I've been living with the boys for about five days now. I miss my Mum like crazy but there is no way I'm going to tell her that. She keeps calling around but I make the boys tell her I'm not here and I never answer any of her calls. I'm really grateful the boys have let me stay, it's definitely fun.
"Hey you boys, I'm gonna make some cookies, is that alright?" I asked, feeling particularly domestic.
"Jaida babe, it's 10 o'clock. At night," Harry responded.
"Yeah and?"
Harry got up off the couch and hugged me from behind. "You miss your mum don't you?" he whispered in my ear.
I nodded and wriggled in his grasp to face him.
"You do know she's just next door right?" he asked me, pressing his forehead to mine.
"Yeah I know, but we both said some pretty harsh things, I don't know if I could go back you know?" I explained.
"Just try babe. My mum is one of my best friends; I don't know what I'd do without her. I can only imagine what you're going through right now."
"You cutie pie. Look I'll go over tomorrow ok? But can you come with me? I don't think I'll be strong enough on my own. Please?"
"Of course. Anything for you," he smiled. "Now come on let's go to bed. It's getting late."
We walked towards Harry's bedroom hand in hand. I got changed into my pyjamas, slid under the sheets and watched as Harry climbed into his sleeping bag on the floor. I stayed there for five minutes, just watching him.
"Harry, are you awake?" I whispered.
"No, I'm not," he replied.
"Harry come here."
"Why? Is there a bug there or something?" he asked.
"No I mean like, come here, you shouldn't have to sleep on the floor all the time. You can just sleep in the bed with me."
"Are you sure that's a good idea? I mean are we ready for this?"
"Harry, it's not like we'll be doing it, and plus I've seen you naked once before. Twice before actually. Just come here."
"Alright, if you insist."
I squinted and watched Harry climb out of the sleeping bag, at least he was wearing boxers tonight, and climb up into the bed. He settled under the sheets and his hand found mine. I wriggled over in the bed and snuggled up next to him.
"Harry?"
"Hmmm?"
I summoned all my strength and said three little words that I wanted to tell him. "I love you."
There was a silence for a while and I hoped and prayed that I had said the right thing. Maybe I rushed it and ruined our whole relationship.
Then Harry pushed the covers off and sat up straight. I worried and sat up too. Was he going to get out and go sleep on the floor? He looked me straight in the eyes and cupped his hand around my cheek. "I love you too Jaida."
I smiled and hugged Harry. He placed his arms around my waist and was stayed like that for a while, just entwined in each others embrace. I placed my head on his bear chest and listened to his heart beat. I felt the weight of his head on mine.
"Come on love, let's get to sleep," Harry whispered. "You've got a big day tomorrow."
I raised my hand to knock on the door but I dropped it.
"Harry I don't think I can do this," I said nervously.
"Babe, you are the strongest person I know. You can do this." He clasped his hand over mine and raised them both to the door. Harry looked at me and after seeing my nod of confirmation, we both knocked. I tightened my grip on his hand as fear sunk into the pit of my stomach. I could hear Mum's footsteps padding towards the door. As soon as the door opened and Mum realised it was me, she flung herself towards me.
"Oh honey I've missed you so much!" she blubbered. "Come in, come in." She was about to turn around and walk back into the apartment when she caught sight of Harry. Mum looked down at our hands, still entwined and then back up at Harry.
"Mum, if I'm coming in, Harry's coming in too," I said firmly but politely.
Mum shrugged her shoulders and walked through the door. The moment I stepped into the apartment, I felt like I was home. Everything felt right again. Mum cleared some space on the dining table and put the jug on. Whils she piled an assorment of biscuits onto a plate, Harry and I took up a seat at the table. Once she had made the teas, she joined us. We all drank in silence. Then I noticed the biscuits.
"Oh. My. God! Are they Tim Tams?" I asked in disbelief.
"They are," Mum said. "I picked them up from this store about 15 minutes away. They sell all imported goods. I was even able to pick up some Vegemite."
"You have VEGEMITE?" I gasped.
Mum nodded.
"Oh my God! I've missed Vegemite so much! " I said, leaping up to make myself a sandwhich.
"What exactly is Vegemite?" Harry asked.
"It's like Marmite but way better. Here have a taste," I explained offering my sandwich. He looked at it suspiciously, sniffed it and then hesitantly took a bite. Harry immediately spat it out into his empty mug.
"How can you eat something like that?" he asked, searching the fridge for a bottle of water.
Mum looked at me and chuckled. "I guess it's an acquired taste." I laughed, realising that I hadn't actually laughed for a while.
"Mum, I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry too Jaida," she said reaching for my hand over the table. "You were right. You're not me. And that's why, I was going to suggest, that, well if you really wanted to, you could move next door... permanently."
My mouth dropped. "Really you're ok with that?" She nodded. "We'll have to check with the boys first, let me just –"
"I've already checked darling. I asked Liam nd he said they would love to have you stay," Mum said.
I jumped out of my seat and jumped ontoa my Mum. "I love you so much!"
