When we came back, I saw mom looking at me meaningfully and I just nodded in response to her unvoiced question. She looked at Ed nervously and seeing Ed's relaxed face, she assumed that everything is well.
I saw Jeff near the grill and went up to him. I hugged him from behind. I knew that our friendship was sincere and that he cared about me because he placed his hand on top of mine and looked at me.
"What is this for?" he asked.
"I'm sorry that I lied at you." I said, embarrassed by myself for being so petty.
"Hmmm? What lie was that?" he teased but the look in his face told me that he knew exactly what I was talking about, he just doesn't want to give me the easy way out. He pulled away from me and made me look at him, "What lie was that again?"
"About me having male siblings and cousins. That I grew up as the only girl in the family." I said shyly.
"Ah. Such a huge lie. I am quite disappointed with you, Lena." he said while clucking his tongue.
"Quit messing with her." Ed defended me and made me smile at him gratefully. "I am the only one who has the right to mess with her," and winked at me.
His words sent everyone laughing.
"So someone took my place, huh?" Reagan hollered. "You thought you'll live peacefully, right Lena?"
I just gave him a nasty look and gave Ed a punch in the stomach which made him hiss in pain.
"That's for messing with me." I whispered in his ears.
"Hmmmm. Fiesty." he said while leering at me, "I like that."
"Pervert!" I shouted and walked away. This made him laugh so hard. I saw dad coming towards him and dragging him to the grill with a warning, "Let her be." this shut him up and made him stop. I can always count on my dad.
I sent him a heart using my fingers as a thank you which he returned immediately. This interaction warmed my heart. It assured me that they have forgiven me for abandoning them all because of Ashton. Even Reagan did say anything, we acted as if nothing happened. This really is home.
I went into my room to freshen up. I heard some rustle outside and thought that maybe Bry came in to get something. When I came out I saw Ed on top of my bed.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
"Waiting for you." he said as if that was just the most natural thing for him to do. "You look really good, babe." he said, his eyes turning a shade darker.
"Why are you waiting for me? What do you want?" I asked again, holding on to the towel that I wrapped around my body.
"Well, this is the only bathroom that I am allowed to use as of the moment and I want to freshen up to." he said while his eyes ran up and down my body.
The way he looked at me made me leave the room as if I was a cat whose tail was on fire.
"Why are you running away?" he asked. I did not bother responding, my movements jerky because of embarrassment.
"No matter where you ran to, I will always come after you, Helena. So just stop doing that. It is a waste of energy on your part." he said before I closed the door on Bryanna's room.
I forgot that they were using mine and that I should have showered in this room. I leaned on the door, feeling my heart racing.
Because I walked briskly, I defended. I flustered by his words or the way he looked at me but because I was half naked in front of him. I reasoned with myself.
I quickly changed my clothes. Mom wanted us in a nice semi formal attire, so I downed a white dress with large roses printed at the hem of the skirt. The v necked bodice accentuated by subtle curves and the ribbon around the waist highlighted my small waist.
I brushed and just let my hair down. Its long slightly curly waves resting on my back. I always hated my red hair. I looks like my whole head was on fire or something. I always wanted the platinum blond that mom and Bry had. I once had it died blond and it turned to be a disaster. I never tried changing its color again. Dad told me that some things are better left as it is. And that includes my hair. He told me that I was beautiful with my flaming hair. I never believed him. I was always teased by my classmates when I was younger. So I know that he only said that to comfort me.
My entire appearance actually made me really conscious. I was only 5 foot 2 inches tall. Unlike the towering height of my family. I was on the chubby side. I had bigger boobs which are really inappropriate for someone who is as short as me. Bry would always complain about why I have bigger cup size than hers which just made our mom smile. She was built like that, she simply said until Bry learned to accept how differently shaped we were. I had tiny waist and a curvy back side and short fat legs. I envied Bry's legs that seemed endless.
My face was too small for my chubby body. I had freckles all over my nose and cheeks. My cheeks are always tainted red as if I was in constant state of embarrassment. I would also turn beet red almost matching my hair color when I am embarrassed or if my emotions are heightened. This made me unable to hide how I truly feel. My eyes are the color of emerald. Dad used to tell that he liked my eyes best since it reminds him of endless meadows after the rain.
What he said made me smile as a memory rushed to the surface. I came home crying because of a classmate teasing me of my appearance. He called me ugly duckling which really hurt me since I knew it was true.
I shook the memory and went downstairs. I want to enjoy this time with my family and not dwell on memories that were unimportant. I found Ed already helping my dad with the trout while Jeff and Reagan were busy preparing the booze. Bry was setting the table so I went to the kitchen and found mom adding the finishing touches to our meal.
It was a night to remember. Filled with laughter and warm smiles. We looked like a family who have known each other all our lives. Ed and Jeff fit right in. Like a glove made especially for me. My family opened their arms to these two who made me feel special and loved when I was away from home. I guess they felt that both of these guys were sincere when it comes towards me. I guess they can see how they cared and loved me which made them at ease.
***
We decided to head back to the city Sunday after going to church. Mom did not want to see me leave but I knew she understood that I have to. She was not letting me go to be someone else wife but instead letting me go to find myself and be myself.
Bry decided to stay here for good. She was just going to take a few days off and then start hunting for work while Reagan had to back to Wilson country to continue his job as a doctor in one of the biggest hospitals there. I will miss him and I knew he felt the same way with the way he hugged me before letting me go into dad's arms.
"I love you, sweetheart. Remember, you have a home here." he whispered and I saw mom nod in agreement.
"I know and I love you guys, too. Don't worry I will be fine. I am not the same Helena." I assured them.
"Oh, I know that you will be fine, sweetheart. Your heart is strong." mom said.
I looked back at them and wave before getting into the car. I saw Ed shook dad's and Reagan's hand, gave mom a kissed while thanking her for having them here and send Bry a nod.
Jeff also bid farewell but I noticed that the look that he gave Bry was a second longer than he normally would look at anybody.
Hmmm, interesting.