![\"\"](\"https:\/\/buber.net\/Basque\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/maite-and-kepa-v3b.png\")
He lay there for a few moments, just watching, until Maite stirred. She opened one eye and glanced his direction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHmm,\u201d she mumbled. \u201cHow long have you been staring at me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m not staring,\u201d Kepa protested. \u201cJust\u2026 watching.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOk, then,\u201d smirked Maite as she turned on her side to look at Kepa. \u201cHow long have you been watching me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kepa blushed. \u201cOnly a few mintues\u2026\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA few minutes, and you just laid there?\u201d Maite\u2019s smirk turned into a grin as she scooted over, throwing her arms around Kepa and pulled him to her lips. \u201cYou restrained yourself from this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When Kepa and Maite finally made their way downstairs, they found Mari Carmen in the kitchen, coffee on the stove and breakfast on the table. She looked up as they entered. Raising an eyebrow, but with a smile, she said \u201cEgun on\u201d when she saw Maite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEgun on, Mari Carmen,\u201d replied Maite, giving her a small peck on the cheek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHow was dinner last night?\u201d asked Mari Carmen as she placed two cups of coffee on the small table that filled the kitchen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt was awesome!\u201d exclaimed Kepa. \u201cKoldo is turning into a master chef.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maite nodded. \u201cI agree. I was more than pleasantly surprised.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKoldo\u2019s always been good at whatever he sets his mind to,\u201d replied Mari Carmen. \u201cHe just has a problem focusing on what he wants to do. He has too many things he is interested in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maite looked at Kepa, silently pushing him. Kepa sighed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAma, speaking of focusing on what to do,\u201d he began before pausing. \u201cAh!\u201d he exclaimed, exasperated. \u201cI didn\u2019t think this would be so hard.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cZer?\u201d replied Mari Carmen. \u201cThat you are moving to Donostia with Maite?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maite and Kepa looked at each other in shock before looking back at Mari Carmen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNola jakin zenuen?\u201d Kepa asked in disbelief. \u201cHow did you know?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mari Carmen chuckled. \u201cIt\u2019s a small town. The ladies like to\u2026 talk\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There was an awkward pause as Mari Carmen, returning to her routine, let them digest the situation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell\u2026\u201d began Kepa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, what?\u201d asked Mari Carmen, innocently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, what do you think?\u201d he blurted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mari Carmen sighed as she put down her dish towel. She came over to sit at the table across from Kepa and Maite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLook,\u201d she said, \u201cI can\u2019t say I won\u2019t miss you. This baserri is already too big for the two of us, and by myself\u2026\u201d She looked around, as if to survey the whole building – the foyer and the barn, the upstairs, the loft. \u201cBut, I knew this day would come, that you would need to strike out on your own, build your own life. I do hope you come to visit often – Donostia isn\u2019t so far away – and maybe one day you will come back here with your family.\u201d She shrugged. \u201cWho knows. In any case, I\u2019m happy for you.\u201d She looked over at Maite and smiled before returning her attention to Kepa. \u201cI can\u2019t imagine anyone better for you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kepa stood up and walked around the table, embracing his mother, a tear running down his face. \u201cEskerrik asko, ama. Maite zaitut.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBai,\u201d replied Mari Carmen, tears also welling in her eyes. \u201cMaite zaitut ere bai.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n