Colossal Damage

35. 13. Laugh more

"I gave you so many warnings yet here you are dating him." Kalem shakes his jokingly .

"You should have seen him ." Kalem burst out into a fit of laughter .

"He burst through the door and screamed she said yes ! For a second I thought he'd found a wife ." Carter kicks Kalem in the shins shutting him .

"Kal stop embarrassing your brother ." Mrs D jokes as she hands Nova a Teddy bear.

"Thanks mum ." Carter stands up and offers me his hand . We excuse ourselves and walk up to his room .

"They can be overwhelming sometimes. "He rubs the back of his neck .

"True but they are around. "I smile softly . I miss my parents .

"Sorry I-"He starts .

"No ." I take a seat on my bed .

"I feel when they come back it will be akward... you know . We barely know each other. "I let out a half hearted laugh .

He doesn't say anything but sits besides me and pulls me to him.

"It's nice to have someone to lean on ." I smile up at him .

"I'm always here for you  ."

"Dinner!" We make our way down the stairs and to the dinning table . Like the first time I had dinner with the Daltons the table buzzes with witty conversations . The evening goes by quickly with Mr D cracking jokes,  Nova's giggles,  Kalem's sarcasm,  Mrs D's motherly smile and Carter smiling shyly in my direction .

"We're going up to the lake house in two weeks time . Paris you should come ." Carter chokes on his drink .

"Mum I don't think -"

"I'd love too if it's okay with Carter ." All heads including Nova's turn to face Carter .

"Yeah, I mean it will be fun because I'll get  to throw you into a large water body ." It's better than being at home ...

After everyone is done eating Carter , Kalem and I make our way to the kitchen .

"See honey, she didn't even have to tell them to clean the kitchen !" Mr D exclaims from the kitchen.

"Thank you so much for the lovely evening , and the invitation. "I hug each Dalton .

"You're welcome anytime ." Mrs D smiles at me .

"Bye !" Nova wiggles and throws herself in her mums arms excitedly screaming her new word .

"Bye Nova ." I smile at her and wave .

As usual my eyes only open when I hear the engine cut off .

Carter walks me up to my bedroom door and chucks himself onto my bed lifting his arm so I can join him . I snuggle into his arm . My leg drapes over both of his while my arm rests on his chest . My head rests in the join of his shoulder and neck . I let out a yawn as I feel his arms wrap around me .

"You don't have to come if you don't want to. "He sighs brushing my hair back .

"I'm beginning to think you don't want me to come ." I tilt my head up to look at him .

"No it's not that . I'm just worried you'll get overwhelmed.  My grandma and cousin live up there . So ,that is two extra Daltons . "He sighs.  His worried that his family will overwhelm me. I think that is what I need . A breath of fresh air away from this empty house that holds empty memories.

"So you'd rather me stay here in these depressing walls all alone ?" I question him .

"A weekend with seven Dalton's it is !" We both chuckle at this . He plays with my hair and rubs his hands in my scalp . I relax further enjoying the little massage . I let put a yawn and smile to myself.

"You're good with them ." He whispers into my dark room .

"Hmmm." I play with the collar of this shirt .

"My family . My little sister mostly , even Kalems nasty attitude ." He looks down at me .

"You have a beautiful family ." I reply.  I yearn for that buzz and excitement.

Buzz . Buzz.

My phone vibrates in my pocket.  Carter reaches for it and hands it to me .

I miss you.

I read a text from my sister . I sigh and put the phone down .

"Everything okay ?" I nod and yawn once again .

"It's just London telling me she misses me.  It's funny.  She hates me when we're in close proximity and loves me when we're miles apart . Like she's become super clingy ." I'm the nice sister so I reply her with an 'I love you.'

"Kinda like how you clingy ." He pokes my sides . I get up abruptly and support myself with my hand on his chest . I look down into his amused eyes .

"Says you Mr Hand on my thigh , kiss on  my forehead. Mr PDA ." I gasp when he flips us so I'm under him.  He runs his nose down my neck (where I'm most ticklish) .

"Can you blame me." He gives me that smirk of his and presses his lips to mine in a feverish kiss . I thread my hands into his hair making him emit a throaty sound.  I pull away nibbling on his bottom lip teasingly and give him my own sly smirk .

"No I can not ... even I'd be tempted with all this ." I playfully gesture to myself giggling when he growls. His hands attack me . I wiggle and giggle beneath him until we both roll off my bed.  We land with a thump and the rest is a blur of giggles and laughter.

L2007