Professor's Favorite Student

20

When Elizabeth opened her eyes, she realized the storm had already ended and the sun was shining from the big windows of her professor's bedroom. His spot on the bed was empty, which made her wonder what he was really thinking about last night, because she was obviously regretting coming to his room, even though she had never been able to stay alone during thunderstorms.

What was he thinking? Had she come too far with sleeping in the same bed with him?

Of course she had. His scent all around her body and the warmness she was feeling, that kind of warmness she felt only when she was that near him, were enough for her to realize she had slept wrapped around his arms all night long. But she couldn't say her body didn't love every little bit of it.

However, burying her face in her knees, she had already realized it was a stupid mistake, a mistake she had to pay about because there was no way on earth she was ever forgetting about how it felt to be in his arms. How much in home she felt. How scared she was for never being able to feel like that around anybody else.

But Elizabeth had to put an end to this herself, before things would go too far and she wouldn't be able to take them back. It didn't matter how right it felt, it was wrong. Daniel Ambrose was her professor, in some days they'd go back in auditoriums and if anyone would ever find out they'd spent the night together in his place, things would go down. She didn't even want to think about it.

And things between them were so uncertain that it was frustrating her even more. What did he want? Was he scared of anyone finding out that he couldn't speak with her about it? But if she was right to think like this why wasn't he pushing her away, tell her that things couldn't work between them two. Never.

She sighed, running her hands through her soft hair before deciding to change in her clothes and go to her dorm room as fast as she could. This night would never repeat itself and she'd bury it deep in her heart before it was too late.

As Liz step foot into the kitchen, she saw him focused in cooking something, that by the smell only she could realize it was omelets.

Now that he wasn't looking at her, she allowed herself to scan him all in her head, never knowing she'd love the sleepy look on him that much, his messy soft hair that she felt the urge to run her hands through immediately and that lazy small grin in his face. And not to talk about the loose white blouse hugging his well built body quite well, and his lazy grey sweatpants.

How could someone be that attractive just by standing?

"Enjoying the view, huh love?" His voice brought her to reality as she bit her lip and closed her eyes, embarrassed for being caught staring at him that desperately. Even his voice sounded huskier in the morning.

"I was just... lost in my thoughts," she tried to justify himself, but he only chuckled, causing some other flip flops in her stomach while she scolded herself for acting like a little girl having her first crush.

"How did you sleep?" Daniel asked, while pointing to the chair for her to sit and adjusting the table with the omelets and the coffees. Before waiting for an answer, he continued, "I took a wild guess and put two sugars in it," while the sheepish smile never leaving his face. Was there a way for her not to act like a little girl having her first crush when he'd act like that?

"You guessed it right, like always," Liz said, gaining a huge grin in return. Daniel would sometimes act all cold and scary and then the other minute he'd act like a little boy and she found herself loving this about him.

He sat down in front of her as they both started eating silently. Before she was able to gain the courage to tell him she had to go and things had to go back to normality, he spoke. "Elizabeth?"

Was he going to tell her the same thing?

For a reason she couldn't understand — or better she didn't want to — she didn't want to hear those words from him. They'd hurt much more than if she said them herself.

"You know it's my birthday today," he started hesitantly, "and I'd really, really love... if you'd be able to stay with me today too."

She stiffened, not expecting what she had heard at all. "I—" she started, not really knowing how to say no to his desperate look and pleading big eyes. But it seemed like he noticed her hesitation, because he didn't let her finish;

"It's the first time in many years I'm not planning on getting wasted for a straight week and I kind of... can't do it if you aren't around," he explained rubbing the back of his neck embarrassed to admit it to her, but he'd do anything in his power to have her at least another day in his place. "Pretty please?"

Her shoulders dropped as she gave him a small smile and he already knew he had win her over, or at least that's what he thought. "Only in one condition," Liz said in a serious tone, the idea popping in her head in the last second.

"Anything," he added in a rush.

"You'll pay your parents a visit today."

Daniel chocked in his water after her last statement, making her worry for the first few seconds. He couldn't do that. He could never do that, at least not today.

But they have had a vague conversation last night that was enough for Elizabeth to realize he missed them a lot and he still felt guilty towards them, associated with the fact that his dad had called him last night to wish him Merry Christmas and a happy birthday, but he hadn't answered, not realizing Liz had seen the 'dad' written in the phone screen. She was sure they wanted to meet their son today more than any other day, lift the weight from his shoulders since he would never agree doing it himself. But in her eyes, he deserved the world and she wasn't willing to leave him suffer, wondering if they parents were blaming him for not having their little daughter among them in this special day, because she was sure they weren't.

