With a nod of agreement, my nan gestures toward the house, her invitation clear. “Please, let me show you around,” she says, her voice brimming with hospitality as she begins to lead the way.
We step behind her, anticipation building with each passing moment. As we follow her toward the house, I can’t help but feel a surge of gratitude for the warmth and acceptance radiating from my nan.
“Amara, my housemaid, has gone home for the evening. However, she has set up the guesthouse for you lot. I have also filled your fridge with food and any essentials you might need,” my nan announces as we follow her into the lobby.
I take a moment to glance around the familiar surroundings, noting the unchanged elegance of my nan’s home. The polished oak table commands attention in the center of the room, adorned with a delicate vase of lilies that fills the air with a subtle floral fragrance. Beyond it, the grand staircase stands tall and majestic, a testament to the timeless beauty of the house.
Nate offers thanks, his voice tinged with genuine appreciation, but he hesitates momentarily, struggling to recall my nan’s name.
“It’s Mavis. You don’t have to thank me, dear,” she reassures him with a warm smile.
“Wait, Amara still works here?” I can’t help but express my surprise, my voice tinged with astonishment. Memories flood my mind, recalling the image of the kind-hearted Greek lady who has been a fixture in my nan’s home for as long as I can remember.
“Yup. Almost thirty years now,” she confirms.
As we explore the various rooms of my nan’s house, I find comfort in the reassuring squeeze of Mike’s hand in mine.
Cain and Nate follow closely behind, their footsteps echoing softly against the polished floors as we move from one room to the next. Each space holds its unique charm with traces of my nan’s personality and warmth.
We enter the game room and a sense of nostalgia washes over me as I take in the familiar surroundings. The pool table sits in the center of the room, its surface adorned with dust from neglect.
“Anyone good at pool?” My nan’s voice breaks the silence, her eyes twinkling with anticipation as she surveys the group. Nate’s gaze locks onto mine, a mischievous glint dancing in his eyes as he gives me a smirk and a playful wink just before my nan’s attention entirely turns to us. I feel a rush of warmth flood my cheeks as I quickly avert my gaze, hoping to conceal my embarrassment.
Before I can respond, Nate takes the initiative, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he gestures towards me.
“Tessie is good at pool,” he declares, his tone laced with jest as he tries to tease me playfully.
I shoot him a quick scowl, my lips twitching with a hint of amusement despite my attempt to maintain a stern expression. Cain nudges his shoulder.
“He’s lying, Nan,” I interject.
My nan continues the tour of the house and we eventually arrive at the kitchen. The kitchen space is pristine and immaculate, almost as if it has not changed since I last visited. The walls are painted crisp and clean white, contrasting perfectly with the dark countertops. The real centerpiece of the kitchen is the massive island situated right in the middle, adorned with sleek stools.
I am greeted with the delightful aroma of roast chicken. “It smells like chicken in here. Have you been cooking?” I ask my nan.
“I thought you might be hungry, so I made you something to eat. It’s down at the guesthouse. All you have to do is warm it up.”
Admiring the family photos on the walls, Mike turns to my nan and says, “Oh, Mavis, you shouldn’t have.”
“No, really, it’s my pleasure,” she insists. “It’s nice having guests and the company. But I will say, it is my bedtime. I’m getting old and can’t stay up anymore. I will unlock the door each morning at six. You can come up whenever.”
We all leave the kitchen and go to the front door. We exit outside into the chilly night air.
“You can either take the car down to the guesthouse, or I have a golf buggy now,” Nan chuckles.
“A golf buggy?” I ask, surprised.
“My legs, dear,” she says, with a twinkle in her eye.
With a soft chuckle, I gently kiss my nan’s cheek. “Night, Nan. I will be up here tomorrow morning,” I say, my voice filled with affection and gratitude.
As I pull back, I notice the trio following suit. Each plant a tender kiss on my nan’s cheek before offering their own words of farewell. “It was lovely meeting you,” they chorus in unison, their voices carrying genuine warmth and appreciation for the hospitality they’ve received.
“Sleep well, dears. I’ll see you in the morning,” she says, her voice filled with maternal concern.
We climb into the car, the engine purring to life as we set off into the night. The gravel road stretches out before us, illuminated by the moon’s soft glow.
We approach the guesthouse and the drive seems to be no longer than two minutes, if even that. The guesthouse is in a tranquil, small forest with a natural and breathtaking view. As we get closer, the house comes into view, surrounded by tall trees that create a sense of seclusion. The lights are on, casting a warm glow that welcomes us. The guesthouse boasts a charming porch that wraps around the entire perimeter and invites us to take a moment to appreciate the natural beauty surrounding us. “Wow, this is truly beautiful,” Nate exclaims, mesmerized by the picturesque setting.
We quickly jump out of the Jeep and begin to gather our belongings.
With a gentle smile, Cain takes the bag from my hand and says, “I’ll take that. Go inside, princess, and get the dinner warmed up.” I hand him the bag, kiss him on the cheek, and make my way inside. The interior of the house hasn’t changed a bit. The dark, solid wood floors gleam in the warm light and the massive stone fireplace stands tall, emanating a sense of comfort and warmth. The familiar scent of the house fills my nostrils and I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia.
I scan my surroundings and my eyes land on the rich, dark red sofas inviting me in. The solid oak coffee table in front of me is sturdy and elegant with intricate carvings etched into its surface. The fresh flowers that Amara has thoughtfully placed around the house add a vibrant pop of color to the otherwise muted tones of the room. As I move towards the kitchen, I can’t help but appreciate the fully stocked shelves and neatly arranged pantry. My nan’s exceptional organizational skills are evident in every nook and cranny of the room. The fridge door is adorned with family photos and magnets. I look closer and can see a handwritten note from my nan that warmly welcomes me home.
I eagerly reach for the succulent chicken dish that Nan had prepared earlier and placed it inside the oven to warm it up. The aroma of the spices and herbs wafting from the dish fills the kitchen, making my mouth water. As I wait for the chicken to heat up, I hear the sound of the trio bringing in their luggage and chattering among themselves. I pause momentarily and lean on the kitchen counter, taking in the sounds of their chatter and the feeling of warmth and coziness surrounding me.
I catch a glimpse of Nate turning the corner and my heart races. He looks so handsome in his crisp, white t-shirt and his tattoos on display.
“You ok, baby?” he asks.
“Yeah. I’m just warming up the chicken,” I reply.
Nate walks towards me, places his warm hand on my cheek, and kisses me on the lips. I can’t help but feel grateful for having him in my life. I’m the luckiest girl to have the three of them.
We walk into the lounge area and I notice Mike struggling to light the fire. Cain is already seated on the sofa and I take a seat next to him. He warmly puts his arm around me and I feel comforted by his presence. “Your nan is lovely, by the way,” he says, breaking the silence. I smile, feeling grateful for the compliment. “Yeah, she is. It’s been ages since I’ve seen her. Unfortunately, she and my mom don’t get along very well.” Nate joins us, taking a seat beside me.
