Peace and Love

Chapter eleven - Can we stay here?

Abby's POV:

After some time of debating, Luke wrote an answer to mister Donovan. The money is excellent, but it won't come that easy. There was something fishy. I don't think someone will agree to pay so much money to their newest employee compared to their oldest one. What I thought was this. They would pay my boyfriend that much for the first couple of months. Then they will cut his salary. The other thing is that he will get this salary every month, but there will be something wrong with his contract. I'm not the one who has to tell him what to do. Well, he has to be careful. I don't know why he would change his job. People in his current company treat him nicely. In his place, I would stay. That's the reason why I haven't switched my workplace. I like it and the people as well. Besides that, everything else is good. Luke cooked me dinner last night. For some reason, he was in a good mood. I like it when he smiles. My boyfriend needs to do this more often. Of course, dinner came with a late treat. There is a reason why we like being alone. I mean, with no kids. That is one of them, but still not the main one. Let's say that I prefer spending time only with my boyfriend. Luckily, he is not complaining at all. That's why I love him so much. He does everything I say. It's not like I don't do the same. After all, we are a team. I'm trying to help him with everything I can. Well, when he lets me do it. I will use the weekend to help him with the chores. We might go out with our friends, but I don't mind. None of us has plans. That's why we can fit this into our schedule. I mean, as long as something doesn't come up. Sarah and Sam might want us to hang out as well. We'll do it all at once. As I have said before, I love spending time with my boyfriend. I'll make sure that I have my daily dose of cuddles. I hope that we'll always be this happy.

It's Friday. I think I'm getting sick. Yesterday I didn't feel very well. I called Andrew and told him I would work from home today. It's nothing serious, but I prefer being at home. All I have is a headache. Also, I feel a bit cold. That's it for now. Hopefully, it won't get worse. Well, I have the weekend to recover. I want to be fresh for Monday. There is a presentation for our project that day. I want to be there. After all, I am part of this team. I will do everything possible to be there.

Currently, I am at home working. Luke left two hours ago. He made us breakfast. I wasn't hungry that much. That quickly changed. Now, I eat my leftovers from breakfast. It was a toasted sandwich with ham, cheese, and cucumbers. That thing is so good. I kept myself busy until lunchtime. Later, I might take a nap and continue in the afternoon. The work is not urgent, but I have nothing else to do here. That will be my occupation. Around 1 pm, I got up and went to search for food. Soon, the front door opened.

- Abby?

- Luke. What are you doing here?

- I came to see you. I don't have much time, but I stopped to buy you something. This is soup. I will make one when I come home later. Also, I bought you French fries with cheese. I know you like them.

- Thanks, but you didn't have to come here. I'm fine. Also, there is food in the fridge.

- Eat this while it's warm.

- I will, for sure.

- How are you feeling today?

- A bit better. Except for the headache and the coldness.

- You can turn the heat on at a higher temperature.

- It's not cold here. I am.

- I'm sorry. I'll try to come home earlier.

- You don't have to do it. I'll be fine. I won't go anywhere.

- It's better if you don't. Otherwise, you might get sick.

- I know. Hopefully, that won't happen.

- That depends on you.

- It does. You have to go to work.

- True, but I can stay for ten more minutes with you. - he said and kissed me

- I don't want you to get late.

- Relax. Everything is fine. People know where I am.

- Yeah, but still.

- Don't worry about me. Nothing will happen.

- If you say so.

- I think you need a nap after lunch. Let me take care of it.

- I was thinking about it as well. I need some sleep.

- Here you go, miss. I want you to eat all of it. Please.

- The soup is delicious.

- Mine will be better, but you have to wait. - he said, chuckling

- I have no problem with that.

- I'm glad to hear it.

- Go to work. I'll be fine.

- Since you don't want me here, I will go.

- I didn't mean that.

- But that's how it sounded to me.

- Luke, seriously?

- I love you. - he said and kissed the top of my head

- I love you too.

