And that was how, just 3 hours later, Chat found himself leading Ladybug through the front gate of his house.
Chat was thankful he had driven himself to the hospital today rather than accepting his father's driver, as his father would prefer. But he loved to drive his little car. It wasn't anything fancy, since he didn't feel a need to splurge excessively on something he would hardly drive, but it felt good to get out on his own sometimes. Which had been one small battle he had won against his father.
It had been his father who had demanded some privacy, so naturally his home had a gate. At least this one was only a chest height wrought iron fence, not the towering 10 foot brick one like his father's.
The house itself was two story, with two large picture windows on each side of the entrance, two sets of double windows and a single on the second story, and stone like siding. Three short steps led up to a small porch, with a post on each side of the steps supporting the roof over it.
With a hand on the small of Ladybugs back, Chat led her towards the double front doors.
Chat couldn't even BEGIN to describe how excited he was that she was out of the hospital. No more following visiting hours-- not that he obeyed them anyway(rules were meant to be broken, right?!) - and they'd be able to do so much MORE than they could while at the hospital. And, kind of the biggest part for him, was, there would be no audience at his house.
He couldn't stop smiling, he was so excited. His cheeks were starting to hurt!! Ladybug would start to think he was a madman pretty soon if he didn't tone it down!!
Well, best of intentions and all that.
Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Ladybug couldn't believe how beautiful Chats home was! It left her speechless!
They entered Into a large foyer, with beautiful hardwood floors and cream colored walls. Chat opened a small closet and hung his keys on a small rack inside, before taking off his shoes and simply pushing them in just enough to not get hit by the door. Following his cue, Ladybug slid off her flip flops and shoved them too.
"I'll take you up to your room, that way I can also set down all these bags from the hospital." He stated, nodding down to the 3 totes he had in the curve of his elbow.
"There wouldnt be so many if you took the stuff home with you after you left, rather that leaving them behind," she teased, a small curve to her lips.
He shook his head with frown, "Then how would you have been able to use them again if the desire had struck?!"
Ladybug didn't have an answer for that, so she simply clucked her tongue and gave a small shrug. There was really no arguing with him when he set his mind on something.
He walked a few more feet into the house and took a left, onto a staircase going up. Trailing her hand along the rail, Ladybug followed him up, to reveal a banister on one side, with three doors that she could see. It looked like the hardwood continued throughout the upper level.
The cream color from downstairs continued upstairs too, with bright pops of color here and there: an abstract painting in bright oranges and reds. A small round table in a corner of the hallway with a tall glass vase filled with neon green gems. A trio of canvas prints of vibrant purple lilacs.
"I'll give you the one right next to mine. It's the biggest." He spoke as we reached the landing, and directed her to the first door off the stairs.
Pushing the door open fully, Chat stepped aside for Ladybug to enter first.
She was greeted by a queen bed with a dark cherry wood head and footboard and vibrantly red comforter. Two matching sidetables in the same wood, with matching lamps atop them. A cushioned black bench sat the the foot of the bed, and across from it is a giant wardrobe that takes up the whole wall.
"I'll just have to make sure everything is fresh. I didn't expect company when I left today."
"No worries. I really appreciate what your doing for me."
Turning to Chat, Ladybug is flooded with so many feelings. Gratitude. Wonder. Relief. And the stirrings of something else that feels suspiciously like love. Or maybe that was lust. Ya, that made more sense. She hardly knew Chat!
Well, ok, she KNOWS Chat, better than she even knows herself. But that's different. You can't love someone after just a couple weeks. Can you??!
Shaking her head to dispel her wayward thoughts, she focuses her attention on the lone male in her life currently, and realizes he's talking to her.
"And well have to go shopping. While what you arrived at the hospital in was great for coming here, you'll need more."
He set her totes down on the bench at the end of the bed as he spoke.
"And don't even think about arguing. The money is negligible."
"Oh, no!" Ladybug starts. "I can't let you do that!" as she worries her bottom lip between her teeth and clasps and u clasps her hands nervously in front of her.
Walking up to her, Chat places both hands on Ladybugs shoulders and massages ever so gently.
"It's really not a big deal. What will you do otherwise?? Wear this every day?!"
There was definately logic in what he was saying. But it still didnt feel right.
Giving a huge mock sigh, ladybug gives in.
"Fine. But only what I really need." she warns.
Chat hums, and gives a little smirk, looking anywhere but at her. "Ya, only what you need..."
Suspicious, and vowing to watch him closely, she chooses not to call him out on it.
"I'm gonna head downstairs and give my father a call. The next door over is my room. Door after that is the bathroom. Freshen up if you need. Put anything away you wan want to, unless you'd rather do it later. Meet me down there when your ready. We'll head out for some clothes right after that."
With a nod, I back away from him, stepping farther into the room, and make a shooting motion with my hands.
" I'll be down shortly, " she assured him, as she ran a hand over the duvet covering the bed.
Sinking down onto it with a sigh, Ladybug thinks to herself, what have I gotten myself into? Essentially moving in with this gorgeous stranger I've known for only two weeks. She couldn't let him do this. Shouldn't. Right?! How will I ever repay him?? I have nothing!
But she didn't have much of a choice. It was either this, or go back to the hospital. And Lord knew, she would trust Chat with her life.
So with that floating through her mind, Ladybug vowed to be the best house guest ever!