Avoid

Chapter 46

Four months went by we had done so much stuff together. He was still challenging and still learning how he can't control everything I do but honestly despite that he was truly perfect. I loved him beyond words could even describe.
The day I gave him his key ring was the best yet.. his face was full of emotion and love. Online I'd ordered for someone to make a wooden heart keyring for me with a missing piece in the middle and he had the missing puzzle piece keyring that fit into mine. He knew what this meant. He wasn't a spare piece nobody needed, he was my piece and I needed him, he completes me.

Teo was taking me to see his grandma today though and I was a little nervous. He'd met my mum numerous times and she fell in love with him, but who wouldn't he could charm any lady he wanted. We were stopping by the shop on the way to pick up some sugar for his grandma.
We walked hand in hand into the shop. I was looking at some strawberries when I turned to find Teo with two tangerines over his eyes pulling a stupid daft face.
"Teo your looking as gorgeous as ever today."
I grabbed his arm.. "Come on, weirdo. Ooo look flowers I'm gonna pick some for your grandma."
"She'd like that. I'll just grab the sugar." Mateo said.

I saw a little boy tugging on his jeans he must of only been five? Or six?
"Excuse me, your girlfriend is very pretty."
Mateo smiled warmly at him, "Yeah kiddo, she is.."
He knelt down and I couldn't hear the rest of their conversation. I looked around and saw his mum smiling at me, she must of been able to hear their conversation. I wondered what he was saying. He ruffled his hair and walked over to me.
The little boy waved... I gave him a little wave back and Mateo winked at him.

"You looked very sweet with that boy." I said truthfully.
"I can be sweet see, but don't be getting any ideas I still don't want kids."
"I know grump." I rolled my eyes.
I did know this when we had conversations about the future. Kids did crop up and he made it very clear he didn't want kids. He said he wasn't sure he was a good boyfriend never mind be a good father. I did hold a little hope that in the future he might change his mind, but truthfully I'd take just him if that's what he really wanted because he makes me happy no matter what.

We pulled up outside a gorgeous house, it had such a pretty garden full of colourful flowers.
As we walked up to the door he squeezed my hand.
"Baby, stop worrying it's my grandma. She'll think your amazing like I do." He smiled wholeheartedly.
"Aren't you going to knock?" I asked.
"No. Number one it's my grandma, number two she's expecting us, number three she can't move around much she uses a wheelchair most days and number four she can most likely stink you."
I burst out laughing slapping his arm.
"She sure probably heard your big mouth as well now." He quirked his eyebrow biting his lip grinning.
I tried to hit him again but he jumped out of the way laughing.
We walked in and I gasped.. "Your grandma has a lovely house."
It didn't look that big until I stepped inside.
"Through here Mateo." His grandma called out.
He kept hold of my hand and we walked into the kitchen where his grandma was stood at the oven.
"Wow, oh my goodness, your even prettier in person than the pictures and photos."
I looked toward Teo, he looked a little embarrassed.
"Yeah I um.. showed her some from my sketch pad and some pictures off my phone." He said rubbing the back of his neck.
"Ohh right I see, thank you. These are for you." I blushed passing her the flowers.
"I hope you buy this gorgeous girl flowers Mateo Hughes." She give him a pointed look.
He rolled his eyes.

She asked me lots of questions. Mateo kept telling her to stop, but I honestly didn't mind it's the best way to get to know someone right?
"The food was amazing thank you so much."
"Room for pudding?" She asked softly looking hopeful.
Mateo laughed.. "This one never ever turns down a pudding."
He was right I just ate what I wanted and didn't care. His phone started ringing, "Just gotta go take this."
His grandma smiled warmly at me "Thank you so much sweet girl."
"I'm not sure I've done anything?" I smiled back at her feeling a little confused as to why she was thanking me.
She put her hand on top of mine.
"Believe me you have done so much. Over these last months I've watched the darkness in Teo's eyes fade and the brightness take over them. And that's because of you. He thinks he can't be loved and doesn't deserve love. Mateo also seems to think bad things happen to those close to him. To let you in means your something important to him. I don't even have to ask and I can see you love him. I just want to say please don't ever give up on him, he does silly stupid things but usually there's a reason behind it all. I'll die a happy woman knowing he has you. I never thought I'd see him this happy ever.. his mum would of adored you." She wiped a tear.
"You've given him the hope in life he needed and shown him he can be loved."
I felt overwhelmed trying to process everything she said.
"I do love your grandson more than words could describe. I just hope he doesn't get bored of me."
"He couldn't possibly get bored of you, look at you for starters. He's always talking about you. Your good for him, he told me how you stand up to him when he's wrong but he also told me you make him feel alive."
"Well there's never a dull moment with him." I chuckled.
"But I wouldn't want him any other way." I smiled.

Mateo came sloping in with his head in his phone. "You'll never guess what?" He smiled broadly.
"What?" I couldn't help beaming back at him.
"They want to show my art work at the expedition."
"Oh my god Teo!!! That's amazing!" I jumped up from my seat throwing my arms around him. Then kissed him forgetting his grandma was watching, suddenly I pulled back.
She laughed holding her arms out for a hug.. "Come here Teo that's brilliant news, I've always told you how talented you are!"
"Let's celebrate with our puddings." She said cheerfully.

His grandma was a real character, she was so funny. She was trying to look for her albums of when Teo was little but he was not having any of it. He said we had to go anyway.
A vase caught my eye.. it was just like the one my grandma gave me that got smashed by my father.
I reached out to touch it when Mateo shouted me. "You coming Lace.."

I kissed his grandma goodbye, she was so lovely it made me miss my own grandma. When we got into his car he asked if I was ok. I told him I just missed my own grandma. He squeezed my leg and gave me an understanding smile. I know he missed his mum deeply. She died of cancer when he was little. He carried a picture of her in his wallet she was gorgeous and he looked just like her. He didn't like to talk about his father much and I never wanted to push it too far.

When we got back we cuddled up on the bed. He was sketching a picture while I watched a girly film.
"My grandma really likes you."
"I really like your grandma."
"I'm not really sure why she likes you though. I mean your alright but you just stink and you are annoying." He smiled mischievously.
"Mateo you just described yourself there."
His sexy raspy laugh was contagious it made me laugh too.

I was watching the movie when there were two girls going to the cinema and chatting about boys and their crushes. It made me think of Jodie, she hadn't seen me in months. I spoke to her the odd time but she just didn't seem to have much time for me.
"Hey what's wrong?" Putting his pencil down he wrapped his arms around me.
"Ohh this film just made me think of Jodie. She hasn't seen me for months and I feel like she doesn't even wanna talk to me anymore. I just miss her, she's like the longest best friend I've had."
Mateo tensed up a little.
"I'm sure she does want to talk to you. She's probably just busy with her boyfriend."
"You know she has a boyfriend?" I asked surprised.
I couldn't remember telling him that.
"Hmm yeah you told me one time." He shrugged.
"Oh, well yeah I guess your right she probably is busy with her boyfriend. I might try call her tomorrow."
   "Yeah babe do that." He kissed the top of me head.