Dear Jamie (on hold)

5 - katy perry

"Hi, I just have one more question."

"Shoot."

"Is there anything I should bring tonight? Flowers? A cake?"

"You don't have to bring anything. Just yourself."

"Well, that's boring... You know what, I'm going to go ahead and get flowers anyway. See you tonight!"

Click.

Jamie's been a bit nervous about meeting my family. In short, that's the fourth phone call I've received from her today.

Not that I mind. I actually find it to be quite endearing that she's nervous. I mean, I can't imagine someone not liking her.

When I walk into the kitchen, I find my mother cooking dinner. When she turns around to grab something from the fridge, my brother picks something out of the pan, stuffing it in his mouth before she spins back around to give him a disapproving look.

Just like old times.

"I don't know why you're staring at me like that," Will says innocently.

"Oh. Déjà vu..." I say.

"Isn't it great? I've missed having both of you together! Next time, Will, you can't wait so long to come home."

"I promise I won't," he agrees.

"Although, I really wouldn't object to taking a week off of school to visit in New York..." I add.

"Maybe we could come up there for Christmas!" my mom says excitedly. "I hear the city is beautiful around that time of year."

"Oh, it is. You guys are welcome to come up. Avery really wants to meet you," he says. "Actually, she was the one who convinced me to come down and visit. She was appalled when I told her how long it had been," he laughs.

"Well, tell her that she's welcome any time," she says. "I'd love to meet her."

The recent change in my brother is pretty prominent. He still looks the same and acts the same. He just seems so ... content. I was more than shocked when he decided to take off an entire month of school. Now I know why.

Honestly, I couldn't be happier for him. Will was popular in high school and I can name more than a few girls that pined for him over the years, but he wasn't much of a "dater." He takes relationships very seriously; he doesn't like to waste his time. I'm glad that he finally found someone that feels the same way.

"I'll see you guys later, I'm going to go work on my article."

"Be ready for dinner in a few hours," my mom reminds me.

At seven, Will, my mom, Jamie, and I are seated around our rarely used dining room table.

"Jamie, these flowers are just beautiful. Thank you so much," my mother admires, adjusting the centerpiece.

"Oh, you're welcome. I can't take all the credit though, my mom picked them out," Jamie admits.

"Well, she has lovely taste," she replies.

Jamie smiles in return.

Things are going well so far and I think Jamie's nerves are finally calming. My mom asks her plenty of questions about her art and my brother adds his sarcastic comments at random intervals.

"So, where did Isaac take you for the first date?" Will inquires. "It wasn't a chick flick, was it? A little cliché, if you ask me."

She grins. "No, it was actually very nice. He took me to this little pizza parlor ... what was it called?" She looks at me.

"Carlos'," I answer.

"Isn't that the place Dad used to take us sometimes?" Will asks, lost in thought.

I look at my mom, her expression has changed slightly, but it's obvious she's trying to hide it.

"Yeah, it is," I respond.

He looks sad too at the memory. The pause only lasts for a moment before the conversation engages again, but I look at my brother and we trade a solemn exchange.

The rest of the dinner goes accordingly and after dessert, Jamie and I retreat upstairs for a tour of the house.

"And this is my room," I gesture toward the door.

"Wait, I want to see," she laughs, walking in.

I jokingly huff and I receive a smirk in return. She walks around the room looking at different things including my extensive assortment of novels and my music collection.

"You like Katy Perry?" she asks, holding up a CD.

"I'm human, aren't I?" I answer, earning an eye roll. She continues looking around the room before stopping in front of a row of picture frames.

"Who's that?" Jamie questions, pointing at one.

I lean in closer, already sure whom she's referring to. "That's my dad," I answer, reserved.

She looks up at me with questioning eyes, not sure what to say.

"Car accident," I explain. "It was three years ago. He was on his way home from work, the snow was really bad, and..." I trail off.

She's quiet for a moment. "Isaac," she breathes. "I'm so sorry."

"You couldn't have known." I walk over to put my arms around her.

"So," she says, resting her head on my shoulder. "Why did you take me there?"

I already know what she's talking about.

"The reason my dad loved that place so much is because that's where he took my mom on their first date. My brother never remembers that story."

She's quiet for a second. "Thank you."

"What for?"

"For wanting to take me somewhere that obviously means something to you. And for sharing that with me."

I smile and she stretches up to kiss me.

"I'll see you tomorrow," I say to Jamie, walking her to the door.

"Bye," she hugs me.

I shut the door behind her and let myself fall onto the couch, feeling the exhaustion from a long day. Will ambles over to join me.

"She's really great," he comments.

"I know," I say. We sit there in silence for another minute. "I'm glad you came home."

"Me too."

A/N: How was it?

If you hated this chapter, feel free to share your opinon. Was it too sappy? I hate sappy love stories. Were my attempts at being funny boring and failed? Do you just plain hate me and my writing?

If you have any feelings expressed above, you can tell me. I'm just glad I'm not talking to the wall.

Then again, maybe I am.

All in all, it's your decision. If you'd like to, vote or comment, and give me a piece of your mind.

Au reviour.