The Student

Chapter 22 - House on the Hill

It was beautiful the day we left America. For more than one reason. I was flying high with the promise of living with Orlando, and he was excited to get back to filming. We were all grins as we took our first class seats for a nearly perfect flight. The weather gods were with us and granted us safe and easy flying over the Pacific.

Once back to New Zealand, Orlando was left in Wellington and I, with fond farewell, traveled back to the house Viggo had rented for me. It was starting to look like home, and I was sad to leave, but my excitement over living with Orlando out weighed all doubts.

It took me roughly three days to pack all of my things. I had been in constant touch with Orlando about the house's location and also on what to expect. Everything was fully furnished, running water, electricity, and as an added touch for me, Internet access. All I would have to do was get my stuff in and start school from Wellington, a short five-minute drive away.

When I arrived at my new home, my breath was taken away. The house was in a lovely sub-division, but everything was very spread out. Set atop a small hill, it was a sprawling two-story home with a wrap-around porch and everything. Trees surrounded the home, but the most amazing thing was the deep blue that it had been painted. I could tell, just by looking at the 'good-as-new' fixtures and woodwork that it had been renovated.

The cab driver asked if I was going or not, and I apologized profusely for keeping him waiting. Pulling out the fee, I grabbed my bags and made my way up to the house on the hill. Using the key that Orli had mailed me, I pushed into the main hallway.

Someone had loved the colors red and blue. There was red oak flooring and light blue walls. It was very warm and welcoming. I loved it immediately. True to his word, there was a table just inside the door, next to the stairs leading to the nd fnd floor. There was a note on the desk.

Love,

Welcome home. I'm mad that I'm not there to 'carry' you across the threshold, but I trust that all is satisfactory. I shall be home within two weeks. Have fun at school and don't get into any fights. I I'm waiting for you, breathlessly.

Forever Yours,

O

Crumpling the note to my chest, I smiled as a tear dripped down my cheek. The next two weeks couldn't pass by fast enough.


Life went on. Life was boring, but it went on. I lived for the phone calls that Orlando managed every few days. Connections were rough out there, but just to hear his voice for a few minutes made my whole day. I talked to Viggo just once, and he said all was well. I was glad. Filming was going good, and that was one of the things that I thought of the most.

The Filming.


It was two weeks later. Just two weeks prior, I had been in my love's arms, whispering about dreams of tomorrow and forever and love. And now, I was achingly alone.

The alone part I could almost bear. The house was warm, and I had my computer, but I didn't have Orlando. I needed him . . . and if he didn't show up soon, I'd go up to the forsaken mountains and hunt him down myself! The thought made me smile.

I turned down the road to my house. It sounded so strange to say that. My house.

There was a strange car in the driveway. Red Porsche . . .

Liv.

I practically gunned it, pulling into triverive as fast as my rented car would handle, and flew out and up the steps. If she was back, that meant that Orlando was back too.

I pushed into the house. There were lights on everywhere. This was a good thing. I followed the sounds of laughter and cooking, and entered the kitchen. There was a regular party going on.

The Hobbits were all there and so was Viggo. I stopped at the door, in awe. This was not what I was expecting.

Sean was the first to notice, a grin lighting on his face. "Laura!" The rest turned and looked and happy greetings, and many hugs, were bestowed upon my still shocked body.

"Hey girl. Love the new pad." Vigg hugged me warmly, kissing my forehead in a fatherly fashion.

"Thanks. I did try."

"You? I believe I was the one who bought the house." I whirled. Orlando was standing behind me, wearing the most ridiculous black, frilly shirt and the hottest jeans in the world.

I gave a happy cry and threw myself into his arms. He chuckled, wrapping his own long arms around my back. He kissed me deeply, and almost obscenely. I was a little worried about propriety and kissing him like that in front of an audience, but Orli either didn't notice, or didn't care. And after the first thirty seconds, I didn't either.

He drew back gently, his eyes dancing with plain joy. "I thought I'd have to send a rescue team after you." The whole group laughed around me and I knew that I had finally found my home and peace.

Brushing the hair back from my face, Orli regarded me closely. "Have you done something different?"

I shook my head. "I must have missed you more than I ever realized then, because you just suddenly look like heaven to me." The other five people fell silent, watching our love-bird banter.

