▫️Twenty-nine

Ginelle's pov

I was so excited.

It was already Saturday, the day we would be visiting Nana. I had been so ecstatic about this, having woken up at five to prepare some soft bread for Grey's grandma.

Knowing how Grey would grumble about this, I had also prepared a small gift for him, something I would give him later because I was slightly nervous about it.

I quickly packed the bread in small bags and then placed them all in one large bag. After tidying up the kitchen, I brought all I would need next to the door since Grey would be arriving soon.

I then rushed back to my room to get my purse. I took my phone out to notice that it was almost nine and before I could check for any new messages, mama called and I picked up.

"Hello mama," she greeted back asking how my morning was and whether I had finished getting ready. I had told her about this yesterday when she asked how Grey was.

I recounted how excited she'd been to hear this, urging me to invite Grey to our home too but I didn't want to pressurize him, the mission that was coming up already weighing his mind.

"Is Grey with you? Did you leave already? Can I talk to him?" She excitedly asked, giving me no chance to answer as she continued to giggle.

She had been asking about Grey a lot recently, especially after she'd known that we were now dating. In each of her calls, she never failed to include him.

"No mama, he's not here yet. I'll call you later, okay?" I rushed out the conversation because we would end up talking for minutes. I asked her to greet papa for me before I hang up.

I tied my hair up and just as I gave my room one last glance, I got a text from Grey. He stated that he was here and after peeking through my window, I saw him getting off the car with his phone in hand.

I smiled, running to open the door for him. I had missed him for the few hours we'd been apart so as soon as I flung the door open, I lunged onto him, my hands round his neck.

The scent of his cologne got to my nose and I closed my eyes just to relish how great it felt to be in his arms. His hands reached for my waist, pulling me even closer as he bend his head a little bit.

"I missed you sweetheart," he whispered into my hair and I got goosebumps at how deep his voice was. Slightly pulling back, I admired the blue shirt he was wearing, the material similar to the one I'd bought him.

"I missed you too," I stood on my toes again to press a kiss on his cheek. He smiled, his arm reaching for my waist and I noticed the gleam in his eyes seemed to brighten.

"You had a lovely night?" He continued to ask and I nodded along as I adjusted the cuff links of his shirt. He appeared to have dressed in a hurry or he'd just simply forgotten, I wasn't sure.

"Let me get everything," I had just moved to take out the bags but Grey shook his head telling me he would do that as he led me to his car then opened the door for me.

"Have this," he took out a milkshake from his cup holder after I had adjusted the seat belt. Smiling, I took it from him and pecked his lips this time because he was being so sweet.

"Thank you babe," I saw him purse his lips as he held back a smile then moved to take out what I had left in my house.

After it being a cloudy morning, the sun's rays were slowly beginning to streak and I watched them fall on Grey's side profile, making him glow.

I watched him lock my door as he carried everything to the car and I too suppressed a smile because he was so perfect. The smallest things that he did for me would cast butterflies in my tummy.

I would wait to hear his voice every morning, it was so deep and I was already attached to our good morning calls. I looked forward to our time together, even if it was just sitting next to each other watching the stars.

I also found myself constantly craving his touch, whether it was the forehead kisses he'd give me while I read him or the brush of his fingers over my waist, I wanted to feel him next to me all the time.

Maybe I was in love.

My heart skipped a beat at that as I took a large gulp of the milkshake. My face got even redder when Grey placed the back his hand over my forehead.

"Take small sips," he patted my hair back, having thought that I had originally chocked. Grey started the car soon after and I was grateful that he wasn't looking at me.

It was silent as I admired the scenery, the greenery somehow reminding me of home. I finished my milkshake after urging Grey to sip three or four times. He hadn't even bought one for himself.

"You look amazing in that dress," Grey suddenly spoke then rested his left hand on my thigh as he focused ahead. I blushed at the contact, placing my hands over his.

The last time Nana had found me in Grey's clothes, something I felt shy about thus I had taken an extra consideration in picking my dress today. It somehow felt like that meeting the in-laws thing.

I started to toy with his fingers because they were so long in comparison to my short chubby ones. Even his fingernails were pretty and I suddenly had the urge to paint them.

"Does Clarissa work with you?" I asked when I remembered that I hadn't thanked her that one time at the airport. I had been thinking of asking Grey about her for a while now.

"Yes, you want to meet her?" He asked and I turned to look at him suddenly excited. I nodded eagerly in which he smiled and promised to organize a meetup for me.

"Does she fight too?" I was so curious about her since that day. On the outside she looked unapproachable but that day she had been so kind to me that I wanted her as a friend.

She also had red hair, something I wanted to compliment her for since I found her pretty but I never had the guts to.

"At times, she mostly works with Reece." Grey explained about what she did and I was getting eager to meet her by the minute. It would be cool to have a friend who was skilled in martial arts.

Sometime along the ride, Nana called asking why we weren't there yet but Grey assured that we'd be there soon. She sounded so excited and I was relieved to know she okay with me visiting.

It wasn't long before Grey pulled into a cottage, it stood out to me unlike the other homes nearby because of the flowers that surrounded it.

They were of different kinds, brightening up the whole place and I was at awe. It was so beautiful that I didn't realize Grey had alighted to open the door for me.

He took my hand as I looked around before I heard a small bark come from behind us and a small force collided with my legs. I looked down to see a puppy with brown fur.

It sniffed on my legs severally then licked me once and I giggled as Grey squatted to give it a rub. The puppy attempted to jump up his face but Grey was just so huge.

