Title: The Chronicles of New Zealand
Author: fienchen
Pairing: Domlijah
Rating: NC 17 (for series)
Summary: Elijah Wood and Dominic Monaghan meet in New Zealand and fall in love during filming "The Lord of the Rings". As their relationship develops the problems and obstacles increase, but of course nothing stands in the way of true love.
Author's note: This work is pure and utter fiction and the product of my vivid imagination. Special thanks to my lovely beta spikessweetgirl.
Chapter: 38
Word count: 5764

Previous chapters


Chapter 38

July 13, 2000

Dear diary,

I know I’ve done nothing but mope in my last entry, but I promise I’ll make it up to you. Also, I should stop calling you diary. I don’t even write into you every day. And diary sounds so girly. I think I’ll call you journal. Anyway, six days in Thailand. It’s time to say cheerio for us tomorrow. If I wasn’t missing Elijah so much, I’d love to stay here. But what am I saying? We’re heading from one great country to the next. New Zealand, Australia and Thailand are bloody fantastic. I’m looking forward to going back to New Zealand. Going back…sounds like it’s home. But it really does feel like home. And when Lijah and I have bought our house there, it’ll be like our second home. Gah, I’m drifting away once again. I don’t know what exactly I was expecting before I came to Thailand. I had read about poverty and prostitution, but there’s this very different side that we saw. The Asians are said to be one of the friendliest people and it’s true. They’re rather laid back and relaxed about pretty much everything. Billy said they reminded him of the Scots a lot. It just shows what I’ve been thinking since I began traveling around. People are essentially the same wherever you go. The cultures may be different, but they’re just like everyone else. They all live their lives and enjoying themselves as well as they can.
Bangkok is an absolutely amazing city. There are so many influences, arts, fashion, culture, entertainment, everything you can think of. It’s a vibrant multicultural mix actually. The food is smashing. I cooked Thai food myself from time to time, but of course it’s nothing compared to the original. Food seems to be a big part of the culture here. Pretty much everyone asked us if we had eaten yet. It’s like saying, how are you? There are food carts in practically every corner of the city, also noodle stands, curry shops and road-side barbecues. There were even people who sold fried insects! Why would anyone eat wonderful, little insects? Okay, cows and pigs are animals too and people eat them. But insects? And fry them? Alright, not for me, obviously. Orli tried one and said they were delicious. Bloody hell…besides from that, we checked out the Wat Phra Kaew, the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand which is right in the historic center of Bangkok, the Grand Palace that has been the residence of the kings since the 18th century, the temples Wat Pho and Wat Arun and the breathtaking Queen Sirkit Park, a botanical garden (btw yes, I had to look up the names and spellings of all the places again). I especially loved the temples, the atmosphere was indescribable. I seriously didn’t think it could get any better. But man, it was bloody hot. I knew Thailand has this warm, tropical climate, but it really hits you when you get here. Apparently right now we’re in the monsoon season which is quite rainy, but still hot and humid. But the rain is very welcome, if you ask me.
We left after two days and traveled to the Khao Yai National Park which is about 200 kilometers away from Bangkok. I really really really wanted to see it, it was ace! There are plenty of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in Thailand, this one was the oldest and second biggest of them. It has one of the largest monsoon woods in Asia and more than 70 mammal species such as tigers, elephants, gibbons, deer and wild pigs. It was a little cooler there because the park consists of several mountains, so we were in a higher altitude. Khao Yai means big mountains, so that makes sense. So, we were driving on the street into the park when a troop of monkeys came out along the road. Some had small babies clinging underneath onto their stomachs. We slowed down so we wouldn’t scare them. So bloody cute. We drove up into the mountains where the air got thinner. We camped at a cliff where several other people had already set up their campsites. It was so romantic in a way. Totally dark and it was quiet except for the monkey and gibbons. Another place where I have to go with Lijah again. I missed him so much, it would have been perfect if he had been there. The next morning we were awakened by the monkeys who had stolen food during the night. Can you believe it? Naughty buggers. I bet they live off the tourists and have become lazy. Thank God it was raining because we went to see the breathtaking waterfall near to the camping site. The rain made them look even more stunning. Swimming wasn’t allowed, but we did it anyway. Hey, just a brief plunge. My first personal highlight was a green bamboo pit viper that was sitting coiled up on a plant. Her venom is not very strong and usually not dangerous for humans, but if she bites you, you might get muscle cramps. She’s night active anyway, so she wasn’t interested in what was going on around her. She was so beautiful. The green was almost glowing, it was so intense. Then our drive back out of the park. We were driving and now no monkeys crossed the road, but a herd of elephants did! So bizarre, they were like oncoming traffic. We didn’t have much time, but we had to stop to wait until the road was clear again. Billy said it was like a Scottish traffic tailback. Only in Scotland they have sheep on the streets, not elephants. I have to go back there, absobloodylutely. I can’t believe there are people who enjoy going to zoos where you see animals who were ripped out of their natural environment. That’s just wrong and what for anyway? If you wanna see animals how they really are, how they really behave, visit a national park or a sanctuary. It’s such an eye-opening experience.
Afterwards we were off to the island. Phuket first of course. It’s the largest island and connected to the mainland by a bridge. Like the lazy monkeys in the national park people there live off tourism. Well, they’re not lazy like the monkeys. It has some of the most beautiful beaches ever with the bluest water you’ve ever seen. I don’t have to tell you who this reminded me of. Speaking of beaches, we were thinking about checking out that one famous beach called Ko Phi Phi Leh with the Maya Bay where they filmed The Beach with Leo. They also shot some scenes in the national park. Haven’t seen that movie yet, but I’ve seen some photos and it really does look like paradise. But I also read that the crew changed some of the natural beach setting to make it look more paradise-like. Apparently they altered some sand dunes and cleared a couple of coconut trees and grass to widen the beach. I don’t even wanna know what that did to the ecosystem. We had some time pressure, plus that place is said to be swamped by tourists because of the film. So, we traveled to two other islands that were closer and just as beautiful. Ko Yao Yai and Ko Yao Noi. They’re two of the last untouched wilderness areas and absolutely, yeah, beautiful. I know I’m repeating myself, but there are just no words. What a gorgeous and fascinating country. I miss Lijah like hell which is the only reason why I wanna leave. But I’ll come back. We’ll come back. We just have to.


