26 Moms

Standing in front of my childhood home, I reach up to the door to knock. Usually, I would just walk in, but I want to surprise Angela properly.

It’s night time at this point. With the long flight and different time zones, we’ve already lost a full day.

After a few seconds, I realize that Christopher (who’s standing next to me) is scratching his neck with one hand and tapping his leg with the other. Turning to him, I take the hand by his side that’s closest to me and turn him to face me.

“Are you okay?”

He sighs and lets the other hand drop, “I’m nervous.”

“They’ll love you,” I bring him closer to my body hugging him tightly before backing up and pressing my lips to his.

“What if they don’t?”

I chuckle, “Then we get a divorce and never speak again.”

His mouth drops in a comical way making me laugh out right.

Once I regain control, I kiss his cheek, “I’m only kidding, love.”

“That’s not funny,” he scrunches his eyebrows together and gives me a disapproving look.

“Just a joke,” I kiss his lips once more. “If by some ungodly force they don’t like you, we won’t have to visit them but maybe once a year at Christmas time.” I shrug still holding him close, “They’re living on the other side of the ocean from us, it’s not like you’ll have to see them all the time. But I promise you, they’ll love you.”

He sighs again and rests his head on my shoulder, “It’s taking them a long time to get to the door. Maybe they really don’t want to meet me.”

“You’re hopeless,” I chuckle as I remove one hand from him to knock again before replacing it quickly. “They’ll love you because I love you.”

“I hope so.”

Lifting his head with my hand, I bring it up to my lips to give him a proper kiss. As our lips dance, I hear a gasp come from beside us. Breaking our embrace, I turn to see my little sister staring at us.

“Hey shrimp,” Blinking at the light behind her, I unlace myself from my husband as I say so.

Her shocked face morphs into a huge smile as she squeals, “You’re here!”

I barely have time to put my arms out as she launches herself at me. She’s such a force that I have to take a step back to balance us. I also feel Topher’s hand on my back as if to catch me if I need him to. I look over to see him with his other hand out too ready to steady us.

I love him so much.

Once she’s satisfied with our hug, she backs away and look over at my husband, “And you brought me a gift?” She says it with a teasing smile and hope lacing her voice as she begins to reach for him.

“Hands off,” I smack her hand in the air. “He’s spoken for.”

“All the good ones are gay,” she pouts in a mocking tone. Then she reaches out for a proper hug, “Welcome to the family, Topher.”

He hugs her a little awkwardly and I have to stifle a laugh.

“Thank you.”

“Are you going to let us in?” I ask as they break apart.

She steps aside and swipes her hand toward the open space for us to enter. I grab my best friend’s hand as I walk forward. He picks up our two small bags before following me.

“Where’s mum?” I ask as we get inside and take off our coats.

“She’s in the kitchen finishing supper,” she shrugs as she heads into the lounge where the telly is on. “Should be done soon.”

I hang my coat on the rack then take my husband’s from him to the same, “We’re going to drop our bags in my old room. There still a bed there?”

She nods as she sits down on the sofa, “I wanted to turn it into a game room. Mum wouldn’t touch it in case you wanted to come home.”

“Brat,” I call to her as I make my way up the stairs still holding onto Chris’ hand.

When we get to my room, I open the door and chuckle as I realize she really didn’t change anything.

“I thought you said you weren’t gay,” Topher laughs as we walk in. “Most teenage boys hang up pictures of girls, don’t they?”

“Oi,” I exclaim looking around, “these are some of the best footballers in the league.”

“You’re a football fan?”

“English football; not American, jerk. And yes, when I was growing up I was a big football fan. Everyone in the UK is,” I tell him as I point to the queen sized bed. “You can throw the bags there. I want you to meet mum.”

He throws the bag down on the bed and straightens his shirt, “Alright, I’m ready.”

“She’s going to love you,” I grab his hand and pull him with me.

I basically drag him all the way down the stairs and through the house until we get to the kitchen. We stop right outside the kitchen door where I can hear mum humming as she cooks.

He takes a big breath and lets it out before turning to me; he’s less than confident, if I have to guess. But, I pull him to me once more as I plant a kiss on his lips and push the door open, “Mum!”

She spins around quicker than I’ve ever seen her do with a big smile, “Ducky!”

I let go of my husband’s hand to hug her tightly, “I’ve missed you, mum.”

“I’m so happy to see you,” she squeezes a little tighter.

Letting go, I back away and take Toph’s hand again, “Mum, this is Topher.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” he sticks his hand out to shake hers.

