I woke up feeling light hearted. I was so happy with what happened last night. The banter that happened between my family and my friends were so natural that I felt like I have entered a new world.
I stretched and felt Bry moving beside me. We ended up sharing her room since Ed and Jeff stayed at mine. I did not want them to stay at Reagan's since the three men were so tall that the room will be crowded. Although my family is well off, they never indulged in extravagance. Our home was just enough for all five of us to have our own rooms. My dad has a small office and the space down the stairs was converted into a mini library that housed my mom's book collection. Most of our furniture were still the ones that we grew up with. The only thing that was changed was the television and the house being repainted.
But aside from that, this is home. I am home. This is where my heart is.
I leaned and gave Bry a soft peck on the forehead. I missed her dearly and I know she is not a morning person and neither is Reagan so I have to get up and help mom in the kitchen. While I was in the hallway, I saw the door in my room was ajar so I peeked inside and saw the bed empty. I just shrugged and went down only to find Ed charming my mom so early in the morning.
As soon as I entered the kitchen, I saw dad sulking while mom was giggling to whatever Ed said to her. I went up to dad and saw his arms already spread in welcome. He gave me a bear hug which nearly lifted me off my feet and made me giggle too.
"Yep, I can still make my ladies giggle." he said triumphantly.
I nodded at Jeff and Ed and made my way to my mom and gave her a hug from behind. When I was about to grab an apron, Ed stopped me and embraced me to my chagrin and to my dad's displeasure. My mom just eyed Ed with a considering glint in her eyes.
"What can I do to help, mom?" I asked after pushing Ed away. I can feel myself blushing and no man ever embraced me in front of my family. Ashton never did that. He was never affectionate towards me in front of my family. When he came to visit, it felt like he was on a business meeting. Always formal and uptight. That's why Ed's hug made me pleasantly uncomfortable.
I helped out while Ed started prepping the table, even Jeff helped out. Mom asked dad to wake both of my siblings up with a threat that they better get the butts down in five minutes because there is no way that she's eating breakfast alone when we were all here.
With Reagan and Bry grumbling, we sat around the table and started eating. I noticed Jeff and Ed looking around at the noise that we made while eating. They were looking at us as if we were from an entirely different planet. I was not the only one who noticed this, my mom and Bry did too. Dad and Reagan was just busy wolfing down the bacon and eggs that's on the table.
"What are you both looking at?" Bry asked at both men which caught them off guard. I saw both of them turning beet red.
"Helena's cooking was the first home cooked meal that someone else made for me after my parents died." Jeff answered with his head bowed. "I normally eat out since I am not really good at cooking unless we talk about boiling some noodles."
"It has been a while since I ate with a lot of people." Ed simply said. "Before Jeff came here, I used to eat alone. So you can say that this is all new to me."
"You don't eat with your parents?" Reagan asked. Tact was never one of his qualities. Mom looked at him like he was a vermin, dad just shook his head, I looked at him in disbelief and Bry slap him behind his head.
"You block head! Just keep eating." Bry hissed. "I apologize in behalf of this caveman. Since he became a doctor, he lost his sanity. Might be because of all the time spent with his books. He forgot how human interaction and communication is." she added which made Reagan fume.
They started arguing, while me, mom and dad started talking like nothing happened. This started our day and just like ordinary days, we argued, we laughed, we talked and we played and fooled around.
After what Ed and Jeff said earlier in breakfast, dad became less guarded and Reagan became his nice self again. I think that the guys made them realize that not everyone has parents like them. He actually looked at me when the guys admitted that about their families. I just smiled at him warmly.
It is true, though. Not everyone is lucky to have the family in which I grew up in. I am so blessed by the chance that I was given to become a part of theirs. No one wanted me but they never hesitated and welcomed me. Even Reagan never made me feel like I was an outsider. From the start that me and Bry became friends, he welcomed me like I was his real sister.
In the afternoon, the guys decided to have some men time. He, dad and the guys went fishing while me, mom and Bry spent our time in mom's room doing our nails. I missed this when we were younger. We would usually go to the salon or spa together. Just to unwind from all of the school hassles.
We were waiting for our nails to dry when mom looked at me and asked, "So, Helena, what's the deal between you and Ed?"
"Finally," Bry sighed. "I have been itching for the details. I would have asked you last night but I was too tired."
"There is no deal between me and him, mom." I answered in defense. I can feel myself blushing which ultimately told them I was lying.
"No bs-ing, Helena." Bry responded while sending a peace sign to mom because of her cursing. "The sexual tension between you two is soooo obvious."
"Tell all, Helena." my mom commanded which was seconded by Bryanna's anticipating nod.
So I did. Told them everything. First meeting, first confession, first kiss, first touch. Everything there was to know between me and Ed, I told them. I have to get it out somehow. I needed the outlet. I also told them about Ashton and how I am currently working for him.
At first, mom was mildly pleased with what is happening between me and Ed. I think she really likes him. It is not that often that mom takes a liking on someone at first meeting. And knowing this made me really happy. But her expression started turning sour when she learned about me working for Ashton. Although she did not say anything, I know that she is worried about me. But she will always respect what my decision will be.
And my decision is to stay. I am not going to curtail my growth because of him again.