Decorating their flat has been good practice for me in thinking about my own tastes and preferences.For weeks, Graeme kept reminding me Scotland was my home now, and the flat wasourhome, which meant I should add any personal touches I wanted.While selecting cushions for Drew and Brodie’s couch, I picked out some for ours too.I’ve also bought a few cute knick-knacks, some dishware, and a few paintings, all created by locals and sold in small, independent shops.
After one last walk through Drew and Brodie’s place, I lock up and continue to the top floor, eager to see Graeme.When I enter the flat, I’m greeted by the scents of freshly brewed coffee and the raspberry candle I bought the other day.
“Perfect timing,” Graeme says, popping out of the kitchen as I round the corner into the main hallway.“The Dundee cake has been out of the oven for about twenty minutes, so it’ll be cool enough to eat.”
I discovered Dundee cake—a traditional Scottish fruit cake topped with whole blanched almonds—in a small café while on a recent road trip to Inverness, and Graeme promised to make one for me.
He steps further into the hall, and I snicker as my gaze drops to his apron, which is covered in cartoon Highland cows.I bought it one day as a joke, but Graeme wears it with pride whenever he’s baking.
“Hiya,” he says, cupping my face in his warm hands.He lowers his mouth to mine, and I make a little hum of surprise when our tongues touch.
“You taste like whisky,” I say.
He chuckles against my lips and kisses me again.“Granny’s recipe calls for whisky-soaked raisins, with more whisky brushed on top to tie the flavours together.I may have had a little taste—y’know, for quality control.”
“Right, of course,” I say with a laugh.
I follow him into the kitchen and sit at the table, pushing my laptop out of the way.The tiny table isn’t the ideal place to work, and I don’t do it often, but I answered a few time-sensitive emails last night while Graeme made dinner.I can’t officially get a job yet without a visa, but I’ve found a work-around of sorts by doing freelance editing for Samantha and a couple of her author friends who were looking for an editor.
I’ve been enjoying the work and the freedom of time it allows, and I think I could build a sustainable freelancing business.I’ve also been researching Scottish publishing houses, especially the ones that focus on stories told by Scottish writers.I love the idea of working with and championing local talent in a country that’s made me feel so welcome.I’m not entirely sure what my next steps are work-wise, but I know I’ve missed the feeling of believing my work matters, and I want that to be a priority.
“What do you want to do after we visit the market?”Graeme asks, setting two plates of cake on the table and sitting across from me.
I ponder Graeme’s question as I dig into my cake, doing a little happy dance as the flavours burst on my tongue.We usually head to the Edinburgh Farmers Market first thing every Saturday, but Graeme convinced me to stay in bed this morning.It didn’t actually take much convincing once he started kissing my neck.The things that man can do with his mouth and fingers made it worth almost being late to yoga class.
Over the last two months, I’ve been learning to embrace the uncertainty of not having every moment planned.Living this way means I’m open to anything, whether it’s random ice cream dates, pints in a pub, rainy days spent wandering in museums or bookstores, or classes like the perfume-making workshop Nancy and I attended a couple of weeks ago.Last weekend, Graeme and I picked up Fern for a spontaneous road trip that led us south, where Graeme suggested we head into England to visit Hadrian’s Wall and the Roman Vindolanda Fort and Museum.
It’s a beautiful feeling knowing that whatever we do and wherever we go, we’ll have fun because we’re together.
“Let’s see where the day takes us,” I say.
* * *
GRAEME
Orange and purple cloudsstreak across the sky as the sun sinks toward the horizon.Abby stands with her back to me, camera raised as she looks out over the city.I lift my phone and capture an image of the woman I love, cast in a pink and gold glow, and framed by the city that stole her heart.
I move closer when she lowers her camera.“Surveying our kingdom?”
She pivots to face me.The sight of her sweet smile hits me square in the chest.I’ll never grow tired of that smile or the sparkle in her brown eyes, just as neither of us will ever get tired of the view of this picture-perfect city.
Her smile wobbles as she casts a glance around.“My last night in Edinburgh all those years ago was so bittersweet.I loved the idea of this being our kingdom, but it didn’t feel real.Even this past April when we all came up here, it felt fleeting.Now, though...”She looks past me again, this time to where Brodie, Drew, and Fern are sitting on a blanket in the grass.“Now it feels real.Like you’re my king and I’m your queen, and this really is our kingdom.”
“We even live in a tower,” I say, and she laughs.
I wrap my arm around her, and we turn to watch the sun’s slow descent.Despite all the people around us, I can make out my brother’s voice behind us, followed by the sound of Drew’s laughter.They’ve only been here for a few days, but their arrival felt like a puzzle piece clicking into place.I don’t for a moment expect life to always be easy, but now that we’re all here where we belong, I’m certain we can get through anything together.
“You know how you suggested I wait the full six months before applying for a visa?”Abby asks suddenly.
“Aye.”Once she made up her mind to stay, she wanted to apply for a visa straight away so she could get a job.I convinced her to settle into life here and make sure she would be truly happy in Scotland before making any big decisions.She agreed—although she assured me she would be staying, no matter what—and dove into a few freelance editing jobs.
“I was thinking of getting the ball rolling.Now that Drew and Brodie are here, our family feels complete.Well, at least until they have start having kids.”
“We’re going to be the world’s best aunt and uncle,” I say, kissing her temple.
“We really are.Between us and your parents, Drew and Brodie’s future offspring will be spoiled rotten.”She laughs to herself, no doubt picturing it just like I am.She turns to face me fully, resting her hands on my chest.“Anyway, I realized without a visa, being here still feels temporary in a way, and I want it to be official.”
“I understand that.I’ve been looking into it myself because I was curious about the UK Family Visa.It seems as if the Ancestry Visa is quicker and easier, though, so I think you should stick with that.”
