Chapter Ten: Tender Time
23rd December, 2014.
New diary, new life, is it right, Mrs Rehn? If someone dares call me like that I swear I'm gonna kill that brave idiot. Getting married doesn't have to mean the end of your youth, even if Yohio's fanatics think it differently. He had been mine since I signed that exact paper and no other paper can worsen it.
– So you want to marry my daughter... – Tommy said as he kept on walking in front of Kevin backwards and forwards. – Hm, I'm not sure you would be the best for her. Do you swear you will take care of her and never make her cry? Do you accept that let you hurt her in any way I will hurt you in the same way?
– Oh, of course I swear and accept your terms – he grinned and took me by waist.
– Well, I can't even do anything else than giving her to you since you have made her pregnant... – he patted his son's shoulder. – And now let the manager speak from me: having sex without protection was the most irresponsible thing you could do ever; you could have ruined many people's lives if you didn't find her. And also Trixie, you should have at least told someone about it, for example Yohio and he would had surely tried to work less and help you; that wouldn't have meant he quitted his job or anything. It's true that it's normal for Swedish men to stay at home with their children if the mother wants to work but if you decide vice versa then also that's okay, no one will judge you for it.
– I know but I also know him and that he would quit all his jobs if he could just to be able to be with us – I chuckled and boxed into Kevin's shoulder.
– But – my future father-in-law raised his hand as to speak. – Now you will be in the media for a while again... This imp helps us stay in spotlight, keep her – he finished and hugged both of us. – I'm so happy about you, children...
His chin rested on Kevin's shoulder and I was sure he just didn't want to show me he was nearly crying from being touched.
– Now go home and catch up with everything you've missed out in the last some months, you have a little bit more than a week, Yohio has to work until March and we also have to hold your wedding... your belly won't be smaller at all – he winked finally.
– Ah, well, I don't really want to have a big wedding and all if that's okay – I dared to tell them shooting my eyes down.
– At least we can keep the media away from you... – Tommy sighed. – But of course we will accidentally let the magazine that pays the most in, what do you think?
– If they won't ask anything just make notes I don't mind – Kevin shrugged and kissed me; then, as it was yet eleven in the evening when we got there, we went home and first time for a long while we slept together.
24th December, 2014.
As soon as he woke up I had to tell him everything, that I left the quote in the first town yet before coming home, that I wanted to visit the graves of Danny and Dad before travelling through Europe, that in Venice I met Dieter, who also planned to travel in Europe, and with whom we had been friends for years (and only friends, he was homo as my precious used to think he himself was, I guess he was more like bisexual or whatever; the Dieter-topic was the first that I had to clear with him) but it was the first time we bumped into each other, that he advised to stay at one place if I wanted the best for the baby, and that I was waiting for him completing the mission in Stratford-Upon-Avon, teaching Shakespeare, then moved to his flat in Helsingør where I had always wanted to go; and finally waited for Kevin although I felt being a coward to meet him and look into his eyes again.
– But why were you a coward? You should have learned that I would never hurt you – he embraced me sitting in the bed speaking syrupy that, first time in my life, felt good.
– Except when you use your murderously low voice – I turned to him and kissed his lips.
– What, I don't even have such a thing – he kissed back and then rested his chin on my shoulder. – But I'm very glad and happy and all that you've come back.
– So am I, and Sören as well...
– Ah, you've arbitrarily chosen the name? He's not only yours... – he grinned.
– Well, yet he is – I winked and caressed my belly. – But if you want you can stay at home with him until I hopelessly try to find a job...
– Would you like to?
– No – I laughed and lay back. – But you can if you want me to try to sell my body on the corner!
– No one will get you you're mine – he kissed me and started caressing my belly. – How do you know it will be a boy?
