Dear diary,

Last night was so much more than I could ever have dreamed of in a lifetime. Just thinking about it sends the crazy butterflies through my stomach. The fireworks were spectacular, and being around my favourite person made it so, so special.

But the most magical thing, was that he finally said it. He finally told me he loves me. And what's even crazier, is that I said it back. And I meant it for the first time in my life.

He knew that I had been nervous about saying it first, and he knew I was scared in case I was going crazy for the way I feel. He reassured me, and made me feel valid as a person. I know he means it, and I know he's genuine. And it's the most surreal thing.

But not only that — after the fireworks, we stayed together for the night. Our first night together. And my goodness, dear diary, what a night it was. Without divulging too much, he made me feel more of a man, more attractive, more valued and more aroused than I've ever felt in a lifetime. So sweet, so raw and authentic, so passionate. It was the best night of my entire life.

I just cannot believe this is happening to me. I can't believe how lucky I am. It's so beautiful, and I thank my lucky stars every single day for my darling Levi.

A very much on cloud nine Yog x

With an uncontrollably-wide smile spread across his face, George puts the lid back on his pen; he then closes the diary, before locking it with the padlock. He sets it on his bedside table, then draws his legs up into his embrace as he thinks, yet again, about the things that happened yesterday. His mind has been occupied with nothing else, which hasn't been altogether surprising for him. He recalls every blissful sensation he felt; every loving word Levi spoke to him; every moment of pure, unmatched pleasure they evoked in one another while they were so-intimately connected. All these things, of course, are things that Stephanie has never allowed him to feel — granted, through no fault of her own. This, it goes without saying, still brings him immeasurable guilt; but he knows he cannot help who he falls for.

"Maybe today's the day I tell her," George utters aloud, knowing she won't be able to hear him from downstairs. "Maybe today I finally grow a pair and tell her the truth about everything." Voicing the idea brings on a new anxiousness, but he tries to talk himself into doing it regardless; he undoes the little ball he's folded himself into on the bed, before standing up on the floor. With a sigh, he begins to head towards the staircase to go and confess.

As he arrives at the living room door, he hears Stephanie call him. "Hey, George?"

"I was just about to come and talk to you," George answers, peeping his head around the doorframe. "Are you alright?"

She grins at him, nodding her head subtly to suggest how good of a mood she's in. In her hands, she holds the latest edition of the Argos catalogue; she holds the thick book up, pointing to a product on one of the pages.

"Look at this," she instructs, excitement evident in her tone. "Don't you think this one is gorgeous?"

"It's ... a lovely ring, but your birthday isn't for some time yet," George comments, taking a seat by her side. "So why are you looking at it?"

"Well, I'm just showing you the type of rings I like," she chuckles, grabbing a marker pen she's purposely placed nearby, so that she can draw a circle around the pretty piece of jewellery. "Because you'll need them eventually, won't you?"

"All I said was 'never say never'," George reminds her, rolling his eyes in amusement. "And I mean ... Argos, of all places? It's a bit random to get an engagement ring from, is it not?"

"Nothing wrong with it. A ring is a ring, babe." She laughs, continuing to scan her eyes over the pages to find more inspiration. "I'll take anything, by this point."

"Bit desperate, aren't you?" he teases, earning a look of offence from Steph; in reaction, he holds his arms up in surrender. "Joking! Gosh. But okay — I'll take your oh-so-subtle hinting into account. If I ever propose, I'll buy you a gummy ring."

"Cheeky sod," she cackles, slapping his arm playfully.

"Hey — you said you'd take anything by this point. I'm just trying to make you happy." He smirks, leaning back against the sofa. "But while you're looking in there, maybe we can find some baby stuff for Andrew and Nancy."

"Good idea." Stephanie flips to the gift section of the catalogue, her gaze averting from page to page. "They need a lot of stuff. Toys, clothes, furniture ... " She expels a breath from her nose, implying that she's a little saddened. "I wish we were looking at baby stuff for us."

"Got a whole lifetime to do that," George reminds her. "You're only twenty-one. I'm only twenty-three. Plenty — and I mean plenty — of time left yet. Now come on; let's have a look at these silly baby things."

His subject change doesn't quite sit right with Stephanie, but regardless, she obliges. She points at various items, getting his varying opinions on them all; until they settle on a few small things to purchase. Their browsing is interrupted, when the phone starts to ring in the hallway.

"I'll get it," Stephanie announces, forcing herself up from the sofa to answer. She enters the hallway; George eavesdrops as he hears her interact on the phone. "Hello? ... Oh, no — no thank you. Goodbye." She places the phone down, before returning to the living room. "It was a cold caller. Think he needs a new job though, because he sounded nervous as hell."

George's eyes widen as he realises it could have been Levi on the phone; after all, Levi has said before, that if Stephanie ever answers when he tries to call, he'll pretend to be a cold caller. George attempts to act normal as he responds. "May just be their first day. We've all been there."

