Forbidden {L.S.}

Chapter Eighteen

"Okay..?" Louis grabbed my hand and lead me back to the bedroom, climbing on the bed. I followed him, sitting close enough that our knees touched. Louis grabbed one of my hands that was sitting on my lap, drawing random shapes.

"I want you to come with me for Christmas, to meet my family," he rushed out after a minute of quiet. It took me a second to realize what he had said, and two emotions flowed through me.

Fear: What if his family didn't accept me, us? Would he realize I'm not his whole future? That I'm not worth losing a job? Would he hate me if they did? Would he hate them?

Love: He wanted his family to know. He wanted to tell them about me, have me apart of his family. To be known outside our little world.

"You don't have to answer tonight, but... kinda soon? So we can tell them, get everything set up." Louis’ grip tightened on my hand slightly, to catch my attention.

"Yeah," I said in a slight daze. "Yeah, I can come with you," I said, shaking my head. "We go to my grandmother's every year and they're homophobic. My family knows I'm bi curious, so they never force me to go but that means being alone. I already told them I wasn't going this year."

"So you want to tell my family?" Louis asked to confirm and I nodded. He broke out into a smile and I did as well. "Oh god, I'm so nervous."

What if they think I'm just a child? That Louis is a monster for this? There's just as many risks as rewards for telling them, I just hope that it works out. I didn't want his family to turn against him.

"Maybe.. Maybe you should tell them and I'll be on like the side. That way if they like, freak out, I'm not... right there? I don't know?"

"That's a good idea, yeah. When... when do we tell them?" Louis asked, searching my eyes for any hint of a lie, or for the fact I might not be ready for this.

"Tomorrow after school?" I suggested. Louis nodded, grabbing my hand. "Call them tomorrow..." We both got quiet, staring at each other.  
"You want to do it now," I said, reaching forward, my fingertips brushing his cheek. He nodded, biting his lip. "Get your laptop."
   
"Are you sure?" He asked.  "This is a big step and I don't want you to feel-."
   
"I'm sure, Boobear," I whispered,  kissing his jaw. He nodded, getting up and getting his laptop while I tried to tame my wild hair. "Should I change into my clothes?"
   
"No," he said immediately. "You look fine, love."
   
"Are you sure?" I asked, looking in the mirror the hung in the bathroom, chewing on my lip.
   
"Yes, I'm positive."
   
"But I'm the bottom."
   
He laughed and smacked my arm, getting onto Skype. He clicked his mom's name and I moved just out of the camera's view.
   
When she answered I saw both of their faces light up. "Hey, love!" She greeted.
   
"Hey, Mom," Louis said with a smile. "So I have an update on Christmas," he said nervously, looking at me, then back to the screen, "but I need to talk to preferably you alone."
   
"Shoot, I'm all ears and everyone else is out."
   
"You can't hate me," he said, biting his lip, his nerves starting to get the best of him. "It's... wrong to everyone else, but it's not to us and-"
   
"Louis, love, calm down." He paused, taking in a deep breath. I reached for his hand, grabbing it and brushing my thumb across his knuckles. "Whatever it is, I'll accept you. Especially if it's so important to you."
   
"You're not going to get it. I swore..." he looked at me desperately, so I moved into frame and wrapped my arm around his waist, burying my face in his neck, trying to calm him.
   
"It's okay," I whispered in his ear. "I'm right here."
   
"Who's that?" She asked. "Must be your boyfriend... is that it, Lou? You know I'd accept you-"
   
"It's not just that," I interrupted, biting my lip. I turned and faced the screen. She nodded and looked at me, and Louis looked horrified. He kept his face in my neck and chewed on his lip nervously. "It's about, uh," I started, then decided to rip it off like a bandaid. "I'm only seventeen and I'm one of his students."
   
Louis tensed, waiting for her reaction. She pursed her lips together, then nodded her head slightly. "Louis..."
   
"Why did we do this?" He whispered frantically, running a hand through his hair. "She's going to hate me."
   
"No, baby, calm down," I whispered back, squeezing around his waist. Louder, to his mom, I said, "It's not as bad as you're assuming. I don't even know if you're assuming anything, but it's not bad."
   
"I have time. It's okay, Louis. I'm not saying anything until I have the story alright? Tell me."
   
Louis looked at his mom through the screen, then me before he closed his eyes. He explained the story and I threw in my bits as well. I kept my hand on his knee and would give gentle squeezes when he needed the encouragement.
   
"This is very dangerous for you, Louis," his mom said, leaning closer. "You have a lot to lose here."
   
"Yeah, I know," Louis nodded his head, glancing at me. "But he's worth it, and I want you to meet him at Christmas?" He asked nervously.
   
She didn't even hesitate before nodding. "If he means this much, I have to meet him," she smiled, which made me smile. "Just you two have got to be careful."
   
"Yeah, we are," Louis confirmed, gaining a bit more confidence. "I just, I needed to tell you. I should have told you sooner, but this is a lot to take in.”
   
"So, two weeks until we meet?" She asked hopefully, and I nodded with a nervous smile. "Alright. I'll mark the calendar. Thank you for telling me, Louis. I appreciate it, so much."
   
"Of course, Mom," he replied, still nervous. "See you soon."
   
He hung up and moved the laptop, then fell onto the bed. I moved besides him, putting my fingertips on his cheeks, wanting to give him space if that's what he needed. He grabbed my hand and brought it to his mouth to kiss, then held my fingers.
   
"Cuddles?" He asked after a few moments of holding my fingers to his lips. I moved closer to him and he held me to him while I got comfortable, snuggling into his chest. “Is it bad I kind of expected her to flip out on me?”

“No, I was totally expecting her to flip out,” I told him. I couldn't have acted like it because he needed me, but I was the whole time. “I think that's a natural reaction for when you admit to something you shouldn't be doing.”

Louis chuckled. “Yeah, you're right. I know we shouldn't, but damn it, you mean so much to me.”

You mean everything to me, I thought right before falling asleep.