Invisible

Chapter 53 Letter To Me

Throughout dinner I can't keep my eyes off of the two dark haired children sitting across from me, fighting back tears. They are so wonderful, so beautiful. It took all of 2 seconds for Blake to throw herself around my midsection in a enthusiastic hug and for Gordi to jump around me smiling as wide as he could and telling me he missed me.

And I seem to be the object of someone else's attention. Hunter is relatively quiet and I try to avoid his gaze. I can't eat much, my mind keeps remembering Hunter's lips on mine or how it felt to be held in his arms, but it also scared me half to death. What I felt was strange and new and definitely not something I had ever felt when I was with Jacob.

"Can I go wawk around in the woods?" Blake asks as she finishes.

"Only if an adult goes with." Her mother counters and the girl turns to me.

"Auntie Weah?" She looks pleadingly at me and I can't help but agree. I wonder if they are doing anything to help with Blake's speech impediment, but I don't ask.

"Sure." I rise and Hunter stands too.

"I'll go." He volunteers and Gordi grins and hops up.

I see a knowing look pass between Maggie and Tiffany but I ignore it, I wish someone would just explain it all to me already. And what did Hunter mean by I was special and important? How can I not remember? I slip on a pair of flats and Blake is impatient as we have to wait for Hunter to get his shoes from the entry.

"Auntie Weah, are you gonna marry Uncle Hunter?" Blake catches me off guard and I draw in a breath.

"Why do you want to know?" I press softly for more information.

"Because he makes you happy and I don't want you to be wonewy anymore." She tugs at her blue shirt with her free hand.

"Are we ready?" Hunter cuts me off and I look up, his dark button up seems to disappear in the fading light and his eyes seem only to glow brighter in the last rays of sunlight.

"Uh- yeah." The response comes out breathier than I intended and he raises one eyebrow slightly.

"Race you to the path!" Gordi challenges Blake and the two race off, leaving Hunter and I alone.

"So..." I search for a topic.

"So... I grabbed flashlights." He waves the tubes in the air and I smile.

"Thanks, I completely forgot."

He stares at me for a second before starting in the direction the kids took.

"So, you put out a lot of music in the last 4 years." I follow closely behind and hint that he needs to slow down a little by not taking the spot right next to him on the shallow, worn path that seems to be used mainly for walking.

"Yeah, I've been busy."

"Are you doing a lot right now?"

Hunter slows and glances over at me, "I'm actually taking a break at the moment."

"Really? Any reason why?"

He opens his mouth to say something then closes it.

"Please don't say it's because of me." I scoff.

His face shows hurt.

"Oh... I was kidding."

"Don't kid, not when it comes to us."

"What? Hunter what are you talking about?"

"Gordi! Blake! Too far!" Hunter warns before turning to me. "It's like you're two different people, my Leah wouldn't talk like this. My Leah needed me, knew I needed her. She was my best friend and the only person I could ever think of loving."