Two weeks later
The pins are out and I just have a normal cast on my arm now. I've been told I can start to jog again but I have to wear the sling while running. I had my last exam yesterday and met P' Ai who offered me a job as junior researcher.
I'll start in a couple of months as Bright and I are going to visit my Mum once the cast is off. I'm helping Bright put the finishing touches to his portfolio for him to hand in later today. I'm at the copiers picking up the last pages. I thank them as I head out to the car. I don't have to wait long before Bright jogs up.
We get in the car and he puts the last pages of the portfolio together. We both look through it and it looks good. Even the Pain and Bliss shots he took of the two of us is so well done. Our faces have been hidden and the pins erased from the pictures.
I've got a bright blue cast on now mostly because I didn't want people to speculate that it was me in the pictures. "I've got our gowns for tomorrow's graduation. Both my brothers, Dad and Dennis are coming. We will pick your Mum up later and she will stay in my condo for the two days she is here. Have we forgot anything?" Bright asks
"Don't think so, I picked up your graduation present already and have it hidden away" I say he smiles "I've also got yours" we head back to university and I go and clean out my lab locker while Bright hands in his last assignment.
When his Dad saw his pictures, he wanted him to take a picture of him and Dennis. Bright declined telling his Dad that he would need a years worth of therapy if he was made to take their pictures while they got it on.
Instead showed him how to set up the camera and set the timer. We spend the rest of the evening resting at home before going to pick up Mum. I get a bear hug and kisses all over my face. Then she does the same with Bright.
"I'm so happy to be here even if it's only for a couple of days" she tells us.
"P' Des asked if you weren't too tired to come for dinner" I tell her. "Yes, I'd love too. I slept like a baby on the plane" she says.
Bright takes her small suitcase and I hold her hand as we walk out to Bright's Jeep. I climb in the back letting Mum sit in the front with Bright. "It's been a while since I came to visit. Normally Lance likes to come back to America during breaks as he likes to surf" she tells him.
"I'm going to try and learn when, we come over in two weeks" he tells her. "I'm so looking forward to having you both there. I've booked some weekends away so you get to see a little more of America" she says.
We pull into Bright's family home driveway and park up. Bright shows us into his family home and Des comes out and greets us "Maire, lovely to meet you in person" he says giving her a hug.
"We decided to BBQ so, we are out back" he adds and we walk through the kitchen and out into the back garden. "This is beautiful, the seating area and outside cooking area have been well thought out. I have something similar back home" Mum says as we sit down Dennis walks out from behind the grill and shakes her hand.
"Dennis, it's nice to meet you" Mum says "mum don't forget the P' you're not in America now" I remind her. "Shoot, yes sorry P' Dennis and P' Des sorry, I will try and remember I mean no disrespect to either of you" she apologises putting her hands in front of her and bowing.
"Don't worry about it" Des assures her. Bright gives me a beer while his Dad pours a glass of wine for Mum. "Can't believe my baby is graduating from university tomorrow with full honours and a job already. I'm a little sad about the job as I'd hope he would come back home, but I understand his heart is here" she says.
We spend the evening laughing and catching up. "Sorry to bring this up now but what is happening to Cody and Suzi?" Mum asks
"Suzi, has admitted to all her crimes and will be sentenced within the next few days. Cody is still pleading innocent and will go to court next month. I've been assured he doesn't have a leg to stand on, even his lawyer has told him to plead guilty, but I think he's holding onto the hope that P' Lance will withdraw his charges against him. He will be put away for at least 4 years longer if he keeps the, not guilty plea" Des explains.
"He thinks that people owe him and never owns up to his wrong doings" Mum says shaking her head. "Dennis and I want to give you both your graduation gifts now" Des say's changing the subject.
He stands up and goes into the house. He walks out with two envelopes and gives me one then Bright. "Thank you, both" I say before opening mine.
"It is an airline ticket for Europe open ended and with 8 flights included in it" "Wow! This is too much" I gasp blinking
"Thanks Dad, P' Den, we will have a great time" Bright thanks them. I look at Mum and she nods I get up and hug them both. "Thank you" I tell them.
"Now my present" Mum says and takes out a small box from her bag. "It's for the both of you" she says Bright hugs my shoulders and leans his head against me as I pull the box open. Inside is key chain with a security key card on it. With a picture underneath it.
I pull out the picture and see that it's a sales picture of an apartment block. "It's two-bedroom apartment in Los Angeles a stone throw away from the beach and about a, 10 minutes walk from my place" Mum informs us.
"Mum, this is great thank you" I say standing and hugging her. Bright is looking a little shocked. "This is too much P' Maire" he utters
"Nonsense it's so you come and visit me more. I'm being very selfish" she assures him.
He stands up and hugs her with tears in his eyes "thank you, it will put P' Lances mind at rest that we can go and visit whenever we want and not disturb you to much from your work" he tells her.
She pats his cheek "thank you" she says and kisses his cheek. "Now P' Des said you took some great pictures of my Son, I'd love to see them" she says and I can feel the heat coming into my cheeks. "Dad" Bright says glaring at his father.
"What they are great pictures?" he defends "he should have a copy at the condo that you can look at later" he adds with a smile.
Mount and Ai join us and Mum gets to talk to them too. As we are leaving, she hugs Des and says "you have a lovely family." "It's yours too now" Des replies making Mum very happy.
We drive back to the condo and we show her around Bright's condo. "You'll be sad to let this go after spending 4 years here" she says "a little but, more excited about the future with P' Lance" Bright says.
We wish her a goodnight before going next door to my condo. "It's great that everyone seemed to get on so well together" I say as I strip and get ready for bed.
"It was good. I enjoyed everyone together. We will have to arrange more family get togethers during holidays" he suggest. We get into bed and Bright pulls me into him spooning me. I feel loved, safe and very, very happy as I drift off to sleep.
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YOU ARE READING
The Choices We Make
RomanceBL: Lance is senior university student. He is told by his boyfriend that he has fallen for a childhood friend of Lances and then asks for help to get her. Yes, it's a girl. Lance feels numb that is until he gets hurt. Bright his handsome neighbo...
