Just a Simple Love Story by Kimberley Nunes (best historical fiction books of all time TXT) 📖

mother entered with a scowl on her beautiful face while carrying the last two dishes in. This expression changed in a split second though, right after she put down the food and sat across my father. Her eyes brightened up and the corners of her lips lifted. Dad and I couldn't hold back our laughter and Sebastian eventually joined in. Mom sat there not quite understanding what was going on.

"What's wrong?" she asked worriedly.

"Nothing, nothing" my father appeased, trying to pull himself together. "Let's eat!"

Dinner went by peacefully. Both my parents got along well with Sebastian and vice versa. Of course, my mom decided on getting out old photo albums showing my boyfriend embarrassing shots from my childhood. Only now did I understand how the young Benz felt when his mother had done the same thing.

"When's Kane reaching?" I finally asked, trying to distract the three from the photos of my really agonizing puberty.

"He said he would arrive by eight tomorrow morning" dad informed me while my dear mother and boyfriend were engrossed in my old memoirs.

Kane Noakes is my four-year younger brother who decided on visiting a technical university abroad. The only way he was able to afford to stay in a foreign country was through a scholarship.

"He wants us to meet his new girlfriend" mom looked up from the album.

"New?" I arched a brow. "Isn't it still Kia?"

"Not anymore" my mother shook her head.

I sighed: "Can't blame him, though. She was quite arrogant."

"Well, it's his own fault for going out with such a person" mother exasperatedly exclaimed.

"Well, my brother has some history concerning girls" I explained to Sebastian.

"Let's see what he reeled in this time" mom sighed.

"What's the plan for tomorrow, anyways?" I changed the subject.

"Stefan and I are going to drive to the airport first thing in the morning. I think I'll need to do some grocery shopping, too" she said after giving it a thought.

"I'll accompany you shopping, mom" I offered. "Sebastian, dad, Kane and Ms. new girlfriend can start decorating the Christmas tree and put up the other buntings."

I checked with the two males who only nodded and smiled. It had turned ten-thirty when the Benz involuntarily yawned.

"You two must be tired" my father assumed.

"Why don't we retire for today?"None of us objected.I switched off my room light after Sebastian turned on my bedside lamp and jumped into our bed.

"So?" I finally asked.

"So what?" my boyfriend mumbled while pulling me towards him.

"Oh, c'mon. You know what I mean" I was getting impatient.

"You know," he started, burying his face in my nape, "you really are an elementary school kid, sometimes."

I rolled my eyes, turning around to face him: "That's not what I want to hear."

His eyes shut slowly, but that shameless smirk did not leave his beautiful face.

"I like your parents, shorty" he teased me. "Your mom and dad are great. Both of them are so warm-hearted and open. Just one glance is enough to see how much they love you."

I pecked his lips lightly smiling: "Thank you, Sebastian."

"What for?" he asked.

"For everything. You went along with all the stuff and-"

"Shut up" I was cut off by his kiss.

"No, I really mean it" I continued when our lips parted. "I'm sorry. After all, I do know how important it is for you to spend these special occasions with your family and-"

"Didn't I tell you to shut up?" he sighed opening his deep and overwhelming eyes. "You are right, my family is important. But there's something or rather someone else who means the world to me."

I tried averting my eyes, but he gruffly gripped my chin forcing me to look into his blue orbs.

"Let me make this clear to you: I love you. What is important to you, is important to me. I can only imagine how much you missed your parents and brother, even your hometown. There is no reason for you to thank me or apologize, you get that? I love you and want to see you happy. Get that through your thick skull, Doc."

My eyes had grown wide by every word Sebastian had said.

"Don't look at me like that, shorty" he smiled.

"I'm... I'm" I stuttered. "I don't know, what to say."

He caressed my cheek: "What about telling me you love me, too?"

I snaked my arms around his neck, pulling his face close to mine: "I love you, Sebastian. I really love you."

With this I gently pressed my lips onto his, while a lone tear trickled down my face.

 

-DING DONG- the doorbell rang. I walked out of the kitchen wearing an apron, as I was getting the breakfast ready.

-DING DONG- it rang again.

"Gosh, I'm coming" I shouted through the hallway leading to the main entrance.

Upon opening the door, my dear brother, grinning widely spread his long arms, ready to crush me. My mentor and friend Gin reminded me so much of Kane!

"Did you shrink even more, short stuff?" he greeted me as usual.

"That's how you greet you older sister?" I playfully asked while hugging him tightly.

I guess, he did grow.

"Now that you mention old, you have become and old hag" he laughed.

I pinched his cheek forcefully: "Shut up!"

Sebastian stood behind me observing our word exchange amused.

"Kane, this is Sebastian Benz" I introduced, still standing at the doorstep. "And this, Sebastian, is my good-for-nothing brother, Kane."

The Benz approached us extending his hand towards my brother: "Nice to meet you, Kane."

"Same here, man. So you two are..." he waved his hand between Sebastian and me.

My beloved boyfriend smirked and waited for Kane to finish his sentence, enjoying my brother's lack of words.

"Yes, we are" he finally redeemed Kane from his awkwardness, making him grin goofily.

