Trials and Tribulations [Chaelisa]

Chapter 37

“No one mention her speech ok?” Chaeyoung said anxiously to her assembled family who were watching the blonde pace backwards and forwards across the living room floor whilst they awaited the arrival of Lisa, her parents and Jules for dinner. It was the Thursday, three days after Christmas, and Lisa had finally been released from the hospital earlier that morning with her speech no better than it had been when she’d initially woken up on the intensive care unit six days ago.

“Honey, we have met Lalisa before,” Rosalie reminded Chaeyoung, offering her daughter a small, sympathetic smile in an attempt to reassure her.

“Yeah I know,” Chaeyoung conceded, continuing to pace, “but she’s different now.” She told them sadly. “Her speech is much worse than you’ve ever seen it before and I just don’t want you to make her feel selfconscious.” Chaeyoung said seriously. “She struggles with her confidence as it is.”

“I think,” Rosalie said, standing up and placing a comforting hand on her daughter’s shoulder, stopping her in her tracks, “that this probably has more to do with the fact that you’re nervous about having your girlfriend’s family round for dinner than Lalisa’s difficulties with her speech.” She noted shrewdly.

“You guys have to be normal, ok?” Chaeyoung said, getting right to the crux of the problem and admitting that her mom had been close to the mark with her observation. “Don’t be weird and make them feel uncomfortable…”

“We’re not weird,” her dad chimed in, laughing lightly from his position on the sofa, evidently amused by his daughter’s nervousness.

“I know,” Chaeyoung sighed, “but, I really like her and it’s the first time I’ve ever had a proper girlfriend and you’ve met her family, just, don’t ruin it for me, please?” she pleaded and Rosalie pulled her in to a warm embrace, kissing her on the forehead supportively.

“Chaeyoung,” she said simply, moving her head back to look at her eldest child after a moment, her eyes bright, and an encouraging smile on her lips. “Everyone will be on their best behaviour tonight I promise,” Rosalie reassured her, but Chaeyoung didn’t look convinced.

“Look I know it might be weird because she’s a girl…” Chaeyoung started, but Rosalie cut her off immediately by pulling her in to a tight embrace once again.

“Hey,” Rosalie scolded, not relaxing her grasp from around Chaeyoung’s shoulders. “I’ve already told you before that your dad and I don’t care who you date as long as you’re happy. We’re proud of you no matter what, you know that…”

“You say that,” Chaeyoung started, getting agitated by the prospect of this new experience, her unease palpable, “but this kind of makes it real doesn’t it? I mean, it’s different when you don’t have to see it…”

“Oh, we’ve seen it,” Kai commented laughing and Chaeyoung threw him a warning look, her eyes glaring meaningfully for him to say no more about the time he’d walked in on Lisa and her in her bedroom.

“Kai,” Rosalie reproached, turning to face him for an instant, her eyes growing wide and silently telling him to keep quiet, that he wasn’t helping the situation. She turned back to Chaeyoung and brushed a strand of her hair soothingly.

“Chaeyoung,” she continued, addressing her daughter again. “You and Lisa have been dating for a while now…” she reminded her.

“Since October,” Chaeyoung informed her quickly, interceding, the date firmly fixed in her memory.

“Right,” Rosalie laughed, stroking Chaeyoung’s hair where it fell down in loose curls and framed her face. “We’ve seen how the two of you are together and trust me when I say that your father and I are in no way confused about the definition of your relationship…”