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Returning the kiss, I pressed my body closer to his, a rest of arousal still cursing through my body. The firework distracted most from noticing us in the back, but even if not, I just couldn't bring myself to care. This was my relationship, this was me and Kid and I wouldn't let anyone interfere with this.

He pulled away and smiled at me. "Love you…" "Love you too."

When I looked around I was surprised to find a few people looking back at me. I shuddered. A few of Kid's cousins were staring at us with barely concealed disgust, some whispered behind their hands. I swallowed down the sudden panic that threatened to build in my throat and met Kid's eyes. "We knew it wouldn't be easy." I nodded.

My boyfriend's gaze flickered away from me and I turned in his arms. His grandmother, a furious look on her face made her way through the crow in our direction. "Kid…" His grandmother was an impressive (and frightening) person when she was not mad at you. Now, she looked like she was about to breath fire. The redhead placed a reassuring hand around my waist and waited until the elderly woman had reached us.

Focusing her rage on Kid, she spoke angrily. "Kid… How could you? For the last three years I expected you to bring a girl along to my New Year's dinner. And then, when you finally bring someone along, you don't introduce him to me, let alone let me know that you have finally found yourself a partner? How dare you do this to me!" I felt relieve wash through me as I realized that her sole issue was, that I hadn't been introduced properly. Kid's father had the mercy to help us, as my brilliant boyfriend seemed momentarily at a loss of words. "Mamma, I think he was trying to avoid a scene." "At least I succeeded in ruining that plan for him then." She murmured and then fixed her intense gaze on me.

"It's good to see my nephew happy, you know. I think your name was Trafalgar Law, if I remember correctly. I am Bethany Eustass. It's a pleasure to meet you. Welcome to the family." A lopsided smile light up her whole face and she looked suddenly a lot younger. "The pleasure is on my side. I am sorry we missed out on the whole introducing thing. I…" She made a dismissive gesture and answered. "I know why Kid wouldn't want me knowing before the firework. You ruined a lot of fun for me, young gentlemen." The look on Kid's face could only be described as smug.

Later that night I found myself on a comfortable sofa, Kid beside me and most of the inner family circle around us. Bethany had prepared some tea and I just started to relax for what felt like the first time since the unholy start of this day, when a tall woman joined our group. "Nanna, do you mind if I join you..?" "Oh but of course not, Bonney. I thought you went home with that Nathan boy..?"

Bonney had pink dyed hair and by the looks of her clothing, she had to be freezing. She squeezed her curvy figure beside Kid and grabbed a cup of tea. Although she seemed perfectly decent and behaved really nicely, she somehow freaked me out. Unable to put the finger on my issue, I kept quiet and made a mental note to ask Kid, once I would get a chance. Maybe my uncomfortable feeling only came from the way she was pressed up against my boyfriend.

Carl stood up and stretched, looking down at Mike and his father. Both of them were positively drunk and would be unable (or not allowed) to drive anyone home. Katherine yawned and looked at Carl, who had turned to face Bethany. "Nanna… Just as I expected, we have no sober drivers in our group anymore. Would you mind if we use the guest rooms for this night?" The elderly woman didn't seem surprised and gave him a short nod and a genuine smile.

Poking Kid in the side, I tried to convince him to get up and into bed. I was just tired and wanted to sleep but didn't dare to excuse myself without him. Though coming to think about it, it would be even more embarrassing to disappear with him. I sighed soundlessly and waited. He was engaged in a deep conversation with this Bonny girl and didn't even register me anymore. I felt a pang of jealousy, even though I knew that she was no danger. Had she been another man, I might have had more issues controlling my anger.

I continued telling myself that this was really alright and at the same time struggled to keep my eyes open. It was late and I was tired; getting in a bad mood was certainly not something that would help. Bethany eyed me curiously and I gave her an apologetic smile. "I'm a bit tired. Got up early today." She nodded and rose from her chair. "Come on. I'll show you your room. My nephew seems utterly insensible at the moment. Please forgive him."

I managed a smirk and got up from my seat. As me and Kid were trying to keep public displays of affection to a minimum, I didn't even need touching him to get away. Somehow this hurt, even more so as he didn't even look up from his conversation. Bethany led me out of the room and around the next corner before she started speaking. "I have never seen Kid with anyone other than his family and that one friend he used to have years ago. I almost gave up hope that he would find someone. Of course, now it's obvious why he was always so unfazed by the girls we introduced to him."

Turning around another corner, she looked at me. "He's usually not good with emotions and gets nervous once people get too close. What I'm going to tell you may be an unnecessary advice, but I always preferred high caution above regret. Usually, Kid runs away from emotional attachment. Since the regretful events seven years ago, he's been scared of being hurt."

We came to a halt in a cosy guest room, prepared for two people. I assumed me and Kid would sleep here tonight. I looked at Bethany. "So you think he'll try to get out of this relationship with some stupid reasoning?" She shook her head and looked at me sadly. "Oh no... He'll do something that makes you hate him, just to test if you truly want to stay." My worry turned to anger within the blink of an eye. "And you tell me that after we just left him alone with this Bonney girl?"

I was ready to run back to the living room we had just come from when the old woman held me back. "He wouldn't be so stupid to do this under my roof. But your idea is not wrong. I saw the way you eyed Bonney and then relaxed. You thought yourself safe because she's female. You are not. It makes it even more likely, as such a betrayal would hurt more than cheating on you with another man."

"I think that's enough now, Nanna." Kid's voice cut cold through the dark room. I stood between them, my gaze flickering from one to the other, not sure what I should do next. Bethany just shrugged and pushed past Kid out of the room. I sat down on the bed. My boyfriend pushed off the doorframe and crouched before me, looking up into my eyes. "She's right, isn't she?" I murmured while searching his face for a lie. He looked away but nodded.

"There was this guy once. I was madly in love with him but never said anything in fear of losing one of my closest friends. He promised me not to hate me when I was finally ready to tell him. In the end he ran away, never speaking to me again. When I let people close, I heighten the risk of getting hurt. And I'm really just a coward, afraid of being hurt." I cupped his cheeks and turned his head so he had to face me again.

"I'll prove your fear wrong. But not tonight anymore. I need sleep and you look like you'll drop dead any second." Kid smiled. I kicked off my shoes and got out of my trousers and pullover; then I slipped under the covers and waited for the redhead to follow. He got in swiftly, wrapping his arm around my smaller frame and sighed. "You don't know what you get yourself into." He murmured into my hair. I laughed. "And who said that you know what you are getting yourself into?" His smile against my skin was the last thing I registered before I drifted off to sleep.

We're either getting closer to the end or to another turn of events. I'm not quite sure what the two boys will come up with this time.

I always had a certain control over this story until it completely left me. Now I have it back, somehow at least, but it's doing whatever it wants.

Also, I really love Nanna Bethany. I know, the name is lame. But there was this book I read and I just couldn't resist... All in all I quite like the chapter.

Read & Review please - Thanks!