– Well – I began. – I didn't dare going to a doc here but... when I was in the town I was born I went to the hospital because I have known the doctor there and there it turned out. When first she saw me she confessed she got a bit scared but I told her that no matter what, I would keep the baby; then as she asked what his name would be and I told her the name Sören she widened her eyes – I chuckled; I could still remember her face clearly, she knew that I didn't keep the first foetus only because I was just seventeen then and because my boy would had thrown me out after hearing this kind of news but that I would had named him, if it was a boy, Attila, so this big change was a bit much for her. – But actually I have been thinking of this since I was sure about my state...
– Tell me everything, I am interested in what you've wanted – he asked.
– First I wanted to name him Jonathan or Theo, because of its meaning, God's present, but then I heard that the popular name was Romeo nowadays and as I loved Shakespeare I thought of it too. Then I thought I should name him more... personally so I thought of the name Jade, because... because of your beautiful green eyes – I chuckled – but I didn't like the name itself. And then the divine spark came and BOOM! I remembered that you once told me you liked the name Sören so I thought I should name him that. Dieter offered to accept him as he was his own, so this little imp was going to be Søren Sørensen. But you came and ruined this beautiful plan – I laughed and kissed him again; I felt couldn't get enough from his kisses.
– What's the problem, don't you like the name Sören Rehn? – he asked with played huff.
– Mmh, Søren Sørensen sounded better – I pulled his leg and got out of bed. – I'm hungry...
– Yeah, really, let's go – he followed me to the kitchen.
Knock-knock-knock...
– Sebbie! – I shouted and ran to the door to open it for my dear elder brother.
– Hi girls, I mean, girls and baby-boy in belly, could I join your lunch today? – he grinned and stepped in like he still lived with us.
– Oh, would it be lunch-time? I haven't looked at the clock yet... – I apologized for not having anything ready.
– No it isn't, I thought I would hel...p, if you... let... me – he stuttered. – But I have brought some things! – he raised two bags, both full of fresh food.
– Great, then as I can see we will have some fish soup, if someone – I looked meaningfully at the boys – gets me some freshwater-fishes, but if you buy alive ones you will be the ones who kill them. Fast, fast, original Hungarian Christmas-dishes don't make themselves and you guys don't know how to make them!
– Yohio goes I haven't chatted with you for long – Seb said immediately and so the love of my life got dressed, took on his sunglasses and left for doing some shopping.
– Now come, help me, I need... – I started listing the ingredients.
– Have you ever made it?
– Never, to be honest, never, because it is originally made outside and all such food had to be made by men in my family – I smiled thinking back to those times. – But I always helped them, like I brought salt and paprika there so I was usually there but didn't make it, no.
– Then shall I go get some semi-cooked...?
– Shut up and help me chopping the onions instead – I hit his head lightly.
– What are you doing? – Seb asked me some minutes later. – You know the song: Big Girls Don't Cry; Pink!
– So you say only you have the right to have tears now? – I asked eye-widened. – In this case also you know the song: Dead Boys Don't Cry; Powerwolf!
– Ah, this sentence hit me in the deepest of my little heart... – he played getting hurt.
– Beware, I have a knife with me and I'm not afraid to use!
– I hoped you would say "not aware of how to use"! – he joked.
– Get fucked – I laughed and looked at the fruit of his job. – Well, as I can see we're ready with this, now... ah, thanks, Darling – I kissed Kev who had just stepped into the kitchen that very moment when I turned there.
– Hope it won't be some red saucy stuff or I will... no, that powder again! – he pointed at the sachet on the counter. – I put on five kilos in those months when we ate this! – he raised it and pushed into the face of his best friend. – I don't know what it contains but you want to eat more and more of it!
– That is simply made of sweet red pepper – I took it back from him and put it down. – And it is needed in most Hungarian food I like.
– Learn Swedish and Japanese meals, please... – he begged. – I don't want to get fat.
– Mh, do you want poor Sören not to know what her mother was living on? You're mean.
– Really, you eat instead of two! – Sebastian dug me.
– And she's even pregnant... – Kevin continued.
– I can still say no to you and marry Sebbie! – I neared the other man and rubbed myself against his body.
