Together We Stand (Book 6)

Chapter 5

"This is who I am inside. This is who I am, I'm not going to hide. 'Cause the greatest risk we'll ever take is by far. To stand in the light and be seen as we are." - Jordan Smith

--xxxxxx--

'That went just about as I'd expected.' Lisa said, sitting in the back of the car. Katherine was driving, Amy by her side. Lauren and Dani took the middle with Christina joining Lisa in the very back.

'I'm sorry.' Lauren put her head in her hands. 'I just saw him pouring more wine and I snapped.'

'No kidding.' Katherine said.

'It's fine Laur.' Dani assured her.

'What do we think about Helen?' Amy asked.

'She seem's okay.' Katherine responded.

'I don't know. Something didn't feel right to me.' Dani admitted. 'From the moment we stepped into that house I had a horrible feeling in my gut.'

'What do you think it was?' Christina asked.

'The whole vibe was just so unlike dad.' Dani said.

'I know what you mean.' Christina agreed. 'But maybe it's just Helen's influence.'

'That's what I'm worried about.' Dani said.

'You'd rather he be like before?' Lauren asked.

'No, of course not, but it's weird.'

'Chris, are you coming back with us or do you want me to drop you off?' Katherine asked as they were nearing home.

'Apartment please Kath.' Christina smiled at her from the back seat.

'Why don't you come and hang out with us?' Lauren suggested, turning around to face her. .

'It's late.' Christina told them.

'Not that late.' Dani said.

'I could drop you home later Chris, it's not a problem.' Katherine assured her. Christina thought for a moment.

'Okay fine.' Christina said, smiling. Dani and Lauren grinned as Lisa moved over to rest her head on Christina's shoulder.

xxxxxx

A short while later they were in the living room, snuggled up under blankets with a fire roaring in the fire place. Katherine had made them hot coco and they were having a good gossip. 'Oh Chris, has Amy told you about the patient who's in love with her?' Lisa said, smiling.

'What?' Christina sat forwards. 'Spill Aimes.'

'He's not in love with me.' Amy protested. 'And he's ninety-four!' Christina burst out laughing.

'Seriously! That's so cute.' She said.

'He's on lots of medication and I'm nice to him.'

'He did ask you to marry him.' Katherine reminded her.

'Yeah, that was sweet.' Amy admitted.

'Did you say yes?' Christina asked. Amy's response was to throw a pillow at her. Their laughter settled and they absorbed the silence.

'It feels like forever since we've all been in the same place like this, just hanging out.' Katherine said. 'Even though it's only been a few weeks.'

'We have to make sure we get together on a regular basis.' Amy said. 'No matter what else we have going on, we need to stay connected.'

'I agree.' Christina said, holding her coco to her chest.