63

I grinned as Sammy stood on his hind legs and tried his hardest to lick Noah’s face, despite him trying to wriggle away. He failed, and the dog whined as it licked him like crazy, slobbering all over him.
Oh no, I chuckled, wincing as Noah looked up at me with a look of bewilderment. Dude, you’ve got drool all over you.
The dog suddenly cocked his head and looked in my direction, as if only just realising that there was another person stood next to him. Smiling, I bent down and reached out my hand. Sammy took that as his cue and I grinned as he rolled over on to his back, his legs in the air. I reached out and scratched his belly, causing his tongue to fall out on to the floor in complete relaxation.
Looks like you’ve made a new friend there, Noah smiled, looking down at Sammy affectionately. Traitor.
The dog just barked and wagged his tail back and forth, too preoccupied with getting his belly rubbed. Laughing, I stood up and turned to Noah whose blue shirt was covered in slobber. I raised my eyebrow and just watched as he tried to wipe it off, a disgusted look on his face.
Oh, to hell with it, he shrugged, rubbing Sammy’s ears as he walked down the hall. Lets go through to the kitchen, there’s a door that leads to the back garden.
I followed him and my eyes widened as I stepped in to the kitchen. It was painted a pale yellow, with wooden work tops. And it was huge, encompassing the whole back part of the house. More family photos were displayed. It seemed that no place was off limits for them, something which made me fall in love with the house even more.
Hell yes ! I heard Noah say happily. My mum baked cookies and they’re still warm.
They smell great, I said, smiling when Noah passed me one, after having shoved two whole ones in to his mouth at the same time.
Taking a bite, I waved the cookie at him. These taste awesome.
Don’t let my mum hear you say that, he said, crumbs falling out of his mouth as he shoved in another cookie. She’ll get all smug about it and start baking cookies every hour.
Well that wouldn’t be such a bad thing, I laughed, my eyes drifting to the floor as Sammy sat in front of me, trying his damned hardest to look cute.
He was doing a pretty good job. Can I give him the rest of the cookie ? I asked Noah, noticing him shaking his head at the Sammy.
Sure, he nodded. If you didn’t, that dog would hold a grudge. He can be a grumpy old thing sometimes.
I handed over the last part of the cookie and wiped my hands on my shorts. Turning on the spot, my eyes drifted to the slightly open door to the right hand side of the kitchen. The music was still blaring from the garden, and I could see smoke appearing from around the side of the house.
Noah, I think I can see smoke.
He stepped past me and stuck his head out the door. After a brief second, he looked over his shoulder and grinned, gesturing me over. Walking through the kitchen, I stepped up to his side and took hold of his hand as he led me out in to the garden. I had never seen anything like it, and it was definately the best part of the house. It was on a small decline, sloping towards the lake. When my eyes found the water, I gasped.
There was a dock leading off from the bottom of the garden, stretching out in to the water. I could see a small shadow of a boy sitting on the edge, with his feet dangling in the lake. Sammy darted past us and ran towards the boy who could only be Noah’s little brother, JJ. The sun was low, but it’s ray’s were making the water glisten as a flock of birds floated on the top.
Why would you ever leave this place ? I murmured, looking up at Noah as he slipped an arm around my waist.
Now I’m back here, I don’t actually know, he smiled. Maybe it was so I could find you.
And I’m glad you did, I said honestly, not even wanting to imagine a life that he wasn’t a part of. You’ve got me college boy. I’m all yours.
Good, he grinned. And it’s going to stay that way.
I laughed as he led me along the side of the house, where the smoke appeared to be coming from. As we turned the corner, I caught sight of a large man standing with his back to us. He looked like he was about six foot five, with greying hair. The woman sitting opposite him was laughing at something he’d said and she had a beautiful smile, just like Noah’s. She had black hair that fell over her shoulders, but there were hints of grey. But the one thing that struck me, was how happy they looked.