"Good catch, sis" he tackily let me know. "Let me introduce you guys to my girl! This is Tessa, the love of my life."

"Kane!" she reprimanded, slapping his arm playfully.

"What? I'm just stating the facts here" my brother defended himself, rubbing the very spot she had hit.

"Hi, Tessa" I smiled towards her. "Don't mind that idiot. Come in."

"Thank you" she followed the invitation.

I shook my head: "He didn't even introduce us properly. Let me take over, then. I'm that moron's sister, Kaitlynn and this is Sebastian, my boyfriend."

"Hi!" she shook both our hands. "Kane told me so much about you! I'm so excited to spend Christmas with all of you."

I chuckled. She surely is a nice girl.

"Kane and Sebastian?" I called both of them. "Get the luggage from the car and bring it up. Mom and dad, wash your hands and sit down for breakfast. And Tessa, would you want to freshen up before having breakfast?"

"Um, would it be okay, if I used your wash room?" my brother's girlfriend timidly asked.

"Sure" I nodded.

My father laughed out loud: "Just returned and already taking over the house."

"Wasn't she always a little dwarf ordering everyone around?" brother remarked.

I punched him in the side: "Move it. You too, Sebastian!"

"Man, I'm sorry she is such a mean shorty" Kane whispered to the Benz.

He on the other hand simply smirked and replied: "Don't worry, she's not always like this."

Both of them chuckled and went to get the luggage.Ten minutes later everyone settled in their seats and enjoyed the breakfast.

 

"That's way too much, mom!" I tried stopping my mother from buying the entire supermarket.

As I had suggested yesterday, the three men and Tessa had stayed at home, planning on decorating the Christmas tree.

"But are you sure it's going to be enough?" mom skeptically asked.

I pulled the third pineapple from her hand and put it back: "Trust me, it's more than enough."

Somehow I was able to usher her out with four shopping bags. The supermarket was about five minutes away from our house, so mom had insisted on walking. I had bought both of us a Popsicle for the way and so we decided to stop by a small playground. We each sat on a vacant swing.

"These Popsicles haven't changed" my mother stated happily.

"Mmmh" I was too busy licking mine.

"I'm happy, Kaite" she gazed at the blue sky. "I am really happy for you."

"What's wrong, mom?" I asked concerned, noticing a note of sadness swinging by.

"Neither Stefan nor I imagined to see you this happy again. To see your genuine smile again around a man."

I stopped sucking on my Popsicle, sensing where this was going.

"Sebastian is a good person and he is able to make you happy. I can see how much he adores, respects and loves you. Every parent wishes for someone like him to stand by their child's side. Especially, after what you have gone through."

"Mom" I murmured starring at the sand under my feet.

"We were never able to take away that pain of losing someone from you, Kaite. But Sebastian has, hasn't he?"

I couldn't respond, but kept on looking at every grain of sand.

"I'm sure he wouldn't have wanted it any other way, but for you to be happy. After all, Kiran was such a person."

It remained silent for a while.

"You should visit his grave" my mother said, smiling sadly. "He surely misses you."

"I will" I inhaled deeply.

"Are you planning on taking Sebastian, too?" my mother inquired.

I took a while to answer: "Yes."

"Then we should head back now."

We walked home, while my mother kept on talking the entire time. I could feel a tight knot in my chest.

Kiran...

I'm not Leaving Your Side

One day before Christmas Eve I finally came to the conclusion that the time had come. Sebastian had the right to learn about my past and what I had done.

After breakfast I requested: "Sebastian? Would you accompany me today? I want you to meet someone."

He rose a brow questioningly: "Sure. Who are we going to meet?"

"You'll see" was all I answered before we both dressed up and left the house.

Thick and dark clouds covered the sky completely on this day. The temperature had quickly fallen to around 40°F. My boyfriend followed me silently as we walked to the closest bus stop.

"The bus?" he asked.

I nodded in reply before getting on the vehicle.

"The fourth stop is ours" I informed him while gazing out the window, trying to avoid his eyes.

"Kaity?" my boyfriend addressed me noticing my quiet demeanor. "What's going on? You've been on edge for a while now."

"Don't worry" I simply shook my head.

The Benz held my hand concerned, but decided on not questioning me any further. After a twenty-minute drive our bus stop arrived.

"Where are we?" my companion wondered.

We got off the bus and stood in front of a high stonewall covered by moose every now and then. Tall trees jutted out from behind the wall.

"Is this-?" before Sebastian could ask any further I pulled his hand, signaling him to follow me.

We walked for a bit before stopping in front of a massive black iron gate. A lone raven ominously crowed nearby. I pushed the wrought iron gate slightly making it creak heavily. Before us lay endless rows of inscribed gravestones. Some were decorated with fresh flowers, while others weren't being maintained. I determinedly headed for a marble gravestone at the very end of the cemetery, Sebastian following my every step wordlessly. I finally halted at the engraved inscription on the rich stone which read:

 

Kiran Hall

Deep in our hearts your memory is kept, To love and to cherish and never forget

 

"Sebastian?" I finally spoke after a