"Em, I'm sorry." Hunter came up to me, I was helping his mom in the kitchen.
I didn't answer him so he leaned over and whispered to me, "Please just come outside."
June was in the kitchen too, I had told her what had happened and she didn't bother asking me about my sister. She respected my privacy unlike Hunter who never actually asked me but rather spoke about how "closed off" I was. She understood why I was so frustrated. I needed another way to avoid Hunter so June said I could help her in the kitchen. Which had worked up until now. I looked over at his mom and she closed her eyes and nodded once.
Hunter held my hand and pulled me towards a bench outside. He sat but I remained standing with my arms crossed over my chest.
He looked up at me for a moment, knowing I wouldn't sit, then spoke, "I'm sorry. It wasn't right of me to discuss something with my family that you haven't even told me about. I knew it was something bad and that you'd need time when you mentioned a case file... I just... I'm sorry, sweetheart."
"You said I was closed off, Hunt. You know a lot more about me than I know about you. I only found out you had siblings today."
"I know and it's not fair but I just..." Hunter was struggling to explain.
I uncrossed my arms and sat down next to Hunter, resting my head on his shoulder, "I forgive you too easily."
Hunter smiled and wrapped his arm around my waist, "Thank you."
"Just give me time, Hunt. I will tell you eventually."
Hunter rested his chin on my head and we sat in silence for a few moment till we heard Jude calling his dad.
"Come on, sweetheart. My dad's going to love you." Hunter pulled me up and lead me to his dad.
"Mr. Maddox. I'm Emilia." I offered my hand out to Hunter's dad.
Hunter's dad shook my hand, "John and trust me, I know who you are."
June came out of the kitchen and gave her husband a kiss.
"Just in time for dinner."
"Dad! Isn't Em just... I've run out of words..." Jude looked down hearted but Hunter whispered in his ear and he smiled, "Ravishing!"
We all laughed at him.
"Thank you Jude." I bent down and gave him a hug.
"Looks like someone likes Emilia more than Hunter." His dad joked but I still blushed.
"Cath even smiled at her." His mom added.
Hunter's dad turned to me surprised, "You think you could do it again?"
"I could try." I shrugged.
"No pressure, sweetheart." Hunter laughed.
"Wait! My camera! Incase she does it again." Hunter's dad ran up the stairs and came back with a small camera.
Hunter looked more like his mom with their matching dark hair but he had his dad's eyes. June had little dark tuffs on her head too, Jude was the only one with hair like his dad.
I picked up Cath and started speaking to her, "You know, maybe one day when you're older, I could teach you how to bake. We can make lemon tarts and rose macaroons - " I didn't even say anything else before she smiled again.
Her dad was leaning over my shoulder and took the picture the exact time her face lit up. However, the flash made her cry.
"Hey, it's okay." I cooed as I gently swayed Cath and then softly traced my fingers around her face. Her tears subsided into a whimper and eventually, completely stopped within a few minutes.
"Wow." It was if the whole family spoke in unison, even Jude
"I... Umm... Sorry." I lowered Cath back into her crib in the lounge and turned to face the family who were all still staring at me.
"If you don't want her anymore, Hunt. We'll take her as a nanny." That stopped the staring and I laughed uncomfortably.
"Sorry, dad. I'll be keeping her for a while longer." Hunter winked at me and I looked down to avoid his family seeing me blush.
"Ravishing." Jude said and we all laughed.
-
Hunter and I paired up as a team and his parents did as well for a game of 30 Seconds once Cath and Jude were asleep.
Hunter and I surprisingly beat his parents and they had a prize for us. It was like a miniature hamper.
"We weren't - " I started.
"Please, darling just take it. We always just make these for fun. Come on John, let's go to bed." June interrupted
"You read my mind." Hunter's dad looked at his wife longingly, "You kids have fun. The walls are sound proof so don't stress about noise." And they left Hunter and I downstairs.
I frowned, "It's not like we're making music or anything."
"Not that kind of music, sweetheart."
I buried my hands in my face, "That's... That's just... " I looked up and Hunter who was laughing at my red cheeks.
"Come on. We can go upstairs and see what my crazy parents have packed. They probably lost on purpose." Hunter was still smiling.
I followed Hunter into a room where there we two beds separated by a bed side table. Hunter put the basket on the bed and in one motion corned me.
"You know each time I try to do this, we get interrupted." Hunter slowly lowered his face closer to mine.
"Hunt?" A small body was by the door, followed by a sleep-filled voice, "Do you think you could sing me to sleep?"
"That was ironic." I smiled and Hunter just turned to Jude.
"Sure, Jude my dude. I'll be there now." Hunter looked back down at me, "I'm not finished with you, sweetheart."
When Hunter stepped away from me, I released a breath I didn't realize I was holding. I decided to find Hunter who was leaning over Jude, singing to him.
I tip-toed closer, I hadn't heard Hunter sing yet.
Hey Jude
Don't be afraid
You were made to go out and get her
I leaned against the doorframe and closed my eyes, taking in Hunter's voice. It was soft and gentle, his love for Jude showing through the way he sang the words. Within a few minutes you could hear Jude snoring but Hunter still finished the song.
Hunter leaned over and gave Jude a kiss on the forehead, "Night little dude."
Hunter wasn't surprised to find me there when he turned around, "Let's go see what we got then?"
Hunter swung his arms around my shoulders until we were back in the room.
"Box of chocolate." Hunter threw it towards me and I opened it so long, "Here's even a book for you, body wash - they think we stink."
"Well we didn't shower today." I laughed.
"I forgot about that." Hunter continued unpacking the basket, "A bottle of beer, some other shit and a box of condoms." Hunter threw the last box on the bed.
I started choking on the chocolate I was eating.
When I could finally breath again I looked at Hunter, "They know you're a virgin, right?"
Hunter was close to his parents so I was shocked to find out what he meant when he said no one knew he was a virgin.
"Not even they know, sweetheart."
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