Love In Between
Chapter 40

Okay… my legs are shaking. Gabriel opens the door to the house where Gael’s parents live and what I assume is the house where they all gather for parties and special occasions. I’m so nervous that I barely notice that my boyfriend has grabbed my hand and is squeezing it tightly. -It’s going to be all right,” he says in my ear. – He says in my ear and I have to look up to smile at him.

“How does he always make me feel so good? Even at times like this, he reassures me.

-Go ahead,” Gabriel says, and there’s nothing left to do but get on with it.

The room is empty, but the laughter that seems to come from the garden lets us know that everyone is there. Without letting go of my hand Gael leads the way as I lose myself in every beautiful decorative detail of this rather modern house. My boyfriend had told me that his sister was an interior designer and that his father was an architect, although, well, this is also quite public information since he has said so in some notes he has given to the press.

She opens the sliding glass door and as we step out into the garden there are three children playing with a chocolate Labrador I’ve seen in one or two of her social media photos. I look at the two girls and the little guy who can’t be more than two years old and smile, as he has also named them somewhere.

-Come here, sweetheart. – He says and makes me come to the table where they are all sitting around. The woman with blonde hair looks at me smiling -You must be Serena? Nice to meet you, I’m Noemi, Gael’s mother! – She stands up and approaches me to greet me with two k****s.

-Nice to meet you, ma’am,” I say in the nicest way and then a rather young woman with black hair approaches me.

-A pleasure, I’m Natalia, Gael’s older sister,” she introduces herself and, like her mother, greets me.

-It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I say controlling my nervousness.

The only man at the table stands up and greets me politely, “Francisco, Gael’s father. A pleasure to have you here,” he introduces himself and I smile.

-I am Alejandra, Gabriel’s wife,” a rather young woman with black hair introduces herself and then greets me as well.

-Carlos, Natalia’s husband. He is the last to introduce himself and I try to memorise all their names quickly.

-Thank you all for receiving me so kindly,” I say softly and Gael is the one who now greets them one by one.

In the hugs he gives them I can see the love he feels for each one of them. It’s too beautiful that they are so close.

-Family, as I mentioned. This is my girlfriend Serena, and I’m really happy that she’s spending Christmas with us. – He says returning to my side and holding my hand tightly.

His mother smiles broadly and it seems she likes me…. -Why don’t you stay in your old room instead of going to your flat,” his mother asks and I think I’m going to have a stroke.

I hope she says no… I’ve really liked them a lot, but I can’t imagine staying over here and having them see me go into the room with Gael every night…

Mother, I really appreciate the offer, but Serena and I will also use these few days off to relax and pretend it’s a mini-vacation. – He explains.

His sister doesn’t seem to believe him, what Gael has said because she is practically, holding back laughter.

-All right son; don’t worry,” she says kindly, “at least stay for lunch and then go to your flat,” she asks him and this time Gael looks at me as if asking me if I want to.

-It’s fine with me,” I say smiling.

-Okay, then have a seat. Lunch will be ready in a moment,” she says, but first Gael practically pulls me by the hand and takes me to where his nephews and Jack, the Labrador I saw a moment ago, are.

He crouches down in front of them and I imitate him, “This beast you see here is my best friend. I try to take him to Madrid as much as I can, but there are times when I travel a lot and I leave him here,” he says caressing him and then his nephews, a bit angry because they haven’t been introduced, jump on him.

He laughs with them and then starts an endless tickle war. He looks like just another kid and it’s really the first time I’ve seen him like this. He looks so different when he is with his family.

After getting to know the children a little better, we walk to the table, but he makes us stop in a corner of the garden. -I’m sorry if you wanted to stay here, but I wouldn’t pass up the chance to be alone for a few days. – He says mischievously and I laugh.

-I was hoping you’d do exactly that. I don’t want to have to control myself for fear that your family will hear us at night,” I tell him sensually, and he pulls me against his body, wrapping his arms around my waist.

-It’s going to be an interesting night,” he comments and then k****s me uncensored.

I should die of embarrassment because his family sees us, but when he k****s me, I forget absolutely everything.