Not Your Average Family

Back To You

Helen's POV:

I wake up to the sound of something beeping, followed by the heavenly smell of molten cheese and I try to sit up, only to realise I already am. I look around, a little bit disoriented by the unfamiliar feel of the blanket around me that gives off an all too familiar smell.

As I stand up, memories of events flood through me and I fold up the blanket, following the smell into the kitchen. Damon stands there, pyjamas hanging low and shirt loose around him. I clear my throat.

"Oh, hey!" Damon greets me cheerfully, pulling a pan out of the oven. "Rest well?"

"Yeah, just this kink in my neck, but that'll pass. Do you know where Hector is? I should get going, we've been here for far too long. I should've just let you drop him home, I wouldn't've fallen asleep here," I ramble in my embarrassment. 

"Hector and Rhea have gone out to the park," he says rather stoically, 

"Do you know where? I don't want to impose any more than I already have."

"Don't know but they said they'll be back soon. And I like having you around," Damon mumbles. "Again."

"And I like being around you, makes me feel good and safe, but I feel like I'm taking advantage of you," I whisper back, feet glued to where I'm standing.

He sets the spatula in the empty bowl beside him, tucking the pan back into the oven, before turning to me.

"I would never see what you're asking of me as taking advantage. I couldn't if I tried. I meant what I said today morning, about trying to make it work again. You told me you still loved me, and I never, ever stopped loving you. If you want to take this slow, just tell me, but don't do this distancing thing to me - to both of us."

I hang my head low, the blanket still in my arms. I hear Damon sigh and turn around, cleaning up the counter, his breathing harsh.

I drape the folded blanket over the barstool in the kitchen and make my way to him, wrapping my arms around his waist and kissing the back of his neck. "Will you go out with me?"

"Pretty sure I should be the one asking you, but I'm free this weekend if you're okay with that," he replies, a small chuckle escaping his lips.

I rest my forehead on the nape of his neck and he tilts his head back to rest it on mine, his hands lightly holding onto my own ones wrapped around him.

I pull back when we hear the front door open, and Damon smiles at me softly with shining eyes as he pulls out the pan from the oven. 

"Hi Ms. Butterworth! Hope you rested well?" Rhea asks me, going directly to the kitchen sink to wash her hands. I nod with a smile.

"Shall we get going, Mum?" Hector asks, picking at his nails.

"It's almost dinner time, and I didn't know when you'd wake up, so I made dinner for four," Damon starts. "If you don't want to stay at least take some home?"

"Why don't you leave after dinner? Maybe you two could talk and get to know each other?" Rhea asks, bouncing on her heels excitedly. Hector gives her a look before turning to me again.

"I do want to spend more time with Rhea, but if you want to go home, I'm ready," he tells me.

"I think we'll head home, Mr. Greenwood. Thank you for the offer, but I think we've already overstayed. The food does smell delicious, though," I smile politely. Damon's smile falters but he nods in understanding nevertheless. 

"Let me pack it for you, I insist," Damon says, going to grab a box for what I recognise now to be baked pasta.

I move out of the kitchen with Hector to put on our shoes, and Damon comes out with the box, Rhea following close behind. I hug Rhea and take the box, thanking both of them for the day and make my way out as Hector hugs Rhea and thanks Damon. 

Once home, I kick my shoes off, and Hector goes to change while I put the pasta box in the microwave oven and pull out the plates. Hector comes into the kitchen, wordlessly grabbing glasses and a bottle of water, walking behind me to the dining room. 

We make small talk about our days as we eat, and my phone lights up with a notification. Hector doesn't acknowledge it and continues eating, so I pick it up to see it's a message from Damon.

How's the pasta? - 7.43 pm

Delicious. Still know how I like it? - 7.44 pm

How could I forget when you and Rhea both love it the same way?? - 7.44 pm

We should plan on having that date, soon, and you're making me this pasta again...missed the taste of it so much!!! - 7.44 pm

Always going make it for my girls ;) and my boy if he wants it too ;P- 7.45

I put my phone down with a chuckle.

"You got a date?" Hector asks me. I choke on my food.

"Who told you that?!"

"I dunno, your face, maybe?" he retorts, a tiny grin on his face.

"Not a date, per se, but I am planning to meet up with an old friend," I reply, taking a sip of water.

"Hmm. When are you going?"

"He might come over here this weekend. I'm not sure, we're still working it out," I say, deciding it was safe for him to know that.

"Cool. Let me know when so I can be out of the house, please," he says mockingly.

I lightly kick his foot under the table with a small laugh and we continue eating.

Damon and I pick up this constant texting habit over the week, randomly checking in on each other, asking about our kids, sending each other memes and pictures of things that remind us of each other. It's almost like the first few weeks of us dating again, except with the added benefits of smartphones and faster internet.

We decide on dinner on Friday night, since that's when Hector and Rhea would both be busy with school work.

All I can do is wait.

A/N: Hi *waves meekly*. I honestly haven't been paying this book the attention it deserves, but I'm going to change that starting today. I've been...preoccupied with...someone (in a negative way) but now that person's out of my life, I feel physically lighter and happier. I feel like I can finally breathe easier. It's time for a new start, and I'm going to make it happen!

If you guys are still reading this improperly planned piece of crap, I am really grateful. I promise I'm going to make this better.