Bang! The sound startled both Oliver and Xavier in their seats for the millionth time that evening. Lorraine shot a deadly glare at the man before turning her back to start prepping the ingredients for their dinner. She had slammed every one of the ingredients onto the counter displaying how angry she was.
"What did you do?" Oliver whispered in Xavier's direction. He had long abandoned his homework thanks to his sister's distracting actions.
He leaned in to whisper back, "I swear it's not that big of a deal-"
"So I'm overreacting?" She spun around, hands on her waist, looking like she ready to blow up.
"You're on your own", Oliver announced and quickly left for his room.
"Traitor!" Xavier glared afted the little man before turning to his woman with a sweet smile. He walked over to her side. "Lorraine-"
She stopped and crossed her arms against her chest, facing him with an unamused expression. He sighed and held her arms. "Lorraine, I'm sorry I didn't tell you but I was so bored. I had to get some fresh air."
"You know that's not why I'm upset."
"I know, I know. I should've discussed my returning to work with you before deciding on it. I know you're worried about me."
"Xavier, you still have the stitches on you. This is when you should be extra careful. How can you think of going back to work right now?"
He cupped the sides of her faces and drew closer to her, burying her face into his chest. "You have nothing to worry about. I'll be extra careful. I promise."
"Is this about keeping up appearances so your family doesn't worry about you?"
"No. That was a one time thing because I wanted to spend some time with you", he confessed with a sheepish smile.
Her countenance melted at that. "But you're still not okay. You can work from home."
"I can't stay home another second! I'm gonna lose it!" He cried out dramatically making her chuckle and shake her head. His mouth fell into an O clearly pleased that she was no longer upset with him.
She was about to speak when his phone started ringing. He slightly pulled away while still holding her to answer the call. "Mom?"
"Did you tell her? What did she say? Why haven't I heard from you? She's not denying you from seeing your family, is she?" Victoria shot at him as soon as he answered.
"I wouldn't be surprised after the little stunt you pulled at the hospital", he replied nonchalantly.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt"WHAT?!"
"I'll call you back", he quickly hang up and looked down at the expectant woman. He let out a long sigh. "I called my Mom earlier and she wants to have us over for dinner over the weekend."
She was silent for a second before nodding away. "Okay."
"If you're not ready, we can wait", he gently reminded.
"No, I'm sure. This was bound to happen. We'll go. Oliver as well, right?"
"Yes, I told them about him too." His phone started to ring again and shook his head when he saw the woman calling him again. "I was going to call you back."
"I forgot to mention that it's not just dinner, it's a sleepover", Victoria said.
"What?"
"Everyone has agreed, it's just you two."
"Zach too?" Xavier's brows rose from the little shock. Lorraine could only watch him intently, curious about the new development in their plans.
Meanwhile, at Zach and Amy's, the latter was seated on a sofa in their room with her legs up so she could rest Roserie against her lap. The little one held onto her mother's fingers while the latter played with her while Zach was freshening up after a long day at work. Amy's phone started to ring and used one hand to answer.
"Hey", she held up her phone and smiled at the camera.
"Busy?" Susan was wrapped in a blanket with a container of icecream in hand as she responded.
"No. Just playing with Roserie. Say hie to auntie!" She brought the phone to Roserie and spoke in a baby voice. "Say hie auntie."
"Hey Roserie. You look so cute today! Awwww!" Susan spoke in awe making Amy chuckle before she brought up the phone again.
"What's up? Is it not movie time yet?" Amy asked with curious eyes.
"Movie night is cancelled. I kicked them out", Susan replied grumpily.
"What?"
"We had a fight, that's what."
"With both of them?"
Susan sighed. "We bought a plant, a potted one. It was a question of which was the best spot to place it where it could get just enough sunlight. We had different opinions, I got upset, Stephen just had to say that I was overreacting and that I've been too sensitive over the past few days. And guess what that punk I endured 13 hours of labor for actually said, 'yeah mom, you need to chill'", she angrily scooped a spoonful of ice cream and shoved it in her mouth.
"Wow", Amy said quietly yet amused though she could guess why. "Monthlies?"
Susan nodded with a pitiful expression and let out an exasperated sigh. "I know my mood is crazy right now but they didn't have to point it out. So annoying!"
Amy only sighed. "So where did they go? Do you know?"
"Probably at my place. My keys are missing."
"You kicked Stephen out of his own place along with your son?" Amy could only smirk, clearly amused.
"I don't want to think about that right now. Let's talk about something else", she grumbled.
"Okay, um, well Zachery and I are getting married."
"Did you settle on a date?"
"Not yet, but it's in three months time."
"He just can't wait to wife you up, now can he?"
"If it were up to me, we'd do it tomorrow", Zach passed behind Amy going to retrieve his tablet from his desk to look at a few things.
"Hello to you too, Mr. Frost", Susan greeted.
"Dr. Glynne", he acknowledged while scrolling through the device.
"So what's stopping you?" She probbed.
"And rob his mom the joy of planning our wedding? Not a chance", Amy said with a smile before her phone started to ring. "Speak of the devil, let me call you back Suzy."
"Sure."
She terminated the video call and answered the voice call. "Hey Mom."
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Amy dear, is Zach with you?" Victoria asked a quietly as though being cautious.
"Right here", he answered. The two heard the older woman probably curse under her breath.
"What's going on?" Amy asked, trying not to laugh.
"I want to have the boys over for the weekend with you ladies. Everyone's agreed, it's just you two", she said in one breath.
"This is a tactic you're using to get everyone on board", Zach pointed out.
"Tch! No!"
"Xav texted me", he deadpanned.
"That snitch! Well yes! Because you have always been busy for these kind of things. Sue me!"
"Don't worry mom, we'll be there", Amy replied a little too excited.
"Great!"
The call ended and Amy raised Roserie to smack a kiss on her cheek earning a soft coo from her. She got up and walked over to Zach. She took away his tablet and replaced it with Roserie.
"Make sure your daddy is not working while I plan for the weekend", she patted Roserie's little back before rushing off.
Zach only sighed but did as told. He didn't look at any work and simply spent time with his daughter. Amy had disappeared out of their room. What he thought would take twenty minutes tops, quickly turned into an hour and was now approaching a two our mark.
He put a sleeping Roserie in her crib before walking out. He could hear Amy's hum and soft singing from the hallways. He followed the voice and found her in Roserie's room, inside her walk-in closet and looking through outfits. Tired of waiting, he went over and flung her over his shoulder earning a yelp from her.
"I'm not done", she whined in protest.
"You have all of tomorrow", he countered.
"Wait", she asked, making him stop. She straighted her form and slid into him so she could wrap her legs around his waist and hands locked behind his neck. The move only pleased him as he smiled when they came face to face.
"What?" She asked with a smile.
"Nothing", he still could not stop smiling. Entering their room, he kicked the door behind them. "You're too excited for this weekend."
"Of course! I get to see the place you grew up in", she could not help her giddiness.
He chuckled as he lay them down with him on top of her, "There's nothing special about it."
"It's part of you, it's where you came from. So of course it's special", she said in all seriousness. He dipped his head and claimed her lips showing the affection he felt just from her words. "And of course, your embarrassing childhood pictures."
"Ugh", he groaned, burying his face in the crook of her neck while she laughed.