***** “ So there’s going to be a little family reunion thing?” Nick asked Gabrial as they walked to their rental car to get to Gabe’s house. “ Yeah. You remember Morgan, right? Her parents are going to be over and some other people. Friends of my parents,” Nick considered his chances of seeing Morgan and decided they were higher now. “ Does Morgan still live here?” He asked, sounding nonchalant. “ Yeah. With her brother about twenty minutes from my house,” They got inside the car and Gabe started it up. “ So is she going to be there when we get to your house?” Gabrial glanced at Nick curiously. “ I doubt it. She lives with her brother, remember? Not with my parents...Why this sudden intrest in Morgan?” “ Because we were friends,” Nick said, a bit sullenly. The rest of the car ride was quiet except for the occasional cracks at the local radio station. “ This is it,” The car slowed to a stop fifteen minutes later in front of a large white Victorian house and Gabrial killed the engine. Nick felt a sense of apprehension as he looked up at the house, not sure if he wanted to go straight in. “ The reunion thing’s gonna be at six, for dinner,” Gabrial informed them as he popped open the trunk to get the luggage. “ Mom, Hi,” Gabrial grinned at his Mom after they got their suitcases and walked to the front door, treading through the snow. Mrs. Valenci turned out to be a very warm woman, in her late forties. Gabrial’s Dad was an older version of Gabrial and as friendly as his wife. Mrs. Valenci showed them were they would be staying and left them to unpack. Nick was staying across the hall from Gabrial’s room, in his older brother’s old room. He looked around the room and shut the door. Sighing, he opened his bag and began unpacking. He always hated packing and unpacking, it was too much of a hassel. By one o’clock, he had all his stuff in the closet but he didn’t feel like going downstairs for lunch yet. Why was he being so moody? He felt on guard and he didn’t like it. He needed to relax. Dinnertime was a long time from now. After changing into another set of clothes, he walked into Rick’s room. “ I got the girly guestroom.” Rick said as Nick walked into the floral room and cracked a smile. “ Done yet?” Gabe asked, standing in the doorway. “ Yeah.” They both chorused. “ Ok, let’s go eat some lunch and then I’ll show you around town,” Nick followed Gabe and Rick, surprised at the thought of being shown around town. It hadn’t occured to him that Gabrial knew his way around which was stupid on his part. Shaking his head and letting out a dry chuckle, he continued on downstairs where Mrs. Valenci had prepared a hearty lunch...
***** Morgan waited impatiently as Jake’s car pulled up into the driveway. It was 4:45 and Amelia had woken up after Morgan had called Jake which was twenty minutes ago. “ Jake here yet?” Angela asked, coming into the living room. “ Yeah, he just pulled in,” Morgan stood up to answer the door. “ Hi, Mor. I’m not late, I told ya,” Jake grinned at her when she opened the door. “ Hey, Jake,” She smiled back and gave him a hug. They pulled apart and walked inside where Angela was now holding Amelia who was chattering happily to herself. “ Hi, Angie,” He greeted. “ Hi, Jake,” Morgan glanced at her watch and back at Jake. “ Ok, I need to go change. She already ate so you don’t have to worry about that. Just keep an eye on her?” She reminded him. “ Got it all under control, Babe. Go get ready,” She walked upstairs and into her room. Sighing nervously, her eyes fell on her dress for the evening. She looked away before she could start critizing it and psych herself out. Instead, she went to the bathroom and let the water run for a shower. Twenty minutes later, she was got out and wrapped herself in a towel. After slipping into a robe, she sat down at her vanity table and began applying her makeup when her phone rang. “ Hello?” “ Morgan, Honey? Hi,” “ Oh, hi Mom, how are you?” “ I’m fine. How’s Jake and Amelia?” “ They’re good. Did you need something?” “ Yes, I was making sure the plans for tonight are still the same,” “ Yeah. Angie and Todd were just leaving when Jake came by so we’ll probably be over at the Valenci’s around six,” They chatted for a few more minutes and hung up. She had finished putting on her makeup when Jake knocked and walked in, Amelia in his arms. “ Angie and Todd just left,” He informed her. “ Oh, ok. Thanks,” “ Wearing that?” He asked, sitting in the rocking chair. “ Why? What’s wrong with it?” She asked quickly. “ Nothing. It’ll look great on you,” He added, knowing she was nervous at seeing Gabrial again. “ You sure?” “ Of course. Won’t it look good on Mommy?” He murmered to a sleepy Amelia. “ Don’t rock so much. She’ll fall asleep again,” “ I thought she just woke up?” “ Yeah but that makes her sleepy,” She called over her shoulder as she stepped into the bathroom to change into the dress. After slipping it on, she blow-dried her hair before studying herself critically in the mirror. “ Want me to put on Lia’s clothes?” Jake’s voice broke into her thoughts and she walked out to show him which clothes Amelia was wearing. Half an hour later, they were making the twenty minute drive to Gabrial’s house...