– Get away from me, kitten, my hetero common-law will find out we have a relationship behind his back! – he whispered loudly.
– Then he would join you every single night – Kevin came to us and started caressing Seb's face smiling angelically at him.
– Now fucking get your asses out of the kitchen! – I threatened the laughing boys with the wooden spoon and so they ran out of there but I could slightly hear they were making jokes of my cooking-knowledge. I just shook my head smiling, I couldn't work properly when they made me laugh but I didn't mind them kidding with something that also they knew wasn't true.
– Trixie, don't you have some honey somewhere? – Kev asked when he finished making their tea.
– Nope – I shrugged, I usually drank tea without flavouring it.
– And...
– Tell me from where I shall bear honey for you and I swear I will – I turned to him; it made me a bit grumpy that they searched everything on me like I was their mother.
– I don't know I just thought...
– You know where the shop is – I said in a manner that usually finished conversations that he luckily understood and so he left. Jeez, what will be here when I have three children with me, and two are even too big to teach them to behave! Sören, you're my only hope to make Daddy and Sebbie just a bit more serious...
As soon as he got back the soup was ready; they looked at me a bit strange when I told them there was no second dish I made but after finishing with the second plate yet they knew why.
– Will I be the belly-occupant's godfather, huh? – Seb suggested from his seat.
– I don't really believe it's necessary – I began – but if you wish to then I don't mind, go travel to Napoli and join the mafia!
– Haha, and what about being your best man on your wedding? – he turned to Kevin.
– Nah, isn't it too much from good? – he laughed when he saw the older man's face.
– It's never enough from good. So? When do I have to make a stag-party?
– Eh, you and parties all the time – my boy shook his head fatherly. – I finish with Jordskott in March and Sören will be born in the middle of April so... between these two I guess? – he looked at me not totally sure he was right.
– Both dates are right but as your father has announced my belly won't get any smaller.
– In this case I can have one free afternoon next January for the formal part of it...
– And as I can stand again we can have the bigger part of it saying we have already had the paper for some time, no one has to know for how long – I nodded understanding his plan.
– So I will need you in January – he turned to his friend who got bored of his life while we figured out what we should do.
– Great, really, but then we won't have a party... it's an only chance, are you sure?
– Yes, I will be a father soon so I have to get a bit more serious, or at least something like that – he smiled and got up. – Ah, it was so good to sit but I got thirsty, anyone anything?
– No, thanks, I was invited to both my parents and Eve and I don't want to disappoint anyone so I must go now – Sebastian said and got up too. – Well, probably see you soon, and Trixie, don't you dare drink anything alcoholic – he hugged me and left.
– Hot tea? – Kev came back and gave me a mug of steaming liquid.
– Thanks – I leaned back again and watched as he took his place near me.
– You know, as I have thought about it... don't you find us young to have an own family?
– Well, we aren't old at all but no, I don't – I said daring try the tea. – Ugh, it's hot!
– What have you expected? – he laughed and took it out of my hand as to put it down onto the table. – Not like I didn't want it but... to be honest I'm a bit afraid.
– You shouldn't – I rubbed my head to his neck. – We're young, yeah, but it means that we have energy... and also your father was about 20 when you were born, he must have been afraid of it as well, not knowing what to do with a child... but you're here with me now so it can't be one of the most impossible things. And... you know... also I'm afraid as Hell about my, not really my but his future although I know we won't have problems with money... more that... I'm not sure I will be a good mother.
– You must be kidding now – he turned to me and kissed my head. – If you think you need some practice then Emily will surely help you – he let out a small laughter.
– We have known each other for three-hundred-sixty-seven days – I said about ten minutes later as to let my thoughts fly in the intimate silence between us.
– Yes, and I think I have been in love with you for three-hundred-sixty-five days – he added.
– You know, after thinking over what we have already gone through and that all these have made us who we are now I must say that... – I sighed. – I do regret nothing, nothing at all.
FIN~