~**~


A mass of grey and white dots as far as the eye could see. Not quite as in the far distance dark hills were visible through a veil of smog. A line of white letters formed the most famous sign in the world. Hollywood. Dominic’s face was glued to the window as he stared at the city below. The plane was about to touch down in Los Angeles after what seemed an endless flight from Bangkok. The capital of the movie industry, the city of angels, full of striving unknown actors who all shared the same dream. But above all and most importantly, Elijah’s home. Tapping his fingers against the glass, Dominic watched the ground coming closer and closer. They had not flown together after all. Elijah had gone back to New Zealand for four days to shoot his scenes and afterwards considered joining Dominic, Billy and Orlando for the rest of their Thailand trip. Since the guys had been traveling around the islands, it would have become a little difficult for Elijah to catch up with them in such short span of time. So Elijah had decided against it, also because he had had a lovely idea for their time in Los Angeles. He had asked his mother and she had been okay with it, so he had flown home and arranged everything. They wouldn’t have a full week in Los Angeles, just four days, but that was better than nothing.

Fifteen minutes later Dominic finally set foot on American soil. It was hot and, unlike Thailand, it didn’t look like any rain showers would cool him off anytime soon. As he entered the LAX building through the arrival gate Dominic felt his heart hammer in his chest. He had to wait for his luggage first and that didn’t take long. In order to avoid any potential attention from paparazzi who’s certainly want photos of Elijah “Frodo” Wood with his, at least to them, unknown companion at the exit, Dominic and Elijah had agreed to meet up in a more peaceful place at the parking lot. His shirt was sticking to Dominic’s sweaty body, there wasn’t a single cloud in the sky, yet it didn’t matter. Pulling his trolley case behind himself, he made his way quickly over to the parking lot where he didn’t have to search long. He spotted Elijah right away. There he was standing, dressed in a pair of old, faded jeans, a plain white t-shirt and sunglasses on his nose, looking as beautiful and happy as ever. Dominic quickened his steps and then finally they reunited in a tight embrace.

