Bent. Not Broken (On Hold)

Chapter 14

(Sorry this is late. It's a shorter chapter and a little...well bleh. Better things happening next chapter.)

*****

The doorbell rings and I bolt for the front door. "I'll get it." I yell as I run down the hall, just about slamming into the door.

Remy stands on the front steps, a nervous smile on his lips and a stone dish in his hands. Next to him stood a man who could him in twenty years. It was amazing how similar Remy and his father looked.

"Come in." I say and quickly step back to let the two of them in.

Remy steps inside followed by his father. He shoots me a nervous smile as he takes off his shoes. "Uh Nat this is my dad. Dad this is Nat."

"Nat." His Dad says and offers me a hand. "Is that short for something?"

"Natasha." I reply as I shake his hand. "Your son seems to prefer to call me a bug."

"Call me Matthew." He says while chuckling at my comment. "Always a charmer." He adds and ruffles Remy's hair.

Remy grumbles and waves his dads hand away.

"Is that them honey?" My Mom asks as she steps into the hallway. "Remy." She beams at him then looks up at his dad.

"Matthew." He says and offers a hand to my mom.

"Trina." She replies and shakes his hand. "Nice to meet you." Her eyes flick down to Remy's hands. "Oh let me take that." She doesn't wait for a reply before grabbing the dish from him. "It smells wonderful." She turns and walks into the kitchen.

"She's still in cooking mode." I apalogize and smile at Remy and Matthew. "My Dad and brother are in here. Apparently there's a game on."

Remy's eyes light up. "Oh the Seahawks are playing." He says as he rushes past me and into the living room.

Matthew chuckles from beside me. "You'll have to excuse him. He loves-"

"His football." I finish and look up at him. He really did look like his son.

My dad walks into the hall a moment later. "Sorry for not greeting you at the door." He apologizes and shakes Matthews hand.

I silently slip away as the two of them make their way into the living room, chatting about football.

"So far so good." I say as I grab a bowl of food to take to the dining room. "The boys seem to be getting along."

"Quess it's a good thing there's football on for them to bond over." My mom chuckles. She takes the chicken or of the oven and we walk into the dining room together.

"Good thing." I agree as my eyes scan over the table of food. "Is that everything?"

My mom nods her head. "I believe it is."

"I'll get the boys." I say as I turn and walk into the living room. All four boys, yes they were boys when their eyes were glued to the tv. "Dinner's ready."

Trevor's head snaps to me. "Food?"

I nod my head. He jumps up and runs into the kitchen. "Boys." I say as I step in front of the tv. All three of them groan as I block the game from their food. "Dinner."

My dad grudgingly grabs the remote and turns off the tv. He stands up and stretches his arms. "Better not keep the ladies waiting."

"I agree." Matthew says as he follows my dad into the dining room.

"You and your football." I chuckle as Remy stands up.

He walks up to me so we're only inches apart. His shoulders shrug up and down.

"I told you everything would be okay." I says softly and out a hand on his arm.

Remy cracks a smile. "Yeah, you did."

"Now lets go eat." I says before spinning on my heels and walking into the dining room. I glance over my shoulder to make sure he was following me. He gives me a smile and I run into my dads back.

"Woah there." My Dad says as he turns around to face me.

Remy snickers as he walks past us and takes his seat at the table.

"Sorry." I mumble before shooting Remy a glare.

He smirks and shrugs his shoulders. I stick my tongue out at him before taking my seat.

*****

The conversation at dinner was light and comfortable. My parents have always been very warm and welcoming to new people. I had warned them that it would be just Remy and his dad joining us. They of course had their questions, not the nosy kind more general concern. I had made sure they promised not to act weird when Remy showed up. They were certainly holding up to that promise.

Throughout the evening Remy kept surprising me. He showed extreme patients while talking to my brother. Trevor usually took some time to warm up to people, but he seemed to really like Remy.

After dinner Remy helped my clear the dishes from the table and even helped load the dishwasher. He was not at all the cocky player the school thought he was.

At seven my family walked Remy and his dad to the door. Both fathers said their goodbyes and expressed interest in getting together again.

I stand off to the side when I feel something brush my arm. I look up to see Remy.

"Thanks." He whispers.

"For what?" I ask and arch an eyebrow at him.

"For earlier. For tonight." He says softly and smiles at me.

I shrug my shoulders. "You're welcome."

He nods his head before following his father out of the house. I wave goodbye and watch as they walk to their car.