I buzzed the intercom so I could get into the house and waited until I heard an unfamiliar voice, "who is it?"
"Ella," I said. "Brooklyn's girlfriend."
"Come in," the voice said. The gate buzzed before opening and I began to walk up to the path slowly.
I hadn't spoken to Brooklyn since we'd got off the plane yesterday so I didn't even know whether this movie night was still on. As I stepped onto the top step the front door opened to reveal a shocked looking Brooklyn. "You actually came."
"Of course I did," I said with a smile. "I brought cookie dough ice cream - our favourite." Neither of us moved so coughed awkwardly. "I overreacted and I'm sorry."
"I'm sorry for scaring you," he said. "Mum and Dad got pulled away to something so it's just us and the boys. Harper is about to go to bed."
"Oh well," I said. "So do I have to stand out here all night or can I come in?"
"Sorry," he said. He moved so I could come and took my bag off me as soon as I did. A woman came over to us. "This is Ella. She's always allowed in the house even if I'm not here. She can wait for me if you know where I am."
"It's lovely to meet you," she said. "I'm the boys' nanny. One of them anyway. Would you like some food?"
"We're having Chinese," Brooklyn said. "You hungry?"
"I ate with James this afternoon," I said.
"Come on," he said. He took my hand and dragged me off towards the kitchen. "We can share a plate."
"Fine," I said with a sigh. "You can serve it. You know what I like."
"That I do," he said. "Are you staying over tonight?"
"I don't know," I said. "Am I allowed?"
"Good point," he said. "Jul, text Mum and ask if I can stay in Ella's. I don't think staying her would be a good idea. There's always a journalist milling around in the mornings."
"Okay," the woman - Jul - who'd followed us from the door to the kitchen said. "Are you all right in here?"
"We're done now," he said. He handed me some cutlery and a glass before we left the room. "What are the boys watching?"
"Harry Potter," she said.
Harper came running over to us as we entered the room. She stopped in front of me and pointed at me. "Brooklyn wife."
"Not yet," Brooklyn said with a laugh. "She's my girlfriend."
I bent my knees so I was her level and stuck my hand out. "I'm Ella. It's nice to meet you."
"My name is Harper," she said with a laugh. She shook my hand gently before looking between Brooklyn and I. Brooklyn took everything I was holding off me and knelt down by me. "You love Brooklyn."
Brooklyn stifled a laugh as I just stared shocked at the small girl. Brooklyn reached out for her and hugged her. "It's time for you to go to bed."
"No," she said. "Ella love Brooklyn?"
I guessed she wouldn't go to bed until this conversation had been ended so I decided to do just that. "Yes. I love Brooklyn lots and lots."
"Brooklyn love Ella lots too," she said. "He told me. He marries you."
"Definitely time for you to go to bed," Brooklyn said loudly. "Jul take you to bed. Night Harper."
She went quietly and we both stood up as she went. "She's sweet."