- Take care.

- I will. Thank you for my lunch.

- You're welcome. - he said and left

I ate everything as he told me. You could tell I was hungry. Later, I decided to take a mini nap. I will make an alarm for after an hour. I don't want to sleep too much. Otherwise, I won't sleep tonight.

I woke up after two hours. I didn't hear my alarm at all. Well, it was a good nap. I needed this. Now I have to work. I went to the kitchen with my blanket on top. I still feel cold. The house is hot enough. I made myself a coffee and continued with my work. As I was finishing a task, there was a knock on my door. I opened it and froze at my place.

- Mom? Dad?

- Hey, honey. Can we come in? We need to talk. - mom said

- You deserve me to say no, but yes. You can come in.

- Thank you.

- Sit in the kitchen.

- Are you ok? You don't look well.

- I'm cold. It's hot in the house, but I still can't warm myself.

- Yeah, it's a bit hot here.

- Can I know what you two are doing here? I mean, we haven't seen each other in years.

- Your mom will tell you. That was her idea.

- I'm glad to see you, dad.

- Whatever.

- I know many things happened, but we need a favor. - mom said

- What is going on?

- We have problems with the house.

- What kind of problems?

- It's slowly falling apart.

- That is not true. The workers are doing their jobs.

- We have a hole in the roof!

- What? How do you have a hole in the roof? - I asked

- We noticed that from the rain there was water on the walls. It was leaking from somewhere. It got to the first floor as well. Since we found this, we decided to check all the rooms. There is a water balloon on the ceiling of your room.

- What? My room.

- It's big. The workers made a hole to take all the water, but it might happen again. They found out the problem was from the roof. We have to change it. Also, to redo the rooms as well. Since we have this problem, we should fix the walls in every room. I don't know how much time it will take.

- Why didn't you tell me?

- That's why we are here, Abby. I need a favor.

- Anything.

- Can we stay here? It will be only until the house is done. If you want, we'll pay you the rent.

- Are you kidding me? I don't need your money. You won't pay anything, but the house is not mine. I'm sure Luke won't have any problem, but I should ask him.

- We can go to a hotel as well.

- What? No. You can stay here. Well, if my dad wants it.

- I already have said what I think.

- Dad, he won't do anything to you. Don't you think it's time to forget about the drama? He has changed.

- I'm glad you believe it because I don't.

- Dad, please. I won't let you stay there.

- You have to stay away from this.

- Then why did you come here?

- Because your mom made me. I didn't want to do it.

- Please, stay here.

- No. I have a house. - my dad said and left

- Abby, I'm sorry about this.

- It's ok.

- I will bring him back here.

- Ok, thank you.

After an hour, my mom and dad were back home. He was mad but didn't say anything. Maybe that is a sign. Finally, he and Luke will understand each other once and forever. I don't enjoy it when they fight. I don't even know why they keep doing it. Let's say they understand taking care differently. Dad and Luke do it for me, but not in the same way. That is the only difference.

- You can take the guest room.

- We need to talk with Luke. If he agrees, we'll move in. - mom said

- You didn't take anything?

- No.

- Abby?

- Luke? What are you doing here so early?

- I told you on lunch. I will come home earlier. Also, I bought some things.

- What do you have in the bag?

- Something you will like a lot.

- Is it chocolate cake?

- No. Sorry.

- Hey. - mom said

- Miss and mister Lee? What are you doing here?

- About that. Can we talk? Like now? - I asked

- Yes, sure.

Both of us walked into our bedroom. I made him sit and explained to him what was going on. I know he is still mad at my dad, but he has to ignore it. Mostly, I feel bad for my mom. Luke was sitting and listening. I know it's hard for him, but I can't leave them like that. We might have differences, but they are my parents. I still care about them.

- I know you don't like my dad, but I feel bad for my mom.

- They can stay.

- What? Are you sure?

- Yes, but as long as he doesn't comment on every move I make. Otherwise, he is out.

