Chapter 8 We’re Family

Daniel helped Sabrina organize her belongings, and when they were done, they sat down on the couch together to rest. "So, who was that banging away at your door earlier?" Daniel had no intention of prying, but the noise had been hard to ignore. "A rather shameless woman," Sabrina replied. It was a sore subject for her, one wasn't eager to talk about. Thus, she gave a vague answer, trying to steer the conversation away. Daniel sensed her reluctance to share and decided not to press further. "Alright, if you don't want to talk about it, that's perfectly fine. Just remember, if you ever need help or someone to talk to, you can come to us. We're family now." Sabrina gave a thankful nod. Regardless of how she felt about Curtis, she felt a strong bond with Daniel, almost as if he were her own grandfather. After a busy day, Curtis returned home and immediately noticed the changes. The potted plant by the window had doubled in size. The couch, previously bare, now sported two new cushions in blue and white. And there was even a solo photo frame featuring Sabrina next to the family portrait Daniel had hung. Curtis was caught off guard. So much had changed in a mere day. It stirred a twinge of unease in him. However, he recognized that these changes were part of married life. Daniel was quite pleased with all the changes. As he was tidying up a little more, he felt something was amiss. "Ah, now I see what's bothering me. I totally forgot that you two are newlyweds. Why are you still living with me? Why not move to the apartment next door? It's really near, so we can still easily contact each other." It seemed counterintuitive for the couple to live with him. If Sabrina could not let go of her old life or if Curtis was simply uninterested in living with his new wife, their marriage would be a mere sham. Sabrina and Curtis exchanged puzzled glances upon hearing Daniel's suggestion. ‘Are you implying this was my idea?’ Sabrina thought, her eyes narrowing in displeasure. Curtis quickly declined, saying, "There's no need to move. Sabrina has already settled in, and staying here allows us to take care of you." "Fine, suit yourselves. Either way, you're sharing a bed, which should help you bond," Daniel concluded, realizing that he might not fully understand the younger generation's dynamics. As long as they were working on their relationship, the location didn't matter to him. For dinner, Sabrina took on the role of chef, even though her cooking skills were far from exceptional. Her main concern was whether Daniel would enjoy the meal. Curtis, on the other hand, hardly crossed her mind. After a few bites, Curtis' face tightened into a subtle frown, but he said nothing and finished his plate quietly. Noticing his grandson's mood, Daniel aimed a stealthy kick under the table. The tabletop quivered ever so slightly, drawing Sabrina's puzzled gaze toward the old man and his grandson. "No worries, Sabrina. Your food's amazing. Any guy who ends up with you is a lucky guy," Daniel said, intentionally loud enough for Curtis to hear. Curtis, however, kept a poker face. Prodded by Daniel's secret kick, he finally gave a reluctant nod. Sabrina smiled but decided not to dwell on the moment. After dinner, an awkward issue weighed on both Curtis and Sabrina’s minds. The apartment had just three rooms—one for Daniel, another was a study, and the last one was Curtis' domain. This meant they would have to share a bed tonight, which was unsettling given their brief three-day acquaintance. "How about you sleep on the floor?" Sabrina ventured, her stomach knotting at the idea of sharing a bed with practically a stranger. Curtis found this idea absurd. "You're joking, right? This is my house, my room. Why on Earth would I sleep on the floor?" "Well, you can't expect me to sleep on the floor, can you? If Grandpa sees that, you'll get an earful." "And you think Grandpa won't have words for me if he finds me on the floor?" Curtis retorted. Sabrina had no comeback to that question, but she stood her ground. She would not allow Curtis to sleep on the same bed with her. Growing increasingly frustrated, Curtis wondered why she was making such a fuss. "You've had boyfriends, haven't you? What's the big deal about sharing a bed? Plus, I've already told you, I won't touch you." Sabrina blushed. "It's not like I'm as casual as you are. Liking someone doesn't mean I'm ready for... well, you know." Curtis furrowed his brow, confused by her statement. It took him a moment to realize that Sabrina's past relationships were more innocent than he had thought. Without another word, Curtis grabbed his pillow and blanket and headed for the couch. It was a tight fit for his tall, muscular frame, making the prospect of sleep seem grim. Suddenly, Sabrina had an epiphany. They were a married couple, and she could not seriously make him sleep on the couch for an entire year, could she? But inviting him into the bed was a mental hurdle she could not overcome. Caught in a mental tug-of-war, Sabrina hesitated. "If you don't want to sleep, we can switch. You can take the couch," Curtis said, his tone tinged with annoyance due to the uncomfortable sleeping arrangement. Sabrina had no intention of sleeping on the couch. Quietly, she returned to bed, pulled the blanket over herself, and switched off the light. In this unfamiliar place, sleep eluded her, especially knowing there was a strange man in the room. Well, technically not a complete stranger, but her husband.