Chapter 25
Myles
Valentine’s evening is here, and we are all dressed up casually. We have grabbed three tables, which we pushed together to make one large one where we can all sit together.
Oren is next to me, and Clem is on his other side. Dan, Synthia, Cassian, Ellen, and Annabelle are all here and relaxed. We have piles of food on the table, and I watch as Oren digs into a burger that I’m not sure he’ll be able to finish.
Whitney is speaking to Synthia about settling into the apartment, and Maylee is talking to Ellen about something, but then claps her hands, gaining everyone’s attention.
“Attention, Cassian and Ellen have an announcement to make,” Maylee grins.
Cassian, I think, has a damn blush on his face, and Ellen looks a little embarrassed. Clearing his throat, Cassian boldly states, “We’re pregnant!”
Now, a pregnant pause, yeah, it’s a pun, right before everyone shouts congratulations. We celebrate their news, and I know they have been waiting a long time to have a child, despite not being as settled as they would like.
“Has it helped that you have a job with us now, Cassian?” I ask and think I know the answer.
“Yes. We weren’t sure if Ellen was pregnant, but getting the job at the garage has taken the worry off us. Ellen will leave her job as soon as she feels she needs to. I don’t want her working if it’s going to cause a health risk to her or the baby.” Cassian is firm in his reply, and I’m more than happy to hear they have decided.
“I’m going to open my own business later in the year. I want Synthia and Ellen to come work with me. I will give all the training that’s needed. We can build a package for health care and everything,” Whitney adds, and although I knew she had been thinking about starting her own business fully, with an office and everything, I didn’t think she would at this time.
Oren jumps out of his seat and dashes away. I stand ready to follow until I see him come to a halt in front of Lily. Yeah, Lily, his little school friend.
Maylee, giggles. “He’s got a soft spot for Lily.”
“Well, keep a watch. I don’t want him disappearing into the crowd.”
Maylee squeezes my hand. “He’s not a fool, Myles. You’ve taught him well. He’ll not go far now, so come on, let’s dance.”
We all dance, eat, drink lots of soda, and repeat. Oren is dancing nearby with Lily, and Lily’s parents are watching them with the same soft look on their faces that we have on ours.
Annabelle, I notice has a dance partner in Greg Evans. Now, he’s a great guy. His wife died in a pileup, and it’s taken him around six years to socialize again. I’ve not seen him dancing with anyone before mind you.
“That’s interesting, Maylee,” I mumble as we dance. I keep hold of Maylee to my chest as I turn us so she can see what I was looking at.
“Oh, that’s nice…”
“No, don’t start matchmaking. We’ll see what happens. But Greg’s a good guy and deserves a second chance at happiness,” I add, right before swirling her around.
The end of the evening comes for us as we know Oren will be tired by now. We searched for him, as he had been dancing with Lily a few minutes ago in front of our table.
Lily’s parents are looking too, and when her father asks if we’ve seen then I shake my head. “Nope, but let’s split up.”
“OREN BARSTOW, LILY TAYLOR!”
I rush over, and so does Lily’s father. What we see has us both stopping, and I cover my mouth to stop the grin that is forming.
Maylee has her hands on her hips and is pointing at Oren. Lily’s mother is shaking her head at Lily. What the heck have they done?
“We are going to get married,” Oren states, and Lily nods her head in agreement. Then they grab each other's hands and look at each other, smiling like they won the lottery.
“Oh, fu…” Lily’s dad stops when he gets a warning look from his wife.
“What’s going on here?” I ask, and then I’m astonished, then amused with the reply.
“Well, seems Oren and Lily think it’s okay at their age to be kissing. Yes, kissing each other,” Maylee says in an astounded tone.
“Oh…”