"Not nearly as much as I missed you. I thought I was going to die for a second there."

"Now don't do that." He brushed my nose with a kiss, before letting go of one side, and swinging me around to face guysguys. "Well, we're home!" Everyone let out a loud cheer before they returned to their merry-making. I looked around the mass of hobbits and rangers and smiled.

"Okay. In case you didn't get the hint, that means beat it." Orlando's voice was laced with teasing.

"Yeah. I'd better go see if my fish are still alive." Billy smiled woefully. "My poor fish have been sorely neglected since I left Scotland." We all chuckled with him as he made his way out with the rest of the hobbits. Viggo stayed a few minutes longer, talking about how school was going and how the move went. I humored him by answering all of his questions to his satisfaction.

It was Orlando who kicked him out too. Announcing that he needed to unpack, Viggo chucked, thinking of what exactly Orlando would unpack.

When the door finally clicked shut behind my uncle, Orli turned to me with a glint of lust in his eyes and swept me off my feet. "Shall I carry you across the threshold now, my love." I giggled, throwing my arms around his neck and nodded till my head practically fell off. He laughed and took the stairs two at a time, heading for the master bedroom.


It was six that evening when I finally took the initiative to roll out of bed, and out of Orlando's warm arms, and make myself something to eat. I hadn't consumed food for about 10 hours, and I was dying of starvation.

I stretched my arms over my head, trying to ease some of the tightness out of my limbs. Three hours of lovemaking sure takes a toll on one's body. Making my way to the kitchen, I frowned, noticing the pop cans that were littered around the room. The hobbits needed to be taught some manners.

I grabbed a Pepsi for myself before opening the pantry door, looking for some grub. Coming back out into the darkening kitchen, I noticed the blinking light on the answering machine for the first time. Funny, I didn't remember seeing the light before. Pressing the play button, I turned to sink and started to fill a pan up witter ter for my Mac N Cheese.

"Laura, this is your mother." I stopped, turning halfway to the small machine. "Your father is in the hospital. It's nothing serious, but I'd like you to call me." I dropped the pan in the sink and took two big steps to the machine. I checked the time. She had called at noon, while I was at school.

Picking up the phone, I quickly dialed my parents' number as worry and dread coursed up my spine. "Come on, pick up. Pick up!" The phone rang five times before I heard the voice of my sister on the other end. "Jess! It's Laura."

"Oh, look who decided to finally call home."

I rolled my eyes. For someone three years my senior, Jess had a habit of sounding like a ten-year-old at times. "Mom called and said dad was in the hospital. Is everything alright?"

She sighed into the phone. "Yeah. He keeled over during golf yesterday. His blood pressure is on the rise again, and he 'neglected to take his medicine'." I could feel the scorn in her voice. She was the one who worried most about my father, but she didn't want to show it.

"Is he going to be okay?"

"Yeah, he'll be fine. He just had a close call is all. I think he got some sense scared into him, so he might finally start taking his medicine everyday and not just when the mood strikes him."

"Where's mom? Is she around? Can I talk to her?"

"She's with Dad right now at the hospital, but she left Dad's room number and the hospital name and all that. I guess she wants you to call her there." After jotting down the phone number, I thanked my sister. "Hey, I'm just doing what I was told."

"Yeah yeah. We'll see little miss curfew breaker." I laughed before saying good-bye and hanging up. I turned, leaning against a cabinet. Rubbing my face with my hands, I sighed.

"Who was that?" Look up, through my fingers, I watched as Orli walked in, clad only in boxers.

I smiled. "My sister. My father had some problems out on the golf course yesterday, and they put him in the hospital."

He frowned, and crossed the room, giving me a tight hug. "Is he okay?"

"Yeah. He'll be fine. He just needs to remember his medicine." I laughed and Orlando smiled down on me.

"That's good." His stomach growled and we both looked down at his tight abs. "Hmm, maybe some food is in order. You agree?"

I laughed and nodded, looking to the sink. "I was about to make some mac and cheese when got the message about my father."

"Mmmm, Macaroni and Cheese. My favorite." He smiled, and crossed to the sink. As he started to prepare our gourmet dinner, I could only smile. He was almost too good to be true. He was like a dream.