Meeting Mr Firth

9

Waking up in the morning was confusing. I couldn't just yet get used to the idea I was to call Colin's house "home". And that I was going to sleep and wake up in "our bedroom". These words would've seemed so unnatural, so far from common sense just a few days past. And were from now on to be my reality.
He was still sleeping so I had time enough to meditate. To get used to it was a whole other story. I wanted to, but couldn't. Perhaps I was overthinking..or perhaps he was right about us.  Most people won't accept us for being truly in love. But I didn't care. What I cared about was if we accepted. We felt the love we vowed to each other but was it strong enough to pass through everything? That was a question I couldn't help asking myself. And I liked to imagine the answer to be "yes" but I still had my doubts. Or better said.. Worries.
I felt him moving slightly and turned around to see his deep eyes looking me over as if he was trying to make sure I wasn't an illusion. I leaned forward to give him a good morning kiss. He pulled me closer and told me to stay at home because he needed to spend more time with me. I knew I couldn't let him feel lonely as he was feeling before.

-I'd give Jack a call and we'll see what he says. If I have to work then you'll come with me, okay? And we spend the evening doing whatever you want. Maybe walking.
-I would rather stay in. Watching a movie or talking or whatever pleases us. Or I could stay here all day looking at you.
-I could and would like to do the same. But still have a job to keep.
-Yes, it is important. I know. I don't want to sound selfish but I would love to keep you only for myself.
-No objection to that. I'll ring Jack up.
***
-Morning' boss!
-What do you want from me?
-Why do you think I want something?
-Because you never call me boss in a sweet manner. Only perhaps in an ironic one. Even if I wanted to, I can't give you another day off.
-Alright. I would be there.
***
-He's not that much of a good boss, is he?
-I already took advantage of him enough. Get up! We should get ready.

As soon as we got to work I sensed Colin was a little tense. Probably expecting to be questioned about the whole divorce issue. So I told him I solved that problem the previous day and my friends won't ask anything of him on that matter.

-How do you manage to read my mind?
-You were squeezing my hand so hard. It wasn't that hard to figure out.
-Sorry.. he said smiling faintly.
-Let's just go inside and get rid of the tension. There is absolutely nothing to worry about.
-Okay. I'll try.
***
-I was beginning to think you did take a day off after all.
-Wouldn't step over your orders..boss.
-Here comes that ironic tone I know and Love. Don't ever sweet talk me again!
-Yes, sir! I laughed.
-Now get to work. Oh, and Colin.. Don't get her too distracted.
-That's hard to do. I have the bad habit of staring at her. Perhaps I should go.
-No, darling. Stay..
-I actually have to go. Because I have a..umm..a meeting.
-New project ahead? Or are you not allowed to talk about it publicly.
-With you I would talk about everything. It is a..possible project. Something I have to decide upon. But haven't yet decided.
-Maybe I could help you decide.
-We'll talk this over tonight, at home. Okay? Until then I will go to..meet with a director.
-Okay. Good luck. Although you don't need that. You have talent, a lot of it.
-Actually, I need luck with this one.
-Good luck again then. See you tonight!
-Bye, honey!

Spent the whole day thinking of how Colin was doing at whatever audition he was having. It seemed so odd that he was so secretive about it. Like he himself didn't know for sure what kind of meeting he was going to have. He sounded incoherent.. Like all the time he is under a large amount of emotions or tension. Was that how nervous he was about auditions in general? I somehow doubted that..
I got distracted by working and by Jen talking for hours about her new boyfriend that turned out to be an ass but she was still seeing him because he was too handsome to dump. She said she wanted to know how to fall for someone as profoundly as I did.

-Jen, that is not something you could plan. It just happems. Maybe you're overthinking. Or you pay too much attention to the looks. Try seeing beyond that.
-Beauty of the soul? Heard about it but never saw it in any man I've been with. It's like an unicorn or something. You heard of it's existence but you can't find it.
-It's not as impossible to find as an..unicorn, I laughed.
-You found it, but you're luckier than me.
-Believe in yourself a bit, would you?

