If You Tell Me To Stay

Chapter 36

Author's note:
Happy Valentines Day! To help celebrate, I've got another ⚠️mature chapter⚠️ here for you. 😏💏❤️
Also shout out to Arizona (the state where I live) it's her 108th birthday today! 🎉🎉🎉

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Previously:

Sanem and Can were laying in bed after another round in the shower. They didn't bother getting dressed and just laid under the sheet naked. Sanem was lying on Can's chest and tracing his albatross tattoo with her finger. "Your dad really liked me, didn't he?" She was thrilled to be accepted by another member of Can's family.

"What's not to like?" He leaned down and kissed the top of her head.

She gave a little giggle. She was so happy. Blissful even. Until his next sentence. "I wish I could have met your parents."

She stopped drawing over his tattoo and her breath caught. Can felt her become tense and was apologizing for bringing up her parents and causing her pain. She barely heard him. She was lost in her own mind. It was like a spark went off. She sat up abruptly and pulled back the sheet that covered them.

"Sanem, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have brought them up. I wasn't thinking. Please come back to bed."

But she had already scooted off the mattress and was stepping back into her underwear, "Can. Get dressed."

"Why?" He leaned forward but didn't make any attempt to get up.

She finished buttoning her shorts. "Because we need to talk and this conversation can't be done while we're naked."

"Talk about what?" he said apprehensively.

"I'm going to tell you everything. All my secrets. Now put on some pants before I change my mind."

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Can bolted out of bed and was frantically looking around for his clothes.

After Sanen had redressed, she headed to the kitchen to wait for Can. His previous fast pace diminished as he approached the kitchen and he saw Sanem. She was pacing while rubbing her hands together. It's a tick she always does when she's nervous. Just a little while ago she was in here dancing and singing to herself. She was so happy. But now...

He had jumped at the chance to finally learn the truth, but now seeing her so nervous he second guessed himself. "Sanem?"

She turned to face him with wide eyes. She was trying to calm down by taking deep breaths and hugging herself.

Can walked toward her slowly and placed his hands on top of hers. He spoke softly, "Sanem, you don't have to tell me. We talked about this. I want you to stay. And if staying means I don't know everything about your past... then fine. I trust and love you no matter what."

That right there gave her the reassurance that she was making the right choice. She smiled and relaxed a little by his words. She leaned forward and kissed him lightly on the lips. "Let's get some water and sit out in the garden. I think being outside and seeing the stars might help me."

Can poured two glasses of water and they walked to the backyard and sat on the patio chairs in the grass.

"Okay." Sanem started, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. She wondered where to begin. I guess with the reason why I have decided to tell him now. The lie that has been eating me up the most. She had been staring down at her glass of water, but now raised her head to meet Can's patient gaze. "First of all, my parents aren't dead."