I sat content, trying to decode what had not long ago happened between me and Harry. Everything had seemed as though it was falling a part, now I trusted him more than I ever thought I could. I closed my eyes, remembering the moments that drew me to this one. Even with everything that took place I still neglected to regret him. I got up from the couch, peering over and out of the window as the rain consumed the world around me. My vacation was going slower than I'd imagined it would, but I couldn't complain. This had to be the first night sense experiencing Harry as a boyfriend that I'd spent alone. It was something both healthy and uneasy, but I could tell that I was growing addicted to his touch. I smiled to myself briefly at the thought, before hearing the doorbell sound. She'd come sooner than I'd expected, but I ran to greet her never the less. I peered out through the peephole experiencing a familiar face that instantly lifted my mood. I turned the knob quickly, swinging open the door and smiling subconsciously.
Winter:
"Hey Mom."
Her hair was long and wavy, like mine. She wore a beautifully warm-colored trench coat that looked a lot like the one I'd just bought while out with the girls. The chill of the air hit me from the outside, but she greeted me with a warm hug. Her smell was just as I'd remembered it last. Hard to be describe but she smelt pleasantly like home. I assumed our embrace lasted longer than she'd intended when she'd suddenly pulled away. She closed her eyes briefly as she spoke as if to regain control.
Linda:
"I missed you so. How have you been?
Her smile was something I'd realized I'd missed. She wore a trench coat that mirrored one I'd had, I smiled at the thought.
Winter:
"I'm good, mom. Come in."
It was her first time in a while she'd visited here.
She looked around in awe. It was her that assisted me in picking out this house and she'd been one of the very reasons I'd decided on it. I watched her as I waited for her to express her thoughts.
Linda:
"Where is Scott?"
My smile faded suddenly. I felt a numbness toward my fingertips at her words. Guilt overwhelmed me, and I'd completely forgotten I hadn't told her about any of it. I walked over to the living room. I heard her footsteps short behind me as I sat onto the couch. Her eyes rested on me at my change in mood, and I knew she'd know what I'd been thinking...after all she was my mom.
Linda:
"What happened, Winter?"
I really didn't want to relive this. Everything had been going fine up until now and now I'd been faced with it again. I was convinced that life wouldn't let me forget. The guilt sunk in further as I delayed my answer.
Winter:
"Mom..."
I neglected to look up at her as I sat still to the spot. I hoped she wouldn't disapprove or give me advice I really didn't need.
Winter:
"...We're not together anymore."
I twirled my thumbs as I noticed a change in my breathing patterned. I could feel her eyes on me still, though I hadn't looked up. It pierced my skin, and I wondered how far along she'd been judging me now. I waited for her response, but decided to keep quiet when she failed to give me one.
Linda:
"How long?"
Her voice was low, and nonjudgmental. I could tell she'd been trying to approach the topic cautiously.
Winter:
"A while...I'm with someone else."
She walked over to me as I mustered out the last of it, sitting down on the sofa beside me.
She grabbed my hands, and I assumed she noticed them as they began to shake. She always knew what to do.
Linda:
"You don't have to tell me now. I can see that it's affecting you... just know that everything happens as it is meant to."
I tried to remind myself of that. I didn't allow the tears to fall, blinking quickly as not to encourage them. I hadn't expected her to respond in that way but I was happy she'd taken the hint. She hugged me into her chest briefly before running her fingers through my hair in attempt to comfort me.
Linda:
"Your hair has gotten longer. I've been away too long..."
I held her tighter at the thought of our separation. He'd flashed across my mind suddenly and she'd spoken as if to notice.
Linda:
"Now, tell me about the new guy... Or is it a rebound thing?"
I grinned at her playfulness as she released me to look into my eyes.
Winter:
"No, mom. He's my boyfriend."
She'd given me a face as if to want more of the details. I shook off the hick-up of our previous conversation as we entered the new.
Linda:
"Mm hmm, and where is he?"
She smiled to me menacingly. I laughed in reply, and in that moment I'd realized how much I'd been missing her.
Winter:
"He's home. He has a package coming today, we're meeting later."
She looked down at her lap as if to question me silently.
