He knew that Helena had slept peacefully. He didn't wake her, but he remembered her smile from the previous night and how he was delighted to see her so happy. He wanted to continue that.
He knew she wanted more information about his family and past. He still needed to be more optimistic about how much he wanted to share with Helena. He didn't want their relationship to get complicated. Arthur found himself wanting to keep things simple and uncomplicated like they were. They had a simple dynamic between them, where they were both on equal standing. He didn't want that to change their situation but knew it was inevitable.
"Good morning, baby," Helena walked close to Arthur and kissed his lips.
"Hmm, that was sweet," Arthur said, licking his lower lip.
Helena sat at the table in the kitchen, smiling as she watched Arthur cook.
"Arthur?" she called out.
"Yes, baby?" he answered.
"How do you like your eggs?" she asked.
"Over easy," he answered with a smirk, turning his back to give her a wink.
Helena laughed as Arthur walked over to her and kissed her forehead. "I love you, Helena," he whispered in her ear as he squeezed her.
"And I love you, Arthur," she whispered back as she kissed him on his lips.
"I made you coffee," Arthur handed Helena's mug from the coffee maker where he had already made her favorite cappuccino.
"Thank you," Helena took the coffee and started sipping at it. "Hmm, just the way I like it."
"I know you'd love it," he said proudly. "Look, I know you want to discuss my family and me more. We'll talk about it later after I cook and have our breakfast. Okay?" He said, gently squeezing Helena's cheek.
Helena slowly nodded in response. "I'll prepare the table while you're cooking,"
"Yes, please."
Arthur couldn't keep his eyes off Helena as they ate their breakfast. He loved how her red hair fell around her face, her eyes shone when she laughed, and her lips curved into a smile.
"Arthur?" Helena asked, breaking him out of his trance.
"Yes, baby?" he replied, looking at her.
"I was thinking," she said, sipping her coffee. "What do you say we try different activities instead of playing board games today?"
"Sure. Is there anything you can think of doing today?" He asked.
"Yes, I have an idea. Why don't we play with the snow outside since we have been stuck here."
"I'd love that," His face lit up. "Let's make a snowman."
Those blue eyes filled with tenderness as they locked onto hers. "And then we can make snow angels."
"That sounds fun. I can't wait to do it," she said excitedly.
After breakfast, Arthur emptied the garbage and cleaned up around the house while Helena did the dishes in the kitchen. Helena then walked into Arthur's arms and flung hers around his waist. She then cuddled close to him, laying her head on his chest. Taking a deep breath, she savored his comforting scent that filled every pore of her body.
"So, can you start talking?" Helena asked, leaning against Arthur's ear. He could hear her voice vibrate deep within her throat, sending tiny shivers. She could feel him smile as he replied:
"Like I've told you before, there were beautiful memories with my parents, especially during our childhood with my sister Nathalie and brother Nathan," he said slowly. Helena was listening closely. His strong hands rubbed gentle circles along her back.
"My siblings and I were close when we grew up together. I remember being warmly welcomed by my brother Nathan and my sister Nathalie, who'd hug me tight and greet me with a cheerful laugh," he recalled fond memories of days when everything felt like it would forever be perfect in his world. As he remembered how happy that made him feel growing up, his heart swelled and ached for those days to return again.
"That's cute. I always thought having siblings would be nice," Helena said as he held Arthur's hand.
"Didn't you have siblings when you were in the foster home? I mean someone who treats you like a sister."
"I had one, Abby. She was adopted when I was still 4, and I have had no contact with her since then. I barely remember everything about her, but she was so nice in every memory I had with her. She would protect me when someone tries to bully me."
"I guess you have experience having a sister, after all."
"Yeah, for a short period. And also, my best friend, Gabby, is like a sister to me. So, it feels like having a biological sister."
Arthur smiled warmly at Helena. "That's wonderful, baby. I'm glad you have someone like Gabby in your life."
Helena grasped his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze before continuing. Her eyes were full of understanding, and her voice was soft and comforting. "Do you miss your siblings, Arthur? Would you like to see them again?"
Arthur's face softened as he closed his eyes, letting out a long sigh. "I want to forget my parents like they never existed, but not my siblings. Nathan and Nathalie were always there for me."
Her heart ached, and Helena moved closer, leaning in to give him what little support she could. "Do you still have communication with them?" she asked.
He nodded sadly and opened his eyes. "Yes, but we do it carefully. Our parents want them to cut all ties from me and treat me like I'm dead." His voice cracked at the last words.
"What? That's horrible. I don't even wanna know what more they have done to you. What kind of parents are they?"
"Our parents treat us like tools they could use to achieve their goals in life. They always think highly of themselves and how to stay prominent to people, especially their friends," Arthur narrated with a sad look.
"Back then, I couldn't imagine life without my siblings until my parents became cruel and didn't treat me like a human. After that thing of independence, I shared with you, it was just the beginning. Yes, I learned how to be independent and resilient, but after that, they thought I was ready to take over our business. They want to dictate what to do with my life, which was worse than being a robot."
"That must have been tough for you," she said softly.
Arthur nodded. "It was. Only Nathan and Nathalie made my life complete and filled with a sense of belonging when I was with them."
"I hope to meet them one day. They sound cool and nice, like you."
"They are; you'd surely love them as well."
"Yeah. And I understand your sentiment that you were strange to your parents, and I respect that as much as you respect my decision of not bringing up Israel in our conversation."
"Thank you, baby, I appreciate that," he wrapped his arms around Helena, sharing his body heat. They stayed that way for a while before Helena looked up at Arthur.
"I think it's time to play outside," Helena asked to lighten the atmosphere around them.
Arthur's mood lightened up. He was grinning as he looked at Helena. "That's a good idea," he tickled Helena.