Page 63 of Darkness

“Man Utd, still not winning?” I joke with him. Dad and I would spend the weekend watching the games together. It was our thing. But once I moved here, I stopped watching because all I did was cry and remember our time together.

“Not sure what the hell they are doing at the moment.” Dad looks over and smiles.

“Autumn, look at how nice the blanket looks. Do you think I could send this over to you?” Mum asks, and I look over at Cain.

“They can send you anything they want, one box, or five. Anything,” Cain tells me, and my mom smiles.

“I don’t know what winter is like there, but I hope you can use this. Is there anything you want? I can pop to the store quickly before he goes.” Mom gets a pen and paper and I shake my head as Cain walks over to the fridge.

“Cain, when is Lincoln coming back?” I ask, because there are a few things I would love from back home.

“He was leaving tonight, but he can come in the morning if your mom wants to go shopping.” He laughs, it must be something Lincoln has said to him. “I’m sure you’ll find something or someone to have fun with for one night.” I let them both get back to their conversation and I continue to talk to my parents.

“I can go once we are off the cell, tell me everything.” Mum asks, and I can’t stop smiling.

“We have a charity event to go to after, let me show you the dress Cain got me.” I quickly go to my bedroom, and grab the dress. “It’s stunning, Cain really knows what I like.” I hold up the dress for them to see, lifting it a little higher so mum can see the rose detail at the bottom.

“Oh honey, will you be able to send us a picture of you wearing it? I know it might not happen, but I would love a picture of you and Cain together.” I look up at Cain and he tells me he can send one to Lincoln.

“I will. You can even see Cain’s business from my apartment. Hold on, I'll show you.” I put the dress down on the couch, and pick up the laptop and walk to the window. “As always, the line is around the corner.” I show them, and I can’t stop smiling, as I look over at Cain.

The man is ready to give me everything, but there was only one thing I wanted, and he’s given it to me. The chance to talk to my parents face to face.

Walking back over to the kitchen counter and placing the laptop as I sit down. “So, tell me everything. I want to know what everyone is doing.”

“Oh, where to start?” My dad jokes, and my smile gets bigger when Cain places a cup of tea in front of me. But the question is, did he make it the way I like it?

“Anywhere, I want to know it all.”

I lean back and listen to the stories my dad and mum tell me. I still can’t get over the fact I’m talking to them without having to look at a watch. Over three minutes, and it’s not bullet points, it’s long stories, and it’s seeing them laughing.

I wipe the tears away, because I’ve been laughing so much from the stories they’ve told me. God I wish I could do this every week.

Cain leans on the counter next to me. “Sorry, five more minutes,” he whispers, and my smile goes as I look at my parents.

“Sweetpea, we’ve had an hour, and we got to see you. After years we got to see you. I’m happy. Cain?” My dad questions, and I look up at him, wondering what he will do. Is he going to show himself or stay standing while he talks to them?

He pulls a stool next to me. “Mr. and Mrs. White, so nice to meet you.” Cain places his hand on my lower back and pulls me closer to him.

“Thank you,” my parents say in sync.

“Anything to make her happy. Lincoln will leave midday tomorrow, whatever you want to send her, give to him. I’m going to say tea will be on the top of the list.” His comment makes both my parents laugh, agreeing with him.

“She drinks a lot of tea.” My mum jokes.

“I promise I will get another video call in. Once Lincoln is back, I will talk to him about a few things. I wasn’t sure if you’d be open to the idea of me putting in a security system in your house the first time you met him-”

“If it means we can talk to Autumn-Rose more, you can do whatever you want.” Dad quickly answers, and Cain looks at me.

“Lincoln you there?” Cain asks.

“Yes.”

“The internet they have, the security, can you put my system in there before you get back?” Cain types on his cell at the same time, and I can one hundred percent say it’s a conversation with Lincoln he doesn't want my parents to hear.

“I’ve already got the laptop secure, I’ll work on the system tonight. Send over the information once you have it set. Time?” Lincoln asks, my parents watching Lincoln then looking at the screen at Cain.

Cain looks at me. “Will you be happy with an hour every two weeks? For now.”

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