Not Expecting to Collide (COMPLETE) - ABP Fanfiction

Chapter 5 - Invitation

The cabin that Ami and Billy were staying in with their two daughters had become the unofficial family headquarters for the time they were staying in Hoonah. It was not very big but equipped with a full kitchen and a dining area that seated ten.

Ami stood at the stove stirring a large pot of boiling pasta. Snowbird was chopping fresh veggies which Rainy was arranging on a plate. Billy was sitting in an easy chair near the fireplace with his eyes closed. Bear stoked the fire while Matt and Gabe played a game of cards. Noah tinkered on a new project in the corner.

The door swung open into the kitchen and Bam stood in the doorway. "Hi Bam!" Rainy exclaimed. "You're late!"  She admonished playfully.

"Bam." Ami said softly. "We thought you weren't coming."

"Of course I'm coming, Mom.  I'm sorry I'm late. I brought someone with me."  All six sets of eyes in the room turned towards Bam as he pulled October over the threshold.

"Hi." October said timidly without completely coming out from behind Bam.

"Oh no!" Gabe shouted. "Not her!"  Matt reached over and smacked him on the back of the head.

Snowbird rolled her eyes. Ami came over to October and took her hand in hers. "Welcome Toby."

"She prefers October." Bam interjected.

"Thank you, Mrs. Brown. I hope I'm not intruding."

"Of course not, dear. There is always room for one more at our table. And call me Ami."

October smiled shyly. "Can I help with dinner?"

"Actually we are almost ready. You go ahead and sit down." Ami replied.

Rainy appeared at October's side and tugged on her arm. "You can sit by me." October glanced back at Bam helplessly as Rainy dragged her toward the table.

Ami grinned at him and affectionately squeezed his arm.

He dropped his voice to a low whisper. "Don't get too excited, Mom. It's just dinner."

Ami continued to smile as she walked away from him and resumed supper prep. Bam removed his boots and jacket and hung the laptop bag on a hook behind the door. He glanced over at October to see that she was being thoroughly entertained by his baby sister.

Ami and Snowbird finished setting the table and Ami announced the meal was ready.  Bear ran over to the table to claim the seat at October's left. Bam sighed inwardly and chose the seat directly across from her. Billy got up from the chair and took his place at the head of the table. Ami placed a large platter of food in the middle of the table before taking her place at Billy's right. One by one, the rest of the family made their way to the table and sat down.

Billy placed his hands, palms up on the table. Rainy placed her hand in Billy's and held her other hand out for October, who grasped hands with her and set off the chain reaction down both sides of the table. As everyone bowed their heads for grace Bam felt a small niggle of regret that he was not the one clasping hands with October. Once the food was blessed, noise returned to the kitchen as platters were passed, plates were dished and conversation resumed. October removed her cardigan and hung it on the back of her chair.

"Ooh!" Bear exclaimed as he spied bits of ink peeking out from under her shirt sleeve.  He ran his fingers up her arm and pushed the material up to reveal a tattoo of colourful leaves on a weathered tree branch. Bam watched his brother's hands caress October's pale flesh and he involuntarily clenched his fists. 

October startled at Bear's touch on her bare skin. She moved her opposite hand up to her shoulder and rolled her sleeve back down her arm. Bam felt the sudden urge to kick Bear under the table. Luckily, Matt had beat him to it. Bam sent him a silent glance of appreciation. Matt smirked back at him.