To Sweden With Love

No matter what time I go to bed I always wake up at the same time.

6:38am.

I laid in bed scrolling through all my notifications: Twitter, Instagram, text messages.

Most of the Instagram messages were comments about how jealous girls were of me dating Derick. And then there were some on how I've been hanging out with Mats.

What can I say?

I had a couple texts from Derick.

I'm coming hoooome

I miss you soooo much

I can't wait to kiss your face

I laughed to myself and rolled my eyes. He's something else.

I rolled out of bed and made my way to the kitchen passing by Mats who was still passed out on the couch. At least he doesn't leave me.

To be honest, I was sick of Mats. I mean, I appreciate him sticking around but I would have been fine without him practically babysitting me.

I made myself a cup of coffee and took a seat at the kitchen table.

My phone rang.

“Hello?’” I answered my phone.

“Ellie!” Patric exclaimed. “I didn't wake you did I?”

“Nah, I just got up. Just sat down for a cup of coffee.” I yawned.

“Oh good because I have some good news for you. I booked your flight to Sweden. You leave on 13th. 6pm or something around then. I'll have to double check.”

“Dude, slow down. I told I could have had Derick pay for my flight.”

“Ellie, you're practically family! Of course I was gonna do it for you.”

I smiled, “thank you. I’ll be excited to see you.”

“How are things with Derick?”

“Well he was just in Ottawa for some meetings… he's coming back today though.” I sighed.

“I’m sorry, El. I understand how much it must suck to have to move as soon as you get settled in.” He comforted me.

“Yeah, nothing’s official yet, but I know it's coming.”

“You know where to find me if you need anything.”

“The gym?” I laughed.

“No days off!” He exclaimed before we said our goodbyes.

As soon as I hung up the phone, there was a loud thud. Mats rolled off the couch.

“Owww,” he moaned.

“Are you okay?!” I yelled from the kitchen.

“Noooo,” he said laying facedown on the floor.

I giggled. “You're such a baby.” I ran over to help him off the floor.

“Says the one who’s whined the entire weekend.”

I let go of him and let him hit the floor again. “Wanna say whatever else is on your mind while you're at it?”

He thought for a second. “Uhh, no. I'm afraid of what you might do next.”

I gave him a hand and helped him up again. “Sorry if I've been such a pain over the weekend, I'm just upset.”

He sighed and his hand on my shoulder. “I understand what you mean. It wasn't fair to you that he did that.”

“It's whatever now. He'll be home later.”

We sat at the table in silence as we drank our coffee together. He kept glancing up at me in hopes I would say something to break the silence.

“So uhh…” he started.

“Hmm?”

“I don't know. It's just too quiet.”

We were silent for another few minutes before I asked him why he stayed with me the whole weekend.

“Derick asked me to. He was afraid something might happen to you? I don't know.”

I sighed. “I'm not gonna go off the rails again…”

“Hey, I don't know.” He put his hands up in defense. “I just did as I was told.”

“Well I appreciate you hanging out with me but I think I'll be fine now. I need to clean up before he gets home.”

“You sure you don't need my help?” He said as he got up from his chair.

“I'm sure. Thank you.” I stood up and gave him a hug. “You can tell Derick how much of a terrible time you had with me.”

He laughed and rolled his eyes. “I'll be sure to do that. See you around.”

I told him thanks again before shutting the door behind him.

Peace and quiet.

---

A couple hours later, I had the entire apartment spotless. At least until Derick comes home and throws his stuff everywhere.

I plopped down on the couch and put on Netflix. Some Dexter was much needed after this weekend.

About halfway through the first episode, my phone pinged.

I just landed, I’ll be home soon

My peace and quiet will soon be over, but at least he’ll be home.

I texted him back.

About time

I was lying on the couch in a dark apartment, just watching the TV. All of a sudden, I could hear someone outside of the door. I recognized Derick’s voice; he was talking to himself.

