Emily's Escape

Chapter 38

"Are you ready?" I took a breath and nodded. I had braided my hair to the side and I was currently fixing up the last pieces. "You look beautiful. You don't have to fuzz more about it, come one, let's go downstairs," Carter said from behind me and brought out his hand. I turned away from the mirror and took it. He led me out his bathroom and down the stairs. We passed the entrance hall and I spotted the dining room.

"Do you remember the first time I was here? You asked me if I wanted to sit at the table or in your room. Do you think anything would've been different if we hadn't gone to your room?" He looked at me for a little while and then smiled.

"No." I smile spread on my lips and we went hand in hand into the dining room. The table was set up beautifully. With a large candlestick in the middle and flower arrangements on each side, the table looked stunning. At each sitting, three plates were stacked with napkins in between and we also had several pairs of silverware. This looked like those cliché movies were the 'outsider' doesn't know how to use the forks and knives. Luckily, my mother had forced me into etiquette and social skills class when I was little, so I knew just about most of the things I should and shouldn't do at a formal dinner. This was probably the first time I had actually been grateful for those horrendous classes. I looked up a little and smiled. I liked to think she was looking down on me. Watching me. Guarding me.

"You okay?" Carter whispered as we went further into the room. I nodded and went along. In the kitchen stood his parents. They were drinking white wine and looking at the food on the stove.

"Oh, hello, you two," Carter's mother said. She was smiling and motioned for her husband to look at us. "You both look very nice!" she said in a cheery voice. Carter was wearing black slacks and a long sleeve grey shirt. I wasn't wearing anything special. Just my usual jeans and a top. Though my top wasn't my normal sweatshirt, it was a black long sleeve loose t-shirt tucked into my jeans. It was a bit dressier than I normally went for, but after getting out from the center, I felt like I could wear other stuff than my sweatshirts.

"Thank you, so do you," I said and smiled. She curtsied and laughed a little.

"It's nice to formally meet you, sir," I said and reached out my hand for him to shake. He nodded and grabbed it, shaking it sturdy. He was looking serious, but he smiled a small smile after he let go of my hand.

"It's nice to meet you, too. I'm hearing you're doing well, we're delighted to hear so," he said and nodded a single nod.

"Thank you very much, and yes, I am doing well," I said, the last part coming out a little awkward. It was weird to acknowledge that I was, in fact, getting better and doing well.

"That's great," he said and looked away. Both Carter and his mother were looking surprised, even amazed. I felt a little self-conscious and tried to look away. 

When we all went to the table, Carter leaned in and whispered, "That's more than he has ever said to all of my friends, combined. I'm in shock." I giggled a little and felt somewhat better about myself. Carter's dad liked me. Something I felt really important actually. In all my previous relationships, as serious or lack there off as they were, I always tried to get on a good foot with the family. It was important they liked me.

I waited, standing behind my chair before they sat down, and then I too sat down. Carter pushed in my chair and his dad did the same for his mother. I guess I knew where he got his good manners. Not that I hadn't already figured out that he was raised quite strict.

We sat for a little while chatting and then two servers came in with our food. I hadn't realized the dinner was that fancy. Or maybe they had servers every night? That just seemed a little... much? When Carter's mother asked the server something, I quickly leaned in towards Carter.