Listen to "High hopes" by Kodaline.

Robert's house is a large wooden cabin, two story, made fully of thick dark brown wood, a beautiful trimmed white porch and located on the suburbs of Tennessee.

Enos carried our bags to the room we are to stay in. I stood waiting patiently in the small living room. I wanted to sit down on the coach but a tapestry on the curtains at the far end of the room, arraying a large window, caught my attention.

I walked to it, pulling the fabric between my fingers and feeling the texture. Wind blows as fresh air penetrates the open window. Enos's father must've taken his time when designing this place. It was simple, but the effort made on the details of every corner stood out.

I shifted my gaze outside and a river bank at a distance comes to view. It's beautiful, glittering with clear crystal waters. The summer is approaching, soon the grass at the river front will turn brown, dead from the harsh weather but beautiful none the less.

A joy envelops me as I am unable to comprehend how we even got here so soon. When Enos suggested the travel, I thought it would be something to anticipate in the further future. But then he knocked on my door one day with plane tickets and an offer to get out of that town, fly out of california, away from the crowd, tension and problems. And now, we're here at this peaceful surreal place.

"What do you think about this place?" Enos came standing beside me, his chin on my shoulder and arms around my waist as we both gazed at the green fields further away from the cabin. "Are you impressed already? Did I just win your heart?"

I smiled while leaning into him, "It's perfect here. I can already picture us walking through the fields, having picnics, making memories. We're going to be so happy Enos."

He kissed my shoulder, "I still cannot believe you actually agreed to fly with me across the country to visit my dad and get away."

"You were there for me in some of my toughest moments, protecting me and now it's time to be here for you. And although we haven't known each other for long, I would do anything for you."

I meant that with all my heart. Ever since I was a teenager, Enos had protected me so many times against people who wanted to assault me. During days I expected to return home with injuries because some kids with no remorse beat me up, he was there to make sure that that did not happen.

"Have you seen him?" I asked.

"Not yet, the nurse told me Robert is chilling on the deck."

"That's nice, good for him. Are you ready?"

Enos exhaled, "It's been two years love, I've been ready two summers now. Am just not sure whether I can bare to see my father in his current physical state." I sensed the pain in his voice. "The man who left Orlando is not the same person I will be laying eyes on minutes from now. Rather a shadow of the strong person I used to know."

My eyes focused themselves on Enos and I's clasped hands. Hopelessly studying the tight grip. I was nervous about meeting his father. Any woman would. Is he going to want me for his son? Does it even matter as long as Enos wants me?

"You are excited though." I said.

He lightly laughed. "I miss the old man."

I ached into his body, knowing that the act will comfort Enos and myself, centering me with his stable heart beat while his thump swiped across my skin with the softest touch.

"We should go now." He said.

I followed behind him as we made our way to the kitchen. Enos took a deep breath before opening the back door. That feeling of nervousness only sky rockets as a brown haired man, sitted on a sunlounger, at the deck, reaches my view. A light duvet shielded Enos's father from the breeze. Beside Robert is an empty bird table, a parasol, and a beautiful scenery of the outdoors.

"You got more tattoos." Robert beamed at his son with a low but clear and strong voice, diamond blue eyes settled on the younger version of himself. I let my eyes settle on Mister White's appearance. He looked older than his age of sixty two, with only a quarter of his body unparalysed. And that included his head, neck, right shoulder and right arm. It's sure, Enos is an exact replica of his father.

"I only live once, why not make the most of it?" Enos chuckled while approaching his father for a hug. "They look cool right? Better than uncle Derrick."

They both embraced each other, though Robert did that with one arm. "Let's face it son, Derrick wins this one." The adoration in Robert's eyes as he held his son was heart felt. It made feel sad about my own mother who a week ago, told me to never visit her again.

"And yet, I never stop trying to outshine the bastard in everything." Enos pulled away.

"You haven't changed one bit. Still an arrogant idiot." Robert pointed at his son. "I'm glad to see that you're turning into an old man like me."

Enos chuckled humourously, "I'm happy to see you too dad."

Robert's gaze shifted towards me. "And who is that beautiful lady over there, Girlfriend is it?"

I shied away with a smile.

"You've left her in the dark boy. A lady should be introduced first hand to the parent, it's the way of the world. Haven't I taught you how to treat a woman?"

Enos turned red, scratching his neck nervously. "Dad, that's Elisabeth. We've been together for a while now."

Robert smiled fondly, "Well come over here Elisabeth and give me a hug."

As I hugged Mister White, I was still nervous, but It occured to me that it didn't really matter whether he likes me or not, because the look on Enos's face as I hugged his father made me giddy inside.

"Take a sit dear, on this desk chair." He offered. "Enos go beside her, let me take a good look at you both."

We obeyed.

"Son, you sure know how to pick em." He complimented. I couldn't hold it in anymore, I had to laugh. It sounded more like a giggle though.

Enos shifted on his seat, his cheeks red from embarrassment. "Dad stop it. You're making Elisabeth nervous."

His father continued, "It's good because then you didn't take after me in that department." It was meant to be a joke, but there was nothing funny about it. Enos's mother is a tough woman to deal with.

"A piece of advice from an old man who has seen it all." Robert offered.

"You ain't that old, Robert." Enos chipped in. "Don't frighten us."