I got up off the couch and went over to the door and opened it.

There he was; standing there like a doofus.

“Ellie, I’m sorry.” He blurted out before I could say anything.

“For what?” I raised an eyebrow. “You were off on business.”

“That’s the thing. I--” He stopped and looked down at the flowers and bag in his hands.

“It doesn’t matter, I’m glad you’re home,” I wrapped my arms around his neck and gave him a kiss. “I really missed you.”

He sighed. “I missed you too. These are for you,” he handed me a bouquet of Gerber daisies, my favorite flowers.

“And the bag?” I snatched it out of his hand and looked in it. “Oh! Wine and chocolate!”

“Wine and chocolate, because I suck at being a boyfriend.”

“Oh, you do not. I don’t have any complaints. Well, except when you casually forget to tell me you were going to Ottawa…”

“Yeah… about that…”

“What about it?”

He thought for a second. “I think you’re going to love it there with me. My parents and sister are looking forward to meeting you.” He smiled.

I gave him a smile back. I was kind of getting some sort of vibe from him, that he wasn’t telling me something.

I took my flowers into the kitchen to find a vase to put them in. “I’m looking forward to meeting your family too. I hope you didn’t tell them that I was a pain in the ass,” I laughed.

He followed behind me to grab a couple of wine glasses. He popped open the wine and poured each of us a glass.

We made our way back into the living room and made ourselves comfortable on the couch.

“You know I love you, right?” He said after a minute.

“Of course I know that. I love you, too.” I leaned my head back and kissed him.

He didn’t say anything else.

“Der, are you okay?”

He shook his head. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just tired.”

“Why don't you go ahead into the bedroom. I'll be in soon.”

I finished my episode of Dexter before I joined him in the bedroom. He was already passed out by time I got in there.

He looked so cute sleeping there.

It was his turn to be the little spoon.

I wrapped my arms around him and nuzzled into his back.

He seemed to be a little upset over something that I couldn't get out of him.

It's like our roles had been reversed.

It's not like I was mad at him anymore…

---

3:17am and my phone rings.

I looked at the caller ID before I answered.

“Why the fuck are you calling me?”

“Oh hello to you too, darling.” Patric replied.

“Patric,” I groaned. “Do you have any idea what time it is here?”

He paused. “I forgot about the change, I’m sorry!”

I rolled over so I wouldn't wake Derick. “Since you woke me already, what's so important that you had to call me?”

“Oh nothing. Just wanted to see how you were doing.” He laughed.

“I’d be better if I was still asleep.”

He rambled on about whenever I get over to Sweden. I just laid there in silence and closed my eyes again, falling back asleep.

“Ellie?” Was the last thing I remember him saying.

---

I woke up a few hours later to a text from Patric.

I think you fell asleep on me

That's what you get for calling me at 3am :p

I rolled over to snuggle Derick but he wasn't there. Once again, I want morning snuggles and he's gone.

I let Blades out of his cage and he trotted into the kitchen with me following him a few steps behind.

Derick was sitting at the kitchen table reading a newspaper and sipping his coffee.

“Morning, sleepyhead,” he said from behind the paper.

I raised an eyebrow. “You were gone all weekend and all I wanted was morning snuggles,” I huffed.

“Sorry, I couldn't sleep.”

“That's how I was all weekend, and I was sleeping good last night until Patric called me at 3am.”

He put down the paper enough to see me. “Why’s he calling you at that hour for?”

I walked over to the counter and grabbed a mug for coffee. “He's in Sweden and forgot about the time change.”

He put his coffee mug down. “No I meant why’s he calling you?”

“Der, he was just checking in on me. At least someone does.”

He sighed. “Anyway…”

“What's up for today?” I sat at the table across from him after making a cup of coffee.

“Well I was online looking at houses in Ottawa and since the deal is all but official… I want you to pick where we live.” He reached out and grabbed my hand. “Because honestly, wherever I am with you, I am home.”