Page 81 of Until I Have You

Abigail and I are awkward around each other when it comes to Bonnie’s presence.We don’t want to be caught in a position that will make her uncomfortable or lead her to saying something that could be misconstrued at a family dinner.

“You didn’t have to get her anything,” I say softly.

“Why wouldn’t I?”Abigail asks with a small shrug.She approaches me and nudges me in the chest with a knuckle.“Got you something too, but you’ll have to wait until you’re back to see it.”

“Oh?”

Abigail grabs the collar of her sweater and pulls down to reveal a lacy strap of something.

I pull the fabric back up with haste.“Blimey, you’re a naughty girl.”

She bites down on her lower lip.“Am I?”

“You’re impossible.”

“Youloveit.”

I do.I love more than that.Love every bit about her.Won’t say that, though.“I’ve got something for you too.”

“Now,youshouldn’t have–”

“Nonsense.”I gesture toward the living room.“Don’t want to keep her waiting now, do we?”

Abigail glances toward the open door, then back to me, eyes falling to my lips.“I want to kiss you so bad right now.”

“The feeling is very much mutual.Now, go.”

Abigail laughs before sauntering into the living room.

We both watch Bonnie unwrap her gift, which is entirely puffin themed, thanks to Abigail’s upcoming research position in Ireland next year.Books on the subject, a stuffed animal, a T-shirt.

Bonnie cradles the stuffed puffin in her arms, pressing her face to it.“I want to hold a real one.”

“Maybe you can visit me when I’m in Ireland, and we’ll see what we can do.”

Bonnie’s face alights.“Can we visit?”

“Of course!”Abigail exclaims, but her excitement abates.“I mean… You know, that’d be up to your father.”

I brush some of Bonnie’s hair off of her face.“We’ll see, love.”

Everything lately is “we’ll see” with Abigail and me.

We have time.Lots of it.To enjoy.And yet, it doesn’t feel like nearly enough.Because having her away from the light of day is becoming impossible.

“Now, Bon, why don’t you pick out a movie, and Abigail and I will go make some popcorn and talk, hm?”

Bonnie agrees, curling into a corner of the sofa and grabbing the remote control.

Abigail and I retreat into the kitchen where the gift I got for her sits wrapped and sparkling on the table.

“Theo, you really shouldn’t have,” she says with an admonishing look in her eye.

“I’m afraid I could not resist.”

I watch her as she picks up the rectangular package.She is careful as she unwraps it at first, but then throws caution to the wind and rips the paper off.“I’m too excited.”

“I hope you like it.”This could go poorly if I haven’t gauged our intimacy quite right.

---