Winter:
"Mom, you can't meet him yet. It's too soon and I don't want to jinx it,okay."
Her eyes were green as were mine and it was chilling to meet hers after so long.
Winter:
"I'll bring him along next holiday."
She smiled to me in approval. She was my mom, and she knew I was a relationship kind of girl. I could never be with anyone for the sake of having someone, and if they we were faithfully together then I'd already planned a future.
Linda:
"Great. I'll make my pie recipe."
She embraced me again, hands roaming back up to caress my scalp. I'd missed her.
--
Harry:
"Your mom stopped by and you didn't tell me?"
I smiled as I looked over the curls that adorned his head. I wished he'd smile back to reveal his gorgeous dimples to me.
Winter:
"She wasn't here long, Harry."
I'd accompanied him at the kitchen table as he spooned the pasta onto my plate he'd just prepared.
His features changed with my words, and he hadn't responded. I watched as he spill the rest of the contents of the pan onto his own plate, as I read his mood. I wondered what'd the fusion of his eyebrows had been from. The air of his mood was glum. He sat the plate in front of me as he lie the pan back on the stove, turning off the eye. I watched as he placed himself across from me, reaching me a fork in the process.
Winter:
"You okay, Harry? Did I do something?"
I took it thankfully. He stayed quiet for a moment before continuing. I felt a vibe that I was sure was unpleasant.
Harry:
"I'm okay."
His cool green eyes met mine briefly before they lie back on the plate in front of him. I wasn't at all convinced. The smell of the food invaded my senses and I knew then that there was no way I'd ever try to compete with him. I'd gotten up from my seat to move closer to him. I stood beside him, placing my head between his neck and shoulder. His skin was smooth and warm. I needed him to communicate with me, just as he wanted me to do for him. I watched as he put his fork down against the plate, closing his eyes and breathing deeply. He spoke slow and calmly.
Harry:
"You don't want me to meet her?"
His voice held depth as always, his tone told me he was really hurt by it. I squeezed my eyes shut at the thought.
Winter:
"Harry..."
I took his fingers between mine, trailing kisses from his rosy cheeks toward his lips. I kiss gently and warmly, brushing our noses in habit. My arms fell around his neck as I urged him to face me, his arms lie around me waist as I stood. He was still slightly taller though he sat and I looked up at him seriously.
Winter:
"Of course I want you to meet her. It's not like that, I swear. I just didn't want to freak you out or complicate things... I didn't want it to be too soon."
I was babbling now. He played with the ends of my hair gently, and I noticed it'd been becoming a habit of his. He smiled at my lengthy explanation. But I needed him to know that was the last thing I wanted him to feel. If I'd known it meant that much to him I would have invited him along with her.
Winter:
"Seriously Harry. Don't think like that. You know you mean a lot to me, right?"
He looked down at me, comfortingly. His dimples attempting to level out my now chaotic mood.
Harry:
"I know. I just... thought that maybe you didn't want me to meet her... You know with the whole Scott thing."
Hearing his name come from Harry's smooth lips was so alien. I cringed at the sound, shaking my head violently.
Winter:
"No. That's done..."
His eyelashes lay beautifully against his cheeks and I silently praised them. I mustered a playful smile as his large hands held me tighter.
Winter:
"She said she's making you pie next holiday. That should be interesting."
He buried his face in my neck inhaling briefly before pulling back.
Harry:
"You smell amazing."
There was a exchange of giggles between us before I'd left his touch, resuming back to my plate. I stuck a generous amount to my fork before taking it between my teeth. He'd definitely be doing all the cooking, so long as he didn't mind.
Winter:
"This is amazing. Thank you."
I was spoiled.
His dimples blessed me with another appearance, as I took them in from across the table.
Harry:
"Oh yea. And I don't have to work tomorrow, so we're going somewhere, okay."
I continued my food as my brain processed.
Winter:
"May I ask where?"
Harry:
"Nope. It's a surprise."

Notes

I only have one class tomorrow so I'll be writing more. I've already written ahead but I'm writing more gaps to close. I love you for reading. Leave comments and tell me what you think or when you'd like me to update. I read them everyday :)