- I got it. Thank you so much. - I said and kissed him

- Let's go to the kitchen now.

- I'm going home. - dad said

- If you want to live in this crappy house of yours, feel free to go. - Luke said

- What did you say?

- You need help. Stop acting like a kid and accept it. I won't do anything to you. Also, all of us go to work. We won't see each other.

- Please, do it for me. I don't want to be alone. - mom said

- Fine, but only for a week.

- Dad, the house won't be ready for a week. - I said

- I don't care. I will go back there.

- Ok, if you say so.

I talked with my parents while Luke was making dinner. I offered to help him, but he said I needed a rest. I'm not that sick. I didn't want to argue with him. I left him to do whatever he wanted. Dad was barely paying attention. Mom didn't like it at all but didn't say anything. After an hour and a half, dinner was ready. Luke served it and sat down with us.

- The soup is delicious. - I said

- I told you mine would be better.

- I never doubted you.

- Luke, I didn't know you could cook that well. - mom said

- Well, I learned with time.

- Isn't this Abby's job? - dad asked

- Yes, on the days I let her.

- You don't let her cook?

- I do, but most of the time, I do it. I want her to rest and have more free time.

- Free time for what?

- For herself.

- I'm not in university anymore. I am allowed to do chores. - I said

- Yes, you are.

- I am impressed by your cooking skills. - mom said

- Do you want more?

- No, thank you. That was too much.

- I didn't even put the main meal.

- There is more food.

- Of course. I won't leave Abby starving. She eats a lot, but I'm glad she is healthy. Well, except for now.

- I am fine.

- You are sick.

- No, I'm not.

- Yes, you are. If you don't get better, you won't go to work on Monday.

- You can't tell me what to do.

- But your boss can. Please, don't make me call him.

- You won't do it.

- Watch me.

- Ok, fine.

- Cool. Eat now. I will put the main meal.

- What did you cook?

- You will see.

- Is he all the time like that? - dad asked

- Like what?

- Arguing with you.

- What? Dad, Luke is not arguing with me. He likes to mess around. We don't have arguments. It's rare, and it lasts only five minutes.

- Here you go, miss Lee.

- You made meatballs in white sauce! - I said

- Yes.

- Have I told you that I love you?

- Many times, but I like hearing it. - Luke said and kissed the top of my head

- You won the jackpot with this chef. - my mom said, chuckling

- I know. He is perfect.

The rest of the dinner was peaceful. Dad barely said something, and it was to me. I know he can't stand my boyfriend, but he has to do it. I won't let them go to a hotel. They can stay here as much as they want. After all, this is temporary. I mean, only until their house is fixed. Then they can go back there. Hopefully, he will find a way to talk with Luke.

We talked around 10 pm. Later, all of us went to bed. As usual, I was snuggling. That is one of my favorite things to do. Also, my boyfriend loves it.

- He can't stand me.

- I know, but I will change that.

- No, he will do it himself. This is a problem that we have to solve alone.

- Are you sure?

- Yes, I am.

- Ok, then. I wish you good luck.

- Thanks. I will need it.

- Look, they won't stay here for long.

- Relax. Your parents can stay here as much as they want. I don't mind. Now I have a chance to talk with your dad.

- I hope you can change his mind.

- Me too.

- I want to sleep, so goodnight and sweet dreams. I love you. - I said and kissed him

- I love you too.

I'm not happy that my parents' house is falling apart, but I'm glad they are here. I wish we could see each other under different circumstances. That is not how I expected things to go, but it's better than nothing. Dad still can't accept my boyfriend, but he has to do it. I'm not giving up on him, no matter what he says. I love him too much to let him go. After all, boys like him are rare. Maybe the time they spend together will help them. That is my wish. They can't keep fighting forever. I chose my boyfriend because my parents will always be with me even if they don't want that. Luke is irreplaceable. I hope that both of them will have a happy ending.