You Keep Me Steady (A fK&C Fanfic)

Chapter 5

We leave the mall, and I send Joel a text, "Hey, we're done. Do you need a ride home?"

He sends one back, "Yes. I'm waiting outside, hurry up." I turn to Moriah, "He said to hurry!" She shrugs, "He's going to have to wait, because I'm going to speed limit."

We get to Luke's house, and Joel knocks on my window. I roll it down, "Yes?" He points, "That's my seat." I shrug, "I'm sitting here now." He rolls his eyes, and climbs into the backseat. "Did you gals have a fun time?" He asks. "Yes! I'll show you what I got later!" I exclaim. "It was a very nice bonding experience," Moriah informs him.

"What time do we have to be at your parents place?" I ask him. "Mum said dinner will be ready around six. We should get there early, since you've only met dad and Luke," he replies.

"It's almost three now," Moriah informs the both of us. "Everybody be ready to leave again at 4:45," Joel announces. We pull back into the driveway, and I race inside.

I change into one of the outfits I bought at the mall. The top is a baggy, orange sweater. I have a navy blue scarf to pair with it. I put on some jeans I already had, and my knee high boots. Pulling my hair into a messy bun, I check the clock- 3:15. I have time to watch some TV.

"I like that, girl! It looks great!" Moriah exclaims, as I walk downstairs. I smile, "Thanks, I mean the scarf was your idea." She nods, and we walk to the couch together. An episode I haven't yet seen of Agent Carter is on. Once that episode is over it's almost time to leave.

"You look very nice, darling," Joel says, entering the room. "Thanks, Moriah helped me pick it out today," I tell him. "Well, we'll leave soon. You excited?" He asks. I nod, "Yeah, I can't wait to meet your family." He smiles, "They'll love you."

~*~

We arrive at David and Helen's house at the exact same time as Luke and Courtney. "Ari, you're here!" Jude practically jumps out of the car, and into my arms. "Yeah, I'm here. How was your day?" I ask him. "Uncle Joel played some Legos with me when he was at my house," he says. I nod, "That's good."

"Hey dear, you look great," Courtney says, hugging me. I smile at her, "Thanks, I love your hair." Her hair is styled in a beautiful braid crown. She smiles, "Thank you."

Luke is standing behind me, holding Baby P. I smile at them, "Hey." Luke grins, "Hey beautiful, how was the mall?" I nod, "It was fun." I tickle Phoenix's feet, and kiss his head, "How was your day, P?" He giggles. Luke hugs me, "You ready to meet everybody." I nod, "As ready as I'll ever be."

Luke opens the door. There's already a lot of people here. I spot David. He comes rushing to greet us, "Hello hello. How are you doing today?" I smile, "I'm good." He hugs me, "That's good. Come on now, lets go meet everybody."

He leads me into the kitchen, there's an older lady stirring something on the stove. When she sees me, she wipes her hands on her apron. "This, is my beautiful bride, Helen. Helen, this is Andria, Bryan's girl," David says.

Helen nods, "Yes. You look so much like your dad, dear. I can't believe it." Helen hugs me. She has tears streaming down her face, "Your dad meant so much to this family." She holds me in the hug for a while longer, then lets me go.

David introduces me to Luke and Joel's sisters, Rebecca and Libby. He then introduces me to their brothers, Ben, Josh, and Daniel. They all smile, greet me with warm hugs.

"Ari, you should come play outside with me, Asher, and Gemma," Jude says. "Okay, let me ask Joel or Moriah first," I tell him. I find Joel, and Luke talking to Ben. "Hey, Joel, I don't mean to interrupt, but I'm going outside with Jude, and the other kids, okay?" I ask. He nods, "Be careful, darling."

I walk into the backyard where all the kids are playing. "Ari! Come push me!" Jude calls from the swing. I smile, and run to the swings, "Alright, hold on bud!" I exclaim, pushing him high. Jude laughs and squeals in delight, "Higher! Push me to the moon!"

I keep pushing him until Luke and Ben come outside. "Come on kiddos," Ben says. "The food's ready," Luke tells us. The kids stop playing and race for the door.

Moriah, Courtney, Libby, and Rebecca are helping Helen set the table. "Did you kids have fun outside?" David asks. We all nod. "Ari pushed me super duper high on the swings!" Jude exclaims.

We all sit down at Helen and David's ridiculously long table. David blesses the food, and we all begin passing the food around. I'm sitting next to Jude, and Joel.

We finish eating, and I immediately help Helen clear the table. "You don't have to help dear, you should go talk with everybody else," she says. I shake my head, "It's okay, I'll have plenty of time to talk after I help you." She smiles, "Thank you."

After the table is clear, I walk into the living room. There's not an empty seat, so I just sit on Luke's lap. "Woah!" Luke exclaims, "What are you doing?" I look up at him and grin, "Sitting. What does it look like I'm doing?" He shakes his head, "There's something wrong with you." I look around, "There were no open seats, I'm sorry."

Everybody laughs. "She's got you there, bro," Libby says. Helen enters the room, "One of you kids better give me your seat." Everybody's head turns to Daniel, who shakes his head, before heading to the kitchen for a chair.

We all just chat for a really long time. I get tired though, and lean my head onto Luke's shoulder. "You okay?" He asks. "Yeah, just tired," I inform him. He nods, and kisses my head, "Joel should take you home soon."

Moriah stands, "Hey, looks like we're heading out. Especially since Andria starts school tomorrow." Joel nods, and jumps up, "You ready to go, dear?"

I nod. "Have an absolutely amazing first day, dear. I'll be praying for you," Luke whispers, as I hug him. "Thanks Luke. I'll text you tomorrow."

After everybody else hugs me goodbye, I go with Moriah and Joel to the car. "Did you have fun?" Joel asks. I nod, "Of course I did. Your family is sweet."

I must've fallen asleep on the ride home, because Joel is gently shaking me awake. "Come on love, we're home," he whispers. I take his hand, and he leads me to my room. "Goodnight, darling. Get a good night's sleep, because school is tomorrow. If you need anything you know where to find me," he says. I nod, "Night Joel. Love you." He kisses my head, "Love you too. See ya tomorrow."

\\Author's Note//

My sister and I are writing a fK&C story on her profile: @theatregirlsmp. It's called Pushing on a Pull Door. If you like this story, you'll definitely like that one. Thanks for reading guys! Also special thanks to the people who comment, because that makes me happy.

God Bless!
~Elisabeth