💫GISELLE💫

FROM DANCING ON THE side of the highway, to stopping for fresh Georgia peaches, boiled peanuts at a rest stops, road trip sing offs, and competitive trivia, I would give our first trip a ten out of ten. Even though Angel had moments where he would get lost inside his head, probably thinking about whatever dream he constantly fussed about, I found it comforting to be in his company and learning more and more about him. The aches in my heart would subside every time he smiled or winked my way, or when he called me "baby". I was melting in the best way, falling deeper and deeper in love with him as each hour passed us by. I kept thinking, "This is it. We're really doing it. We're really in a relationship. I'm really on my way to meet his family".

Driving up the winding driveway, passing through a line of beautiful pine trees that stood tall and strong, it was colder than I was used to. I kept my window down, inhaling the fresh scents of nature. Once we were about one hundred meters down the driveway, the remainder of the path was lit with beautiful lights. Snowflakes lit in colors of red, white, green, and blue, dangling from the trees, captured my attention as we rode slow, both of our heads twisting and turning as we took in the festive décor. At the end of the driveway, the path opened up and ventured out to the left and right. A fountain sat directly in the center, pouring out flashing colors of water. His home was huge, stunning, everything I thought he wasn't accustomed to. I always had the impression that he was a small-town country boy who was raised in a small country home. Now this home definitely was Southern, country, and traditionally extravagant, but still, I didn't expect this.

"Wow." I whispered. "I didn't expect this at all."

"Thought I'd live on a farm?" He joked, getting out of the car and walking over to my side to let me out.

"I mean...yeah. You always talked of such a normal life. I just thought..."

"Don't let the size fool you. This house has been through generations of my father's family. I was raised with a normal childhood. No butlers or maids or drivers. Just my parents and their twins. Oh....and there's a farm out back. You'll get a chance to see that tomorrow" Angel laughed, then reached out for my hand. "Come on beautiful."

I placed my hand in his, being a bit dramatic, stepping out like Cinderella or some fairytale character, being escorted by her prince charming. Angel was the opposite of what they all had in common, but still, he was my prince. He was my loving, emotionally unstable, perfectly imperfect prince. And when I placed my hand into his, stepping out into the cold Georgia air, I felt like a princess. His princess.

"I'll come back for the bags. No one's home yet. My parents will be coming back into town in the morning."

"Okay." I responded softly, still slightly caught up in the moment.

Angel must've sensed my mood, because he pulled me into his chest, wrapping me tightly in his arms. For a moment, I swayed left to right with him, saying nothing. For a moment, I lay my head on his chest and sank into the sound of his beating heart. For a moment, as his chest rose and fell against my head, I prayed to have this forever. I prayed to have his love for the rest of my life. Because this spot, this feeling, this warmth was home. My home.

"You okay?"

"Yes." I sang softly. "I love you."

"I love you more." Angel rubbed my back as we stood frozen in each other's embrace. "It's cold out here. Come one."

Walking into his home, the smell of cinnamon and vanilla invaded my nostrils. High ceilings, large window panes, the most detailed woodwork, and decor to die for, had me mesmerized. Being inside his home made me understand this small-town country boy even more. I immediately felt warm and welcomed. I immediately felt invited into a world that not many women had the pleasure of experiencing. Angel took me from room to room, detailing bits and pieces of his childhood memories.

"I remember one Christmas, my mom and dad had just brought out dessert, a warm, loaded, peach-cobbler. Lina and I had taken down an entire pot of roast and had no room left for even a sip of water. But when that peach cobbler hit the table, we both buried ourselves in our share." Angel stopped and laughed. "I don't know how I was able to keep mine down, but Lina threw up all of Christmas day onto the table and floor."

"Oh my God!" I covered my mouth, holding in an embarrassingly loud cackle.

"It was terrible. I swear, that smell lingered for a whole year."

"Eww." I laughed.

Angel rolled his eyes playfully. Seemingly shaking off the tears welling in his eyes. "That's what I remember every time I come into this dining room." He let out a loud sigh, eyeing the wood trim and bluish green tinted walls. I watched him for a while, allowing him to sulk in that memory of his sister. And when I felt he would never come out of it, I placed my hand into his, squeezing gently to let him know I was here with him and for him.

"I can still feel her here. All around me." He whispered.

"Must be beautiful." I leaned over and rested my head on his arm.

"It is." Angel sniffed. "I miss her."

"She's with you, Angel. Everyday she walks with you, and she's embedded into you in more ways than you can imagine."

Angel stopped staring off into the memories resting in the air around us. He turned to me, saying nothing at all, yet everything. I looked back up at him, reassuring him as best I could, hoping he felt my love. Hoping he understood my silence.

"Want to see my room?" Angel grinned.

"Been waiting for that all day." I joked.

Without warning, he scooped me from my feet, spun me around, then ran towards the stairs. I squealed like a maniac, taken completely off guard by his sudden burst of energy. As he ran up the stairs, skipping a few step as he lunged up quickly, I squeezed my eyes shut, laughing to the sound of his happiness. Once at the top of the stairs, we turned left, where the wall was lined with childhood photos and portraits. I wasn't able to get a good look at any of them, because of how fast he was moving, but I made a mental note to double back and get a better glimpse.

