His | Mine | Ours

Chapter 90 - Christmas with the Clearwaters

The car ride to the Clearwater house is silent.

Charlie is awkward and embarrassed while I'm tired and have no interest in conversation.

I catch a brief nap before we finally get there.

Charlie's pulls into an open space and parks the car.

"We're here, kiddo." Charlie says, unbuckling his seat belt.

I force myself up and undo my seatbelt before opening the door.

I get out, closing the door behind me.

We walk up to the cabin-like house and knock on the door.

Within seconds, the door opened, revealing a young boy who looks as old as me.

"Who is it, Seth?" a woman says.

"It's Chief Swan, mom!" he opens the door wider to let us in.

"How you doing Seth?" Charlie smiles and ruffles the boys head as he steps in. "You've gotten bigger."

"That's thanks to mom's cooking." he grins and starts to flex is muscles. "Better watch out Charlie. I'll be bigger than you one day."

"I don't doubt it." Charlie chuckles.

Seth closes the door behind us and runs to the kitchen.

"Charlie." this older man greets him.

"Harry." Charlie grins as he shakes his hand. "Caught some good perch?"

"You bet." Harry chuckles. "Got some pretty big trout, too."

"Iris, this is my long childhood friend, Harry Clearwater." he introduces me. "Harry this is Mr. Summers granddaughter, Iris."

"Oh?" Harry brows raise in surprise. "Wait, you mean this is Jane's kid?"

Charlie nods.

"Wow." Harry looks at me hard. "The resemblance is definitely there."

"I've been told I take after my father." I say casually.

"That may be the case...." Harry replies. "But you have John's eyes."

"......"

It grows awkwardly silent between us.

A small smile forms on Harry's face and he turns to Charlie.

"You guys go ahead and sit. Take a load off." he says. "Sue's working on dinner right now. Have you guys eaten yet?"

Charlie shakes his head.

"Hey, honey?" Harry calls for her.

A woman comes from the kitchen.

"Yes, Harry-bear?" she answers him.

"Sue...." Harry looks embarrassed.

Sue grins and turns to us with a smile.

"It's good to see you, Charlie?" she says. "Now, who's this pretty lady?"

"This is Iris." Charlie introduces me. "You remember, Mr. and Mrs. Summers?"

"Vaguely." Sue says. "I'm not as familiar with Forks as Harry."

Charlie nods.

"I'm sure Harry has mentioned them or their daughter, Jane." he says and Sue nods. "She's their granddaughter, Jane's daughter."

"Oh." Sue says. "Well, it's nice to meet you, Iris."

"Liz." I correct. "And likewise."

"Sorry, Liz." she corrects herself.