"I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you." ~ Roy Croft

• • •

Once we're both done getting ready, we decide to make the most of the day by taking Nolan out with Tristan and Tatiana.

All three of them have been complaining that they don't get to play together anymore. That's mainly because Abel and I weren't exactly talking and that just made it awkward.

We've decided to make it up to them by taking them to this indoor activity centre about an hour away. It's filled with things like varying slides, ball pits, mazes and other little activities that children enjoy.

It's a place I used to go to when I was younger along with Marcel since we're only a year apart.

This thought reminds me that Marcel is leaving for university next year and although we argue a lot, I know for sure that I'll miss him so so much. We've practically done almost everything together for a long time so it'll be strange not having him around like usual.

I sigh internally and keep on directing Abel to the right place.

I sometimes forget that he hasn't lived here all his life like I have; he just fits in seamlessly. I think it's because of his charming and vibrant personality. You can't help but draw near to him no matter what. It's definitely one of the many things I love about him.

Wait. Love? Since when did like turn into love?

Surely it's too soon for that. Right?

I think about the way that Abel constantly makes me feel and start to consider the possibility that maybe I am in love with him. Maybe I have been for a while but never acknowledged it.

I glance at Abel from the corner of my eye but when he catches me, he grabs my hand and places a kiss on my knuckles before intertwining then together.

I'm falling hard and fast and it's confusing me so much.

What do I even do now? Do I tell him? What if he doesn't feel the same way?

I barely stop myself from groaning out loud and instead rub my hands over my face. This is just something else I'm going to have to figure out.

A few minutes later, we arrive at the centre and help the little ones out before guiding them towards the entrance.

"Keziah, what is this place?" Tatiana looks up at me curiously with her big brown eyes.

"It's an activity centre. I used to come here all the time when I was your age. You'll like it I promise." I respond.

Tatiana is obviously satisfied with my response and skips ahead to where Nolan and Tristan are talking to each other.

"Isn't it adorable how close all three of them are?" I look towards Abel with a soft smile on my face.

"Yeah it is. I wonder how it'll be when they get older you know? Especially with Tati being the only girl." Abel chuckles and wraps his arm around my waist before pulling me close.

"I think she'll be fine. It'll be like having two overprotective brothers. I wouldn't mind that for my child."

"How many kids do you want?"

I look up at him, surprised that he's asking me that question. But then again, from what I've seen he's amazing with children and has told me how he likes having a big family.

"Honestly? At least 4. If I have more then that then it's a blessing."

Abel whistles lowly, "That's a lot of responsibility. Luckily for you, I'll be there every step of the way. After all, I'm gonna be the one giving you those kids."

My heart flutters at the thought and my entire body fills with elation at the fact that Abel is thinking so far ahead. He's already including me in his future so maybe he does feel the same as I do.

I wrap my arm around his waist as well and lean my head against his shoulder while smiling at the sight in front of me.

Maybe later on down the road, it'll be Abel and I married with our own kids. Who knows what will happen.

We walk into the centre and pay the typical entry fee which allow all three of them to be stamped with a mark that shows they're allowed inside.

Before we set them free, we grab a table to put our stuff down and get them to remove their shoes leaving only their socks on. The maximum age for this place is 12 so I stopped playing here years ago. It was definitely one of my favourite places back in the day.
Especially when a friend would have a party here and you'd get food and free party bags full of meaningless toys and sweets. I didn't stress about anything back then but now exams and university choices are pushing at the forefront of my mind.

"What are you thinking about?" Abel asks as he takes a seat.

"Just how easy everything is when you're a kid. No worries at all." I sigh loudly and take the seat next to him.

Abel turns my chair so it's facing his direction and pulls it closer so that my legs are in between his.

He places his hands on my thighs and rubs them softly, "I understand, but you have me now. So whatever problem there is, I want to be the one you tell. We're in this together now."

Abel stares intently at me, his marble like eyes conveying truth behind those words.

"Together. I like that." I lean forward and quickly peck him on the lips, moving away before he has the chance to hold me tighter.

"I want more." He pouts and puckers his lips in an adorable manor making me giggle.

"No Abel, were surrounded by parents and children."

"So? Let them see that you're mine to kiss whenever I want."

I push his face away as he leans even closer to me making him whine in protest. I swear it's like having my own man child. Feed him and he's happy. Give him attention and he's even happier. I guess that also sounds smiliar to having a dog.

"You can have me all to yourself later." I say In response.

"Oh yeah? How about a repeat of this morning?" He said gruffly, his eyes held that glazed and hungry look that I've associated with him wanting to kiss me. Which is pretty often if I'm honest.

"Wasn't that enough for you?" I ask with a laugh.

"I don't think I could ever have enough. I crave everything about you Brown Eyes. You're irresistible and I'll never be satiated."

Although Abel still has that hungry look in his eyes, he sits back and takes his phone out as if what he just said means nothing.

I'm still in a daze at his extremely honest words and he definitely knows this if the smirk on his face is anything to go by.

This damn boy. Always leaving me speechless; I honestly think he does it on purpose.

