Meeting Mr Firth

22

The rest of the Saturday we spent wondering around, holding hands and laughing. The tension between us generated by the whole Max matter was over and we were purely happy again. The ups and downs of life were so much easier to forget with someone who shares your pain, your joy and your love fully and entirely.
By the next morning we were still not tired of walking around, enjoying the nature, the peace and enjoying each other's company.

-Babe?
-Yes, darling?
-Let's not let any other moron get in our way to this pure happiness.
-Agreed. Shall I worry there is some other replica of Max out there?
-No, you shouldn't. There isn't.
-Then we're good.
-I'm good only when I hold your hand, babe.
-And I when I know you in my arms and not away from me, darling.

I hugged him and as we parted I saw him smiling, his sweet dimples catching my eye, charming and cuter than ever. I smiled too and he gave me a kiss, still smiling during it..

-You little dork!
-What did I do?
-You're too cute, that's what you did.
-I can't help that.
-Could you never leave here? And live a continuous holiday..just us?
-Part of me wants that..another part wants to get back to our little princess.
-Same for me, babe.
-And we promised her pancakes tomorrow morning.
-"We" meaning you, honey. She loves your cooking so I shouldn't even bother.
-Oh, how elegantly you get away from cooking.
-You care about our home, right?
-Yeah..
-And won't want to see it burning down, right?
-Of course..
-Then my place isn't in the kitchen.
-No, your place is right here in my arms. But that's another matter.
-Darling, shall we came here again with Cathy sometime in the next weeks?
-Sure. But I might start filming..
-And not have much free time. I see..
-Don't be sad about that. We'll do it at some point. We'll take a good long trip around the country. All three of us.
-That'd be nice.
***

Sunday passed the same way, with walks and talks and time spent entirely with each other. No more worries, no sadness, no problems whatsoever. Life as it should be, full of love and happiness. Although it is true one cannot appreciate happiness, or feel real happiness if one doesn't know what sadness is..and didn't encounter some dark days. We understood that. And our little philosophical talks were very agreeable indeed..

-I'd toast to all the sadness in our lives. Because it made us more united. We supported each other through it all..and got over problems together.
-And the happiness when we did that was twice as valuable as before.
-Like the way me working on this new project will be. I might work whole day long, but seeing you again in the evening will be twice as good.
-Let's not neglect the nights..
-Never, honey..
-And..babe?
-Yes?
-Never leave me..
-I wish I could promise you that. I could promise to not leave you until my last breath.
-And beyond..you'll always be in my heart.
-Not Max when he will get the chance to show up again?
-Don't even joke about that. I'm so done with that man.
-Kid, more like.
-You got a point. You're a man..he's still a kid. And not a very bright one.
-I thought it was only my opinion.
-It's been mine longer than it's been yours.. I never thought of him to be bright..or at least acceptable.
-Poor man, he didn't stand a chance.
-No, never. And never would.
-Maybe someone else would..someone clever enough to get your attention.
-I shall believe not. Darling, how many times do I have to tell you you're my one and only?
-Until I get it.
-You should've by now.
-I'm bad at understanding such things.
-You're bad only when you want to be bad..
-I admit I like hearing that..
-I knew that, darling.
-Oh, forgive me. You're a mind reader. I forgot.
-Laugh as much as you want. I could always read your mind.
-Because I'm predictable?
-Because I know you. And love you. And you can usually tell what your beloved ones think.
-So I'm not that predictable..
-I didn't say that, I laughed.
-You're impossible!
-You're cuter when you fake being mad.
-You're also such a flatterer.
-Only with you..
-I think it'll rain. So I suggest we go back to the hotel.
-What? Are you afraid of a little bit of rain? You're British, babe. You should be used to it.
-I am. But I would rather not see you catch a cold. So please, let's go.
-Alright. But if it won't rain heavily we should get back out and keep wondering around.
-As you wish, darling.