Mum, dad ! Noah suddenly shouted beside me, happiness echoing through his words. Where’s my welcome home party ?
The man swivelled around, a surprised look on his face. He dropped the spatula he was holding and strolled over, Noah’s mum overtaking him and running past. I smiled as she slammed in to Noah and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Honey ! She cried in delight. You said you’d ring us when you were near.
Well, I thought I’d surprise you, he laughed, grinning at me over his mum’s shoulder.
I stood there and watched as his father strolled over and embraced him for a short moment before stepping back. The contact may have been brief but there was no mistaking it, Noah’s parents loved him unconditionally like a parent should. Smiling nervously, I stepped up to Noah’s side as he grabbed a hold of my shirt and pulled me over, before wrapping his arm around my waist once more.
So Lily, these are my parents, Julie and Pierce, he said, squeezing me against his side.
It’s great to meet you, I said, knowing my voice betrayed how nervous I felt. Noah talks about you a lot.
We’ve been waiting a long time to meet you, Lily, Julie said, before stepping forward and wrapping her arms around me. And we’ve heard a lot about you too, especially from Jackie. She’s quite enamoured of you.
Well I feel the same way about her, I smiled. You have a wonderful family, and a beautiful home.
As Julie stepped back, Pierce nodded at me and pointed at Noah. I can’t believe you’ve put up with this little tyke for over three months, he grinned. You’re a fine young woman Lily, with more patience than I have.
I burst out laughing as I looked up at Noah. Dad ! he mumbled. Why do you always say stuff like that ? I’m not a kid anymore, you know.
Oh honey, you’ll always be our little boy, Julie smiled, wrapping an arm around her husband’s waist.
Noah face-palmed, shaking his head as he glanced at me out of the corner of his eye. He was obviously a little embarassed, but it didn’t matter. The love his parents felt for him was as obvious as it could ever be, and in truth, I envied him.
Anyway, moving on… Noah sighed, looking past me and down towards the dock. How’s JJ doing ?
He’s the same, son, Pierce said dejectedly. He was sent home from school a week ago with a bruise on his arm. Apparently, some kid from his class thought it would be funny to throw him to the ground and see how hard he could step on his arm.
I felt Noah tense beside me, so I entwined my fingers with his, squeezing his hand gently. He took a deep breath and looked down at me. I sent him a look, letting him know that I was there and he smiled, knowing the same thing. Glancing up, I noticed his mother staring at me. She nodded gratefully, a small smile passing her lips so quickly I wasn’t even sure if it had even been there at all.
Is he okay now ? Noah asked, his rage barely in check. Because if he’s not, I’ll go find that little punk that did it and see how he likes it.
Your father had the same idea, Julie said dismissively, waving her hand. Richard too. They were like two men on a mission.
So what happened ? I asked, glancing towards the water where JJ still sat on the dock, not realising his brother was home yet.
Ah, we couldn’t do jack to the kid. They’re only seven, Pierce mumbled angrily. If you ask me, it’s the parents fault. They ought to get their kids to show some respect, not beat each other up.
I understand, I nodded. I guess sometimes, things just don’t turn out the way they should. And it’s usually the kind, gentle souls that get punished for it, like your son.
I ran a hand through my hair and stared at the floor, the words that had just left my mouth hitting home. Seeing a young boy getting bullied for being different was something that hurt me, because my past had been similar. Although other kids weren’t the ones that had bullied me when I was a child, that had been my father. Noah let go of my hand and put his hand on my hip, pulling me back against him. Plastering on a smile, I looked up to find them all staring at me.
To my surprise, Julie stepped forward and took my hand. You’re a good person Lily, she smiled kindly. I could tell that from the moment I saw you. You’ll fit in no problem. But somethings tells me, you’re already part of this family.
Blinking, I tried to hold back the tears as my eyes watered. It was such a simple thing to say, but it meant so much more than she knew. Pierce nodded at me and smiled, putting a hand on his wife’s shoulder.