Professor Cumberbatch

Part 8

Benedict's POV

"Amelia Parker, could you please stay after class when the bell rings?"

"Yes Professor Cumberbatch," she groaned in annoyance, but I knew that she felt just the opposite.

When the bell rang, everyone filed out, but not her. She was sitting at her desk, staring at me with flirty eyes.

"Was I misbehaving Professor?"

"No, but I do have to inform you of a matter that has just come up."

Her face immediately changed to worry and she hurried up to my desk.

"What is it, Benedict?"

"I told you that my parents were supposed to go on holiday to Greece, right? Well their plans have changed because my mum broke her foot. They're staying home, and I'm going to visit them for a while. I'm leaving the day after class ends, and I won't be back until the thirtieth."

She frowned deeply, but rubbed my arm to comfort me. "I'm sorry to hear that we won't be able to spend time together, but I know better than anyone else that family is important, and you need to be with them."

I gave her a reassuring smile. "We can text during the day or call each other at night. And when I'm back, I have a party to make an appearance at on New Year's Eve, but we can try to spend the rest of the night together."

"I'd like that. I can give you your Christmas present then because you have to receive it in person."

I pulled her closer to me, smirking, "Can I have a hint as to what it is?"

She simply shook her head, "Nope."

"Damn you," I chuckled, kissing her forehead softly. "You've got to go to your next class, Amelia. I'll talk with you later this evening."

"Mmmm... Okay." She pinched my bum then grabbed her bag and left.

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It was Christmas now. I was with my parents, and we were sitting in front of the fireplace drinking eggnog.

"It's so nice to have some family time with you again, Benedict," my mother beamed. "It would have been even nicer if you'd have brought a girlfriend back with you."

I rolled my eyes and placed my mug on the end table next to the couch. I knew this conversation would happen eventually. My mother was always trying to get me to tell her about my love life. She wants me to settle down so bad that she sometimes even tries to set me up with girls she thinks are "worthy of my dashing looks".

"Mum, I've told you, I'm not seeing anyone. I'm focused on my teaching right now. It takes up a lot of time."

"Well you need to be focusing on settling down and starting a family. I'm not going to live forever, you know, and if I die before you give me any grandkids, I'm going to be very cross with you."

"You already have a grandkid, mum. Don't forget that Tracy has Emily."

"Okay, yes, Emily is my granddaughter, but technically, your father doesn't have any grandkids. So if he doesn't have any grandkids before he dies, he's going to be very cross. Right, Tim?"

My dad gave me a look that told me he didn't want any part in this conversation. He then sighed, "You're right, Wanda."

"I'm sure that your girlfriend would love the idea of marriage. From the way you've been talking to her on the phone, you two seem to be in love."

"I'm sorry, what? I've not been talking to anyone on the phone. I've told you many times already that I'm not seeing anyone," I said nervously.

"Oh don't play coy with me! I've heard you talking almost every night you've been here! Why don't you want me to know that you're seeing someone?"

Her voice broke, and it upset me. It caused me to bury my face in my hands and sigh deeply. I thought long and hard about what I was going to say without revealing any information about Amelia to my parents.

"Mum, it's not that I don't want you involved with my love life... This relationship is new, it's complicated, and I just want some privacy. I don't know how it's going to work out."

"But you are dating someone then?"

"Yes mum, I'm dating someone."

"Are you happy right now?"

"I'm very happy right now."

"Then I'll leave it be for now. But please, call me sometime and tell me how it's going. We've gone far too long without speaking. You can't treat me like that. I'm your mother."

I got up and knelt down in front of my mum, hugging her gently. "I'm sorry, I've been busy. I promise that I'll call you more often, and I'll try to visit when I can. I love you both."

My father joined in on the hug, and I kissed them both lovingly.

"I'll get started on Christmas dinner, if you don't mind, mum. I want you to rest your foot. Dad, you rest too."

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As soon as I got the ham in the oven, my phone rang. It was Amelia.

I looked into the living area to make sure both of my parents were still in there before going into my bedroom to answer the call.

"Happy Christmas, sweetheart."

She didn't respond with words. The only thing I could hear on the other end of the phone was her crying.

"Amelia, what is it? What happened?"

"I miss him... I miss him so much."

"Who? Your father? Talk to me, babe. I want to make you feel better."

"W-we were opening presents, and then my mum got called to work. She left, so Zoe and I curled up to watch a Christmas movie together. But I just started thinking about my dad, and I broke down. I locked myself in my room because I didn't want Zoe to see me like this, Benedict."

"Just calm down. Take deep breaths. Relax," I said softly to her. "Listen. I know it's hard right now. The first few Christmases and holidays will be, but just think about who you're with. It's okay to be sad, but try to be happy and cherish the time you have with your mum and your sister. Will you try to do that for me, Amelia?"

She sniffled and then responded quietly, "Yes. I'll try. I promise."

"Good. Now go finish the movie with your sister. Maybe even drink some eggnog or hot cocoa."

"Okay, I will. Happy Christmas Benedict. I love you."

I smiled softly as it was the first time she had ever said those words to me.

"I love you, too."

END OF CHAPTER