"I suppose," Stephanie evaluates, reclaiming her seat. "So, we decided on the stuff we've circled then?"

"Sounds like it to me," George replies. "How about you go and collect them — after all, that means you can go and look at the jewellery up close while you're there."

Stephanie squeals, leaping up again. "Of course! I'll go right now." She darts into the hallway to get her jacket and her shoes; then, she rushes back into the living room to give George a quick kiss goodbye. "I'll be back in ... an hour or two? Depends how long I look at the rings."

"Take your time. Soak it all in," George encourages. "See you in a little while." He gives a halfhearted wave as she exits the room again; once he deems it as being safe, he too rises from the sofa to go to the phone. He dials Levi's number, holding the phone to his ear as it rings.

"Hello?" Levi's voice greets uncertainly.

"Levi?" George responds. "Did you just try to call?"

"Yeah ... I think Stephanie answered, so I pretended to be selling something," he explains; his tone isn't as chirpy as usual. "I probably should have asked you last night if she would be home today."

"Are you okay?" George asks, picking up on Levi's lack of enthusiasm. "You sound ... not so good."

"It's okay," Levi assures him. "I'll be okay."

"Now listen to me," George starts assertively. "You're not doing this to me. We talk to one another — that's what you always say to me when I'm not doing good. Tell me what's bothering you ... please?"

Over the line, George hears Levi sniffling; his voice breaks a little as he explains. "I'm just worried, George — and it's a silly thing to be worried about, because it shouldn't even be a worry." He clears his throat, to try and rid the tearfulness in his words. "My mum has been seeing this man, despite all her previous reservations about being with someone again. After what happened with her last husband ... "

"The abusive arsehole?" George presses.

"Yeah, that one. After he got sent down, she said she wouldn't trust another man again. But now she's seeing someone new, and I'm so scared he'll be the same. It's so stupid, but I don't want anything to happen to her." He tries to force himself to laugh, but to no avail. "I just wonder what life would be like, if my dad was still here."

"That's understandable," George reasons. "You'll, no doubt, spend the rest of your life wondering about how different things would be if he was still around. I guess all I can say, is give this new guy a chance. Perhaps he's different to the last man your mum had. We both know she deserves some happiness after everything she's been through. This could be it for her."

"But if I give him a chance and he's exactly the same, I won't forgive myself." It's clear to George that Levi is very much conflicted with himself. "I told my mum I'd always protect her, now dad isn't here."

"And you're doing a great job of it," George encourages. "I promise you're doing amazing, and she appreciates it more than you'll know."

"Just, times like this make me miss him." Levi tries to hold himself together, but it proves rather difficult. "Everything was fine when he was here. The world felt so much safer. Life was simpler. My parents were my best friends growing up, because — let's face it — I wasn't exactly popular in school. I think I talk to maybe two people from school, on an irregular basis. I only ever needed my mum and my dad; and to lose one of them so young is the worst pain you could imagine."

"I'm so sorry for it," George apologises. "I wish I could give you a hug."

"I need a hug," Levi chuckles self-deprecatingly. "I'd be willing to drive to you for a hug right now."

"I wouldn't expect you to do that," George snickers. "How about we meet outside of Goring? How about Reading? Then I don't have to travel as far, but you still get to drive a little. And it's a change of scenery."

"Are you sure?" Levi sounds surprised at George's offer. "You don't need to come out this way just to give me a hug. It's silly."

"I'll leave Stephanie a note to tell her I've gone to see a friend who's had a family emergency," George decides. "Let me just grab some paper from my diary." He rests the phone on the stand, quickly heading upstairs to grab his diary and pen; once he's back downstairs, he unlocks the padlock, tearing a single page from the book. "Writing on it now. I'll get the next train, okay?" He finishes writing the note, before sealing his diary once again. "I'll promise to be there within a couple of hours. You'll get your hug, I promise."

"You're so special," Levi compliments, making every effort to pull himself together now. "I don't know of anybody else who would come this far just to make me feel better."

"It's like you say — you do crazy things once you've found someone to do them for," George laughs. "Now unfortunately, my darling, I'll have to let you go now. Otherwise, I won't be able to see you. I'll be there soon. Reading station. Be there in an hour and a half."

"I will," Levi vows. "I love you."

"I love you," George returns. "Bye for now."

"Bye, George."

Levi is the first to end the call, leaving the familiar beeping in George's ear, until he too replaces the phone on its receiver. He makes quick work of finding his essential belongings, before leaving his home for the train station. As he purchases his tickets, he can't help but feel excitement about seeing Levi so soon after the last time. Of course, it won't feel the same due to Levi's mood; but George evaluates that it doesn't matter to him, as long as they are together.

•••

Chapter twenty-eight! Hope you're still enjoying the story. xx