Dear Diary

Chapter 70

"Do you have to go already?" Sophia asked one Sunday afternoon as she stood outside helping her aunt load her bags into the trunk of a cab which would take them to the airport.

"I'm sorry, dear," Aunt Tess replied as she grabbed her overnight bag and put it in the car, "but I have to get back to recording now and ... " She leaned in closer and whispered so only Sophia could hear. "I think I've overstayed my welcome long enough."

Sophia nodded her head in understanding. Since that first night there had been an unbelievable amount of tension between the two siblings, and even now after two weeks things were still uneasy. Sophia glanced at her father to see him talking to Eric about something and sighed. "I understand."

"Puck up, buttercup!" Aunt Tess smiled. "We'll visit again soon. Eric might be getting transferred to this base in a few months and what's the point in me staying so far from my family?"

"Really?" Sophia asked, her eyes brightening. 

Although she knew her aunt would live in a different house, the fact that she would be close to visit helped Sophia tremendously. She wouldn't have to sit alone in an empty house all day now.

"Hopefully," Aunt Tess smiled before it grew strained. "I'm just going to say goodbye to your father for a second."

Sophia nodded and watched her aunt walk off. She saw Eric glance at his mom and her dad a second before excusing himself and making his way to Sophia. 

It was quiet between them for a moment before Sophia broke it. "So ... how's it going with Mindy?"

It came out a week ago that Eric had developed a little crush on Sophia's shy friend. The only reason she found out was because he had asked her if he could get her number. He and Mindy had spoken on the odd occasion due to Mindy and Luke coming over for the project, but it was never one-on-one.

Eric nodded his head. "It's going well. We went out for coffee yesterday," he admitted with a slight tint of pink to his cheeks. 

Sophia's lips tilted upwards in a smile. She was glad that it was her cousin that liked Mindy. She's known Eric her whole life and even though they weren't exactly close, she knew that he would look after Mindy well. She's had more than her fair share of hurt, thanks to Rachel.

Eric sighed. "It just sucks that I have to go back already. But I spoke to your dad and he says he can make a plan for me to be transferred to this base, only it might take a few months."

Sophia nodded. "But won't it be weird working under my dad?"

Eric shrugged. "Probably at first, but if he's as stoic there as he is at home, then I don't think it'll take too long for the weirdness to go away. Although I've heard some stories about him over the past few months."

"Oh?" Sophia asked and raised a brow.

Eric nodded his head. "And about your mom."

Sophia's eyes widened. "What did my mom have anything to do with the base?"

Eric was about to reply but they saw their parents approaching and he shut his mouth. Aunt Tess pulled Sophia into a big hug and kissed her cheek. 

"I'll see you soon, Sophie," she smiled.

Eric gave her an apologetic look as he brought her into a hug. Sophia knew he wouldn't say anything in front of her father, so she kept silent. Eric released her after a moment and shook her father's hand before the two of them climbed into the cab. Sophia gave a small wave as it drove off and her father came to stand next to her.

"I've invited Susan over for dinner tonight, along with her two daughters,"  he said as he turned and looked down at her. 

Sophia inadvertently straightened her shoulders. So, she was finally going to meet them. 

Her father's eyes bore into Sophia's. "And I expect you to be on your best behaviour."

Sophia's jaw clenched slightly. "Yes, sir."

Her father nodded his head once before turning and walking off into the house without another word.

-

Sophia tried to keep her face as nonchalant as possible as she set the dinner table. Her mind had been spinning the whole afternoon on what Eric had said. The only way she could think that the bases knew about her mother was because she was the wife of one of the greatest Generals of all time. But knowing that focusing on that would not do her any good at the moment, she shook the thoughts aside and finished setting the table.

She then looked herself over in one of the mirrors hanging in hallway. She decided to wear a black top, light blue skinny jeans and her only pair of black pumps. She had also straighten her hair and applied a little bit of make-up, but nothing overdone.

Her father was busy cooking in the kitchen. Although he hardly ever spent any time at home, he certainly knew a thing or two about cooking. If only he had bothered to teach her.

A knock came at the door and Sophia took a deep breath, knowing that their guests had arrived. She heard her father's confident footsteps carry him to the front-door and Sophia leisurely followed, wanting to prolong the meeting as much as possible. Her father was dressed in a white button-up shirt, sleeves folded at the elbows, dark jeans and black shoes. 

Even though he was in his late forties, Sophia had to admit that he had kept his age very well, especially with his muscular physique.

As soon as he opened the door, a bundle of red-hair and frills barged into the living-room. "Ashley, sweetie, come back here!" Susan called from the door, but her ten-year-old daughter paid her no heed and she sighed.

"Hey," Susan greeted Sophia's father with a kiss. 

Sophia felt her blood boil and she had to fight back a glare. It was one thing to be dating her father, but it was another when they showed too much affection in front of her.

"Hey," he replied and opened the door wider.

"Well," Susan smiled as she greeted Sophia with her eyes, "That's Ashley." She gestured to the little girl jumping up and down on the couch. Sophia glowered slightly. Did that girl have no manners or respect for a stranger's home? Susan walked in to reveal the daughter behind her. 

"And this is ..."

Sophia's eyes widened slightly as she took sight of the older daughter, but held back a gasp. 

"S-Sophia?" the daughter asked with wide eyes. 

Sophia snapped out of her momentary shock and her gaze narrowed. She should have known the universe was against her. She gave a tight smile in greeting as she stared at the red-haired girl in front of her.

"Rachel."