Back to the hotel we had a quick breakfast and then we watched a movie, laying in bed, his arms around me as I was resting my head on his shoulder. The rain was pretty heavy so it was wiser to stay inside. And we had time enough for talking..

-I don't know about you, but now I'm much more thinking about getting back home, to Cathy especially.
-And the weather is just as it is in London now.. So it isn't helping much. I want to go home too.
-Shall we leave early?
-After lunch, perhaps..
-Yeah, that's a good idea.

We did as planned and arrived back home by 3 o'clock. We took Cathy by surprise and she jumped straight into Colin's arms. Then she asked me to join in for a group hug. Viv was standing behind so Cathy asked her too. She said we were a big happy family and the best she could have wished for. I thought the same..I could never have wished for anything more than what I had. My family, my friends, their love and support..everything meant the world to me.

-Mommy, daddy, we can all watch a Disney movie tonight, right?
-Sure we can, dear.
-Auntie Viv too?
-I wouldn't miss it for anything.
-Yay! We can all have fun together then.
-Cathy, would you like to meet your grandma soon?
-When?
-By the end of next week..I think she'd like us to visit her.
-Grandma is your mommy?
-Yes, darling.
-Okay. Can't she come here tonight too?
-I don't think so darling. But I could give her a call..
***
-Hey, mom!
-Andy! What's up?
-We just got home from a little trip. A lot of things happened.. However, that's not why I called.
-Yes?
-Would you like to come here tonight?
-Of course, dear.
-Great, see you..
-Wait! I almost forgot that I read your interview in that newspaper.
-The articles beforehand too?
-Yes..but I don't mind those. I hope you didn't either. You both did a great job.
-What are people saying about us around there?
-They were surprised at first, you know.. But now most of them understand. Or so it seems. Anyway, darling, you shouldn't worry about that.
-Of course, mom. I never cared what people think. I just care about Cathy's well-being now. We both do.
-She has the best parents. She should be fine.
-Thanks, mom. She can't wait to meet you. She suggested you come tonight so well watch a Disney movie together. Viv is here too.
-Extended family night then..it's perfect, darling. I can't wait to meet the little angel. Cathy is a sweet name. But why Rose?
-It was her given name at the adoption centre. So we wanted to keep it too. Both because she's used to it and to shoe respect to that nurse who practically raised her.
-That was very nice of you. It's also a nice name. It suits her.
-Yes, I think it does. Still, she's our little Cathy and we call her nothing else.. except princess, little darling, angel and so on.
-Oh, that's natural dear. And so sweet. I'll call her nothing but angel. Or little angel..anyway, she is an angel.
-Yes, mom. She is.
-Alright then..wait for me. I'm going to the train station immediately.
-See you, mom!
-Bye, darling!

Mom came by dinner time so we all had dinner together. From the moment she entered the house Cathy went straight to her and gave her a hug, saying "Welcome, granny!" Mom took her in her arms and didn't stop talking ever since. I asked mom to stay with us at least for a week and she willingly accepted, both to help us by taking care of Cathy and to spend some time with her favourite (although the only one) granddaughter.
***
A week passed quickly, Colin being busy at work, me pretty much likewise although not the whole day long as he was. And mom still staying with us, helping us out. The daily routine settled in but that never meant our happiness was any less than before or that we were ever getting bored. We asked mom to stay more because we were getting used to have her around and Cathy said she'd miss her very much. So passed another 3weeks..and so on.
We were watching Cathy growing up everyday, learning new things..teaching her values, teaching her to be a good person(which she already were though), seeing her leave with mom in the morning to go to kindergarten and then coming back home in the evening to be welcomed by her embrace. That was our life, a perfect one according to us. We couldn't have wanted more. Only perhaps that it could least forever, just like that. No more, no less..

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Hey, guys! I've been thinking to do a 20 years later parallel from now on for a couple more chapters. Would appreciate to know your opinion. Do you think I should add anything more before that?
Please leave me comments with what you think of my idea.