When Selene and Eric had invited Jules and Ivy to their place for lunch, Jules hadn’t been thinking clearly then or throughout the entire week. She had woken up that Saturday morning and figured it was like every other Saturday until a text message from Selene which said she and Eric were looking forward to seeing her and Ivy that afternoon with their home address at the end of the text reminded her what she had agreed to. Or rather what that whose-name-shall-not-be-mentioned agreed to on her behalf.
Now she was making him sound like Voldemort. He might as well be.
Darn you Voldy!
She and Ivy were set to leave. She had dressed Ivy in a sky blue and baby pink flowery gown while Jules wore a yellow sun dress. Not a blind-me yellow.
She placed Ivy in her carrier at the back seat and locked the door. She got into the driver’s seat and placed her purse on passenger’s seat. She started the engine and put the address Selene had sent into the GPS before she drove off. Almost an hour later Jules finally arrived at a huge house which the GPS confirmed it was the Thompson’s. The first thought that came to her was: This is where Ceaser grew up. It was big and so beautiful. Jules drove through the wide-open gate but was stopped by a security guard.
“Name?” The angry security guard asked.
Was that his normal face or did someone piss him off today?
Jules thought to herself.
“Jules Jenna.” She answered the guard.
She expected him to check a book or something but he didn’t
“The Thompson’s are expecting you.”
“I know, that’s why I’m here.” Jules wanted to say but instead said “Thank you.” She drove in, going around the round-about before she found a safe spot and parked her car. She turned the engine off and picked her purse slinging it over her head onto her other shoulder before she got out of the car. She opened the backseat and picked the carrier, Ivy in it playing with her favourite toy. Ivy smiled when she saw her and Jules smiled back at her as she reached inside to pick the bottle of wine se had purchased on her way. She shut the car door before she made her way to the entrance of the house and the door was pulled opened just as soon as she got there. Selene stood there smiling at her.
“Jules, welcome, it’s so good to have you here.” she said giving Jules a quick hug before she bent and picked up Ivy from the carrier and into her arms “Hey honey.” Jules smiled at Selene’s unsubtlety as she watched the older woman kiss a giggling Ivy “Please do come in.”
Jules stepped in right behind Selene and shut the door behind them. She turned and gaped at the huge entrance. It had two large staircases on either side and in between the stairs led to another room in the house. It was so big, bright and beautiful.
“Let’s go in honey.” Selene said as she led Jules right between the stairs taking them to the other magnificent part of the house – the living room. Jules sighed at the breath-taking view. It had a floor to ceiling glass wall which showed the pool outside and the incredible view of the city.
“Have a seat.” Selene said.
“Thank you.” Jules said as she took a seat on the couch and placed Ivy’s carrier beside the couch.
“Eric, get down here.” Selene yelled out.
Jules heard footsteps coming from one of the stairs and Eric appeared at the entrance and entered the living room smiling when he saw her.
“Hello Eric.” Jules greeted him with a smile as she got up with her hand extended.
Eric ignored her hand.
“Come here you.” He pulled her in for a quick fatherly hug.
They were past the stage of formalities.
Jules thought as she sighed inwardly when Eric hugged her.
“Now where’s that cutie?” Eric asked.
Jules made a gesture with her head towards where Selene had gone with Ivy.
Eric smiled and turned to her.
“Now don’t be a stranger and make yourself comfortable, take a look around.” Eric suggested before he turned and went to see Ivy.
Eric couldn’t wait to see Jules’ daughter. She was the most adorable baby he had seen and the closest thing to a grand-daughter. Ceaser hadn’t shown signs of getting together with anyone since Bea died until recently when he brought Jules to the Charity function which had surprised him. He was happy for his son but it looked like the both of them already had problems due to his son’s uncanny ability to do things without considering the risks. He had lied to the woman and hadn’t bothered about what would happen when she found out and then she did and his son didn’t know what to do.
“Hey cutie.” Eric’s face brightened up when he spotted his wife with Ivy.
He took her from his wife’s arms into his and Ivy beamed up at him which made him blink twice.
With that smile on her face, she almost looked like when Ceaser was a child but…that would be impossible.
“I have to set the table.” Selene said.
“Do you need some help?” Jules had followed Eric into the dining area after he had left.
“Yes please.” Selene accepted Jules’s leading her into the kitchen which was also, like all the other rooms in the house, beautiful.
Jules just couldn’t help herself when she entered the kitchen. It was every woman’s dream kitchen, well every woman who could cook.
“Just help me with the dishware, I’ll get the dishes.” Selene said as she pointed in the cupboard to get them from.
Jules took them out and went to the dining room to set the table while Selene brought the dishes and placed them on the table. The all heard the entrance door shut close and footsteps approached.