~ I had no words and kept my mouth quiet on what Maria told me. There just had to be a way to escape Cory. Even though the thought of fleeing seemed to be bleak. I touched my new gorgeous engagement ring, Cory gave me, feeling stressed as ever.
As Maria randomly got back up off the couch and knocked on that same door again and said huffing, "I swear that kid never hears me!" She faced my direction rolling her eyes. "Teenagers for yeah. John usually wakes him up before he leaves. His dad doesn't like him sleeping in." Then she yelled tapping her palm several times on the door, "Jake! Make sure your up before your father gets back from the meeting or else you know you'll be hearing about it!"
Afterward, Maria sat back down on the couch. Within a few minutes, Jake walked out of his room with a black and lime green basketball in his hand. He looked exactly like his dad with a softer appearance. Dressed in black long shorts and short sleeve black shirt. A picture of this red sports car decal is covered in flames was on it.
"I'm up." Making eye contact with his mother, Jake asked, "May I head to the court?"
"Jake say hello to Sally. First Maria asserted, "She is the future Primary Queen. Sally, this is Jake, my firstborn you haven't met him."
Jake smiled and said with a soft appearance, "Hello."
"Hello," I said chuckling. "You look so much like your dad."
As he tossed the ball back and forth in his hands, "That's what everybody says." Jake chuckled out saying
Maria laughed and said to me giggling, "Yes he truly does. He's like his mini twin." She then looked at her son and told him. "Sure you may go to the court. Sally and I are taking the girls to the pool. If you need me that's where I'll be. Your father is in a meeting, so I'll let him know you'll be at the court. In case he's goes looking for you."
As he opens the door to leave, Jake said tossing his ball around, "Ok." He then leaves the room fastening the door.
"He's a very sweet boy being in his teenager years and so respectable," I told her.
Maria giggled, "Yes. John is very strict with him and taught him to be respectful. He's a really good kid and enjoys hanging out with his father."
"I remember Clara saying something about that whenever I first met you," I indicated.
Maria smiled and said standing up, "Let's get these girls ready for the pool."
~~~
We sauntered back into the master bedroom. Baby Samuel, was in the blue bassinet at the end of the bed placed in the center. The girls were quietly on the carpet playing with a dollhouse off in the corner outside the bathroom wall. It was designed almost the same as Cory's room.
Nicely, Maria asked her daughter, "So Clara, you remember Sally from the store?"
Clara bounced her tiny head and said so cutely, "I remember the nice lady."
"Hello, Clara." I complimented so friendly, "You look so lovely in your pretty pink dress."
"Mommy made it for me and she made my friend this pink flower dress too." In a bigger smile, Clara verified.
I giggled and said, "Your mommy makes such beautiful dresses and clothes."
Then I noticed the slightly smaller child in the corner. The little girl had darker blond hair compared to her dad. But she had Nick's blue eye color and lips. She was a tiny five-year-old still considered a baby. She had a small sweet little round-oblong face, rosy cheeks, small nose, ideal rose lips, and bright blue round eyes.
Very delicate, Maria said to me watching the smaller girl, "This is Nick's daughter Samantha. She's known to be quiet and shy. It can take her time to warm up to people. She's quite the sweetie."
Right away I noticed Samantha was fearful of me. She was doing her best not to peek at me.
"Hi, Samantha." I spoke super soft, "My name is Sally. It's so nice to meet you."
Samantha blushed showing her shyness and kept quiet.
"I have some exciting news for you little ladies about Sally," Maria announced to both girls. The girls looked up brightly at us waiting to hear the exciting news. "Sally is going to be our Primary Queen. Cory is going to marry her."
Yay!" The girls Clara and Samantha cheered but Clara cheered the loudest over her friend.
Meanwhile, I shone yet crossed my glance at Maria. But she only laughed at my disapproval expressions.
Surprisingly, Samantha popped up giving me a huge hug. Just reaching above my left knee looking up at me with those baby doll eyes, "Are you going to be my new Aunt?" She shockingly asked me.
I was stumped here and didn't know what to say to this precious child blinking her eyes so innocently. I wasn't expecting to hear this question. So I didn't know how to respond and give Maria that help me here kinda expression. But of course, Maria wasn't any help and started roaring in laughter at my gaped eyes and lost expressions! I rolled my eyes çhuckling at Maria's goofy behavior.
"Nick and Cory are close like brothers. Samantha calls him Uncle Cory. The Royals have taken her in as their family." Maria finally said after getting a hold of herself. As she wipes away tears from laughing so hard.
Not wanting to disappoint Samantha glued around my leg with those bright beautiful eyes, "Well, I guess, I will be your A-Aunt Sally."
I almost choked on my tongue with the last part but this was new for me! I've never been around infants or children before. But when I saw Samantha's eyes lit up, it warmed my heart up dearly. Then she released me with a glowing smile.
"I understand what you are feeling," Maria reassured me by touching my shoulder. "You'll adjust to your new home, I promise."
Yet, I buried my frown beneath as she took her hand away. This isn't the place I want to call home, I felt.
Moderately pretentious, Maria said clapping her hands playfully, "Okay, girls! Let's get ready to go swimming!"
"Yay!" The girls hopped up and down cheering almost nonstop.
~~~
After putting the toys back neatly in the dollhouse. I helped Maria change the girls into their one-piece swimming suits from inside the bathroom. Next, I helped Maria grab some baby supplies from her closet and placed her stuff in a pink beach bag. Then Maria got her bikini and pink sundress on.
Afterward, Maria and I stopped by Cory's room for me to change into a bikini. Then I threw on a sundress that was light blue. While Maria waited in the hall with the kids.
Once I was done we started strolling down the hall with both small girls, "I didn't know your room was so close to Cory's. Randomly I mentioned, "Your only like twelve doors away."
Maria laughed as we walked down the imperial-type staircase and said "Nope, we aren't that far. So now you know where to find me if you'd like to hang out."
I giggled as we got off the stairs holding Samantha's tiny hand. Maria was surprised how she warmed up to me so fast.