Ben grabs my hand sand I have to resist the urge not to pull my hands away. I bite my lip to block my mind. I don’t want to know what he has to say.
“Lynn, you have asked me about my secret so many times. I can share it with you now that we are back in Seville.”
Is it too late to run away?
I avoid looking at Ben. I am curious and afraid at the same time.
If he says that he met someone else. I will throw myself in front of a train. I think dramatically.
Ben opens his mouth. Okay here it goes. I think to myself.
“Lynn, I bought a house for us here in Seville. Just around the corner from Soñador.” Ben sighs and looks at me, anxiously waiting for me to say something.
Did I hear that correct. “Huh, what?” I ask confused. Ben’s face darkens. “You don’t like it?” He asks.
I shake my head. “That’s not it. I thought you were going to tell me that you are in love with someone else.” I confess.
“Why would I bring you all the way back here to tell you something like THAT?” Ben’s mouth falls open and he looks at me.
We both start laughing at the same time. “You silly lady.’ Ben pokes me and I blush. “So, you bought a house huh? Can I see it?”
I clap my hands and jump up from the couch. “Lets go.” I say. “Do we need to go by car?” I ask but Ben shakes his head. “Nope, it’s within walking distance from here.” He replies.
We get our stuff and I follow Ben outside. He knows the way. We pass a small white house. “Is this it?” I ask. Ben laughs and shakes his head. “Not this one, no.”
A big white building with a orange roof is visible in the distance and Ben points at it. “There it is.” He smiles.
My mouth falls open and I stop walking. “THAT’S the house?” I ask surprised. Ben nods and smiles. “You like it?” He asks. “I LOVE IT!” I shout and start running towards the house.
It’s even bigger when I stand in front of it. The house is white, the roof is orange and the window trim is light yellow.
The grass is all the way down the side to the back and the terrace is paved with white tiles.
There is a balcony on the first floor, surrounded with a yellow fence. “Ben, this is gorgeous. But how? When? What?” I stammer.
“That’s why it took me so long. I was working on a permanent visa and looking for the perfect house at the same time. My dad helped me with it. He is the one who found this house and helped pay for it. We have to pay him back. But he will give us time to find jobs.
I wrap my arms around Ben’s neck and kiss him deeply. “This is the best secret that anyone EVER kept from me.” I grin.
“But that is not all.” Ben continues. “It needs improvements to make it suitable for kids.” Ben grins.
“Well Mr Graupner. Are you pregnant?” I tease.
Ben laughs. “Well, that might explain my craving for pickles. But, no. Erica has been checking around for a while, to see if people would be interested in a new daycare. A bilingual daycare. For English and Spanish kids.” He says.
My mouth falls open again and I am not able to say anything.
“And there are a lot of people who would like to have their kids in a daycare like that.” Ben continues. “You will have a lot of work, but I am sure you will love it.”
I never liked it when people thought for me. But this time, I am willing to make an exception. “Ben, this is amazing. I am stunned and happy. Can I start now?” I ask with a smile.
“It will take a few weeks till all the permits are ready, but then you can start.” He says. “When can we move in?” I ask. Like I said. Patience and Lynn don’t go well together.
“As soon as we are ready. There is a lot of work to be done to make it our home.” Ben says.
I jump up and down and clap my hands. “Can I go inside? Please?” I ask.
Ben nods and gets a key out of his pocket. “This is it miss.” He laughs and I take the key from his hand.
I walk up the steps to the front door and open it slowly.
The hall is tiled with terracotta tiles. The walls are white and there is a huge mirror in the hall. I see myself when I step inside. I never had a wider grin than I see now.
The living room is big and light. There is a ceiling high door with two floor to ceiling windows next to it.
I twirl around. “This is our house.” I smile.
“Yes miss, it is.” Ben laughs.
I walk into the kitchen. The floors are ceramic, the counter is made of wood and the wall above the stove is tiled with light blue tiles.
A huge kitchen table is covering most of the kitchen. There is enough room for 10 people to eat.
I don’t think I can be any happier than this.
“Let’s go upstairs.” I say. I bounce up and down. My enthusiasm is contagious. Ben smiles his wide smile and turns his back to me. “Hop on miss.” He laughs.
I climb on his back and he walks up the stairs to see the first floor.
The upstairs hallway has 5 doors. “Which one first?” Ben asks. I point at the door on the right. “That one.” I reply.
Ben opens the door and I slide off his back to step into the room first. “Bathroom.” Ben says.
The bathroom is one that seems to have walked right out of my dreams. “A hot tub? Really?” I ask and look at Ben. “Really really.” He replies.
“Nice one dude.” I grin. “I kinda had the feeling when we were in Lisbon, that you would like it. You know, the days I couldn’t come to visit you, were well spent here in this house. Erica hired some friends to help me. And look what became of it.” Ben smiles and opens his arms to show the bathroom.
“I forgive you.” I smile while lifting my head for a kiss. Ben bends his head for a kiss but pulls back quickly. “You haven’t seen the best room yet!” He says while holding his hands in front of my eyes. “Close your eyes.” I do what he asks and Ben leads me out of the bathroom into another room.
He removes his hands and I open my eyes. I gasp and look around. Not able to speak.
I see a big room with terracotta plastered walls. And in the middle of the room is a big white bed full of pillows.
I put my hands over my mouth and look around. It’s beautiful.
Big doors lead to the balcony I saw from outside and let a lot of light in. The room is bright and romantic at the same time.
“Oh, Ben, It’s perfect.” I whisper.
“And that’s not everything.” Ben lets go of me and walks towards the bed. “This bed is especially made to jump on.” He jumps on the bed and smiles. “Wanna give it a try?” Ben reaches out his hand and I grab it willingly. We act like little children when we laugh and giggle and jump as high as possible.
The two slightly smaller rooms are empty. “We can make a game room here and a music room in the other.” Ben says. “I would love to have my own music room, in my own house.” He laughs. “The music room sounds like a great plan. But I am not so sure about a game room.” I say.
The last room we see, is a mess. There are boxes every where. Some labeled with Ben, but also some labeled with Lynn. “Ben, what’s in the boxes?” I ask.
“Go check it out.” Ben encourages me. “Which one?” I ask. “The top one there.” Ben points at the top box on the right pile and I take it down to open it.
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