"Named after your mom?" I whispered so only he could hear me, he didn't speak he just nodded. I smiled at his father's gesture.
A man in a security uniform came forth and opened the sterling silver gates as we drove down the long driveway, we passed by a small lake and an orchard stripped of its fruits until we arrived at the mansion.
It stood tall and confident like a woman scorned, a thick cast of clouds loomed over like it held many secrets. But then the sun peaked out from behind the clouds and wrapped it in a loving embrace, I turned to look at River, this was his home.
As we parked in the seemingly endless driveway I tried my best to picture a little River running around outside getting lost between the groves of trees or swinging from a branch with his little feet off the ground. The second I stepped into his house I felt like I'd unlocked another door to the mind palace that was River Kennedy. The walls were made of stone and glass that made it appear almost palace-like, the ceiling was painted with cherubs and angel's and I felt like I was at the Louvre.
"Your home is beautiful." I complimented both of them, River shrugged but his mom smiled warmly,
"Thank you, dear, you can make yourself comfortable in the living room or dining hall, while this one." She said pulling River along with her, "Helps me get the food ready."
I made my way into the living room and it was the only place that felt warm, the fireplace crackled and spread heat through the room. There was priceless art all over the room and even some pieces with River's signature on them. I turned my gaze to the photo frames on the glass table; his parents when they were younger at their wedding, River as a baby with his perfect big blue eyes, River on his first day of school, River winning his first art competition, River meeting World Renown artist Marc Pierre. It was evident to me that he was truly their pride and joy, it was like a museum dedicated to his existence. But then there was another that caught my eye, unlike the others.
It was a picture of River, he looked about sixteen or so standing by the River Seine next to another boy with thick curls of blonde hair, a face full of freckles, and brown eyes. This picture was different because he was smiling, he wasn't in all the rest, I'd assumed this picture was taken when he wasn't paying attention. He looked so blissfully happy and content.
"He was like a second son to me," River's mom spoke suddenly standing beside me drying her hands with a tea towel, "Jace Monet, I'm sure River told you he passed last year no?"
"Yes," I replied and she smiled sadly looking at the picture,
"Can I be blunt with you for a moment, Armani?" She asked, looking me in the eye, and I nod silently in agreement, "River was devastated, he didn't even tell me, I found out from Jace's parents. When we found out his father and I came home immediately and when my son, my seventeen-year-old only son looked me in the eye and told me he was scared of himself because he was starting to feel like he didn't want to be alive anymore I-" She paused shutting her eyes and taking a deep breath, I had no idea it wasthatbad after he died.
I placed a patient hand over her own. It was almost like she was pleading with me when she said, "I didn't know what to do, it was almost like the light inside him was dying. I don't think I've seen himthishappy in a while, life hasn't been very good to him in the past so please, for me, be good to him."
"I will, I promise," I assured her and she looked like she could cry.
"Oh gosh, I'm sorry it must be my hormones being all over the place and pregnancy brain but I just wanted to say thank you for staying today, I can't wait to get to know you better." She smiled dabbing at her eyes,
“It’s okay, I’m really excited to get to know you better. I appreciate your honesty, I value your vulnerability.” I assured her.
Just then River made his way into the living room in an apron that readkiss the cook, with a tray of what looked like literal tar.
"Maman I think I burned the garlic rolls." He said clearing his throat and I tried my best not to laugh.
"Te di un trabajo y solo un trabajo y tu quemas la comida!" His mother scolded in Spanish and even though I didn't understand a single word I knew it was still really funny to watch.
We sat down at the table for lunch, which was a beef lasagne for us and a tofu greek salad for River. She told me stories about River when he was a kid, about how he found it hard to make friends and how he was so happy when he finally found someone who understood him. About how when he was fifteen he tried to drive his dad's Mercedes and accidentally drove it into a muddy pond. About how his favourite subject in school was actually chemistry and not art. She told me about how he'd always wanted a sibling but she was never able to give him one, until then.
"It's a girl." She said looking down and folding her hand over her little bump playing with her wedding ring, she was so in love it was obvious she was glowing.
River paused for a second and then his eyes lit up in a way I'd never seen before, he didn't say anything but at the same time he didn't need to.
By the time we were done eating lunch, it was already 6 PM and River got a call from Monsieur Etienne to finish up his project. River and I helped wash the dishes before we began to head out the door.
"Thank you so much for having us Maman," River thanked and she looked up at him, he was still much taller than her and she pulled his face down and kissed his forehead.
"Say you'll be home for Christmas?" She insisted and he gave her a genuine smile,
"I'll see." He replied sheepishly.
River handed me the keys to his car and let me drive because after I left him on campus I'd be going back to his apartment, he said it was okay and that he'd get someone else to drive him, I knew he meant Geneviève. Before he left the car he kissed me slowly and patiently, his mouth was warm and familiar against my own.
"Your mom is so kind, you look so much like her it's almost scary." I teased and he gave me a low laugh,
"People say that all the time, I don't see it. She sometimes says it's like looking in a mirror." He commented, "Thank you for meeting her today, it um- it meant a lot to me."
"Of course, now go ahead before Monsieur loses his shit." I laughed and he left shutting the car door and warning me not to crash his car into the Eiffel Tower.
I took a shower and changed into my pyjamas, but just as I was about to make my way to the kitchen to get a glass of water I noticed that River left his art room unlocked for once. I knew he usually didn’t want me in there but I couldn't help it, so I wandered inside and took a look at his paintings. I'd never seen these ones before, they were much darker and eerie. I ran my fingers over them and the one that really caught my eye was the one of me, I remembered when he painted that, the first time I let him see me bare.
