Then There Was You

Chapter 11: You Are Worthy

"Mrs. Holden?" Ari was confused never had she seen this woman in this market. "What are you doing here?" "Well honey it's a store." She laughed to her placing a hand on her shoulder. "Yes I know I just haven't seen you since the hospital. How are you?" "I'm well dear thank you for asking. How are you doing with everything." She asked looking her over again making sure the cuts and bruises healed alright. "I'm great." Smiling widely to her. "See I told you they would have. Dr. Arabella?" Dante said cutting himself off happily surprised. "What brings you here?" He added.

"Just buying things last minute you know the usual procrastination thing to do." Rubbing the back of her head with a small chuckle. "How are you sir?" "Don't sir me. It makes me feel older then I need to." He said laughing with his wife. "Just call us Ellie and Dante and I've been great kid. Got to say thank you as well. We've been watching Xavier's progress and he has just been so much better since you came around. Whatever you are doing please keep it up. I haven't seen my son so happy in well ever." Dante said simply. "Really?" She asked looking shocked.

"Oh yes hands down. He said he's been spending a lot of time with you and I can not thank you enough for bringing my real son back to me. I've never seen my son acting more... healthy mentally, emotionally even physically Just can't believe it took a near death experience to start that process along.." Ellie shivered at the thought. One of the worse nights of the Alderman's and Holdens as parents. "You should come over for dinner." Ellie said clapping her hands together in excitement. "Oh I couldn't impose on you." Ari tried to brush off nicely. What if the date goes horrible and she gets her hopes up and then she has to go to a dinner at his parents place how would she face them. Too many what ifs running through her mind when she got back to reality.

"Oh your never imposing little one. I'm sure Xavier would love it. I'm sure he would help me convince you too. It doesn't even have to be at the house we could go out and catch up. It'll be great. Tell you what we will see you at the Dark Rose Sunday at six. Meet us there dear under Holden. We really need to run though. It was great seeing you." Dante said pushing Ellie to the register before Ari could change her mind. "Bye." Ellie said smiling to her waving her off. Letting her stand there with her little basket on her arm. Great got a date with a man I'm crushing hard on who is also my patient/client. Then the next day I go to dinner with his parents. That's really taking things slow. What could possibly go wrong with that? She was too busy mocking herself checking out trying to get home.

It was now Thursday night as Preston and Liam had taken out Vincent out for dinner. "This is great guys. I really needed this tonight. How you guys been?" Vincent asked taking a bite of his burger. "It's been good man you know staying busy." Preston shrugged. "Yeah always going through new people." Liam told him with a smile. "How you been?" Liam added. "I've been busy always on the go. Starting to feel a little drained though. I really need to shake it up." "I think maybe you just need a date." Preston said making them all laugh.

"Yeah maybe that's it." Vincent mumbled to them with a fake smile. "How's the dating game been you know?" Liam asked him. "It hasn't I went on two blind dates that were just horrible. I didn't even want to go. I'm just stuck in this like place. You guys all meeting up tomorrow right? Lexi told me when I ran into her." Vince asked casually. "Yeah man you can come with it's the little sports bar down the way from your office like the other side of the stripe." Liam told him with a smile.

"Yeah I'd like that. Sports bar huh. Bet Leah and Lexi hate you for that. Ari and Chloe probably just go for the food." Vincent laughed with the guys. "No they watched the games with us too man. Now give them credit." Preston argued playfully. "How are the girls doing? Leah still pinning yet over Calvin?" "Yup. Nothings changed. We still single pringles too. Lexi likes to do date around at the moment...still. Chloe's happily with a friend of ours Phoenix." "You're friends with Chloe's boyfriend?" Vince was shocked by Liam's statement. "Yup. He's a cool guy you'd really like him. I would if Chloe is going to bring him tomorrow." Liam asked looking at Preston.