Amy
I had a great time. I haven't been with loving people for a while. Jace's family has filled that hole that has been digging in my heart because of missing my family. My family is not this collected. My parents are divorced. My father is remarried and my mother is with her current boyfriend, Bruce. Bruce is a friendly guy but it is still weird to me that my mother is dating a guy. My parents have been divorced for six years, but seeing them with other partners still surprises me. Divorced or not, they are still my family and I love them both. Perhaps they had their reasons for separating. Who am I to judge them?
The kitchen is very large I didn't even notice Jace standing in the doorway staring at me. When I look at him, he gives me a dimpled smile and my skin heats up. I don't know what that is about but I kinda like it. I give him a shy smile and place the dishes that I was wiping into the cupboard. Sophia is still talking about a topic I am not sure I understand. I think she is telling me something about plates and dishes. I don't know. I think I lost track in the middle of changing subjects from children to houses. I have no idea where it is heading but I love having her excitement and jokes around me. I wish I could stay in this bubble forever.
Jose leaves Jace behind and walks toward Sophia. She is still entertaining me with her talk so she doesn't notice him as he wraps his arms around her and engulfs her in a bear hug. He kisses her hair in a mutual intimate gesture that makes me smile. Their love is open for everyone to testify. I find myself looking at Jace who is equally eyeing me. He regards me with a worried look and mouths at the couple cuddling beside me. I shrug my shoulders to show him that I don't mind. Instead, I find myself envying Sophia...
I walk over to Jace since my work there is done, and some couple needs some privacy.
"Sorry about those two," Jace says. I am caught off guard by his need to apologize.
"Don't mind me. I'm fine," I respond with a smile.
"Are you ready to go back home?" he asks me. My heart sinks. I was so happy being around all these lovely people that I forgot I had to go back to my cold and lonely apartment.
"Oh," is all that escapes my lips.
"What? Are you alright?" he cocks his head to one side to study my face.
"Um, yeah," I say nodding frantically.
"I was getting worried you would be mad if you got home very late," he says. I even lost track of time.
"What time is it?" I try hard not to panic.
"It's just nine-thirty," he replies while scratching the back of his neck.
"Nine thirty?" I am alarmed. When did time move so fast?
"Don't freak out. I will drive you home," he says.
"Am not freaking out," I lie. Thankfully, he doesn't make fun of my nose growing longer. Maybe he bought it.
"You don't have to go if you don't want," he offers.
"What do you mean?" I purse my lips to stifle a laugh.
"We have an extra room. You can sleep over," he replies.
"No way. My apartment is just a few minutes' drive from here," I say. "It is my first visit and I don't want to burden you with my staying over. Besides, I don't have extra clothes to change into."
"Sofia wouldn't mind lending you some clothes. You are about the same size as her," he says. I chuckle and cover my mouth with my hand to muffle the sounds. The last thing I want is to attract everyone's attention to this silly conversation. Jace looks serious about me staying over. He doesn't laugh at her joke which makes me sober up.
"You can't be serious," I tell him.
"I am serious, Amy," the way he says my name, makes me stare into his eyes. Those eyes seem to hold a promise.
"Are you almost living?" Alexa's voice brings me out of my reverie. She walks past us into the kitchen.
"Yeah," I reply without thinking.
"Why? It is still early," she looks astonished. I don't understand why this family had a different definition of 'early' from what I know.
"It is too late according to Amy," Jace says and I swat his arm.
"What?" he looks a bit offended. "You are the one who was freaking out about the time."
"I just have some work to do at home, that's why," I tell Alexa who smiles warmly at me.
"I understand, dear," she says as she pours herself a cup of water. I have no idea where Sophia and Jose have disappeared to.
"What could you possibly have to do at this time? It is Sunday so you should have a break," Jace says.
"I have to prepare for the week," I explain.
"Let tomorrow take care of itself," he says.
"I wouldn't advise you to take in Jace's ill advice," Alexa says with a smirk.
"It always works for me," he defends himself.
"I am not you, definitely," I tell him. He rolls his eyes at me and I can't help but laugh.
"Anyway, Ellen and the kids wanted to say bye to you before you leave," she tells me.
"Okay, I will look for them," I tell her.
"Okay. I will be living," she says as she approaches me. She envelopes me in a warm hug that makes my heart melt. Her bump is quite the armor so the hug is short.
"It was so nice meeting you, Amy. You are such a sweet girl and I pray you come back to see us soon," she says and sniffles. Is she going to cry? I hope not because this is going to be very awkward. She gathers her composure.
"Now I am going to look for Patrick. God knows wherever he is in this humongous house," she says. I give her a small smile and she walks away to find her husband. I know she will make a sweet and loving mother.
"That was so touchy-feely," Jace compliments from beside me.
"Spare me this time," I say with a smile and walk away to find Ellen and the kids. I hear Jace chuckle from behind me but I have to control myself not to turn and swat his arm, which is something I have recently added to my behavioral traits.