The Art of Loving

[33] Getting Ready

They spent the next few days like that, exploring Stonehaven and the surrounding area, but also just spending time with each other. And Ellie didn't really tell Brian explicitly, but she was loving always having him around. It wasn't as exhausting as she had feared, and she wasn't sick of him after a couple of days.

It was Saturday, and Ellie and Brian were helping Ellie's parents with the preparations for the birthday party. They were in the kitchen, making sure that the food was ready, looking and tasting good.

"Ellie?"

She didn't look up from the plate she was holding.

"Ellie? Eleanora Bennett? Someone in there?" Brian asked again and gently tapped her shoulder.

"Hm?" She questioned, looking up. "Sorry, I was somewhere else... is everything okay? Do you need something?" She asked, placing the plate on the kitchen table.

"I'm fine, I'm worried about you... will you be okay? You seem a bit weird. I know you're not looking forward to this," he said quietly, standing in front of her.

"Well..." She sighed heavily before she took his hands. "I don't want to be affected by that because this is not about that bloody idiot but I know I won't manage to be completely cool because he's such a bloody arse.."

"Well... he is. But you've moved on. I know it'll be hard, but just be your fantastic self, be as happy as you have been these past weeks and he's the one who'll be miserable, just the way it should be."

"Mhm," Ellie mumbled, not entirely convinced.

"And I don't know if that helps, but I'll be there. I'm on your side and hey, I may not look strong but I'll still kick his arse if you want me to," Brian said, sounding more serious than he looked.

"No don't... I mean... ye could, I'm sure, but I don't want to you to risk getting hurt. I'll get Henry to do that if I think it should be done."

"That might be better... even though... I would do it, you know?" He insisted.

"I know," Ellie assured him, a small smile on her face. "I appreciate it. I'm glad you're here with me for this. It does help, even though it might not seem that way. I'm not very good at talking about stuff like that but I am glad you're here."

"I'm glad it helps," Brian said and stepped closer so he could hug her.

"Yeah, me too. Well... we should finish with this because I want to go change. The least I can do is look fabulous when he gets here."

"Ellie, you always look fabulous," he tried to argue but she shook her head.

"No. I mean, thank you, but that's not what I mean. I may always look good, but I really have to look fabulous today. I don't care what my parents say, I'll be wearing something like I wore on your birthday. It's warm outside and I have to make a point."

Brian bit his lip and looked her up and down. "Really? Something like you wore on my birthday?"

"Yeah... do you approve of that?"

"Oh yes. Yes I do. Mhm, I very much approve of that," he confirmed, nodding. "I can help you get dressed if you need a hand..."

"I would enjoy that, but that depends on whether we can sneak upstairs without my parents noticing. I think I'm already pushing their limits a lot today and I don't think them catching us having sex would be good. I don't want you to have to sleep in the guest room the rest of our time here," she pointed out, smiling at him. "But maybe if we're quick and quiet... it's been a while. They're very good at not leaving us alone, aren't they?"