The Incubus Under My Bed #wattys2019

Chapter 8- Dinner With The Stein's

Henri was dressed in a tight Henley and dark jeans with his wavy hair falling to one side of his face. He walked across the hall to Aria's room. "Are you ready to go?" he asked.

Aria was wearing a red sweater dress with plaid tights. She had her hair braided up into a puffy ponytail. She turned to him and gave him a warning look. Her eyes bounced from him to Stella. Crap, he thought. I keep forgetting about her.

"Where are you guys going?" Stella asked.

"Dinner," he smiled.

"Like a date?" Stella asked with rised brows.

"No!" Aria stressed. "He's with Ashley."

"Oh, shut up Aria," Stella said shaking her head. "I was only teasing."

"Well, that's how rumors get started," she yelled.

"Please take her away immediately. I can't survive another minute with her in this room," Stella begged Henri.

"As you wish," Henri said bowing to Stella. Then he picked Aria up and carried her bridal style out of the room.

_IUMB_

The moment they got to the door of Dr. Stein's house Aria's heart started to race double time in her chest. She knew this was going to be a disaster, but she kept telling herself that everything was going to be okay. She knocked Henri's hand down when he went to ring the bell and turned to him and said. "I can't do this. I can't sit there and eat with his family knowing how I feel. I can't do that, Henri, it's not right," she pleaded as if he were about to kill her.

"Aria, it is going to be okay. I'm going to be right here beside you the whole time. And if all else fails talk to Maddie. She really likes you, and she already wants us to get married," he said with a sly expression on his face.

Aria laughed. "I'd love to see you get married."

"You'll have a front row seat," he said reaching over her and ringing the doorbell.

"I thought I heard a car," Kelley said opening the door. "Aria you look so beautiful," she said hugging her. "Thank you so much for coming over."

"No problem, it's been a long time. I haven't seen the kids in a while either." That was because she hadn't been going to church too much and when she went, she did early service and left right after.

"Yes, Maddie told me you hadn't been in children's church in a while. It's a shame she's not here she'd love to see you," Kelley smiled.

"What do you mean she's not here?" Henri asked.

"David wanted us to be able to have a grown-up meal, so he convinced my mom to take them out sledding at the park, and they're staying the night there. Owen is upstairs asleep if you want to see him," she smiled at the pair.

Aria's grip on Henri's arm tightened as Kelley spoke. "That sounds great," Aria smiled. She tried her hardest not to seem terrified, but she was. She knew there was a greater chance for her and David to be left alone and that was the last thing she wanted.

"Speaking of, where is my brother?" Henri asked.

"He wanted to make dinner so he's putting the finishing touches on whatever he made."

"He can't cook," Henri deadpanned.

"I'm sure it will be fine," Aria smiled.

"No, no it won't. Don't eat anything," Henri warned her.

"You're overreacting," Aria said with her voice raising an octave.

"We'll see what your stomach says later tonight," he smirked at her as he led her up to the nursery. They walked through the hall quietly for a moment. "I'm sorry about this I didn't think he'd send the kids away. If you want to leave, I'll understand."