Weeping Willows

When Distractions Knock

Chapter 40

Coming out of her room Elizabeth was not prepared for the chaos that she walked into. Standing in her living room was Lauren, Courtney, Nell, Greg, and another man she had never met before. Tears sprung to her eyes as she took them all in not realizing how much she had missed these guys. Each one had at least one suitcase in tow and the guys were busy setting them near the front door out of the way as the girls were wandering around looking at the house. Elizabeth made a squeaking noise as she tried to fight back her tears. It was enough to draw the girls' attention to her and before she knew it Elizabeth found herself in the middle of an all-encompassing group hug. Greg stood off to the side smiling while watching the group of girls while the stranger looked on in worry.

"What are you guys doing here?" Elizabeth blubbered unable to contain the mix of emotions swirling through her like a gale force wind.

"We thought it was time we checked out the digs." Courtney answered looking a little misty eyed herself.

"That, and the guy. We don't want another Nolan on our hands." Nell added through her tears looking just as sloppy as Elizabeth herself.

"True story. We have high standards for the men that enter into this group of friends after all." Lauren stated wiping carefully at her own tears trying not to ruin her makeup.

"Speaking of, who's the fresh meat over by Greg?" Elizabeth whispered while looking at her friends noticing how Courtney's cheeks turned slightly pink at the inquiry. It wasn't hard to figure out that this was Roy, the guy who had been chasing after and apparently won over Courtney. Elizabeth marched over to the stranger standing to the side of Greg looking slightly uncomfortable with all the emotion currently in the room. She took a moment to look him over and maybe to make him squirm a little bit. He was tallish in stature standing at least 3-4" taller than Greg's own 5'8" frame. He had waves of light red hair that fell down to his shoulders. He had a pair of sunglasses pushed to the top of his head holding the locks back away from his chiseled face. His light blue eyes watched her apprehensively as she continued to stare him down. His body was muscular but more in a 'outdoor athletic' kind of way. From the tan he was sporting she would say he spent a good deal of time outside too. He looked like Courtney's polar opposite. Elizabeth anticipated watching the interaction between the two of them. Sticking out her hand assertively much in the same way she had the day she met Margaret she finally addressed him.

"I'm Elizabeth, Lizzy for short and you must be the infamous Roy." Humor lit his gaze as he reached out giving her a firm business-like handshake.

"Nice to meet you too Lizzy." Elizabeth had expected his voice to be heavily flavored with an Australian accent but was surprised when she heard the tenor of his voice that had a light accented flow to it but not to where it was hard to understand. Letting go of his hand she turned walking back to the girls while wiggling her eyebrows playfully at Courtney. When she reached them, Courtney punched her lightly on the arm in retaliation to her teasing but still blushed in slight embarrassment.

"Not that I'm not thrilled to see you guys but really what's the occasion?" They all smiled at her but before any of them could answer her rag tag of new friends came boisterously into her house also carrying a piece of luggage each. Elizabeth raised her eyebrows as the new bags and totes were added to the small pile already near the door. The guys all introduced each other with the exception of Mikey who followed the girls over to where Elizabeth stood. The girls all knew each other already due to the impromptu birthday party/girl's night they had all been at. So, they all stood there watching as Mikey walked right up to Lauren picking her up in a bear hug making her squawk loudly in protest. He refused to put her down until she threatened bodily harm to his family jewels. Jan shooed him away to go join the other guys which he obeyed albeit reluctantly.