4 | Gazing

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Ellie's POV:

It was the next day, and currently, I was sitting in the living room of my mother's house, along with my twin brother, his wife, and their son.

We all sat here with glasses of wine, except for Beverly since she was pregnant.

As we talked about life.

My mom didn't live anywhere big, unlike her children.

She lived in a small house by the beach, and it was goregous.

It was a light blue color that was outlined in white trim and had the biggest wrap around porch that me and Anthony used to play on all the time as kids.

The windows were open as the fresh breeze blew in, and the sounds of the waves crashing on the sand were heaven to me.

Beverly and Anthony sat cuddled up on the couch together as his hand sat upon her growing belly.

Her head lay upon his shoulder as their son Ace played on the floor.

I loved watching my brothers eyes when it came to Beverly or Ace.

I could immediately tell how his gaze softened and his stance relaxed because he felt safe and at home.

And it was really nice to see him this way.

It's funny to me how one woman can change everything about a man in less than a few years.

Its ALSO funny to me how they got married almost 4 years ago.

And how great they have been since.

I looked over at mom as I quickly observed her.

I noticed how she wasn't wearing that fancy of clothing anymore.

And how she downgraded more to sweaters and stretch pants.

How she barely did makeup anymore.

And how quiet she started to become.

And although she was still fairly young. I could just tell something was off.

I glanced at Anthony as his eyes soon followed.

I tilted my head towards mom, signaling him to say something.

He gave me a quick nod before clearing his throat.

"So, mom. How have you been?"

Her eyes quickly looked up from her lap as he plastered on a smile. Which only made me sad.

I wish she knew she didn't have to pretend she was fine all the time.

I wish she knew that it was ok to miss dad after 20 ish years.

That it was ok to show emotions around me and Anthony.

"I am doing ok? How are you guys doing. It's been forever since I have seen you and Bevelry, Anthony." She said as she looked at him.

Anthony returned the smile as he caressed Beverly's shoulder with his thumb.

"Yeah, me and Beverly have been a little busy with Ace, and then me with work, her with the baby. We just are always constantly doing something. Sorry, mom."

She waived him off. "Honey, it's fine. You have your own little family, which I just adore." She said as she reached down and squeezed Ace's cheek, causing him to giggle.

He looked just like Beverly. He had her blue eyes, her eyebrows, almost everything except for his hair color. It was a dark brown color like Anthony's, and his mouth was more like his than hers.

I've watched him a couple of times in the past, and he is great.

He is the best nephew an aunt could ask for.

"What about you, Ellie? How have you been, sweetie?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "I have been fine. Just staying alive."

Her eyebrows went inwards as she looked intrigued.

"Uhuh. And their is not someone special you want to tell me about?"

I narrowed my eyes. "No gross, mom. I am not interested in dating anyone and maybe even getting married."

Anthony chimed in as him and Bev both looked at me now.

"What's wrong with marriage, Ellie?"

"I don't know? I like freedom."

He nodded. "You still have freedom in a marriage." He said.

"And if you don't. Well then, you have the wrong person."

Beverly chuckled. "You say that, Anthony. But whenever I leave the house, you call me every 10 minutes to make sure I am still alive."

I smiled as she looked up at him. His eyes meet hers.

"Yeah, because I want you to be safe."

She laughed. "I was at the grocery store, grabbing ice cream!"

He rolled his eyes. "Yes. You and your obsession with ice cream."

All of us began to laugh, and soon, the room fell silent once more.

"Was Nikolai fine picking you up yesterday, El?" Anthony asked.

I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms at the thought of him.

"Yes. He was fine. Would have been nicer if it was you."

He scoffed. "You know I couldn't. Surprisingly, he jumped at the offer."

I didn't respond. Instead, looked straight ahead and saw her staring at me. Eyeing me down like an animal.

"You ok, mom?" I asked.

She nodded. "Yes. I'm just listening."

I eyed her suspiciously. As my mind immediately went to where she was thinking.

My eyes widened in a haste as my body immediately sat up.

"No. No. Me and Nikolai are not a thing."

Her smile turned into a smirk as she crossed her arms.

Anthony became alert right away as he narrowed his eyes in my direction.

"You better not be with Nik. He is not a good guy, El."

I shook my head. "I am not! Mom was the one who was thinking about it. Not me."

He nodded slowly as Beverly had a small smile on her face.

Her cheeks were red.

"If he isn't a good guy, then why have you been friends with him for years now?"

He rolled his eyes and sighed. "He's a GOOD guy. Just not the type of guy you would want."

I titled my head to the side. "And how do YOU know what guy I want?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "I don't. All I know is that he isn't good for you."

I rolled my eyes as I laid back down on the couch.

My back arched against the soft pillows.

"Well. Their is nothing to be worried about with him. We both hate each other, and he only picked me up as a FAVOR."

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