A Week With the Hollands

Chapter Five

     Day two.

Thursday.

     I woke up fairly early the next morning, at 8:30. Tom hadn't told me of any activities we were doing, so I hadn't tried to be up at a certain time. I groggily walked into the kitchen, yawning. I needed coffee.

     I heard dishes clanking, so I knew someone was in there. I walked in to see Tom's mom.

     "Good morning, Mrs. Nicola," I said.

     "Good morning, dear, is there anything I can get for you?" She asked with a smile.

     "Oh, no ma'am. I was just wondering if you had a coffee maker? If you do, I'll make my own."

     "I think we do, but I'm not sure. You'll have to look in that bottom cabinet. I would get it out for you, but as you can see, my hands are deep in dishwater!" She was washing the dishes at 8:30 in the morning.

    "It's okay," I laughed. I bent down and got out the coffee maker. I started to fill the pot up.

     "We don't drink much coffee around here," Mrs. Nicola chuckled. "A little stereotypical, but we prefer tea."

     "It's okay, I understand." I put the coffee pot under the drainer and sat down at the counter to wait for it to fill up.

     "Tom's out for his morning jog. He told me to tell you. But he should be back any minute now," she told me over her shoulder.

     "Oh, okay. Thanks for telling me. I'm gonna go get dressed and wait for that to get ready," I replied, pointing at the coffee pot.

     I didn't know exactly what I'd be doing today, so I decided to dress casual. I put on some jeans and a nice shirt and sandals. I took care to curl my hair, and I put on a bit more makeup than usual.

     A couple minutes later, I was sipping on my coffee, and there was a knock on my door. It was Tom; it was obvious he had been running. He had on a muscle shirt and athletic shorts, and his hair was tousled; sweaty. He looked good.

     The first thing he said when I opened the door was, "Oh, you look nice."

     I smiled. "And you look...sweaty." Hot.

     He laughed. "Yeah well, I am. Um, I was just going to tell you that my friend Harrison is coming over in a couple hours. But it looks like you're already ready."

     I only smiled.

     "So I'm going to go take a shower. I'll see you when I get out."

      I nodded with a grin. "Yes, you will."

      Once he closed the door, I looked over to the dresser. Sitting on top of it was my-the wedding ring. I slid it onto my left ring finger.

     Soon, I was sitting in the Holland's living room on the couch with Tessa by my side. She loved it whenever I rubbed her stomach. If I stopped, she pawed the air as if to tell me to keep going. It was pretty funny.

     Tom walked into the room and told me, "He should be here any minute. Are you nervous?"

     This Harrison guy seemed to be where the trouble was. From what I was told by Tom, he most likely knew him better than even his brothers. Harrison was his best friend. I needed to make a good impression, and I needed to act like I knew and loved everything about Tom.

     I nodded. "Yeah, a little. I'm scared he'll see through me."

     Tom took a seat beside me. "Listen Emily, you've got nothing to be frightened or anxious of. You've done great with my family, and I'm sure you'll do great with my friends. If anything does go to wrong, though, just follow along with anything I say or do, alright? I've got you."

      I've got you.

     I swallowed, then nodded.

     Harrison was Tom's age. He was handsome. His voice was sort of deep, though, and I didn't expect it to sound like that looking at him. He smiled a lot.

     Tom, Harry, Sam, Harrison, and I had drinks outside on the patio table. We were outside for hours. I can't say I didn't have fun, though. I really felt like they weren't just Tom's family and friends, but that they were mine, too.

     We played football (the English football, which is basically soccer) and we played Truth or Dare and just kind of got a little tipsy. I hadn't had that much for a long time.

     Towards the end of the night, Harrison mentioned us coming over for a small pool party at his house the next night. A thought occurred to me. I didn't have a bathing suit. But I ignored it and didn't say anything, just went along with it.

     Immediately once Tom and I had said our good-byes to Harrison for the night, I turned to him and said, "Tom. I don't have a bathing suit."

     "That's perfectly alright. I'll just take you shopping tomorrow before the party."

     "But I don't want you to keep spending all your money on me-"

     He interrupted me by placing his hands on my shoulders. "Emily, I told you that I would pay for everything, and I meant it. I really don't mind."

     "Neither do I! I can wear a shirt and shorts, really, please don't-"

     "Let me do this for you, okay?"

     I sighed. "Okay."

     But he didn't move, just kept staring at me. Then his face just turned into a huge grin, and he looked away, his arms folded across his chest.

     "What is it?" I asked with a smile playing on my lips.

     "You're just-you're nothing like most girls. You don't want me to spend my money on you, and take you shopping, or buy you champagne, or-or anything." He was still smiling.

     I just shrugged. "I don't want you to spend so much money on a girl you just met for no reason."

     Tom only shook his head, then started walking down the hallway, still smiling. "I'm going to bed. Goodnight."

     "Goodnight." I was smiling, too.

Heyyyyy! I can't wait for them to go bathing suit shopping!!! It's about to get real, guys! Hold on to your horses! Sooo if you enjoyed this, pretty please leave a vote! Thanks!
Come back tomorrow when I'll be posting the next chapter!