“Welcome to LA ,” Dominic heard Elijah’s voice in his ear and realized just how much he had missed the sound of it. The pure voice, not just over the phone.

“Thank you for having me,” Dominic smiled and pulled back to look into Elijah’s face. Elijah took off his sunglasses, revealing his eyes. Blue and sparkling like the coasts of Thailand. Dominic struggled against the urge to kiss him right here and now. Instead he picked up his case which he had dropped.

“Lead the way,” he said and followed Elijah to his black Mini Cooper. “Hey, I didn’t know you have such a cute car.”

“What, did you think I have some fancy mega van?” Elijah opened the trunk so Dominic could store his luggage inside.

“Yeah, something to show off. You’re a movie star after all,” Dominic teased and laughed when he received a light, playful punch.

“If you call me that one more time…,” Elijah threatened with a chuckle. The sound of it, along with his adorable tooth gap that flashed as he laughed, made Dominic feel at home right away. He sat down in the passenger seat while Elijah slipped into the driver seat. Elijah had not found a parking space in the shade, so the sun had turned the inside of the car into an oven.

“Sorry,” Elijah immediately rolled the windows down. “Hannah borrowed it one too many times and somehow managed to break the climate control. I didn’t have time to have it repaired yet.”

“Mmm…I have sudden sauna flashbacks, don’t you?” Dominic lifted his bit a little and fanned his belly with it.”

“I do,” Elijah glanced at Dominic’s glistening skin and then into his eyes. Taking a brief look around, he made sure that nobody was in sight. They were alone.

“I missed you, Dom,” he sighed and leaned a little closer. “I’m so glad you’re here. We won’t be apart again anytime soon, will we?”

“I missed you too, Lij. And no, we won’t. Not if I can prevent it,” Dominic closed the space between them and pressed his mouth against Elijah’s. At last. It had been too bloody long. They could taste the sweat on each other’s lips, but above all it was the soft sweetness they savored.

“We better get going or we’ll never cool off,” Elijah said quietly when the kiss ended. He would have loved to tangle his fingers in Dominic’s hair to keep him in place and deepen the kiss, but this was not the right place and they were being expected back home. Putting his sunglasses back on and starting the engine, he pulled out of the parking space. It was a 20 minute drive from the airport to Santa Monica and the headwind was wonderfully pleasant.

Dominic looked into the side view mirror and ran a hand through his hair. He could see faint dark circles under his eyes and his cheeks were rosy and moist. He could also do with a shave.

“Bloody hell, I look like shite,” he grumbled, scratching his stubbly chin. “I can’t meet your mum like this.”

Elijah giggled and glanced at him from the side. “My mom knows that people don’t look like supermodels after a 20 hour flight. Besides, you look great. And don’t shave, I love your beardy look.”

Dominic turned his gaze away from the mirror and smiled at Elijah. “Aww, thanks, baby. It’s just not that comfy in summer.”

“But it looks so good,” Elijah insisted, keeping his eyes on the road now. He took the exit that merged into Santa Monica Freeway and followed it.

“You know I’ll have to shave again next week, yes?” Dominic placed his hand on Elijah’s thigh and rubbed it a little. “Too bad hobbits don’t have beards.”

“Yeah, fucking unfair. The Thailand photos you sent me were awesome, by the way. I’m so envious,” Elijah sighed as he thought of the stunning beaches and various unpronounceable places in Bangkok that he had found in his emails.

Giving Elijah’s leg a gentle squeeze, Dominic smiled remorsefully. “Really sucked that you had to leave. But no need to be envious. We’ll go there together when the movies are over.”

“We should make a list of all the places we couldn’t see together yet,” Elijah suggested with a chuckle. “Oh, did Pete call you already, because of next week?”

Dominic frowned, wondering if he had missed something. “No, what’s up?”