"Take it or leave it." His father added.

"We'll take it." I responded. Enos gave me a knowing look and then mouthed, "Seriously?!"

I shrugged. What's the worst he could say?.

Robert began, his eyes fixed on us as he spoke with an unwavering calmness. "Give your heart to the person you are sure to still be crazy in love with twenty years from now. Because often you'd find that people are meant to be but never meant to last. It's best to avoid spending the rest of your life with someone you can not bare to even look at any longer."

I blinked, once, twice.

"Told you he'd scare us." Enos shakes his head.

"It's good advice." I thanked Robert. It truly is for he was right after all. I've witnessed too many divorces to appreciate his advice.

"Well dad, I and Betty recently started our relationship and taking things slow. Kindly save the advice for Matias who will marry sooner." That's his oldest brother. There is Matias and Jacob before him. Making a total of seven children for Katherine and Robert. Quite the extended family.

Robert shrugged intuitively, "What does Matias got to do with it, Enos? You and Elisabeth are already in love, obviously, I witness it from how you look at each other and it's barely been a couple of minutes. The advice suits you perfectly." Robert said, but he doesn't know the circumstances that brought me and his son together. I'm not in love with Enos, atleast not yet. We adore each other, that's why we look at one another in that way.

Enos stared at me upon his father's words. There was a wavery in the way he held the stare. As though he understood what was going through my mind. He looks way, "I'll get some drinks in the kitchen Dad. Don't flirt with my girlfriend," Enos joked.

I and Robert both laughed.

"This place is Wonderful." I praised.

"Thank you dear. It's nice to finally have more company in it." He smiled. Enos returned and handed me a beer. His father doesn't drink due to his medication.

"I appreciate the welcome here Sir."

"Please, call me Robert. And it was my pleasure to have you and my son inside my home. It means everything to me. Look at him!" Robert chuckled. "He is now a grown ass man with a gorgeous woman by his side. I couldn't be more proud."

"Dad! C'mon. Stop it." Enos was flushing. I flustered harder.

"All jokes aside, how are the kids? Do they talk about me? After everything that happened." He was expectant, hopeful.

"They are doing great dad. They send their regards and gifts. I have the presents inside stored for you. Everyone wished they could make it."

The bright smile on Robert's face was wide. "Are you kids good to your mother?"

I faced Enos.

"Believe me when I say that we've tried. You know how difficult and inconsiderate she can be."

"She's still your mother and you are to love her regardless."

Enos sighed. "We know."

"Good." Robert exclaimed. "Now tell me the truth, what brings you two here this time of the year aside from the approaching summer."

I stayed silent.

"I was missing my old man. Thought I'd surprise him."

True.

"And?" Robert questioned, eyes shifting between Enos and I as if he knew something was up.

Enos held my hand. "I and Elisabeth needed a break, things haven't been easy. It was starting to be unbearable."

Mister White gave us a pitiful stare. "That's life. You'll get used to it as time flies."

"We are exhausted, tired." Enos said what was on my mind. Life has a way of sucking people dry.

"I sensed that feeling since the moment I laid eyes on the both of you. I tell you what, this place is welcome for you to stay in for as long as you want. It was getting lonely anyways." Robert told us.

__________

That night, after a wonderful dinner with Robert and his nurse, Charles, who also happens to have a little girl named Tulipa, I and Enos went to our bedroom after that long day. We were already exhausted from the flight, and not to mention we didn't catch a break since we spent the rest of the day keeping Robert company. It was great though. Enos's father is a very nice man, and it's sad that all those horrible things happened to him and his family.

I am grateful that Enos brought us here. It's an interesting place, very peaceful, far from the noises. You can literally hear the wind blowing, grass swaying and the crickets moving outside as the moon shines above us.

"What are the plans for tomorrow?" I asked Enos as I laid my head on his chest. He was playing with my hair and embracing me.

"Dad has a check up schedule at the hospital. I want to accompany him and Charles to get progress on his condition. Talk with the doctors and see whether there is anything else he might need."

I traced his tattoos with my fingers. "And where do I fit in that plan?"

He kissed my temple, "Tulipa won't have anyone to fetch her from school by three, we'll be late to return and there is an approaching storm on this side of tennessee tomorrow. It's gonna be heavy."

I raised my eyes to stare at him. "And you need me to help pick up a four year old girl from nursery school so she won't feel lonely."

"Please_" Enos bribed me with a kiss on the nose.

"I'll do it."

"Yes!" He beamed. "Thank you love." I smiled with flustered cheeks. It feels nice when he calls me love. He does that often now and it might grow on me. If it hasn't grown on him already.

"Take care of yourselves and make sure to arrive early enough before the storm." I told him.

"Don't worry about that. We'll be alright."

Enos fell asleep minutes after, leaving me to observe him while he breathed. I adored his face with my fingers. His eyelids lightly flutter under my touch but he does not wake. I trail my fingers down his torso slowly, taking in the view of him sleeping calmly, his arms wrapped tightly around my body. I proceeded to run a finger over his jawline, smiling at how perfectly formed he truly is. Enos hummed in his sleep, satisfied, and drawing me closer. "Thank you." I whispered, aching into his firm warm body. "For loving me."

I'm not sure whether he heard me saying that.

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