No one's more surprised then Chase Stokes when his estranged step-sister shows up on his doorstep in South Carolina. They haven't talked in almost two years, but something has caused her to quit school, leave Maryland, and take up residence on his...
Stiffening as the door opened Evaline relaxed slightly when it was only Jen at the door. "Hi guys. Come in come in," she exclaimed, motioning with her arm as she stepped back to let them inside, "You didn't need to ring the doorbell, Honey," she said to Chase as she hugged him.
"Just wanted to announce we were here," Evaline heard Chase mutter. Nodding Jen smiled as she greeted and hugged both Maddie and Rudy before turning to her, "Oh my look at you," she laughed hugging her.
"How have you been feeling?" Jen questioned as she pulled back to look at her. "Everything baby related is good. I'm going into 30 weeks and she kicks the crap out of me on a daily basis," Evaline reported.
"Oh can I touch?" Jen asked making grabby hands at Evaline's stomach. Laughing she nodded, "You can and thank you for asking. I can't tell you how many people don't ask," she responded.
"Yeah, I thought Madison was going to bite the waitresses hand off earlier when she went to touch her stomach," Chase laughed. "That's nothing. You should come grocery shopping with us. It's like constant strangers coming up trying to rub her stomach like it's a magic lamp," Rudy added.
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"Well I'm gonna warn you now. They'll do the same thing once she's here. Perfect strangers just sticking their faces into the car seat or stroller," Jen told them.
"Looks like I'm not leaving the house for the first year," Evaline joked.
Smiling Jen told them dinner would be done within fifteen minutes and led them back towards the kitchen, "How are you doing with everything else?" she asked as she went to check the oven.
Sitting at the kitchen table with the others Evaline shrugged, "I've kind of been numb to it," she replied, "Like I know she's gone but at the same time it's not real."
Nodding Jen pulled a large bowl of salad greens out and placed them on the counter, "It's been a rough week," she acknowledged, "I know you don't have much time here so I hope you don't think I overstepped, but I went to her apartment with your dad and boxed a few things up I thought you might want before your dad allowed your grandparents and your aunt and uncle in," Jen told her, fidgeting with the container.
Chewing on the inside of her cheek Evaline sighed, "Thank you. I appreciate that. I'm sure her sister was like a vulture once she got into the apartment."
Snorting Jen nodded, "Well from what your grandmother told me she went straight for the bedroom looking for her jewelry box, which I already packed into a box for you." "Typical," Evaline commented, rolling her eyes.
"The boxes are in your room whenever you want to go up," Jen told her as Evaline nodded. "Where's um....where's my dad?" she finally asked. "He's in his office," Jen answered. "How long before dinner is done?" she asked, standing from the table.
"About ten minutes," Jen replied. Looking down when Rudy took her hand he asked if she wanted him to come with. Smiling Evaline leaned down and kissed him, "No. Thank you though," she responded before walking around the kitchen counter.
