“Thank you,” herepeated.
We shared a few more kisses and some innocent touching before getting ready to go to Joslyn and Vence’s house forlunch.
* * *
Arrivingat the Hunter family home, the sun was finally beginning to shine through the clouds. The roads had been cleared of snow long before we ever left the warmth of the house. Lizzy was covered by her new blanket as I carried her to the warming car. I wore a new coat Kelly had ordered for me shortly after I got here, knowing I would need it sooner or later. Underneath, I had on a pair of skinny jeans—the most comfortable things next to yoga pants—and a long sweater that was not too tight but showed off my weightgain.
Kelly had been right, I did have to get more clothes as I gained weight, and it would be another year before I knew for sure if I was done gaining back the weight that I had lost. I didn’t need too many, but nicer ones as Elijah had been taking me out of the house at least a couple times a monthnow.
“Hello, dears,” Joslyn said with a hug before she stole my girl from my hands, and proceeded to get her out of the contraption called a car seat. I could hear Lizzy coo at her lovinggrandmother.
“Sure, just ignore us. I’ll make my way to the food myself,” Elijah said, pouting and making fun of hismother.
“Oh, hush you,” Joslyn said, waving Elijah off with alaugh.
“Elijah, Dawn,” Vence greeted us, smiling at his wife. “Hope the roads were clear foryou.”
“Yeah, they were just fine,” Elijah said as they patted each other on theback.
“Good, good,” he replied. “Everyone is in the living roomalready.”
“The food is almost done,” Joslyn said as she led the way to the living room after setting the seat next to the door so it’d be out of theway.
Emily beamed when she saw us enter. Zack sat watching the TV and hooting about something. Elijah sat by him as Emily moved to me. I knew the two were looking into adoption and had a child they would be meeting in a few weeks to see if they were a goodmatch.
“So, did he like it?” she asked, hinting towards theblanket.
“Yes, he loved it,” I answeredbrightly.
“I told you he would,” she laughed, giving me a small hug. We had gotten closer, almost as close as sisters, in the short time we’d beentogether.
Looking over towards the corner, I saw their own Christmas tree, but with morepresents.
“They always go overboard,” Emily said with a laugh. “At least, that’s what Zack says. I wouldn’tknow.”
I had almost forgotten that Emily and I both had been prisoners of hell at one time. It seemed so long ago with everything that had happened since then. I was different, finally starting to figure out who I was and what I wanted out oflife.
“Well, they have one grandchild, plus another on the way, to spoil rotten,” Ilaughed.
“Yeah, true,” Emily said with a brightsmile.
“Oh, Dawn, dear, can I have your help in the kitchen for a moment?” Joslynasked.
Giving Emily a look asking her what was up, she merrily smiled and shook her head, not letting me in on the big secret. Sighing, I made my way to the kitchen, followingJoslyn.
“How are you doing?” Joslyn asked as she busied herself stirring the mashed potatoes in a black pot on thestove.
“Good,” I answered, not sure what she was trying to do. I watched her, hoping she’d give somethingaway.
“You and Elijah seem to be getting close,” she observed. Well, of course, we were. We did live together. And the man had saved me in a way I never thought would be possible. “Have you thought about the future at all?” she asked, turning to faceme.
“Some,” I shrugged. “I thought about maybe getting my GED, atleast.”
I had wanted to at least have my GED to feel more normal but now with the choice of what I wanted to do, I could do anything—almost. The best place to start was to finish my education. I couldn’t see myself doing college, but I wanted my daughter to grow up with parents who had, at least, both finished highschool.
“Well, that’s good. The nearby college offers online classes. I’m sure Elijah would be willing to help you set it up,” Joslyn said, bringing the rolls out of the oven. “How do you feel aboutElijah?”
“What?” I asked, shocked that she’d askthat.
