The Calm Before the Storm

Chapter 16

It was amazing to be home. I felt a sense of security that I hadn't felt since I saw Daniel taking wine to Anna and... Robert. It was still upsetting to think about him. I could barely imagine how Tom was feeling. I knew I'd have to be there for him, at all times. Which would be a lot easier if he could come and live with us. I mean, where else was he going to go? He couldn't leave schools either, as he's taking his A levels this academic year, and he's already signed up for Rugby Tour in the Christmas holidays. Plus, he'd hate all the questions, seeing all the people his Dad used to see. So going back to wherever Warwickshire was wasn't an option. Brighton was his hime now.

I trudged up the stairs and along the landing to my room. I was just passing the spare room when I stopped. The bed was all made up, the wardrobe was full of clothes, there were books and folders all over the desk and a cardboard box full of pictures on the bed.

I squealed with excitement. It was all Tom's stuff! He was coming to live here!

I ran past the no-longer-spare-but-now-Tom's bedroom, flew into my room and jumped onto my bed. I snuggled under the covers letting the warmth flow through me and closed my eyes.

"Boo." Came the voice of a sleepy Tom. I opened one eye and saw him leaning up against my door frame, smiling at me. Even though he'd just been in a fight with a mentally-unstable criminal, having spent the last few days in hospital and had a bright red hand print on his cheek and in need of a shower and a good night's sleep, he still managed to look incredible. I smiled back.

"Hey, handsome," I winked and giggled. He grinned and I held out my arms, like a baby does when it wants to be picked up by its Mummy.

He stood up and walked over, then slid into bed next to me. He wrapped his arm around my neck and I rested my head on his chest, squeezing his waist.

"I love you," he whispered into my hair, and kissed the top of my head.

I looked up at his big blue eyes.

"I love you, too."

And he pulled me closer to him and kissed me for what seemed like days.

This was going to be interesting; living with Tom. My priorites had always been my family, then they had changed for a certain boy named Tom, and now my priorities were both. He is no longer just a friend. He is my boyfriend.