“An event that requires us to get dressed up. The Winter Festival Hollywood Ball in Queenstown. Red carpet, the media and everything.”

“A winter festival in July? Sounds all kinds of wrong.”

Elijah grinned and turned off into the road where his mother’s house was located. “In New Zealand it’s quite normal,” he said and slowed the car down, checked the rearview mirror and turned right into a driveway. They came to a halt in front of a house that was hidden from the road by some trees and bushes. Elijah turned off the engine and smiled at Dominic.

“Here we are. Welcome to Wood’s Palace.”

Dominic studied the house through the front window. A normal house, like any other house in this street. You couldn’t tell that a movie star was living here. Or an actor, as Elijah would correct him. Dominic had thought the same about Peter Jackson’s residence in Wellington when he had seen it for the first time. Normal, not fancy, anything but a huge villa. Elijah had told him that he lived in an average house, like an average person, yet Dominic hadn’t really been able to imagine what exactly it might look like. Now he had his answer.

“Lovely,” he remarked, smiling at Elijah. “Lovely and modest.”

“Well, it’s just a house,” Elijah giggled, somewhat amused by Dominic’s reaction. “Wanna come in? They’re already waiting.”

Dominic opened the passenger door and got out of the car. Taking a look around, he noticed that you couldn’t see the street from where they were standing. The driveway was pretty secluded which was probably a good thing.

“Do many people know that you live here?” he asked as Elijah opened the trunk and took Dominic’s suitcase out of it.

“Not many people really care,” Elijah shrugged. Dominic took the case from him. “I’m not Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt.”

“Oh, but they will care next year,” Dominic winked. “It’s kind of cool that your house is not directly at the road.”

Closing the trunk and locking the car doors, Elijah nodded and took off his sunglasses to put them into his pocket. “Yeah, even if I wasn’t a public person, we would be living like this. It’s not nice having people look right into your window from the street.”

Dominic noticed how Elijah once again avoided words like famous, star and celebrity. It was so like him and it was one of the things Dominic admired so much about him. If you didn’t know any better, you might think that Elijah was just an ordinary guy, like every other guy on the streets of Los Angeles. He was an ordinary guy, but one who had an unusual occupation. Elijah had described himself like that once and Dominic thought it was the perfect description. If he was ever in danger of losing the ground beneath his feet, he just had to take a look at Elijah. They had already learnt a lot from each other and continued doing so every day.

“Ready?” Elijah held his hand out to Dominic with a smile. Dominic smiled back despite the lump he suddenly felt in his throat. He was nervous. It was a special moment and he hoped he would handle it well.

“Ready,” he grabbed Elijah’s hand and dragged his suitcase with his free hand as they approached the door. Elijah took his car key which had also the door key attached to its ring. Turning it around in the lock, he opened the door wide.

“We’re home!” Elijah shouted into the hallway and shut the door behind Dominic. A slender, dark-haired woman came out of another room and judging by the apron she was wearing and her hands that she was wiping on it, Dominic assumed that she had just been in the kitchen. As she approached him, he noticed that she was about the same height as Elijah was. Her face lit up when she saw him and he smiled back.

“Hello, Dominic! Nice to finally meet you,” she said, offering her hand for him to shake.

“Nice to meet you, Ms. Wood,” Dominic replied cheerfully and shook her hand. Her figure might have been slim, but her handshake was all the firmer and stronger.

“Please, call me Debbie. You must be starving. Elijah said you came all the way from Thailand. We’re eating in a minute.”

“Yes, and I bet you can see every kilometer of it in my face,” Dominic chuckled, rubbing his damp cheek. “It was totally worth it though. But you must be wondering what sort of freak your son has fallen for.”

“Dom was afraid you might be appalled by his bushed look,” Elijah told his mother with a grin who just made a gesture that said she didn’t care.

“Don’t worry, you don’t want to know how I look after so many hours on the plane,” she smiled and pointed at another door. “You can go and refresh yourself first, if you like.”

“Thanks very much,” Dominic watched Debbie disappear back into the kitchen and stored his suitcase in a corner. He was about to head for the bathroom when a shrill voice made him wince.

