Luke
"What's got you smiling?" Calum asked.
"His girlfriend,"
"You bet," Sierra said, entering the room carrying lunch for the both of us, "Hey,"
She kissed me and shuffled close to me so our shoulders were touching, before passing me a panini and some orange juice.
"You look good," I said.
"Do I? I just had my hands in someone's guts for 3 hours,"
"Well that's a delightful way to put it," Ashton snorted.
"Ash, you always say you had your hands in someones brain,"
"Ash had his hands in someones brain?" Mike asked, wandering in, followed by Crystal who was Sierra's mate.
"Not today,"
"Do I smell gross?"
"No," I smiled, tucking Sierra's fallen out hair behind her ear.
She was a general surgeon, so basically extremely smart, hard working, and someone I definitely wanted in Gabi's life.
Being with her made me excited. It made me want to go on adventures, and do stupid dancing, or cuddle and watch as many movies as we could at once. It made me want to settle down and do all the little things in life, and experience all the big things with her too.
I'd been in relationships before, but this one was different. This time I was me, and she loved that version of me. I didn't have to change, I didn't hide things... gosh it was so perfect.
In the past, me having a teenage daughter had been a turn off for some people, or it had been a turn off for me because I didn't want them round her. But Sierra knew what she was getting into- we had met through mutual friends after all- and she was open to it.
"So, girlfriend huh?"
"Yeah,"
"Are you telling Gabi?"
Calum's question hung in the air for a moment, everyone looking in anticipation. I knew what they were thinking.
"This weekend, I will tell her, and then Sierra is going to come to a nice meal out with us. I know it will take a little warming up, but that's natural,"
Mike and Ash gave each other the side eye and then Ashton coughed awkwardly, nodding.
"What?"
"Nothing,"
"What is it?"
"We don't think Gabi will take it well," Michael said.
"I know... I know. But she has to get used to it because this is serious, and who wouldn't love Sierra?"
"Gabi,"
"Ash, don't be like that man,"
"Once she gets to know Sierra, she will adore her. But when has she ever been open to even the idea of you having a relationship? It scares the shit out of her!"
"What does she do?" Sierra asked.
"She'll probably be a bit of a bitch,"-
"Don't say that," I shot at Calum, "Don't talk about Gabi like that,"
"Sorry... she'll probably be cold, maybe throw some insults at you. But if you keep coming back she will stop, it's only because if Luke gets hurt she wouldn't forgive herself,"
"Oh bless her. Luke, if she's not ready I can wait,"
"She is ready, and I will not let her be rude to you,"
"I can take whatever she has to say, it'll be good to get it out," she laughed, "I promise I can take it. I was a teenage girl once too,"
"Do you guys really think she will be that upset?"
"Luke, if you think she will take this well you're living in some kind of dream world. I'm sorry," Ash shrugged, "But she will love Sierra once she gets past it all. I mean, she's a surgeon, she's smart, they both like similar things. Get them on a spa day,"
"Oh I would love that,"
"Okay, yeah, it will just take time,"
Sierra gave me a reassuring smile, so I nodded and smiled back, her head then resting on my shoulder.
Deep down I knew it wouldn't go well because as soon as Gabi heard 'girlfriend' she'd paint a whole picture in her mind and not even see Sierra. And I couldn't be mad, but if she stepped out of line I would tell her.
"If you guys need anything over the weekend then I can help," Calum said, his page going off, "I can take Gabi,"
"Thanks, Cal. We will be okay,"
Shortly after, Sierra's page went off, so we got back to work and went our separate ways. Today I was just in the lab, so it was a nice and quiet afternoon. I found it went quickly too.
Before anyone could stop me, I went to my office and got my bag, heading out to the car park. No one needed a ride today, so I got in my car and called Sierra, seeing if she'd pick up.
"Hello?"
"Are you free to talk?"
"I am,"
"You looked beautiful today,"
"Luke," she giggled, "Thank you. You looked pretty good yourself, but I prefer you in a suit,"
"We will go out again soon, promise. Did you have a good rest of the day?"
"I've still got an hour on shift but it's definitely been a blur. What plans do you have tonight?"
"Depends how awake Gabi is, perhaps a film,"
"I hope she's feeling okay. My page has just gone off again,"
"I'll talk to you later,"
"Okay. I love you,"
"I love you too," I said, grinning as I did, "Bye,"
I parked the car in our drive and went inside, finding Gabi on the sofa. When she saw me, she smiled and came over for a hug, then asked me the famous 'whats for tea?' question so I went upstairs to shower quickly.
Once changed, I got her to do some homework while I cooked, glad to see her awake after school. I found she worked quite well with my presence, just not my input as that frustrated her.
Plus, I enjoyed cooking in her company. We did have a cleaner for household chores, but cooking was something I would always do. I felt that nothing beat a home made meal, and she deserved it from me. Something I treasured most was that my mum cooked for us, especially on the hard days. She would cook and we could sit and talk while we ate.
"Is it ready?"
"It is,"
"Good, I am hungry,"
I dished up and put it on the table, getting water for us both.
"Are you taking the car tomorrow?"
"I think so. I will see if I can do anything with my friends after school,"
"Like get a drink somewhere?"
"Yeah,"
"That'll be nice, I can give you some money. Are you doing anything this weekend with them?"
"Maybe Maddox can come round,"
"Yeah. I want to spend Saturday afternoon with you, but the rest of the weekend if free for you,"
"Okay, maybe she could sleep Friday to Saturday, and go at lunch,"
"That's fine by me!"
"This tastes really good,"
"Thank you. Is there anything you'd like to do this evening?"
"Maybe we could watch a movie,"
"Sounds good. You can choose it, I don't mind."
"Again?"
"When do you not choose the film?"
"Okay, yeah... I am just the superior one of us two,"
"Watch your mouth," I teased, "Petunia might be listening!"
"Petunia agrees,"
"Whatever you say. Just make sure you pick a good one, otherwise you will fall asleep,"