"I can't do that," he stated in his serious almost intimidating voice. However, she was more stubborn than him.

"You said anything."

"I take that back," he said, getting up from the table frustrated. He was trying to forget today, that's why he wanted her here and she was doing quite the opposite at helping him.

"Come on Daniel, I know your father called you last night. I bet they miss you," she said with a pleading look, getting up from the table as well and cupping his cheeks in the palms of her hands, forcing him to look at her.

"I'm sorry Elizabeth, I won't do that. You can go if you want, I won't force you to stay here anyway," he said, pushing her away softly and the desperation in his voice broke her heart. "As you see I'm messed up in my head. You deserve to be with someone better, with someone that can give you much more than me."

"Oh stop this Daniel!" She demanded, her outburst catching completely off guard. "If I wanted to be with someone else, I'd be with someone else. I'm not staying here because I feel bad for you or whatever you might think right now, I'm choosing to stay with the messed-up-in-the-head-you because it's you. Because here's where I wanna be right now, nowhere else. And this isn't about me at all, this is about you and your parents. Today is your birthday damn it! It's also Christmas and your little sisters' anniversary. Do you really think they wouldn't want you among them in a day like this? Do you really think they wanna lose their son too? What happened was an unfortunate, heartbreaking accident, but you can't change it by closing yourself in your room and drinking your soul out, you need the people you love and they need you too. I bet they'd give anything to see you happy, because you f*****g deserve it and you—"

But she couldn't finish her out of nowhere angry speech because he gripped her from her waist and crashed his lips on hers so roughly, entering her mouth in such a passionate way that she moaned and gripped his hair, pulled them out in pleasure and then moaned again, never breaking the kiss.

Then his lips moved slowly on her neck, sucking and biting in her soft skin as she tried to close every little distance between their bodies, every part of hers in high alert, shivers running from her stomach to her burning core.

"You're so f*****g sexy when you're mad," he whispered huskily making her bit her bottom lip to contain another load moan for coming out. "When you curse too." This time she giggled shyly, both because of realizing she had really cursed and because she was a little ticklish there in the crook of her neck where his lips were resting like they belonged there.

"Let's say I'm really... persuasive," she said and he chuckled hearing her breathy-needy voice.

"I have conditions too, though," he whispered again, his hands resting on her hips that only made her more needy. "First, you'll come with me. And second, you'll sleep with me tonight too."

She stiffened, pulling away from his hold, looking away shyly. "I'll have to meet your parents?"

He chuckled, amused. "Of course. I'll introduce them their daughter-in-law." This time she hit him in his arm playfully and he started laughing even more at how embarrassed she was out of the sudden.

"At least I'll have someone to complain at how annoying you are," Liz answered, rolling her eyes before going to get her coat.

                                      ***

"Elizabeth?" Daniel drew her attention from the book she was reading, while he was driving to his hometown that was around two hours in car away from New York. They were only some minutes away now though, and the road had mostly been quiet for both of them.

"Huh?" She answered, after noticing his troubled expression.

"Thanks for being here with me," he whispered, giving her a small almost invincible smile before shifting his attention to the road again.

She gave him a small kiss in his cheek instead, which was enough of an answer.

He stopped the car in front of a beautiful, two-storey house with a small garden in front of it that she was sure when the spring would come, it'd be filled with different kind of flowers.

As they got out of the car, he held her hand, catching her by surprise but she only smiled a little and tightened his even more, out of nervousness.

"They'll adore you," he whispered and for a moment to Liz it felt like they were teenagers waiting for their parents' approval. It was kind of cute, though.

Daniel breathed heavily while wrapping his hand in the door handle, still not sure if that was the best idea. But Elizabeth nodded firmly with a reassuring smile in her face that took away all his doubts.

"Daniel?!" A man in his sixties said surprised when he saw his son at the door. Liz noticed he had the same eyes as Daniel.

"Dad," Daniel whispered, not really knowing how to deal with all this. He'd rarely visit his parents, and especially not on Christmas.

A sound coming from the stairs draw their attention whatsoever, as a dark haired woman in her mid-fifties who looked a lot like Daniel appeared in front of them, her eyes blurred in tears. "Daniel," she shouted emotional running to her son and wrapping her arms around his as some other tears made the way down her face. "You came."

