The Art of Loving

[21] Yet Another Surprise

The entire group stayed in the pub until a bit past midnight before they went on their way home. Except for Mike, they were all going home to Sue and Pat. But before Mike could go his own way, Ellie stopped him and gave him a message for Lynn. Why she felt like she had to hide something, why she was lying to her, all the questions that Ellie had spilled out at once.

Mike promised to talk to Lynn, assuring Ellie that he tried to get her to talk to them, but Lynn simply didn't listen. Ellie hugged him and wished him a good night before she returned to Brian's side.

"Everything alright?" He asked quietly and reached for Ellie's hand.

Ellie smiled a little and nodded. When he was holding her hand everything was alright. "Yeah. I think so. I have you." She glanced at Brian, smiling more when she saw his smile widening.

"Yes, you do..," he said softly, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "It will be okay, remember that."

"Yeah.." Ellie nodded. "Somehow it will be. Actually I'm just really looking forward to cuddling with you right now."

"Me too," he agreed. "It's a good thing that we had the chance to be alone earlier though. Because actually, since my birthday we haven't slept next to each other without having sex."

"That's right," Ellie said surprised. "Wow. I didn't realise that. Well... what can I say? You're very attractive."

Brian chuckled. "I'm still amazed by that if I'm honest."

"You are? Why? You've had 23 years to get used to your good looks," Ellie told him, smiling at him.

"Believe me, there are things about me that I'm still not used to."

"Like your hair?" Ellie interrupted him, making him laugh.

"Yes, for example. But actually I mean that I'm amazed by that you find me so attractive. I'm not complaining because it results in amazing sex with a gorgeous woman who happens to be my girlfriend, but I'm still amazed."

"Well, a bit of amazement never hurts, right?" She asked and shook her head a little with a smile. She was also amazed, by how easily he could improve her mood.

"You're right about that," he agreed. "And I think with you I'm never going to run out of things that amaze me."

"I hope so. I certainly don't want you to be bored of me.."

Brian shook his head. "That won't happen, don't worry. Really."

Ellie didn't reply to that, because they had gotten to the house Pat and Sue lived in and now they were making their way up the stairs quietly, in order to avoid getting the two women in trouble with their neighbours. Even inside the flat they were being surprisingly quiet, and Brian made Ellie laugh when he remarked that that was all thanks to Mary keeping Freddie under control. Mostly, at least.

Because after he had gotten ready for bed, he stopped Ellie and Brian who were on the way to the bathroom to get ready as well. "You. You two. There will be no fucking each other while we are around. I don't want to be woken up by anything like that. " He pointed at them and looked at them sternly. "Are we clear about that?"

"Freddie, honestly," Ellie said before Brian could open his mouth. "If you think we'll give you a free porn show just like that, then you're wrong. We put on a very good show, so don't go around hoping you'll get a glimpse of that just like that. It takes more than just being in the same room like us by chance."

Brian chuckled and kissed her cheek. "Yes, Freddie, that's right," he agreed with a smirk. "This beautiful woman is only for me to enjoy." He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close.