-59-The revealing.
"If someone is written for you, God will move both of your hearts, not just yours. So don't stress it!"[Christian]
....
After he stopped himself Riley asked the question she couldn't wait to find out.
"Why were you laughing?"
He placed a finger on his lips, mouthing the words 'keep quiet.' While dangling the phone in front of her face.
She understood his gesture. He was still on the phone with her mother. She lifts a brow and nodded at him.
"I am sorry, Mom. Riley was tickling me. So, I couldn't control myself."
Her shoulders visibly drop as she looks at him with questioning eyes. 'Me Tickling him! Oh, God! How can he lie so easily? Without even flinching.'
Embarrassed about how her mom will think about them she closed her eyes and hides her face in her hands.
Milly giggles "Oh. I understand Son. It's perfectly normal for couples to behave like that. Though I will be really happy if you could answer my one question."
"Yea Mom. I will attempt. You don't have to request me like this. You just have to ask. After all, we are family."
The word family brought an infinite amount of satisfaction to her heart. Milly smiled without even trying.
'She chose a gem. How considerate he is! And after how much I have insulted her and their relationship on the phone.' A feeling of guilt engulfed her and she exhaled. 'It's not a time to think about these things. I should just move forward and try to amend my mistakes. After all a sorry can never suffice her faults.
"Mom. Are you there?"
"Ah! Yeah. I am here son. And the thing that I wanted to ask is, when should I expect to see my grandchildren."
She teased.
He bit his lip as his heart started beating irregularly while his breathing gets a little heavy. His lower abdomen suddenly felt uncomfortable.
It took everything in him to control himself and not make love to her at the moment. As he took her in. Seeing her in a pair of black and white solid shorts with a drawstring closure. Her beautiful legs on display.
Feeling his stare, Riley turned around. Her beautiful messy hair framing her face perfectly.
Noticing the strange look in his eyes. She thought to herself.
'Am I imagining things? Or was it desire that I saw in his eyes?'
His hold upon the phone tightened and he swallowed.
"Soon. Mom."
His answer satisfied Milly. So she smiled. 'How much I want to see her babies before I die. And maybe I will be able to see them. How great it would be.'
"Great son. I am looking forward to it. And. Yeah, I remember Riley wanted to tell me about very important news. Can you please hand her the phone?"
"Yeah. Mom. I will. Good night."
"Good night dear."
Milly listened to their conversation as he handed her the phone. There was some bustling from the other side. As his footsteps sounded.
"Mom wants to talk to you, honey. About the important news, you wanted to tell her."
"Oh. Okay."
"I will set the table. Hope you will finish it before that."
His sudden calm behavior surprised her. Wasn't he angry with her in the morning? And now here he was behaving as nothing had happened between them. Like it was nothing.
"Okay."
"Riley. Are you there my dear daughter?"
She stopped thinking hearing her mother's voice and walked up to the small bed, sitting on it. The softness of it made her feel a little relaxed though the softness of the mattress was not more than the one she had in her parent's home it wasn't uncomfortable either. she took a deep breath and answered her mother.
"Oh yes, Mom. I am here."
"Hmm. You wanted to inform me about something extremely important. What is it?" She inquired, as she turned another page on the book she was reading before Riley had called her.
Riley turned her gaze towards the small table that was placed near her bed. Their photo was missing from its usual spot. Her brows furrowed but she decided to find it later. First, she needed to tell her about the good news. A smile graced her lips as she thought about their reaction. And she seemed to notice her mood seemed to swing like a pendulum throughout the day.
"Riley! I am waiting here."
"I know Mom. And trust me, the thing that I am going to tell you is going to make you so happy that you might be angry with me because I revealed it on phone."
"Ah! Stop it dear. You are exciting me! Just let it out!"
"Okay. Mumma, The important news is My Stuty pooh is alive." She replied and after saying that she felt a lot lighter than before. Getting a deep understanding of Aristotle, who once said the man is a social animal. Her insight turned broad as she realized letting out their emotions. Whether it was happiness or sadness.
Milly placed the book on her thighs which she was skimming through her fingers. Her eyes filling with confusion.
'Did I heard it right? Did she just say, Stuart?
No, what if you were imagining it! She will bask in the same hurt if you took his name in front of her. Don't do it, Milly!'
In her confused state of mind, she took a deep breath to calm her nerves.
"I think I misheard you, Riley, Can you just repeat what you said?"
"Mom. You heard me! He is alive My Stuty Pooh and Your Stuart are alive."
Riley expected her mother to scream at her in happiness or ask something. But she was met with silence. Intolerable silence.
"Mom. It's true. A man saved him and he lives with him now."
Milly's eyes turned from disbelief to misty.
'Stuart is alive. The man everyone buried in their past is alive.'
On the other side, she waited for her mother to react. She knew it was something unimaginable and she will need some time to respond to her. After all, she loved him like her son.
Milly was out of words. A few tears emerged from her eyes. Falling over the book. Damping its pages. And she realized she was crying when she looked down.
"You. I. He. Stu. Stuart? You mean he is! Not. Dea. Dead. You. You mean. He is alive." She stuttered.
Riley noticed the slight quivering in her mother's hoarse voice.
'She is crying.'
'Of course, she will!'
"Yes, Mom. Our Stuart is alive."
Wiping her tears off her face, Milly stood up. The book falling from her lap to the shiny polished floor.
Determination filled her eyes. As she spoke.
"I am coming to your house now. Please take me to him Ril-boo. I. I want to see him."
"But Mom. Don't you think it's late?"
"I don't care. I want to meet him now."