"Here we are!" Angel put me down, opening up the door and turning on the light.

I remembered thinking, "if this isn't an exact replica of his apartment, I don't know what it is". It was partially decorated, a few pictures on the walls, neat and tidy, giving you only a glimpse of his personality. As my eyes scanned every corner, wall, piece of furniture, and photo, I had to remind myself to breathe. This was who he was before me. So black and white. So hidden. So blank. The boy in the darkest corner of the diner, hidden beneath clouds of regret and guilt.

"Are you done?" His grizzly voice invaded my ears.

"Hmm?"

"Analyzing me?"

"Angel." I laughed.

"Giselle." Raising his brows, he began backing deeper into the room until he crashed onto his bed. He watched me, waiting. I didn't move. "This will be the only time we'll get to fuck for the next two weeks." He joked, grabbing at his crouch.

"I doubt that."

"How much do you want to bet that my parents are going to set you up in a guest room?"

"Fifty dollars says I can sneak back in."

"Nope. Only room you can sneak in and out of is Lina's." He shrugged.

"Her room is still set up?" I frowned.

"Last I checked."

"Oh."

"Come here." Angel motioned for my presence, opening his arms to welcome me over, and I went without question.

Once I was in his arms, lying between his legs and on top of his body, I exhaled and closed my eyes. Relaxing in his arms had found itself in my top ten of things to do. One of my favorite places to end up at night or in the morning. He was so warm and comforting.

Angel caressed every inch of my body, massaging me where I was tense, rubbing his masculine hands across my soft skin. There were goosebumps surfacing on my back and arms, sending chills down my spine with every touch. When I peered up at him, locking my eyes with his, connecting my soul to his, I couldn't stop myself from kissing him. I placed my lips onto his, pressing into them gently. I'd always loved the softness of his full lips. The way his hands caressed my body, soothing my mind and relaxing every muscle that dared to tense up.

Not long after, there was a fire igniting inside my body and between my legs. Angel had me exactly where he wanted me, and I gave in without a fight. Between those four, full but blank walls, furnished yet empty room, we made love until both of our tired bodies collapsed. And as the hours passed us by, while we both lay quietly asleep, we remained wrapped in each other's arms.

IT HAD TO HAVE BEEN THREE or four in the morning. I tried, unsuccessfully, waking Angel, unsure where the nearest restroom was. After realizing he would never budge, I tried every door in his bedroom, before realizing there wasn't a bathroom in his room and ventured out into the hallway. Imagine being in such an unfamiliar setting, that also had no lighting and as dak as your worst nightmares. I had no idea where the light switches were, so I ran back for my phone, turning on the flashlight and walking slowly down the hall. The first door I came across was another bedroom. I flipped on the light switch. There were collages of photos and notes on every wall. The entire room looked like, what Angel would say, "Pink Panther threw up everywhere", and the character displayed in the décor was the exact opposite of Angel. I walked, slowly, to the center of the floor, turning in a circular motion as I analyzed every wall. This was Angelina. It had to be.

I walked over to some of the photo collages, where I found loads of photos of the two of them as children. An old laminated sticky note read, "A bond between souls is ancient.". I couldn't help but smile, seeing a young Angel skateboarding next to his sister, a teenage Angel cramming in a pile of books next to his sister, the two of them as toddlers, eating ice cream. These photos were so beautiful I could cry. And then...

"Angelina?" An older voice called out to me from the bedroom door.

I turned around quickly, seeing what I guessed was Angel's parents. They came back early? I stood there stunned. Stuck. Unable to speak. Not knowing what to say.

"What are you doing in here?" His father asked.

"It's Lina, honey. It's her room." Angel's mother sang in the sweetest tone. His mom stood about an inch shorter than me, beautiful white hair, gorgeously pink cheeks, and eyes almost as blue as mine. She walked over to me, arms extended. "Lina, you're home!"

"Um..I'm not—"

"No! No! You'll only upset her. Please." Angel's father pleaded with me, giving me a look of desperation.

Angel's mother embraced me as if I were her own child, squeezing me gently as she smiled from ear to ear. I dared not to speak any words that would upset her, looking onto Angels' father for reassurance. He simply nodded, reaching for his wife.

"Come on, sugar. Let's get to bed." He pulled her towards the door.

"What the hell is going—" Angel appeared in the doorway in nothing but his boxers. "Mom? Dad? Oh God, I..."

"Not now Angel. I have to get your mom to bed. We've had a long trip. Just—I'll be back. Get some clothes on and get out of your sister's room."

"Goodnight my twins. Love you both." His mother sang out in the distance that grew larger and larger. Angel looked down the hall at her, confused.

My heart was pounding so hard, I was sure they could all see the vibrations streaming from the large shirt I was wearing. Angel stared at me in the most accusative way. Although I didn't feel like I did anything wrong, I knew I'd crossed a line with him as well as his parents. I knew he'd never forgive me for snooping around his sister's room. So, I stood there in silence, waiting for the moment he'd yell or scold me. Great fucking job, Star.

***Author's Words****

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. 

Fasten your seatbelts and get ready for more to this sweet ending,

Angel's P.O.V. coming 4/27

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