"And gorgeous!" Claire leaned in to join in our hushed conversation, she mouthed the word 'Wow' and Sophie and Emily shared a look of mutual agreement.
"He looks even better naked" I grinned as they giggled.
"Oh Rosie!" My Mum laughed, playfully slapping my arm "Don't let your dad hear you"
"Don't let me hear what?" Dad asked as he came outside and stood behind my mum.
"Nothing darling" she touched his hand on her shoulder and gave me a small smile.
We looked back round to watch the boys finishing their game. It was 9:8 to Daniel and Johnny. Harry just scored which took it to 9 points each. Johnny bounced the ball between his feet keeping Harry at bay with his arm stretched out. He looked over to Daniel to pass the ball to him but Liam was blocking him well. Daniel, behind Liam, shrugged at Johnny to show he couldn't get round him and pretended to attempt again but let Liam step in his way. I shook my head laughing knowing full well that he was capable. Johnny looked to shoot the ball through the hoop and as Liam thought he no longer had to guard Daniel he ran to block Johnny's shot. At the last second Johnny threw the ball to Daniel who caught it and threw it fast through the hoop. We all cheered.
Daniel and Johnny held each other's thumbs and gave a congratulatory pat on each other's backs and then Daniel did the same actions to Harry who reciprocated saying "well done". Daniel walked to Liam and offered the same again, Liam hesitated, but begrudgingly obliged, making it obvious that he was being a sore looser.
The boys walked over to where we were sitting and each grabbed their drinks, chatting. I passed Daniel his beer and he thanked me and took a large mouthful.
"Right, shall we order some food?" Mum asked "what does everyone fancy?"
Discussions erupted over what we all wanted and Dad went inside to get a pen and piece of paper to take note. I looked to Daniel while everyone was preoccupied and in the quietest whisper I could, I said "I love you". Over the kerfuffle he'd heard me and kissed me quickly on my temple and placed his hand around my waist, smiling at me.