“Dom!”

He turned around again and couldn’t help but grin broadly as Hannah jumped down the stairs, taking two steps at a time in an impressive speed without stumbling. Her blonde hair was flying behind her and her skirt was fluttering around her legs.

“Hannah, my love!” Dominic pulled her into a tight hug, almost getting knocked down when she threw herself against him. She giggled and wrapped her delicate arms around his neck as she hugged him back.

“So fucking cool that you’re finally here,” she beamed, pulling back to look at him. “You were in Thailand, I heard? How was it? Did you see that place where they filmed The Beach? Are the beaches really that beautiful there?”

“Fuck Hannah, let him breathe,” Elijah laughed amused. “He hasn’t even settled in yet.”

“Ah, I wish she was my little sister for real,” Dominic winked at Elijah and let go of Hannah. She folded her arms and faked a hurt pout.

“What? I’m just curious. Oh well, you can tell us everything at dinner,” she paused for a moment, her facial expression turning a little more serious. Yet there was still a light, soft smile on her lips. Placing a hand on Dominic’s shoulder, she looked at him with a mixture of pride and contentment.

“Thank you for calling me and letting me know that you guys came to your senses. I knew it was the right thing to do. It was the right thing…right?”

Dominic and Elijah smiled at each other, thinking about the past weeks and how their lives had changed after they had come out to their friends. It was hard to remember how they had managed to handle the situation when their relationship had still been a secret.

“Right,” Elijah took Dominic’s hand in his and their fingers intertwined. Then he looked at Hannah with a not quite seriously grave face. “If I had known that it was you who had talked him into persuading me…well, I should have known…”

“I think I would have asked you sooner or later,” Dominic said, squeezing Elijah’s hand. “Hannah just gave me a kick in the arse to make me talk to you sooner.”

“I’ll kick your ass whenever you need me to,” Hannah smiled and rubbed her belly. “Mmm, see you at the table, guys.”

And with that she turned on her heel and went into the kitchen. Elijah moved to stand in front of Dominic and smiled up at him.

“And? Like it here so far?” he asked. He released Dominic’s hand and put his hands on either side of Dominic’s hips, his fingers stroking up and down slowly.

“Mmm…feels like home,” Dominic reached up and cupped Elijah’s warm cheeks. “Mostly because you’re here…,” he mumbled and claimed Elijah’s lips for a brief, but loving kiss. Then he reluctantly pulled himself away from the still smiling man in front of him and quickly disappeared into the bathroom. When he returned, he knelt down before his suitcase and opened it. He pulled out a long box and opened it.

“What’s that?” Elijah asked curiously and grinned as Dominic held the bottle in his hand.

“From Thailand,” Dominic stood up again and showed him the bottle of red wine. “I know Thailand is not exactly famous for its wines, but there are some pretty good flavors actually.”

“Cool idea,” Elijah touched the bottle to read the label. “Just needs to be put into the fridge, urgently,” he giggled. Dominic and Elijah joined Debbie and Hannah in the dining room which was attached to the kitchen.

“Elijah said you like seafood, Dominic,” Debbie said as they entered the room and she was just placing another bowl on the table. Hannah was laying the cutlery in a very rather neat manner.

Dominic surveyed the various plates, dishes and plates and realized all of a sudden just how hungry he was.

“I like anything that comes from the sea actually. Sushi, above all. I could kill for it,” he chuckled and sat down on the chair next to Elijah’s. Hannah flopped down across from him and propped her elbows on the table, smiling at him.

“I brought a little present from Thailand,” Dominic put the wine bottle in between the plates and pots. “It’s just a bit warm.”

“Thank you, we can put it into the fridge and try it later,” Debbie suggested and sat down beside her daughter. Then she opened a cold bottle of red wine and poured it into the four glasses. “Well then, tuck in, there’s enough to last us for a week.”

“Certainly looks like it,” Dominic grabbed his fork with a grin.

“So, is this your first time in LA?” Elijah’s mother wanted to know after Dominic had complimented her on her cooking skills.

