Finding My Way Home

Chapter 33

Ethan

Diane is keeping secrets from me, and Linda and Patti are her accomplices. They have become good friends over the past few weeks. Today is Christmas Eve, and I've been out of the house all day shopping for presents for the kids. I already have Diane's gift. I hope she likes it. The past few weeks have been hectic for everyone. Diane is more comfortable in the house, and the atmosphere is less tense. Our relationship has changed. Diane is more relaxed around me, and the time we share in bed has become more, I guess you could say, intimate. We still haven't made love, and I won't do that until Diane is ready to take the next step in our new relationship. It feels like it did when we were in college. Those years were happy ones for us. We spent our first year in college sleeping together every night, but not making love. We touched, we teased, and we tasted, but never crossed the line.

The children are once again happy, and our house echoes with laughter and the occasional bickering between Kellie and Joey. Only this time, Joey is patient with Kellie and doesn't become upset. I think he remembers what happened in Cape May. Mom and Dad are back in their house for most of the day, but share dinner with us every night. Mom comes over when the nurses leave, and I can see a new bond forming between my mother and Diane. So, tomorrow is Christmas, and in all honesty, I never imagined it to be a happy one for my family. The car is loaded with presents already wrapped, and my feet are killing me. It's time to go home. I stop at my mom's house to drop off Kellie's gift.

As I pull up into the driveway, I sit and stare at the house. Joey and my dad did an excellent job of decorating the house. I've been so involved with Diane's therapy, that I just did not have the time this year. I see the lights on in the garage through the glass, and I know Diane is in there. What is she up to so late at night? I get out of the car, and like a stalker, I peek into one of the windows. What I see surprises me. Diane is walking on the treadmill and holding on to the handrails. I want to run into the garage and yell at her for being so careless, but when I look at her face, all I see is a huge smile, and then, I see my dad come into view, and he's clapping and laughing with her. Now I know the secret. I can't let Diane know that I saw her, so I run into the house and make a little noise as I approach the kitchen.

"Hey, where is everyone?"

My dad yells back, "We're in the garage."

When I open the door, Diane is sitting on the bench, and the whirlpool is running to the maximum. The cheeky smile on her face doesn't get past me. I always know when she's lying to me. I'll give her this one. "Don't you think it's a little late for therapy?"

"Therapy was this morning. I wanted to relax in the whirlpool for a few minutes. Steve was kind enough to help me."

I look at my dad, and he just shrugs at me. "I was in the house. How could I say no? Have you finished shopping for the kids?"

"Yes, and remind me not to wait until the last minute next year. The mall is full of crazy people, myself included, but I got everything on the list. The kids are going to freak out tomorrow."

"Where did you put Kellie's gift?"

"I stopped by your house on the way home. Mom has her gift."

"Good, then I guess I'll go home. Your mother and I will be over for breakfast tomorrow morning, and we will bring Kellie's gift. Don't open anything until after breakfast."

"Okay, Dad. I'll see you and Mom tomorrow."

After my father leaves the house, I walk over to the edge of the pool and lean into Diane. "Don't move. I'll be back in five minutes." I run into the house, strip down to my boxers, grab a towel and a bathrobe, and run back to the garage. Diane is resting her head with her eyes closed, and she looks happy. I clear my throat to get her attention. I have never shared this with her, but I feel today is the perfect day to take the next step. Diane and I have been playing the flirting game with each other. Her attitude changes as her body changes.