Chase's POV

"I've been asking Diego to introduce you to me for so long, and now we've finally met!" Esmée exclaims, beaming.

Diego, help me! My plea is answered by a congested snore and I subconsciously run my hand through his hair, to help me relax. I can do this! Jesse met her and survived to tell the tale and they're really close now, so I can do this too!

I release a long breath and give her a small smile. "It's nice to meet you." I carefully lift Diego's head and slide out from under him, placing one of his many pillows underneath his head before pulling up his blanket and turning to face her.

Bryan's mom is laden with bags, which, judging from the outlines, are filled with groceries. I walk towards her slowly, almost like a frightened kitten. "I can help you carry these to the kitchen," I say quietly and Esmée grins and transfers some of the bags to me. Her fingers lightly brush against mine, causing me some discomfort, but I ignore it and head to the kitchen, with her trailing behind.

I put the groceries on the counter and I decline her offer to help me unpack them, so she sits on one of the bar stools around Diego's kitchen island, while I start to unpack the bags. The silence is almost deafening as I put the groceries in their rightful place.

Why isn't she saying anything? Is it because she already doesn't like me? Should I call Jesse and ask how he won her over? Oh my gosh! Do I have to show her a photo of Diego and I having sex? But none of those photos exist!

Since my first two positive sexual experiences, Diego and I have had a lot of fun in the bedroom. We have kissed, licked, sucked and bitten almost every part of each other's bodies.

However, I still haven't let him anywhere near my butt hole, though I'm finally ready. After we returned from our camping trip, which we would already have left for if he wasn't sick, I was going to tell him that I was ready to have sex with him. I have no doubt that he will make it as pleasurable for me as possible, and if I can't go through with it, I know that he'll stop and comfort me and won't pressure me at all.

To my horror, when I mentioned to Jesse and Shawn, a few weeks ago, that I was thinking about having anal sex with Diego, they asked if I did any research. When I told them no, they offered to tell me about what to expect, and despite my awkwardness, I agreed and used the opportunity to ask a few questions.

They also equipped me with what they called 'beginner sex toys', lots of lube, an enema kit and a douche. Although they showed me how to use the enema kit and the douche, they both told me that they aren't necessary, with a proper diet and showering beforehand.

I shake my head, remembering the advice I gave to Jesse when he was meeting Bryan's parents. I shouldn't try to impress her, but try to relax and show her how awesome I am.

"Diego fell asleep not long before you came. I ordered some cold medicine so I'll wake him to take it once it arrives," I mumble just loud enough for her to hear. My eyebrows knit together and I turn towards her. "I thought you were bringing soup!"

Esmée releases a light laugh. "I brought the ingredients and was going to make it here so it wouldn't have to be reheated."

"But you let me pack away all the groceries," I say with a pout.

Esmée smiles. "You really seemed like you needed the distraction, and I thought giving you a moment to help you get used to my unexpected presence might help." She gets up and walks towards me. "Do you know how to make chicken soup?" I shake my head and she continues. "Should I guide you through the process?'

A wide smile spreads across my face and my head bobs up and down. "Yes, please!" This way, if Diego is sick again, or even Jesse, I can cook for them. Usually I order soup but I think cooking it myself would be way better.

"Perfect! You'll start by cutting up the vegetables!" Esmée says, and she gets the vegetables which I just put away while I wash my hands. She also washes her hands and passes me the carrots. "How did you and Diego meet?"

I giggle before replying. "We met at the hospital. My brother's wife was in labour and I went to buy a snack from the vending machine. I had a panic attack and fainted but Diego caught me before I fell. After I woke up he brought a bag of treats from the vending machine!"

Esmée coos and gives me some more vegetables to cut. "That's sweet! Did you start dating right away?"

I shake my head. "Nope. We exchanged numbers..." I tell her all about meeting Diego and how we eventually started dating, while she continues asking questions and giving me instructions on how to make the soup. It's actually easier to talk to her while cooking because it gives me something else to focus on, and I don't feel like I'm under a microscope with her eyes boring into me.

"What's your favourite thing about Diego?" She asks, just as I add the pasta and put the lid on the pot.

"Everything!" I immediately respond, giggling and turning around. She releases a soft laugh, but I suspect she wants me to answer the question seriously. "Hmmm." My gaze drifts down to the floor. "I think if I had to pick one thing it would be his patience with me. I'm not a very easy boyfriend. I've had to overcome a lot of issues and still have more to overcome, but Diego has been very supportive and sweet, without coddling me."

As I was speaking, I lifted my head, so my gaze is now focused on hers. "He knows when to challenge me and when to let up. He seems to always know what I need even if I don't know what that is all of the time. His patience with me is why I trust him so much, why I'm so comfortable around him and why I love him with all my heart." By the time I'm finished talking I'm all smiles.

Esmée's smile seems to cover her entire face and I giggle because I can tell she's pleased with my answer. "And what's your least favourite thing about him?"

