The Aftermath (Book IV) [NaNoWriMo13] (On Hold)

Chapter Seven - Dinner and a Show

                                                                     Chapter Seven

                                                                  Dinner and a Show

     I walked into the kitchen with a bit more pep to my step. My leg was healing at an incredible rate, thanks to the medication. Joe was astonished to see such results. I grabbed a glass of water and peered out the kitchen window, smiling by how beautiful the snow was. It was coming down in little puffs of white, just like in the movies. I couldn’t resist but to fix an afternoon cup of coffee.

     “You shouldn’t be walking around,” Jack’s voice scolded from behind me.

     “Joe gave me the green light,” I defended, pressing the start button on the coffee pot.

     “Technically he said you can walk some and to not overdo it.”

     My lips curled into a smile. He’s such a worry wart. “He also said that it’s good to move around.”

     I felt his chest press against my back and his arms wrap around my waist. His chin rested on my shoulder, making his lips right next to my ear. “You should rest while you can. I’d love to be in bed all day.”

     I leaned against him and sighed. “I’ve been in bed for nearly a week. And you have been in bed all day.” He spent every single day with me, not even going to work.

     “I think we should stay at home tonight and light a fire. Maybe we can have your mother watch the kids…” He pressed his lips to my cheek.

     “You know we have plans tonight.” I spun around so that we were face-to-face. “Everyone is so excited about it.”

     He groaned and pulled me into his chest, resting his chin on my head. “Can’t we just cancel?”

     We had plans to go to Zach and Penny’s house for dinner. Everyone was invited, and considering how we’ve been so distant from each other lately, I think it’s a great idea. Everyone has just been so busy that we’ve been missing each other. “No. We’re bringing the drinks, remember?” That’s the pathetic part. Everyone had their role of what to bring and we got the drinks. We didn’t even get the job of rolls or salad. That’s how pathetic our cooking is.

     Jack planted a kiss on my temple before reluctantly pulling away. “I guess I’ll go get showered and ready…Unless you want to cancel.” He gave a wink before disappearing through the door.

     It was a relief to know that Jack and I were doing better. The first day or two after Jack told me about what he wanted were incredibly awkward. He didn’t want to talk. I didn’t want to talk. Things got better just randomly. It was like we never had the discussion. Maybe we were both just pretending like everything was just fine. Either way, we were currently happy.

     I half-limped upstairs where I got Cassie dressed into one of her more fancy dresses from earth. This was a special dinner considering we haven’t all been together in several weeks. I went into Daniel’s room and dressed him in a pair of black pants, a white shirt, and a cute little black vest with black shoes. After getting both children ready, I went into my bedroom and found a casual black dress. It went to the knees and puffed out at the waist and had black lacing over the collarbone and shoulders. It reminded me of something Audrey Hepburn had worn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. The dress was something my mom had packed from my closest back on earth. She packed several of old outfits of mine, most of which I donated to some of the other girls. This dress was what I had worn to homecoming once upon a time. It fit just as it had, surprisingly.