When you tell the world you're mine

Chapter 41: First night at home

It took her a couple more days to finally put her house together. All the walls were painted, all the furniture had arrived and have been assembled, all appliances she needed to buy were bought and working, she had hung all the curtains and picture frames, she had bought all the rugs and cushions and everything she needed like phone, cable, and internet was already installed.

Having her own place was giving her a sense of really growing up. She picked every single thing inside that house and she loved it. She loved how at home it made her feel, even though she was already missing her home in Brazil. She had brought her luggage the afternoon before and she spent hours organizing her clothes and bags and shoes and now she didn't have any more reason to stay at her sister's place. She could stay there after all Agnes and Hailey had invited her to stay longer than what she had asked in the first place, she was getting well with them – for the few hours per day Agnes spent at home -, she even helped Hailey with school's assignments. But she didn't have to stay there. She had her place and she had to really move in.

But the thought of doing this alone was scaring the hell out of her and she postponed two more days before she decided to face her fears and move into her lovely home. She got there and took a long shower to relax a little bit. She made herself a light food for dinner and put on her most comfortable pajamas. She laid on the couch and watched a bit of TV. She couldn't help but turn her head around a couple of times. She was alone. She knew it. But at the same time, she felt like she was being watched and that creepy sensation was driving her crazy. So she did the first thing a grown and independent woman would do. She called her best friend in the middle of the night and bit her lip when his sleepy voice answered his phone on the other side of the line.

"Yes?" he said already sitting on his bed and wondering why she was calling at this hour.

"Promise me you won't laugh." she said whispering.

"I won't. What happened?"

"I'm scared of sleeping here alone." she said and instantly felt like a silly 10-year-old girl.

"You're what?" he asked in disbelief.

"I'm scared of being alone in here." she repeated and covered herself more with the blankets on the couch. "Can I ask you a favor?"

"Yes, Carolina. You can ask me a favor." he answered annoyed.

"Why are you mocking me?" she asked after him.

"I'm not mocking you. You can ask me anything." he said and rolled his eyes wanting to go back to sleep.

"Well... then... Can you... like... join me tonight?"

"You're inviting me to sleep over?" he said smugly.

"Yeah. But sleep only." she answered.

"Well... that bigger bed was the best way you spent your money, huh?"

(...)

Harry arrived at her door thirty minutes later, he was wearing his pajamas and brought a small bag with changes of clothes. He smiled when she opened the door and embraced her as soon as they were inside her house. He noticed she was sleepy and noticed she was scared. He had come and fully intended to make fun of her but it soon changed when he held her in his arms and he felt that sometimes the independent woman just needed reassurance and to be held and comforted. So that's what he did. He made them hot chocolate and helped her to make the bed ready for them. She was the first to lay down and he soon followed her. He didn't lose any time and soon hugged her and adjusted her close to his chest. She inhaled his scent and closed her eyes. All the fears she had been feeling soon gave way to the feeling of safety and love she felt whenever she was close to him. She snuggled in closer to him and whispered a sleepy "Thank you for this" before his cafuné lulled her to sleep. He kissed her temple and whispered a "Good night, my love."