Ready Set Go

Once we quit grossing Tom out, Bill and I went shopping for the food we'd need for the next three months until tour. It was near twelve o'clock at night when I crawled intomy Bill's bed. I'd had a nightmare and couldn't fall asleep again. He rolled over, flung a leg across mine, and remained unconscious. I kissed his nose gently, quickly, before curling against him and closing my eyes.

"How long did you plan on sleeping?" I questioned Tom as he dragged himself into the kitchen.

"As long as I possibly could."

"Same here," the younger twin yawned, sitting down at the table.

I rolled my eyes and placed a platter of pancakes in front of them. By the time I pulled my hand back, I was thankful Gustav and I had already eaten: the Kaulitz boys had immediately attacked the breakfast. I smiled, kissed my boyfriend's cheek, and went to do a load of laundry. I'd woken up early, needing to do something to get my mind off of my dead mother, so I'd gathered up all the clothes that I could find---it didn't matter if they were clean or dirty: if they weren't in a bureau or closet, they were shoved into a basket. I had even ventured into Georg's room, cautiously shielding my eyes, so that I didn't see him naked.

"Marie?"

"Yes, Tom?"

"Where is my Samy Deluxe t-shirt?"

"In the washer."

"It was clean."

"It was on the floor."

"But it was---"

"Damn it, Tom. Just go find a different shirt to wear. You have a million and one to choose from."

"But I'm in a Samy mood."

"I don't care."

"Marie?"

"What, Georg?"

"How do you do dishes?"

"Berühren Sie nicht sie."

"I wanted to help."

"Then go be a good boy and leave me be."

"Bill, etwas nicht stimmt mit Ihrer Freundin."

"There is nothing wrong with me," I muttered as I folded dry clothes.

"What's going on?"

"Nothing."

"Don't lie to me."

"I just...I had a nightmare, that's all."

"Is that why you got into my bed?"

"Yeah. I couldn't sleep. Sorry if I woke you up."

"No. Don't apologise. I enjoyed sleeping next to you."

I grinned and kissed him. "I enjoyed it, too. Go back to your food."

"How did you know?"

"It's only been five minutes. Even you aren't that fast of an eater."

I continued doing laundry, and he walked to the kitchen to resume eating. Once the guys had gotten their clothes, I started to run water for the dishes. I leaned back into Bill as he wrapped his arms around my waist. He shut off the tap, turned me around, and pressed his lips firmly to mine. The kiss deepend fervently, and I parted my lips for him.

"Marie Elizabeth Lous, you get away from that boy right this instant."

Bill and I jumped apart at my father's voice, and I stared into his angry eyes.

"Daddy!"

Bill's Point Of View

Marie sat on the couch, and her father paced. I stood in the dorrway, nervous and biting my lip. Every time he glanced at his daughter or me, he would blow his breath out angrily and continue walking across the carpet.

"Dad, please stop."

"For what, Marie? Why should I listen to you? You sure as hell don't listen to me."

"Haven't listened to you when? I've always listened to you. Throughout my life, I've always jumped when you said to. I've never asked 'how high?' I just did. It's time I listened to myself for once."

"It's about time you learned some respect."

"It's about time you did, too. I love Bill---" his eyes darted to me before going back to Marie "---and I would do anything to be with him. He's an amazing person, and I swear we're taking it slow."

"It sure didn't seem slow in there."

"Excuse me, sir, but it is slow. That was the first serious kiss we've shared," I announced, crossing my fingers behind my back.

"Marie, I'll be back in half an hour. I need to speak to you privately."

With that, Mr. Lous left the house, amd Marie stared at the table. When I realised she was crying, I enveloped her in my arms and rocked her gently, back and forth.

Marie's Point Of View

I shut the door to my room, leaving Bill alone in the hall, and then sat on my bed, still made from two nights ago. My father sighed as his eyes registered the three photo albums on the mattress.

"Your mother would have been so much better at this than I."

"But Mutti's dead. You're still here and sort of trying."

"Don't hate me, Marie. I'm trying really."

"I believe you."

"Your grandfather hated me. He wouldn't let Isla see me at all."

"Isla?"

"Your mother. She would sneak out, though. We'd always find a way. That's actually how you were concieved."

"A wild night by the lake with the moon as a spotlight? Great."

"Not wild. Romantic. And in my apartment. Candles, soft music. It was beautiful."

"Even better."

"Marie, when I---we lost your mom, I felt like my heart was ripped from me. I couldn't deal with the pain. Your grandparents wanted to take you, but I decided to torture myself and keep taking care of you. I wanted to hold on to any last remnant of your mother. And you were all I could hold between my hands. Honey, I'm sorry if I seem to harsh or cruel or unfair. I just want you to be safe."

"I know, Dad. But please. I love Bill, and I want to be with him."

"And that's why I'm giving you boundaries. You will not be left alone with him, you will not be sleeping in the same bed, and you will not do anything that couples do while I am around. When I am gone, you may kiss, and I hope that's all you do."

"Really?"

"Yes. Just be careful. If he hurts you, I will kill him."

"Dad, he's the lead singer of Tokio Hotel."

"Then I will find another."