Page 73 of Constantine: Britain's Story: Part 2
Always, Liam
It takes me a moment to realize what he means.Support me, in talking with Matthias.Right. I have to do that today. Iflip the phone over to see it’s 7:45 and I have no new messages. After I talked to Matthias on Monday, I thought for sure I’d hear from him between then and now, but it’s been nothing but radio silence. If I’m being honest, I’m glad he hasn’t reached out. It’s been a crazy couple of days, but even though I’ve been here with Liam, I’ve still thought about him.
I finally had my session with Carla yesterday where I dropped everything on her — the good, the bad, the ugly. She walked me through a couple exercises to help calm my mind in hopes the answer would reveal itself to me. But what really did it was when I asked her if she believed in fate.
“Do you believe in fate, Carla?” She shows little to no reaction to my question, at least not one I can perceive through my laptop screen. I fully expect her to say no. Carla seems like the type of person with an “everything in its box, Excel spreadsheet, pro/con list with a statistical chance of success” view of love.
“Yes.” Seriously?
“Wow, um, really? I just mean I took you for someone with a very pragmatic and calculated outlook on love.”
“I’d like to think of it as a more holistic approach. I look at all the factors of love and relationships together, but I understand that how someone makes you feel is one of the most important elements. And sometimes, there’s no explanation for why. In my line of work, I’ve seen it all, Britain. And I see how against all odds, people come together under the most adverse of circumstances. For you, Britain, you need to figure out who it is that brings you happiness and peace.”
I close my eyes and I let the past fade away, and I think about who makes me happy. Who am I able to be completely myself with? Who feels like home? Who feels like safety and warmth and peace? And it’s easy, I seehisface. He’s waiting for me downstairs.
My excitement propels me up and out of bed. I quickly throw on a Skims boyfriend tee and boxers and head down to see my family.
I find Jess and Eden in the great room, watchingBluey. “Do you need coffee?” I ask before I walk into the kitchen. She just shakes her head, no, then gives me a smile.
In the kitchen, I find Carly and the girls. “Morning,” I say to them. The girls are sitting at the island stools, perusing their phones while Carly carves up a pineapple.
“Good morning!” “Hi, Mom.” “Morning, Mom!” They all return. Someone’s missing, though. Caroline notices me looking around.
“He’s working out, Mom.”Shit. Obvious much, Britain?
“Okay.” I smile at her, then pour myself a cup of coffee.
“So, this morning I have a frittata, fresh fruit, and blueberry waffles for everyone,” Carly announces.
My mouth salivates. “Did I mention how lucky we are to have you?” I move to stand next to Carly, leaning back against the kitchen counter.
“You did.” She smiles, continuing her precision butchering of the pineapple. “It’ll be on the table in 5 minutes.”
While she keeps working away, I decide to chat her up. “I didn’t know you had a little brother.” Caroline perks up at the mention of James. “Does your whole family live around here, too?”
A slight blush creeps up Carly’s cheeks. “Oh, no. It’s just the two of us, him and me!” I’m a little surprised, but at thesame time, if there’s anything I understand, it’s weird family dynamics.
I wait to see if she wants to expand, but she doesn’t. Understood. “Well, it's awesome that you guys have each other. He seems just as amazing as you are. You know, he’s welcome to come over here any time. I’m sure the girls would love hanging out with someone their own age. Or maybe he can show them around, if he’s free.” Caroline is fully invested in my conversation now.
“Next time he’s free, I’ll have him tag along. Thank you.” She smiles at me and I smile back. I ask her if she’s still working for Sandy and Jim, which she replies in the affirmative, and I don’t know how she does it. Working full time for us, doing all the prepared meals for them, caring for her younger sibling full time — she blows me away.
I hear the door to the mudroom open and the butterflies in my stomach activate in his nearby presence. Caroline still hasn’t gone back to looking at her phone and I find her just staring at me, so I try to school my face into not smiling like an idiot, but it’s hard when you’re this happy.
“Hey, girls, I’d love it if we could go for a walk this morning. I can show you my route. It’s got an awesome view of the lake?” I ask Caroline and Elodie.
“Sure, Mom. Sounds fun!” Elodie replies, but Caroline just nods her head, silently.
When Liam finally rounds the corner, toweling off his sweaty face, he says, “Oh, damn. I was hoping to finish before you were up. Sorry, baby.” I smile at him with the knowledge that I’d keep on choosing him,every day.
“It’s okay. Thanks for leaving the note.”
He nods, “Of course,” then makes his way over to give me a kiss on the forehead.
Caroline hasn’t stopped staring at me the entire time, but Elodie with her face still turned down to her phone says, “Eww, gross! Get a room!” I laugh.
Carly finishes plating the last of the pineapple and lets us know it’s time to eat. When I instruct the girls to each take a plate to the table to help, I feel his hand wrap around my arm and pull me gently back to the mudroom.
“I just want to say good morning, properly,” he says before he drops his mouth to mine in a kiss that makes my panties wet. I don’t want him to stop, but he does. I lick my lips when he’s done, tasting his salty sweat.
