Chapter 34
"Bethany, would like to eat dinner with us?" I peeked into her room to see she was looking at some of the book on the shelves. They were picture books, because I wasn't sure if she could read, yet. She looked up and nodded, setting the book back in the shelf.
Bethany got up and followed me downstairs. Niall set the table, preparing for us to eat together. Bethany just stood in the background, watching us, not saying a word. I put Aedan and Addy in their booster seats, so they could eat at the table with us.
Niall finished putting the food on the plates, and we were ready to eat, "Bethany, you can sit there and eat with us," I said to her. Bethany followed my instructions and sat down. We began eating. Niall tried to make conversation with us, but the subject was eventually dropped.
"So, Bethany, do you like it here?" Niall asked, hoping that someone would talk to him. Bethany quickly nodded then concentrated on the food on her plate. Finally, we finished eating. Niall and I cleared the plates, while Bethany sat at the table, waiting for someone to instruct her on what to do.
Bethany was extremely polite and good-mannered. She would only do what we said, and followed every single instruction we gave her. Slowly she'll begin to loosen up, though. But, it will take time.
"Bethany, you can go play in the living room with the twins, if you want, or go to your room," I said, as I washed the dishes. Bethany seemed at a loss for words. She seemed so shy and nervous that she couldn't even make one tiny decision on her own.
"Bethany, you can go play with the twins if you want," I said, deciding to take out the second option, so she wouldn't have to make a decision. The minute I met her, I knew that helping Bethany get out of her shell would be a hard task, but I want to help her.
Bethany pushed her chair out and walked over to the living room. I walked over to Niall, "She can't even make a decision?" Niall asked me. I shrugged, "I guess not. When Andrea said she was shy, she really meant it. But, that doesn't matter. We'll be able to get her out of her shell... especially when she meets Louis."
Niall chuckled, "Well, that will be interesting. Let's hope he doesn't scare her too much." "Well, if Bethany is anything like I was, she'll be a little nervous, but end up liking Louis. Besides, who could hate Louis?"
"Yeah, I don't think that's possible," Niall laughed. I finished drying the last dish and set it in the cabinet. I motioned for Niall to follow behind me. We walked into the living room and I saw that Bethany was sitting in the couch, with her back straight. Aedan was playing with Addy on the floor, while Bethany simply watched. She doesn't even want to play.
Niall and I walked in, and I sat down on the couch, next to Bethany, while Niall played with the kids. I glanced at Bethany, who was trying to avoid my gaze, "Bethany, you should know that neither Niall and I will force you to speak. I understand that it is hard for you, so don't force yourself, okay?"
Bethany finally looked up at me. She gave me a small nod, before concentrating on Niall and the kids. Well, at least she gave me eye contact.
Niall played with the kids for about another hour, while I watched TV with Bethany. I don't think she moved the whole time we watched the show. She sat there, her eyes concentrated on the screen.
"We probably should take the twins to bed now," Niall said, noticing they were starting to get tired. Niall glanced at Bethany, "Do you want to go to bed or stay up until nine?" Niall asked her. I could see Bethany's features growing nervous, since Niall asked her something. She glanced around the room, trying to avoid a decision. I decided to answer for her, "Bethany, maybe you should just go to bed. You've had a long day, after all."