As expected she chuckles a little before going in for a hug, “It’s nice to finally see you, dear.”

He’s shocked for a second but doesn’t take any time to recover before wrapping his arms around her as well, “You too, mom.”

She chuckles again lightly and lets go to return to her food.

“It’s a late supper,” I comment as Topher and I take a seat at the table on the other side of the room.

She nods, “Well, I knew you would be in late and we had a late tea. I wanted to make you something homemade. You probably don’t get it too much.”

“Actually,” my best friend enters the conversation, “Day cooks for us as much as he can. You’ve taught him very well.”

“That’s my boy,” she looks over her shoulder to smile at me.

“And I have to say, he makes the best food I’ve ever had. I can’t even imagine how good yours is,” he adds with a smile.

“Oh you,” she smiles as a light blush dusts her face. “You really are quite the actor, aren’t you?”

He shakes his head in a negative response looking like he’s in shock, “I’m serious. I didn’t get much home cooking before he came around, but his food is the best I’ve had.”

She takes the pot off the stove and turns around to us. “That has to cool,” she tells us as she joins us at the table. “I’m so happy you’re here.” Her smile says everything as she looks between us, “And you look happy, too.”

“We are,” I grab my husband’s hand from where he’s rested them on the table. “I’ve never been this happy.”

She nods as if she’s expected this, “You are-”

At her words, Angela bursts into the room, “Is the food done?”

We all chuckle when mum answers, “Yes, Lala. It’s almost done. Why don’t you sit down with us for a bit while it cools?”

Whenever music would come on just before she was able to talk, Angela would sing in her own tune ‘La la la la la’ and dance around. It was cute and ever since mum has called her ‘Lala’.

“Can’t we dish it out first? It will cool faster that way, yea?”

Mum rolls her eyes, but gets up anyway whispering, “Teenagers.”

Once we’ve all dished our own beef stew and dumplings, we’re sitting at the table again.

“You must be tired from jetlag,” mum says me as we eat.

Shrugging, I use my elbow to point at my husband, “He slept the whole way, but the elderly lady across the way from me wanted to hold a conversation. Once he was out, she was asking me if we were that famous gay couple. I didn’t want to be rude.”

“You didn’t tell me that,” Toph chuckles after he swallows a bite of his food.

“Mm,” I agree. “I couldn’t if you were sleeping, could I?” My best friend smiles as my family chuckles, “What do you want for your birthday, shrimp?”

“Nothing really,” she shrugs before taking another bite. “How long are you in for?”

“Don’t speak with your mouth full, Angela,” mum scolds.

“We leave on Monday morning,” I tell her ignoring my mother.

She makes sure to swallow before speaking again, “Do you have any plans while you’re here?”

“Just your party.”

“No,” my mother interrupts again. “You said you’d have a ceremony here; just a little one.”

“Really, mum?” I turn toward her as I dramatically roll my eyes. “I don’t think that is necessary.”

“I didn’t get to go to your wedding, Damian, and I think as your mother I should get that privilege. It doesn’t have to be official or anything large. But I know that I want to see you and Christopher married and I’m sure Angela and Granddad do too,” she gives me the look she used to when I was in trouble.

Angela nods, “I would like to see it.”

“We didn’t bring suits,” I tell them raising an eyebrow.

“Oh don’t use that shit,” my little sister says.

My mother gives her a look, “Language.”

“Whatever,” she looks back at me. “We know you have the money to buy suits. Don’t be a bitch.”

“Angela!” Mum yells at her.

This causes me to chuckle, “We’ll think about it. I’m not saying anything right now.”

“We only have Sunday morning that it can happen. You better decide quickly,” my little sister points her spoon at me in a threatening manner.

We eat the rest of dinner as I expertly dodge the subject again.

“The food was outstanding,” my husband tells my mother at the end of the meal. “Even better than Day’s.”

“You’re too kind, dear,” she smiles at him as she takes the compliments he dishes out.

“He’s right, mum. The food was really good. I’ve missed your cooking. I can never get mine quite this good,” I nod down at our empty bowls.

“It’s all in the love,” she says matter-of-factly. “It takes years to perfect, but I’m sure you’ll get it; especially when you give me some grandbabies.”

Rolling my eyes again, I lean back in my chair, “We aren’t adopting for a while, mum. We need to stabilize our lives before we bring in more.”

“Yes, yes, but not too long,” she gives us that motherly stern look.

Both Chris and I laugh as mum collects our dishes.

