By My Side [JENLISA FF]

Part 23

When Lisa and Jennie came down again, they found Georgie and her parents in the living-room. Mr. Manoban rose from his chair when he saw the couple entering: "Ah, Jennie," he smiled. "The whole room lights up when you bless us with your appearance." 

Jennie giggled, while Lisa rolled her eyes and exchanged a glance with her sister. "Thank you," Jennie smiled back. Lisa took her arm and led her to a sofa held in English Victorian style as was the whole room.

As soon as everyone had tea and a plate Sheila looked at Jennie: "Have you ever been in New York before?" she wanted to know.

The blonde shook her head: "No, never. And as I told Lisa I've only seen snow once before."

"Oh, my dear," Sheila clasped her hands. "Then we should have a stroll in the park the next days. It's so wonderful. All the children and the ice-skaters. I'm sure Sam and Sheila, these are my grandchildren, would love it too." 

"I love ice-skating," Jennie exclaimed. "I used to do it when I was little. We were living near by a rink in LA. That was when my real father was still alive."

"I see," Daniel took another sandwich. "When did he die?"

"When I was ten," the blonde replied. "My mother married again two years after that, and I love my stepfather very much."

"So, the little boy you talked about before is you half-brother?" Gorgie asked sipping at her tea.

"Yes. I didn't know about him until some weeks ago." Jennie said but wanted to bite her tongue afterwards. Glancing nervously at Lisa, she found her smiling and relaxed instantly. There was nothing she had to hide after all.

"Really?" Sheila raised an eyebrow. "Why?" 

"I ... I run away from home when I was sixteen," Jennie began looking at Lisa again. When she took her hand tightly she continued: "It was a pretty bad time. I had a boyfriend then. When I was eighteen I ran away from him, he'd become rather ... brutal." She took a deep breath and entwined her fingers with her. "Anyway. He found me some weeks ago, kidnapped me and then I was found next to his dead body. I was accused for murder and that was how Lisa and I have met."

Georgie nodded only and smiled understandingly, and Jennie realised that Lisa had probably told her about their relationship, while Mr. and Mrs. Manoban were listening attentively. 

"Her stepfather came to me," Lisa continued smiling at her girlfriend. "He hired me to investigate in her case and then things happened. Fortunately, we could find the real killer and clear her from any accusations." She led her hand to her lips and kissed it gently.

His parents exchanged a quick glance. "That must have been dreadful," Sheila's voice showed honest concern. "How do you feel now?"

"Better," Jennie replied.

"She was stabbed by the killer with a knife," Lisa told her parents. "In her stomach. It was pretty bad. And I freaked. After the things that happened with Emma, I felt guilty for this. That's why I came to New York. But fortunately, we found a way to deal with it." She smiled at Jennie.

"She was pathetic," Georgie informed her sister's girlfriend. 

"Thanks so much," Lisa gave her a certain look. "We all really needed to hear this."

"You're very welcome," Georgie shot back grinning, then she gazed back at Jennie: "But she really was. Only sitting around and looking all depressed. The last night before she went back to LA, Gavin and I had a misunderstanding and so my husband and my sister got drunk." She laughed: "You should've seen them. Pathetic doesn't even begin to describe it."