"Elle!" I turned to see Nana excitedly rushing out of the  house and I moved over to greet her. She surprised me by pulling me into an embrace and chanting that she'd been waiting for me.

"How are you Nana?" I softly asked then listened to her tales as she told me of all the things she has been doing. She took my hand to lead me in the house and I peeked over my shoulder to see Grey watching us.

He smiled encouragingly as we left him by the car and I tried to catch up with Nana, she was so energetic for her age. She showed me around the house, it was so warm and pleasant just like the outside.

"Where is Grey?" She took my hand leading me to a chair where some clothing lay and I suddenly remembered of the gift I had bought her.

"I'm here Nana, you forgot about me." Grey emerged into the room with the bags in his hands. Nana moved to hug him after he settled everything on the table.

"It's just old age Gris," she nudged his arm and I watched how warm they were to one another. It was so endearing especially with how Grey had bend half of his body to reach her.

"I brought you this," I took out a soft brown cloth material and a few knitting tools for her that I had purchased yesterday.

"Oh my, these are just so lovely." She examined the texture with her fingers and smiled broadly taking my hands and warmly rubbing them over hers.

"You are so wonderful, is Grey taking care of you?" Nodding, she cupped my cheeks and over her shoulder, I saw Grey smile as he began unpacking the other bags.

"Don't hesitate to tell me if he doesn't okay?" I tried to tell her that Grey was always nice to me but just to put her at ease, I nodded.

"I smell something sweet," she turned to Grey who had taken out the bread from the bags. He looked at me and smiled in appreciation.

"Ginelle baked this for everyone," he told her then let her inspect everything else that was in the bags. There wasn't much, just a small kit and grey fluffy slippers.

"Oh sweet child, you didn't have to buy all these." She looked between the items then back at me and gave Grey a certain look. They silently communicated with their eyes before Nana turned to me.

"Help me put on this," she took out the slippers and I unwrapped them for her before securing them on her legs. She stood up and walked to the next room as if to feel her feet.

"They are warm," I smiled while nodding when she took my hand and began to lead me to a corridor. I noticed how similar she was to Grey, something so small would make her this happy.

"You like them?" I attempted to remove a petal that had stuck into her hair as I watched her tell me about how her feet had been aching lately so the slippers would help relieve the pain.

"This is Grey's room?" She took me into a room with younger pictures of Grey by the wall. They were mostly from when he was young, a few in highschool and one in military school.

I took out one photo that had two other people standing next to him. He was so young there, perhaps three since he was clutching on a man's tie while the lady holding him tried to get him face the camera.

It was lovely to see his family, his parents. He resembled his father, the dark color of his hair and height though there were noticable traces from his mother, they shared a left dimple and the same pretty smile.

"He had just turned three," Nana stood beside me and I looked closer to see that the photo was dated almost twenty four years back and some words scribbled out in a foreign language.

"What does this mean?" I pointed out to the writing and Nana replied before even looking, she had memorized the words in her heart.

"We shall always cherish our family," I teared up when she pulled in a deep breath and I wrapped myself around her as I felt the tears fall down my cheeks.

"He has been a quiet child growing up," Nana pulled back and held my forearms as she spoke. "He might seem closed off but he cares."

"I probably shouldn't intervene but I just wanted to tell you to be patient with him. He might not know how to express himself well but I know he is grateful for having you."

"Of course I know that he cares, his actions do tell." I pulled Nana into an hug as more tears escaped because I already cherished him as my man.

I had grown to understand him, the words that he portrayed by his touch. How his smile spoke volumes and how his striking grey eyes seemed to know what I needed.

Slowly by slowly I was realizing the things he enjoyed, whether it was his love for basketball, reading, cooking and even his new found love for babies, I was learning and getting to know him even better.

"You have no idea how happy this makes me." Nana wiped away my tears and smiled fondly at me. I was so glad to have met such great people this year.

"Let's go have some of the bread," Nana offered as she led me out of the room. Grey would probably come looking for us if we stayed away any longer.

We came to find him talking to one of the workers and after seeing us he came over to take my hand. He gave me that questioning brow and I assured him that all was fine.

I could tell that he wanted to ask further but Nana joined us, slyly looking at our joined hands. She asked us to join her later for lunch, telling me that it was okay to check out the garden.

Grey took me round the place, the flowers were so bright and lovely that I couldn't help but want to water some of them. I tried not to dirt my clothes as I looked at the other plants.

"You love gardens a lot," Grey seemed to speak to himself as he watched me return the watering can to its original spot. I hummed to his words before getting distracted by the squawk of a hen.

I rushed over to see some hens fly out of the cage where they had been confined in and I watched several chicks cackle after them. One of the hens almost scratched my arm when I got so close.

"Careful baby," Grey warned but I didn't pay him much attention as I followed the hen and her chicks closely behind.

"Grey, did you see that?" I laughed as I tugged his arm to see a chick that was trying to balance on her mother's back where it had climbed on.

He hummed whilst taking my hand so that I didn't get too close and get scratched. He held me closer when I almost tripped over a log on the way.

I smiled sheepishly at him and promised to be careful before he looked down at my cheeks. "Why were you crying earlier?"

I knew he would notice, he was just so observant and since I didn't have an answer to give him at the moment, I rushed after the hen when Nana called him.

I was going to get some pictures to show Dalton and Mayella.

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I'm so grateful to everyone that has read my story till this far. Thank you so much, I appreciate it.

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