Not long after that, Topher and I go to lie down. My room is a little less masculine than I thought it was when I was younger. I mean it’s not exactly girly, but Christopher was right; there are more half naked men than anything else hanging up.

“Is this me?” I look up from where I was taking sleep shorts out of our bags to see him standing at my bookshelf with something in his hands.

Standing, I walk over to see an old paperback book of him in his hands. I completely forgot I even owned that. “Where did you find that?” I laugh as I take it from his hands.

It looks like it was made about the time we were young teenagers. By that point, Chris had been in quite a few movies. On the cover, he is smiling with shining blue eyes and that waving long 90’s haircut.

“It was on the shelf,” he laughs as his arms circle my waist from behind. “I really was your favorite, huh?”

I chuckle along with him as I flip through the pages, “I think my mum gave me this. I have no idea why.” I lean my head back to rest on his shoulder and look up at him, “Bedtime, yea?”

He kisses the side of my face before patting my hip and letting go, “Sounds good.”

When we get our pajamas on and slide into bed, we cuddle up. The bed is significantly smaller than the one we have at home, but it’s really not an issue. We always sleep so close together that the rest of the bed is unnecessary. Although, I think it’s a bit shorter than our bed because Christopher’s feet hang off the end.

“Are you happy now that you know they like you?”

I could feel his chuckle against me, “It’s just different, you know?”

“No,” I admit dragging my fingertips down his back.

He takes a deep breath, “I don’t think I’ve ever told you about my mom. Would you like to hear?”

“Always.”

“She and my dad were a fling. They had sex a couple of times, but they weren’t anything serious. Apparently she wasn’t one for commitment,” he shrugs slightly, but otherwise doesn’t move. “When she found out she was pregnant with me, she told my dad that she didn’t want a kid at the time. My dad was nineteen and my mom was only seventeen. He told her not to have an abortion and that he would take care of me.” He sighs again like it’s hard for him to talk about, “So my mom literally gave birth to me and then left the hospital the next day. She told the hospital how to get a hold of my dad and he came and got me. The rest is history.”

“Wow,” is all I say because, honestly, what else is there?

He snuggles in closer, “So I have this thing about moms, I guess. Mine didn’t like me enough to keep me around. Why should anyone else’s?”

Leaning down a bit, I press my lips to his forehead, “You don’t have to worry about that anymore, love. I don’t think my mum would let me get rid of you, much less abandon you herself. She really does love you.”

He nods against me, but doesn’t say anything in return.

“Babe?” My husband’s voice floats through the air after a few minute of silence.

“Yes, love?”

He shifts just enough that I can see the outline of him propped up looking at me in the moonlight, “Maybe we should do the ceremony.”

Rolling my eyes, I move slightly to turn on the bedside lamp. Sitting up from where I was lying, I look him in the eyes, “Why? This isn’t just because you want my family’s approval, is it?”

He moves so his head is in my lap and he’s lying on his back, “No, it’s just that I think you’ll regret it if we don’t.”

My hands naturally move into his hair, “And why do you think that?”

“Well,” he chuckles, “you didn’t exactly get to see our first wedding.”

I nod giving him a stern look, “Somehow I missed that one.”

“So, I think we should do it. Like your mom said, it doesn’t have to be anything big. We can go buy some khaki pants and button down shirts.”

“What if we just have like a little reception? I don’t want to do the ceremony. I don’t see a point. Maybe at our 5th anniversary or something,” I shrug. “I don’t need a ceremony to tell me I love you. I already know that. As much as I love my family, it’s not really about getting to see someone get married. It’s about celebrating that love with them. We can have a little gathering, but not the whole thing.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yea,” I nod as I study his flawless features and trace my fingers down his jaw. “I don’t need everyone else there, just you.”

“Good,” he sits up and plants his lips on mine forcefully. He moves so he’s straddling my waist as our tongues dance. He pulls away slightly with his hands on my jawline, “God, I love you so much.”

His kisses steal my breath, as usual, but I manage to open my eyes and look into his crystal ones. How can one person make you feel like the rest of the world doesn’t matter? How can one person make you forget your entire past and plan your entire future? How can one person be so special that they’re the only eyes you ever want to look into again?

“I love you, too.”

~A/N~

I'M SOOO EXCITED FOR THE CLOSING CEREMONY! The SPICE GIRLS are going to be there. I am the BIGGEST spice girl fan ever. I absofreakinglutely love them. BEST DAY EVER! Plus its Sunday! Good day all around. (ps side note... a little excited about one direction too). SOOO go watch the olympic closing ceremony! and SPICE UP YOUR LIFE!!

Angela on the side.