I frown, not sure that I would ever be able to think of something, and then a light bulb goes off. "He doesn't think that I'll take care of him or be there for him and I always have to remind him of that. Even today he didn't tell me that he was sick."

"Hmmm, that's because he isn't used to being taken care of, but I hope you reminded him that you will be there for him," she says, raising a perfectly plucked eyebrow.

"I smacked him with a pillow and scolded him," I mumble, returning my gaze to the floor.

Esmée bursts out laughing. "That's priceless! I would have loved to see that!" I giggle and peek at her. "I'm very happy he found you. He's always singing you praises but I was skeptical if it was one sided or not given how his last relationship went. I needed to meet you to be sure, and now that I have, I'm sure that you're just as enamoured."

"So you approve of me?" My voice comes out barely above a whisper.

"Oh sweet boy, it's not my place to say, but of course! How could I not! You're absolutely sweet and you clearly love Diego. That's alI I wanted for him, someone who loves him and will treat him well." She pauses and a hesitant look crosses her face. "Diego, Jesse and Bryan all told me that I definitely shouldn't-"

"You can hug me, just don't squeeze me too tightly," I reply before she finishes her question. Jesse mentioned that she was a hugger, so I'm almost certain she was going to ask about hugging me.

A wide smile lights up her face, and she inches closer but stops before she enters my personal space. "Are you sure?" Her tone is firm and I know that if I say no, she won't hold it against me.

I smile and nod. I really want to get back to a point where I don't feel uncomfortable at all with hugs, because I used to love them so much, and I still love them but now only from select people.

She is still wearing a hesitant look, so I take the lead and move closer, gingerly wrapping my arms around her and she very carefully returns my hug. The hug isn't entirely unpleasant and I'm actually glad that I decided to let her hug me, even if it's only for the huge, vibrant smile on her face when she releases me.

A noise from behind me draws my attention and I turn to see Diego.

"Why aren't you in bed!" I scold, rushing over to Diego, who is blowing his nose.

He tosses the tissue in garbage and washes his hands before turning to me with a goofy grin. "I'm hungry and the food smells good, so I came to see if it was ready. Oh hey Esmée!"

"It will be soon. I'll bring it when it's finished, so go back to bed," I say, trying to shoo him back to his room.

"You got it, doc," he teases, "but I'll shower first." He bends a little to whisper in my ear. "You can come join me if you'd like. There's a lock on my door."

"DiDi!" I exclaim, rapidly glancing around to see if Esmée somehow heard him. He laughs and kisses my cheek.

The doorbell rings and I leave him and Esmée to chat while I collect the cold medication and the additional groceries that I ordered.

When I return to the kitchen, neither of them are there. I check the soup, and realising it's finished, I turn off the stove. Then I put away the groceries before pouring some of the soup into a bowl.

"I don't want you getting sick, so I changed Diego's sheets, they're in the washing machine. If you're going to be sleeping in the same bed, you'll need to change them often and don't use the same blanket as Diego," she instructs once she returns a few minutes later, and I nod.

Her phone rings and she excuses herself to answer it while I take the soup to Diego's room, setting the tray with the food, water and medicine on Diego's portable laptop table.

The sound of a hair dryer is coming from the bathroom and I move towards it. Diego sneezes into a tissue and blows his nose, while struggling to keep the dryer upright in his other hand.

I turn off the dryer and take it from him. "Sit on the lid, I'll dry it." He washes his hands and smiles before complying with my instructions.

"Why didn't you wake me when Esmée came? Are you okay? Did you two get along? She said she really likes you!" Diego says, his voice sounding nasal as he twists around on the toilet lid to face me.

I kiss his forehead before replying. "You were sleeping and you need lots of rest. I like her too! She was really sweet and I think we'll get along. She asked a lot of questions about how we met and our relationship but nothing that I couldn't handle or didn't want to answer."

He hums a response and I start drying his hair. His eyes are closed, and his dimples are showing as a soft smile graces his face. "This is nice," he murmurs. His voice is barely audible over the sound of the dryer and his arms wrap around my waist.

"All done!" I exclaim a few minutes later and ruffle his hair. He tilts his head upwards and grins at me. I press a kiss to both of his cheeks and his lips before wriggling out of his arms to put away the dryer. Once I'm finished I giggle and hold out my arms to Diego. "Time to feed my big baby." He releases a chesty laugh and hurries towards me.

AAAHHHH they're only 9 more chapters (and a short epilogue) left until the end of this book!! I still have to edit the remaining chapters, but they're all written, and I'll be uploading them within the next two weeks (not sure which additional days, just whenever I'm finished editing). But OMG I'm so excited to mark my very first book complete!! I'll definitely miss my characters, but I think my excitement is winning at the moment! 

Thank you so much for reading this far! I truly appreciate it! ❤❤❤ If you enjoyed the chapter, don't forget to vote and/ or leave comments!