Learning to Walk

- It's not funny, Ethan, there are employees in the house...including me. - My face

my face flushed.

- You're not my employee! - he said, pulling me back into his arms. - You're my girlfriend. And you can moan as loud as you want, because I love it. - He kissed me softly.

- Actually, I'm definitely your employee, because by now

I must have been fired by now.

**

- Goodness! Am I really going to have to guess? You know you can't hide anything from me! Did you sleep with him, girl? - Vivian shouted from the other end of the line.

- I think we already know the answer. - I heard Alice on the other end of the line.

- Girls, calm down, I'm going to tell you, okay? Just calm down. I, well... we ended up sleeping.

- Ahh! I knew it!

I had to hold the phone away from my ear because of her scream.

- Did you cum?

- How's ....

- Shhhh! I cut them off, because they were throwing too many questions at me at once.

- Well, it was wonderful, he is so gentle... and yes, he made me....

I looked over and saw Colle coming out of the bathroom in just a towel, his body still damp, little drops of water running down his skin.

- Let's go! I missed an answer," Vivian's voice snapped me out of my trance.

- Yes," I said quietly, "he is well-endowed. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go. - I pressed the button and didn't even wait for them to say goodbye.

Ethan stopped in front of me and pulled me in. - I have something for you.

He picked up a rectangular box from the dresser and put it in my hand.

- What's this?

- Something that should have been yours a long time ago.

I carefully opened the small box containing a simple toothbrush and a key.

- What is it? What is it? - It took me a while to assimilate. - Oh!

- I don't think it's too soon. - He smiled at me. - But you can choose whatever you want, I really want to have you here with me.

It had to be a dream. What I've always wanted, the person I've always wanted. He is mine, he wants me, he wants us with him. It's all so perfect that it seems like a dream. And I don't want it to end. But I know how well families are until it gets bigger, or until one gets tired of the other. And then it all ends in a disastrous divorce, with one of the two with his heart in pieces and a child who has nothing to do with it growing up helpless, with great chances of failure in the future.

- I... I... I don't know," I answered finally.

I watched his gaze, which became blank.

- I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I shouldn't be this quick...

- No! Colle, I want to... it's just... it's going so fast... I don't know.

It wasn't a lie, God knows I wanted that moment. But not like this. What are the chances that a relationship that has barely begun will take off? He has lived his life before me with beautiful women who could give him the life he deserves. What do I have to offer? Nothing but a four-year-old boy who would be devastated if one day I didn't see him again. What if he wasn't able to handle me and Nicholas? I couldn't blame him, it wasn't something he was skilled at.

- All right, I understand.

He took the box from my hand and put it back in the drawer.

- I'm sorry. - I knitted my eyebrows in disapproval. - I wish I could... just give me more time.

Colle smiled. He masked it, but I know he was hurt.

Later that day, I was walking back to the cottage after picking Nicholas up from school, when I watched Ben load the SUV with suitcases. Then Colle got out, wearing a probably custom-made Armani suit and a loafer. He looked at me and smiled.

- Hey, baby.

- Hello!

He kissed me, surprising everyone, Maria, Ben and Nicholas.

- Where are you going? What's with the bags?

- Sorry, dear. A problem came up and I'll have to fly to New York.

It was as if I had been punched in the stomach. Was he leaving? Was he coming back? Was he going to be long? Oh, God! What if he never came back?

- Will you be long? - The disappointment was clearly in my voice.

- I don't know. I just need to sign some papers. It could take hours or days. Hey, I'm sorry, baby. - He ran his hand lovingly over my face. - I promise not to leave you alone again, this is the last time I travel there without you.

- No... - I cried. - You know people, can't you send someone in your place?

- I wish I could, baby, but that's not how it works. This is a transition of a large amount of money and it can only be done with my signature. You don't ask other people to do these things for you.

- But why didn't you call me? Why didn't you warn me? Is it because of earlier today?

- No! Baby, no! It's not about that, I really have to solve some problems at the company. And it happened so fast that I didn't have time to warn you.

- But you were leaving without saying goodbye. - I pouted, annoyed.

- No, Nicole, I was going to stop by. I wouldn't go without saying goodbye. Hey, I promise, baby, I won't stay there any longer than I have to. I'll try to resolve everything as quickly as possible. Believe me, I don't want to go either, but I have no choice, I need to be there. But I promise, I'll be back. - He ran his fingers through my hair, smelling it and kissing me gently on the forehead.

- Okay. Just don't be late.

I kissed him again.

- I'll miss you.

- I'll miss you too. - I smiled, sideways.

Nicholas, who was standing a little ways away, whizzed past me like a hurricane and jumped onto Ethan's lap.

- Hey, Nicholas! How about being the man of the house and taking care of your mom while I'm gone?

- Yes," he said.

- Yeah, boy! - Ethan shook out his hair.

They laughed and said goodbye.