I shake my head and look towards the play area to see if I can find Nolan, Tristan and Tatiana.

Not a minute later, I find them in the ball pit throwing the balls at one another in a playful manor. A smile breaks through my face when I see that they're all giggling and having fun together.

That is, until both Nolan and Tristan grab two handfuls of the plastic spheres and throw them at Tatiana at exactly the same time showing they planned it.

Before Tatiana can react, they've both run off giggling like lunatics leaving her on the verge of tears.

Looks like the boys are already causing problems earlier than I thought. It was bound to happen at some point I guess.

Tatiana starts running over to us as fast as her little legs can take her and I nudge Abel to get his attention.

"The boys ganged up on Tatiana so she's upset now."

"Wow already?" He asks voicing my previous thoughts.

Tatiana reaches us with her lips quivering and eyes full of unshed tears.

Abel immediately picks her up and cradles her to his chest, "What's wrong monkey?"

"They threw all their balls at me!" She yells while rubbing away her tears. "And then they ran away from me and that wasn't nice! Nolan is supposed to be my friend and Tristan is my brother and you shouldn't do that to people you like!"

Both Abel and I just nod through her rant and listen to what she has to say before having our own input.

"I agree Tati, that wasn't a nice thing to do." I look down into her wide brown eyes filled with so much innocence that my heart melts. I rub away a few of her tears and continue speaking, "But maybe they were just being playful in their own way but instead it looked like they were being mean. Sometimes- no most of of the time boys can be dumb-"

"Hey!" Abel yells.

I continue talking as if I didn't hear him

"-So you have to make them understand okay? I'll talk to Nolan later alright?"

Tatiana nods at me, clearly feeling a bit happier and jumps off Abel's lap to climb into mine, "I really like you Keziah. I hope you stay with Abel forever so I can be with you forever too."

I look up at Abel to find him already staring at me with a smile on his face that conveys so much tenderness that it makes me smile in return.

"How about we get you something to drink monkey? You can shove that in the boys' faces." Abel says with a smirk.

I roll my eyes and shake my head at him, "No Tatiana, don't listen to him. You shouldn't get revenge on people." I shoot Abel a stern look, "Kill them with kindness instead."

"I really don't think that's as effective Brown Eyes." He crosses his arms.

"Revenge isn't something you should be teaching a 6 year old Abel, honestly." I look down at Tatiana, "This is one of those dumb boy moments."

She giggles up at me while Abel glares playfully.

Before he can respond, an elderly couple walks up to us hand in hand.

In fact, they even look a little familiar to me...

"Aw you guys are adorable!" Says the woman. You're just like me and my husband when we were younger. I was obviously the more responsible one and he was always getting the kids into trouble!" She exclaims with a laugh.

Her husband looks affronted and responds, "That's were you're wrong." He says.

"No I'm not." She replies instantly.

They sound familiar as well.

"Freddie."

"Elise."

Those names. That tone of voice.

My eyes widen in shock when I realise it's the same couple I watched back in the café!

How crazy is that? It really is a small world.

Obviously, I can't tell them I know them because that would be weird, so instead I settle for a small smile, "It's nice to meet you both." I say interrupted their stare off.

"How long have you two been married? You look fairly young you know." Elise says with a confused look on her face.

Abel and I look at one another before bursting into laughter. Tatiana who's is slightly lost also joins in most likely because we are doing it.

"We're not married." I force out.

"She's my wonderfully amazing girlfriend though." Abel winks at me and I shake my head with a laugh.

"Then who's this little beauty?" Freddie leans down to Tatiana and pulls on one of her curls gently.

"I'm Tatiana!" She exclaims excitedly.

We all start laughing at her eagerness.

"She's my sister." Abel continues on.

Immediately, both Nolan and Tristan come running towards us looking slightly sweaty from all their fun.

"Oh there's more!" Elise says happily.

"This is Tristan, Tatianas twin." I ruffle his hair playfully. "And this is Nolan, my brother."

"Lovely to meet you both!" Says Elise.

"Mum says I shouldn't talk to strangers." Says Nolan as he steps a way from them.

Freddie bursts into laughter, "And you're mother is right young man. But I promise you we're friendly otherwise your sister here wouldn't be speaking to us."

Nolan contemplates this for a second, "I guess."

"Well we better get going now." Elise starts, "Time for our grandson to head home. It was nice to meet you all!"

They both turn around and start walking away. Freddie snakes his arm around Elise's waist and cheekily pats her bum earning a slap and scolding from Elise.

I giggle at their almost teenage like antics and look if Abel saw as well.

"That's what we'll be like when we're old and grey." He says almost wistfully.

"You think I'm actually gonna stick around with you that long?" I ask with a smirk.

"You think I'm actually gonna let you go?" He asks with the same look and tone of voice.

I roll my eyes and focus my attention back on the little kids in front of me who have already made up.

I like to think that Abel means every word he's saying but things change all the time. I don't want to get my hopes up for them to be suddenly squashed. And besides, we're still young.That's what I keep saying to myself anytime my thoughts wander to a future we might not ever have.

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