Love Can Conquer All

chapter 48

Chapter 48

The house I grew up in was in Swansea. I was born in Birmingham but moved here when I was two. It was in the country, near the hospital, surrounded by fields and a mountain. I was fortunate enough that I grew up in a house with a swimming pool. So when we got there I wasn't surprised to find my parents sat around the garden table, reading as the pool glistened in the afternoon sun.

I pulled up on the drive, my car fitting in behind my parents. I was surprised to find my brothers there as well. Lucas, had moved away to England at twenty-one for work when I was sixteen, and my little brother, Caleb, had just moved in with his girlfriend and was now living 1 hour away.

I jumped out of my car to be greeted by our dog, Boss. He was a German Shepherd that we'd had since I was a child. He was old so he slowly strolled over, wagging his tail in greeting. Louis got out of the car and came round to me.

'He is so cute!' He cried as he bent down to stroke him. He immediately jumped up onto Louis, looking for attention that Louis happily provided him with.

Boss then made his way over to me, jumping up and hoping for the same reaction. 'Yeah, he's my little prince. Aren't you, boy?' I spoke to the dog in a high pitched tone women usually do to small children.

'What's his name?' Louis asked as we walked up the driveway, Boss following close behind.

'Boss.' I smiled when he barked in reaction to his name. 'From the moment we got him he would just sit wherever he wanted in the house or do whatever he wanted. Almost as though he was the boss. It was really the only name we saw fit.' I smiled and pet the dog again.

'Aria?' A woman's voice called. I looked up to find my parents walking ariund the side of the house that lead to the backyard deck. I made my way over to them, closely followed by Boss and Louis.

I hugged my mum and dad in turn, they were both happy to see me, I hadn't seen them for a while.

'It's good to see you.' I smiled. 'Mum, Dad, this is Louis. Louis this is Mum, Ashley and my Dad, Peter.'

Louis said hello and offered my dad his hand. My dad, a serious man, looked quite surprised at the formal gesture and firmly shook Louis hand.

'It's nice to meet you.' He smiled. He folded my mum into a hug. My dad looked on from the side smiling subtly. I'd had the feeling my dad would be difficult to please as he'd always been so protective of me, but he seemed to like Louis already.

'Where are Luke and Caleb?' I asked.

'We're here!' a familiar voice called from the front door. 'We were getting changed. Just went for a swim.' Lucas strolled out and I ran over to him and embraced him in a hug. I forgot how tall he was! My head came to his shoulders. Caleb then strolled out after and pulled me into another warm hug and then he lifted me up off the ground.

'Louis these are my brothers, Lucas and Caleb.' I said. 'Luke, Caleb, this is Louis.'

'Nice to meet you mate,' Lucas said as he shook Louis' hand. 'So you're the guy that's been seeing my little sister and didn't ask my permission?' He said without a smile.

'Guilty.' Louis grinned and so did Lucas when I slapped him on the shoulder.

Caleb came over next.

'Hey, how you going?' Caleb asked holding out a hand and Louis shook it.

'Yeah good, yourself?' Louis answered.

'Good thanks.'

I looked at mum who was standing behind Louis and Caleb looking at me. She mouthed 'he's so cute' to me and then nodded her head in Louis' direction. I nodded and mouthed back 'I know right'. She laughed.

'Come on, take a seat.' My mum said guiding us round to the deck. 'I'll get us some drinks.'

We followed my dad over to the table and sat down. My mum soon joined us. She handed out the drinks and I gratefully took a sip. I couldn't remember the last time I'd had a drink that day.

'So Louis, tell us about your work.' My dad, who'd been quite quiet until that point, asked.

'Well...'