To Love Thy Enemy (An Arranged Marriage Series Book One)

Part Thirty Eight

Ellie POV

The boat had finally docked and we were just waiting to get off. I had spoken to my mother earlier and she said they would meet us there.

“Can you see them?”

I looked around and didn’t see them.

“No not yet, can you?”

I saw him look around and his eyes landed on something.

“There they are over there by that light pole.”

I turned to see where he was pointing at and sure enough standing there looking around were my parents. I grabbed Frankie’s hand and pulled him through the crowd of people. I could see my mother look our way, tapped my father, and looked our way.

“Hi honey, I am so glad to see you.”

“Hi mom, I am glad to see you too.”

“Well let’s get to the car and we can talk about your trip.”

I grabbed Frankie’s hand and followed my parents to where they parked. We loaded our suitcases into the trunk and got into the back seats. My father started driving and my mother started with the questions.

“So did you two enjoy yourselves?”

“Yes, we did. We had an amazing time.”

“I am glad. How was getting your sea legs?”

“Actually it didn’t feel like we were on water, so I guess it was pretty easy.”

“That’s good. Are you kid’s hungry?”

I looked at Frankie who nodded his head.

“Yes, we haven’t really eaten since breakfast this morning.”

My father pulled off the freeway and into the parking lot of a restaurant I didn’t recognize.

“Is this a new restaurant?”

“Yes, it is. It has only been open for a couple weeks now.”

“Oh, okay.”

We walked inside were seated immediately. The waitress came over a few minutes later and took our drink orders. As she turned on her heel, she smiled and winked at Frankie.

“Oh Ellie, is that an engagement ring on your finger?”

“Oh yes it is. Frankie gave it to me while we were on the ship.”

I held my hand out for my parents to inspect the ring. As I did, the waitress came back with our drinks.

“Well my dear that is a lovely engagement ring.”

I could see the waitress fumble a little bit and looked over to my hand. When she raised her head, she glared at me and smiled at Frankie. She stood up to take our orders. Of course when we got to my order she was all attitude and being bitchy.

*Hour later*

“Thanks mom, that place was amazing.”

“You’re welcome dear. Although I think that waitress wasn’t very nice to you.”

“It is because she found Frankie attractive and she got sore when she found out he was engaged.”

“My, my, people these days.”

I could see Frankie shaking his head out of the corner of my eye. I don’t think he appreciated being looked at by some waitress. I leaned over, nibbled his ear and told him I loved him.

“I love you too. I lay claim to the shower first.”

I just nodded and thought about seeing our friends. I hadn’t talked to them before we left and our cells really didn’t work on the ship. We got home about five minutes later; I started unpacking and going through the messages and mail, nothing interesting on either.

Frankie got out of the shower a few minutes later and I let him listen to the message from Dusty.

Hey guys,

I hope you had a nice trip but I was calling to let you know that everyone will be coming over tomorrow for our gift exchange. We should be there about five so be ready. See you then. Bye.

“Well that is earlier than expected but oh well.”

I just nodded and walked towards the bathroom. I was ready for bed, being on a ship makes you sleepy.

*the next day*

We started getting ready about four or so. We had decided to sleep in late. Man it felt wonderful to sleep in our own bed. Once we were dressed, I started doing laundry. The door bell rang about five minutes after five. Suddenly our house was filled with voices and gifts.

“Ellie, Ellie, it is so nice to see you again.”

“I was only gone for a few weeks, Torie.”

“Yeah I know but it seemed like forever.”

I just laughed and walked into the kitchen, where all the guys were.

“So do you want me to order pizza now or later?”

They all looked at me and then looked at my cell phone.

“All right, well what kind do you want?”

“Pepperoni! Cheese! Canadian Bacon!”

“Okay so should I get one of each then and then just an extra plain cheese pizza?”

They all nodded and then walked into the living room. I could hear them yelling about movies. I just shook my head and walked into the bedroom to make the pizza call.

After I made the pizza call, I could still hear them yelling.

“All right you guys, stop frickin yelling. You sound like little kids. Torie pick a movie and then set up for presents.”

I walked over to the laundry room and switched the laundry room around. Suddenly it got really quiet. It never gets quiet unless there is something going on. I walked into the living room and looked around. They were all sitting in a circle with their gifts.

“Well I take it you are ready for gifts.”

They all nodded.

*Twenty minutes later*

The door bell rang shortly after we finished our gifts. I paid the pizza man and walked into the kitchen. Right after I got the plates out, I was surrounded by hunger crazed people.

“All right people, I want to live through the night. Thank you very much.”

The rest of the night was spent eating pizza and watching movies.