“The second time. The first time I was here, I saw the insides of the airport. I think that counts,” Dominic joked, raising his glass and taking a sip of the wine. “I didn’t fly to LA to meet Peter Jackson, I flew directly to New Zealand after I got the role.”

Hannah looked at him proudly from the other side of the table. “You guys must have really impressed him. Elijah was signed right away after he sent in his tape.”

“Oh well, a normal audition would have been boring,” Elijah shrugged with his mouth full.

“And is America a bit of a culture shock for you, Dominic?” Debbie asked with a lightly teasing smile. “You know, Americans have this cliché in their heads, that the English are all well mannered and drink tea every afternoon and are very decent and the Europeans thinks we Americans are all superficial, fat and rude.”

Dominic laughed and shook his head. “No no no, believe me, I never thought so and I don’t really know any Brits who do. It’s really just a stupid cliché. I don’t believe in these stereotypes. I think they really keep us from getting to know one another. Seriously, Elijah is better mannered than I could ever dream of being,” he grinned at Elijah who grinned back at him.

“It’s the accent, I’m telling you,” Hannah said in a convinced tone. “The Brits pronounce everything so clearly and beautifully whereas the Americans all slur.”

“Anyway, I’ll be your personal tour guide and show you how beautiful LA actually is,” Elijah smiled at Dominic, his fingers playing with his wine glass. “The Hollywood Hills, the sign, the Santa Monica Pier, Venice Beach, Chinese Theatre, the Walk of Fame…”

“The smog,” Hannah snorted, forking some prawns into her mouth.

“Already saw that from the plane,” Dominic glanced at her before turning back to Elijah. “Sounds ace.”

“You’re gonna love it,” Debbie told him. “It was weird coming here from Iowa for the first time, but there are some beautiful places where you can go if you want to avoid certain places and people. So, Lord of the Rings isn’t your first movie, is it?”

Dominic had to grin at that. Considering what he had done before Lord of the Rings, he wasn’t very proud of his previous work. “Well, it’s the first movie I’m doing that’s coming to theatres. I’ve only done TV work so far, more or less worth talking about. I studied English literature, drama and geography at a local college in Manchester where I come from and played lots of theatre, that’s how I was discovered and offered a role in a British detective drama-comedy series when I was 19…”

“An awesome series,” Elijah interrupted him, grinning and chewing.

“Awesomely trashy,” Dominic corrected him humorously. “But well, it was my first big acting gig and it was really fun. I bet it’ll be a cult classic one day,” he joked and swallowed some more wine.

“Anyway, I did two TV films and also played theatre in London where casting agents for Lord of the Rings saw me. I auditioned and was in the middle of filming a TV series in France when I got the call from my agent who told me that Pete wanted me. Not for Frodo as Elijah stole that role away from me,” he chuckled and glanced at Elijah who looked at him overly apologetically.

“Theatre really seems to be a pretty good place to be discovered,” Debbie remarked. “And it’s the most difficult sort of acting, isn’t it?”

“Absolutely,” Dominic nodded. “It’s live, you can’t say cut and repeat the scene, you have to speak louder, you have to do intense gestures…you really notice that Ian McKellen is a stage actor, he’s amazing.”

“Your parents have anything to do with the acting business?”

“No, not at all. My mother is a nurse and my father is a science teacher. I’ve got a brother who’s a year older than me and he’s a teacher as well. I was born in Germany because he was teaching for the British armed forces there at the time. We lived in Germany until I was 11 and then we moved back to Manchester. Well, Stockport which is close…”

“Really?” Debbie’s eyes lit up. “I’ve got German ancestors, my family is from there.”

“They are?” Dominic smiled. “That’s cool.”

“Yeah, actually Elijah, Hannah and Zach have got German, English, Polish and Irish roots. Well, many Americans have European roots, it’s nothing special.”

“I’ve got Irish ancestors as well. Hey maybe we’re related, Lij?” he laughed.

Elijah stared at him with wide eyes. “Wow, I hope not. That would really suck,” he giggled. “The world is small.”

“You still speak German?” Hannah asked, laughing as Dominic visibly cringed.

