Him and Her

Twenty-four

Twenty-four

Eric

I wish I could put her in the wheelchair a few more times. Just so I can hold her in my arms again. It felt nice to hold her. I wish I put the wheelchair a free more feet away, but instead I just take each step slowly before I place her down. I swing her backpack over my shoulder and close the car door before wheeling her toward the house.

"Don't mind the mess in the living room." She says as we enter the house. "It's kind of been like my second bedroom this past week."

"It's fine." I give her a reassuring smile.

As I follow her into the kitchen, I glance at the couch where she sat last time. Blankets and a pillow lays all over it. The coffee table in front of it is decorated with books, papers, and an empty glass. My eyes travel back to Ana who is near the open fridge. She reaches for something, but it's just out of her reach. I walk over quietly, and purposely graze her hand as I grab the dish she is reaching for.

"Thanks." She smiles.

"No problem." I say, handing her the plate.

She wheels over and puts the dish on the island and makes her way to the pantry, opening the doors and she slowly stands to grab something from the upper shelves. Once she has it, she sits back down and comes over to me.

"I hope you like apple pie." She smiles.

"I love it actually." I respond. "Apple pie is my favorite."

"Mine too! I've gotten so much of it!" She agrees.

We chat until she places a plate in front of me. I thank her. Ana cuts her own piece and we both sit at the table and gawk at how good the pie is. We decide to play the baby game while we eat. "Girl name, go!" I say.

"Oh! Sadi, Madeline, or Gabriella." She responds.

"That is it!" I almost squeal.

"Which one? Gabriella right!" She laughs.

"Yes! It's perfect!" I exclaim. "Do we have a number one girl name?!"

"I think we do!" Ana replies. She writes down the name and circles it with her signature sparkly blue pen. "I love that name."

"Me too." I agree. We talked for a while before I got a call from my mom. "Shoot, I forgot to call her." I stand from the table and answer her call. "Hey mom."

"Where are you?!" She asks frantically.

"Sorry, I'm at Anas' place. I had to drop her off. She made me something to eat before I leave." I answer.

"Oh, okay... well don't be there much longer." She says.

"Of course mom. I love you." I reply.

"Love you too, see you soon." She hangs up and I walk back to the table.

"I am due home." I state.

"Okay..." I hear a little disappointment in her response.

Our conversation continues while we clean up our dishes and when I put my winter gear back on. "Thanks for the apple pie. It was really good." I say with a smile.

"No problem. Thank you for giving me a ride home. And helping me in and out of the truck." She says that last part under her breath, but I can't help but smile.

I finish with my outer clothing and walk toward the door. Ana follows me out and waves as I walk to my car. "Whenever you need a slice of pie, stop over." She calls out with her smile.

I have officially fallen for this girl.

"Don't say that— then I will be here every day." I laugh, opening my car door.

"Well then, I'll see you soon." She giggles. "Bye Eric."

"Good bye, Ana." With that I close my door and start to drive out of the driveway onto the road.

- Back home, 5:54 pm -

"So, how was your date with Ana?" My dad teases.

"It wasn't a date." I roll my eyes with a laugh.

"Sounds like it." My mom laughs.

"Whatever— I am going to go and do my homework." I say walking toward the stairs.

"Okay, lover boy." My dad taunts.

"Oh! Before I forget, we have the perfect name for a girl." I announce.

"Okay, let's hear it!" Mom squeals.

"Gabriella."

My mom's hormonal tears surface in her eyes. "It's so beautiful! Perfect!" She sobs.

"Well, I'm glad you like it. Ana came up with it." I state.

"God bless that girl." She fans her eyes and pulls me into a hug.

I can tell she is so excited for this baby. It's all she has ever wanted. I hope everything is okay with it. The only reason they got into fostering was because they couldn't have kids. I am pretty sure she has an appointment tomorrow so we will see what they say. She has said that everything is fine so I'm sure her and the baby are okay. This family is all I've ever wanted, so for her sake and my own wishes, I pray this pregnancy and the baby will be healthy.

- Next day, after school -

"Hi mom." I say after I find her eating ice cream in the living room.

"Hey Eric." Her eyes remain glued to the screen, not facing me.

I drop my bag and walk around the couch to sit next to her. After I get closer I see her crying— "Mom! Everything is fine! You'll be okay!" I exclaim frantically.

"What? No! My appointment went great." She wipes her tears.

"Then why are you crying...?" I ask.

She motions to the television screen. A woman lays on a door while holding the hand of a man in the middle of an ocean. "Sad movie." She sniffles.

I try not to laugh. "Oh okay." She scared me for a second there.

"Want to watch it with me?" She offers.

"I wish I could, but I have a big test in a couple days. I have to study as much as I can." I explain as I stand from the couch.

"You're such a nerd nowadays." She laughs. "But it's a good thing."

I smile at her pride. "I'll see you later." I state as I walk back up to my room, grabbing my book bag.

When I get to my room, Belle is waiting for me on my bed. As soon as she sees me she jumps from my bed and dances around my ankles for attention. I pick her up and set her down on my lap once I sit at my desk. I begin to pull my books out and put them on my desk.

I used to hate studying. I was too fidgety for it. And I just didn't care. But now I know that I need to actually pass tests. So I use the tips Ana gave me and Igo through the entire module by the time there is a knock at my door.

"Hey bookworm. Dinner is ready." My dad teases.

"Yup, be down in a second." I reply, finishing up some notes.

I lean in my chair in exhaustion, rubbing my eyes. I feel like a robot. Like a genius. I actually remember most of the material I was taught. And not just in History, but in all my classes. Belle follows me down and I walk to the dining room taking my seat at the table.

"How was studying, Eric?" Dad asks as he pours mom a glass of water.

"It was good. I wish I could have been studying my entire time in school." I admit.

"Studying does wonders, doesn't it." Mom smirks, shoveling food onto her plate.

Dinner continues and we laugh through most of it. They make fun and encourage me to "make a move" on Ana to get her attention. But I just brush them off and roll my eyes, trying to change the subject.