"Mom, don't cry, it's just me," he mumbled, getting emotional himself. His mother took her time hugging him before finally letting him go from her arms, as his father did the same after her.

"I never thought you'd come today. I'm so happy you're here. Happy birthday son," she said emotionally, running her hands through his hair and his face like he was a little boy, getting Elizabeth emotional too.

She was staying behind all the time, observing the warm reunion.

"Who is this beautiful young lady with you, Daniel?" His dad asked as Liz gave them a small awkward smile, as all the attention were at her now.

Daniel approached her and held her hand, pulling her closer to his parents. "I'd wish for you to meet Elizabeth. She's my..." but he stopped. She was his what? They both didn't know.

"...friend," Elizabeth ended it after hearing the hesitation in his voice, however, his parents didn't look convinced at all.

"She's the reason I came here today," he added, and that was enough for his parents to realize she was far away from a friend for their son.

"It's really nice to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Ambrose," Liz said while brushing her hair behind her ear nervously. "And Merry Christmas," she added, but instead of a handshake, they both pulled her for a hug, catching her completely by surprise.

"Merry Christmas dear. And is Charlotte and Peter for you," Charlotte smiled warmly at her, even though Elizabeth could distinguish a sadness deep in her eyes. "Thank you for bringing Daniel here today, it's not usual for him to... come in this time of year, you know."

Liz shook her head. "You don't have to thank me at all."

Just like that, they sat down in the living room and started talking about different things. That was enough for Elizabeth to realize how much they had needed their son today and how much of a good decision it was to convince Daniel to come here. Even after losing their precious daughter, they were still the sweetest parents there could be, something Elizabeth had never found in her parents. It only made her realize nobody could have everything they'd wish for.

"I'm guessing my son really likes you, considering he's smiling even today. You've brought him happiness," Charlotte pointed out when she was alone with Elizabeth in her kitchen, preparing lunch and a cake for Daniel's birthday. Liz froze, not knowing how to respond. She wasn't even sure herself. "You two aren't still officially together, right?" She asked this time and Liz instinctively nodded. "Are you one of his students?"

The empty saucepan fell off Elizabeth's hand, causing a disturbing noise in the kitchen. She muttered a "sorry," running her hands in her hair. How did his mother found out?

"Considering your young age, and the fact that you both didn't even know how to introduce you to us, I put two and two together," Charlotte answered Liz's question, even though she hadn't said it out loud.

"I-I... don't know how it happened. I transferred this year and we met one day before school and—"

"It's okay sweetheart, you don't have to explain yourself," she cut her off with a sweet smile on her face, leaving Liz even more speechless. How could she be okay with all this? "I have to admit, I wouldn't want my son to get fired and his reputation to be ruined but he's a grown up man, he can decide for himself with whom he wanna be with. And if he wants to be with you despite risking his everything it means you mean a lot to him. And I wouldn't want to ruin this for him, especially after watching the way he sees you."

Elizabeth smiled emotionally, overwhelmed by her words that echoed in head, getting her hopes up more than she'd hope for. Suddenly, she found herself giving Charlotte a hug as the woman chuckled with Liz's reaction, watching her that happy for her acceptance. She had no idea how much those words meant to Liz though.

After lunch, Daniel and his parents went at Emily's grave that was only some blocks away. Liz wanted to be besides Daniel, giving him her support, but she realized herself it was probably better for him to be only with his parents.

When they came back, they were all silent, his parents' eyes red from crying, Daniel's eyes holding a kind of pain so deep that she gasped looking at, trying to think of anything to make him feel even a slightly bit better.

It was time for them to go back in his place, it was getting late. Liz reached for her coat and her scarf, opening the door first, only to be welcomed by a breathtaking surface of whiteness.

"Daniel, it's snowing!" She shouted like a little kid, the huge grin in her face immediately lifting all the pain from his shoulder. She ran outside, getting some snow in the palm of her hand, its coldness giving her shivers but she still liked it, her smile reflecting in her eyes, something Daniel loved so much about her.

It had been years since she had seen and touched snow, considering winter was almost nonexistent in her hometown.

She threw a snowball at Daniel, catching him off guard as it hit directly in his face and they all started laughing, while Daniel started acting upset, but this only to hide the fact he was preparing a big snowball specifically to get his revenge.

Just like that they started playing around like little kids while Peter and Charlotte observed them, both smiling in silence. For the first time in ten years, their only son was feeling other things than pain and guilt in his birthday. And after all the pain they had gone through, seeing him happy was more than a miracle.