“Not that well anymore. It’s really sad how much you forget once you don’t live there anymore. I understand it pretty well, but speaking is not that easy. It’s a hardcore language.”

“Say something!” Hannah urged him excitedly. “German with a British accent, I have to hear that.”

Elijah took a sip from his wine glass and looked at Dominic with amusement. “And not what you said to me once. That’s too easy.”

He had asked Dominic to say something in German before and the words had been easy, but their meaning had sent touched shivers down Elijah’s spine. Hearing those famous three words in a different language had been more moving than he had thought.

“Oh my God…okay…,” Dominic leaned back in his chair and ran his hand through his hair with a grin, searching for the right words in his head.

“Don’t worry, Dominic. I’m pretty much the only one here who might notice any mistakes, but it’s been way too long since I had anything to do with this language,” Debbie laughed and grabbed the bottle to refill Dominic’s almost empty glass.

“Alright…uhm…,” Dominic pulled at a few strands of his hair and closed his eyes for a moment. He knew what he wanted to say and he hoped that he remembered the right words and didn’t say anything embarrassing. Opening his eyes again, he looked into expectant faces. “Ich bin …sehr…froh…hier…zu sein…it means, I’m very happy to be here.”

“Awesome,” Hannah cheered. “Sounds really difficult, but cool.”

“And really smart,” Elijah patted Dominic’s back gently and picked up his fork again. “I’m feeling so uneducated suddenly.”

“I’m glad I remembered something,” Dominic sighed with relief. “Good to know that not everything is lost. This food is delicious by the way, Miss Wood. I mean, Debbie. But if you want, you can take a break from the kitchen tomorrow and I’ll cook something.”

“Oh, Dom is the best cook in the world!” Elijah exclaimed and quickly added, “the best male cook, of course, mom.”

Hannah raised an eyebrow and looked from Dominic to Elijah. “A guy who likes cooking? Wow, you really hit the jackpot, Lij.”

“I love it,” Dominic smiled. “I worked as a chef once before I started acting professionally and really learnt a lot.”

“Hmmm, a classic British meal would be nice indeed. Gladly, Dominic,” Debbie said as they proceeded eating and talking. She thought Hannah wasn’t that wrong with her jackpot remark. Elijah had told her what kind of person Dominic was, back when he had come out to her despite his huge nervousness and fear. According to Elijah, Dominic was the most caring, lovely, entertaining and capturing guy he had ever met. Debbie had wondered what getting to know him personally would be like. Hannah had also told her a lot when she had come back from New Zealand. Her daughter had been incredibly excited and enthusiastic about this Brit and Debbie knew if Hannah was like this about a guy, then he must truly be someone special. Because Hannah had never been like that about a guy before. Debbie had deeply regretted that she hadn’t been able to fly to New Zealand together with Hannah. Letting her 16-year-old daughter go alone had been anything but easy, but Hannah had her own head and she had insisted on flying. Elijah and his sister were very close, so Debbie was aware that Hannah’s opinion was something he had been dying to hear. And now here they were, finally sitting all together and talking like they had known each other for years. That was a feeling Debbie had gotten right away when she had seen Dominic for the first time and shaken his hand in the hallway.

Elijah smiled at his mother from across the table, somehow knowing what she was thinking. This was a situation he had often tried to imagine, but it had been difficult. If someone had told him a couple of years ago that he would introduce a boyfriend to his mother one day, he would have freaked out and called that person fucking nuts. But now it seemed like the most normal thing in the world. And Dominic had a lot to do with that. As usual when he was getting to know someone, his unique aura and charms managed to capture everyone around him and pull them towards him. What was most remarkable was that he made his relationship with Elijah appear like it was the most normal thing in the world. It almost didn’t matter that they were together. It was nothing special. It was a simple fact and that was it. In situations like these they were just like any other ordinary couple and Elijah would enjoy their time here for as long as it lasted.

He smiled at Dominic who was just telling a funny anecdote from his acting time in England. Hannah’s words came to his mind again and his smile grew even larger. The biggest jackpot he could have hit.