Just as I said that my phone started ringing. It was Colin, but I was supposed to do some paperwork.

-Go ahead and take that. I'll finish up here.
-Thank you!
***
-Hey, honey!
-Hi! Everything okay?
-Yeah, why shouldn't it be?
-I don't know. You sound a little tense.
-Oh, no. Everything is fine. I just can't wait to see you tonight. Can I come to pick you up?
-Now? I still have some things to finish here..
Hold on a second.
***
-Jen, could you please finish this? I'll make up to you, I promise.
-Okay, you lucky thing. Go running to your man in distress. Anything the matter?
-Don't know. He said everything is okay.
-Then so it is. You worry too much.
Consider the work done.
-Thank you!
***
-Alright honey, you could come and pick me up. And be thankful to Jen for finishing up work.
-I'll be there in 30.

He'd been awfully quiet the whole way home. He seemed to focus on driving but I knew there was something on his mind that bothered him. I was thinking about asking what was the matter but I knew he'd have said there was nothing wrong.
We finally got home and he told me to go into the dining room while he goes upstairs for a minute. I saw that he had already prepared a lovely dinner table with candles and everything. He got back and took me in his arms from the back.

-I thought you won't mind a little celebration.
-What for?
-It's Friday. I met you exactly one week ago. One of the luckiest days of my life.
-Aww, that's so sweet. And you put up such an effort to prepare all this. Tell me you made pasta for dinner.
-I sure did. Take a seat while I go finish them up, will you?
***
-Absolutely delicious! Don't expect me to ever cook as well as you. Not even close.
-I'm sure you can't be that bad.
-Let's just say you have a way too beautiful kitchen for me to set it on fire.
-We have a beautiful kitchen, he corrected me.
This is your house now as much as it's mine.
-Right. Still getting used to that.
-Speaking of our home.. I wanted to tell you that I've been thinking.. And I would like to share this home and life with you forever.
-I want that too. We've discussed this, I'm not going anywhere.
-I know, there was something more that I've been thinking about. I can hardly put it into words though.
-Just look me in the eyes and say it. You can say anything to me. You know that, right?
-Yes.. Well, what I'm trying to say is that I've been thinking about having you in my life officially.
-You mean telling the world?
-More or less. Of course it would imply that at some point. And it might not be pleasant.
-I don't care what the press would say. If you feel like we should stop secretly seeing each other..it'd be better to tell the press ourselves than being discovered.
-That's a point we should take into consideration. To avoid a bigger scandal.
But I wasn't rally meaning the press issue.
-Then what?
-I meant.. Do you consider..getting married?
-Marriage? I thought you.. You didn't think of remarrying at all.
-I wasn't. A week ago that would've sounded ridiculous to me. But not now.. Now I found a fresh, new, passionate love. And I don't want to let go of it.. of you.
-So you are...

He reached for his pocket and revealed a little, simple, yet so beautiful..engagement ring. He took my hand while I was looking at him in awe. He held my hand tightly and asked..

-Andy, would you marry me?
-I..umm.. Oh.My.God, YES! Of course!

We smiled brightly at each other and then he put the ring on my hand. He got closer and we kissed passionately. I was still smiling. That was the most magical moment since the day I met him. I wasn't yet realising what just happened. It felt like I was floating on a little white cloud. He was now hugging me, holding me tight against his body. I thought we were bending together in that tight hug. So warm, so lovely. I started sobbing silently. When we finally parted he saw me crying and hold me by the waist, whispering to my ear that he would never want to see me crying again. And he whipped away my tears.

-You made me the happiest man alive. I was afraid you would say no.
-What?! Why would I say no? I love you so much. I don't care what people or the press would say. You and our happiness matters more. I actually never thought you were considering this.
-I've been thinking about it for the past few days. I know it seems to be in a rush, but I never felt more certain about anything in my life.
-A week..yeah, a bit of a rush. But I feel the same way. I want this as much as you do.