Mountain Love

Chapter 8 - Thursday/Friday

Qualeb explained that Emma couldn't stay this weekend because she had a sleepover at a friends. That's why they came over on Thursday to see her uncle.

Qualeb and I just sat together on the sofa and watched TV. I can't even remember watching the movie. All I remember is soaking in the warmth and comforting smell of Qualeb. I wanted my time with him to last forever. I was dreading the appointment on Monday. The doctor had confirmed for us to come in for a checkup. I wasn't sure if it was my wishful thinking but I thought Qualeb looked sad about the phone call too.

After the movie, Qualeb asked me to go outside with him for a quick night stroll. He helped me by using the crane and by supporting me on the other side.
He took me along a narrow path and we reached a big oak tree. He spread a blanket on top of a bench and we just sat down and admired the star-filled sky and the magnificent mountains in the background. Max was running around in the field next to us.
Qualeb was holding my hand and leaning against the tree. I took a deep breath and turned towards Qualeb, just as he turned to say something to me.
"Qualeb,  thank you for looking after me. I don't know what I would have done without you."

I really wanted to add, that I'm not sure what I'm going to do without him now either. However, he just kissed me. I was kissing him back. After a while, we were just content in sitting in silence before going back home. I realised then that I started to think of his house as a home. It was where my heart was beating happily.

After getting ready for bed, we nestled into bed. I was lying on his arm and admiring the painting. Qualeb smiled at me and whispers: "I was thinking that tomorrow would be a nice day to visit the castle." I nodded at him in excitement and with a big grin. I was stroking his hair when I told him," You know this painting is special."

He looked confused when he asked, "How come?"

"When I couldn't sleep and kept having the nightmares, I found it hard to stop crying. Looking at this gorgeous painting is what made me feel relaxed and in a way safe as well."

"Oh really? That's interesting."

Qualeb was smiling in a sly way, which I had never seen him do. He looked so adorable I couldn't help but giggle.

"It is special. I actually painted it."
Qualeb told me and paused for effect. For good reason, because I was stunned. The painting was like a professional painting. I glanced at him sideways and he smiled. I asked him, "You painted it?"

Qualeb was now grinning and got up and went to the picture. He pointed at the corner. I slowly got out of the bed and had a good look at where he was pointing. I could make out a 'Q', with a little arrow as the line for the 'Q'. I didn't know what to say. It was just baffling how many talents one person could have.  I put my hands around Qualeb's neck and kissed him. He walked back and we lay on the bed kissing. Afterwards, I lay on his arm, facing his magnificent chest, whilst breathing him in. He laid his other arm around my waist and we fell asleep.

When I woke up, I felt like something was wrong. I felt around the bed and realised that Qualeb wasn't in bed. I looked at the time and it was 7 o'clock. Just as I was sitting up in bed, the bedroom door opened and Qualeb walked in. He was holding a tray with some red roses and breakfast. He carefully sat down next to me and gave me a kiss on my forehead. I couldn't help but grin at him. He had made boiled eggs with soldiers and had cut up some strawberries. He also made two cups of coffee. I smelled the roses before giving Qualeb another kiss.
He deepened the kiss and was holding me behind my neck. When we both stopped, both out of breath, we smiled at each other before digging into the food. We both got dressed quickly. I wore one of the dresses we got from the shops, which was the red one with a small black belt at the waist. I was also wearing one knee boot and my hair in a simple fishtail plait, with some strands framing my face. Qualeb came out of his room and just stopped when he saw me. He was wearing a black hoody with its hood up and under it he was wearing a dark blue cap. I noticed that he wasn't wearing his ski mask today.
I was struggling with my knee boots, so he came over and fastened the lace for me. He took my face into his hands and kissed me. It was a delicious deep kiss, that made me go all gooey. I held on hard to Qualeb to support myself. He stopped then and whispered: "You look good enough to eat."
I turned the colour of my dress and all I wanted to do was sink into the ground with embarrassment.