Tethered

Chapter Six:

The next day was Halloween and I spent most of the day setting up even more decorations for my mother's party and avoiding the gaze of my mother. She tried to talk to me about Aaron, but I didn't want to talk about how hurt he sounded yesterday or the fact that he had planted a little seed of doubt in the back of my mind.

We made sugar cookies and pumpkin cookies and more cookies than anyone could possibly eat. By the time Daniel came to pick me up I was already in my costume and ready. My mother took a bunch of pictures of us and we had to promise her to take more at the party so we could get away.

"You're fine." Daniel assured me in the car not to be nervous but I could feel my palms starting to sweat. I had met some of his coworkers but this party was being thrown by his bosses and it was important that I make a good impression for Daniel.

His office was covered in spider webs and vampires and mummies. Every inch of the place was done up in Halloween decorations. When we stepped inside we were bombarded with people dressed as skeletons and ghosts and lots of girls in ridiculously short skirts.

Daniel introduced me to all of his coworkers and their wives and I had a hard time introducing myself as Daniel's fiance and not his girlfriend. We were congratulated over and over again and I just smiled and nodded. I heard a squeal from behind me and saw Julia running over to me. She pulled a man behind her who looked at her with concern.

"Julia, is everything okay? Are you going to throw up? You didn't have any alcohol, did you?" his deep voice called from behind her. When he saw Daniel he relaxed and went over to talk to him while Julia pulled me into a hug. I could feel where her stomach was starting to pop out a bit and she was starting to show.

"What are you doing here?" I asked Julia and looked over to Daniel and Jared. I hadn't seen her in a month since I had quit at the restaurant. It looked like a lot had changed between her and Jared in that time.

"Well, after you and Daniel got engaged. I told Jared that I wanted to keep the baby and he could be as involved as he wanted. So we have been spending more time together and he has gone to a few of my appointments with me." She had to practically yell over the loud music.

"Is he leaving his wife?" I asked incredulously. She shook her head and gave me a sharp look.

"I'm not sure." She shrugged. "Don't judge me. I deserve to have my baby's father involved in their life. He doesn't love his wife, but he could love me." Daniel and Jared came over to us then and Daniel put his arm around my shoulder. Jared ushered Julia off and Daniel pulled me onto the dance floor. We danced for what seemed like hours. Women walked around in short maid outfits carrying drinks around which I declined.

"This is some party." I shouted as one of the girls handed Daniel a drink with a lingering touch. "Do they always go...all out like this?" I frowned as the girl winked and walked away.

"Don't do that."

It was well after midnight when the party ended and we headed to the car. It was chilly out and my bare legs were covered in goosebumps. Daniel headed for my house in silence. He put the car in park and turned the engine off. Everyone had already left from my mom's party and I could see her in the windows scurrying around and cleaning up cups.

"I'm sorry about earlier." I mumbled.

"Fine." he sighed.

Daniel leaned over and took my face between his hands. He planted a solid kiss on my lips and then pulled back to look at me. He stared at me for a moment and then slid his mouth back onto mine. I could feel the heat rise to my face as the kisses got deeper and more passionate.