Theon
" So, will you tell me what happened on that trip? " Lara asked, as we walked down the aisles of the supermarket.
It was almost Christmas Eve and both of us had been responsible for buying everything needed for the celebration.
" I thought that had already become clear," I muttered grumpily, "Delphine decided to relive an old love and dragged us into this madness. “
I knew that wasn't what Lara was interested in, but I didn't want to touch on the subject that had me so unsettled over the last few days. My bad mood was noticeable after the whole situation with Sam. I had been avoiding her, not visiting her at the studio anymore, and was content to get news of her condition from my sister, especially after finding her in town with Mike the day after we returned.
I felt terrible about the whole thing. I liked her and hoped that we could get back together after what happened between us, but her reaction the next day showed otherwise.
Samantha seemed willing to just forget about what happened, as if it was just a big mistake. And maybe it really was.
" You know I don't mean γιαγιά " Lara teased me.
She put a bag of sweet potatoes into the cart while I headed for the freezer area.
" I know, and I don't want to talk about it," I returned, picking out a piece of pork shank that my mother would make for dinner.
" Sam talked to me yesterday," she remarked nonchalantly, drawing my attention, "do you know if she's making cranberry sauce this year?”
" Yes, we have to take it " I explained, deciding to change my attitude " What did you talk to her about?”
" She told me some things," Lara shrugged, "but I understand that you don't want to talk about it.”
My sister walked off down the market corridor in search of the cranberrys, leaving me behind, curiosity burning inside me.
I quickly followed her, trying to find out more about the subject.
" What did she say? " I insisted.
" You don't want to talk about it, remember? " she smiled, staring at me as she held up a packet of fruit.
" Lara? " I sighed resignedly.
" I just wanted to understand. Sam says that you're not talking to her.”
" That's not true," I muttered in reply.
" What is the truth then? " she asked, "What else is missing? Did we get the buns?”
" Stay in the next aisle," I warned, "and as for Sam, something happened in Vegas and I thought that meant we could try something, but she didn't think so.”
" When you say something happened, do you mean something like a conversation, a kiss, or a restless night like the one that resulted in Henry?
I rolled my eyes as I chose the kind of bread we would bring. The last thing I wanted at the moment was to discuss my sex life with one of my younger sisters.
" Things didn't turn out as I had hoped. She's still with Mike, so..." I shrugged, in an attempt to get some closure now that my sister's curiosity had been satisfied.
" It was a busy night then," she teased as I tried to evade her question, "but did you guys talk?”
" I tried, but she ran away from all my attempts," I sighed, "so I thought it best to leave her alone. She doesn't see things the way I do.”
" You think you've left her alone, she thinks you hate her. Is there anything else on the list or did we already get everything?”
I frowned, thinking about what my sister had just said as I checked our shopping list one more time.
" She thinks I hate her! " I muttered as I guided the shopping cart toward the checkout line "what am I supposed to think then? It was from my bed that she disappeared in the morning, and she couldn't even look at me while answering simple questions. It seemed like I had been the biggest mistake of her life!”
" That doesn't mean she hates you, she was confused," my sister insisted.
" If she was confused, she made a decision. She's still with Laffay, what can I do? " I took a deep breath, wishing I could change the subject.
" You can try to talk to her and resolve this whole situation at once," she insisted, "Theon, you're going to have a child together, you'll have to work things out. I have experience with that, believe me.”
She was right about one thing, I couldn't keep avoiding the mother of my son. Things would have to be worked out. Maybe Lara was right.
On the other hand, I preferred to cling to the opportunity to change the subject.
" By the way, how are things with Marcus? " I questioned as I waited for the cashier to go through all our purchases.
I felt bad when I saw the smile my sister flashed upon hearing her ex-boyfriend's name. That was not a good sign, and although I promised the man a chance, I couldn't help but worry about my sister.
" They are fine. Yesterday we took Daphne to see the Christmas lights in the square and then ended up having dinner together at the molly's.”
" Lara," I groaned disapprovingly.
" What?”
" You know how I feel about this situation. Him wanting to get closer to Daphne is one thing, but…”
" Theon, you don't understand! He's changed," she assured me.
" I'm not sure he has that ability. I worry about you.”
My sister bit her lower lip, looking embarrassed by the new subject.
" I thank Theon. But I know Marcus. He made a mistake, he's sorry, and he's trying to fix it. But to do that he needs a chance, and you promised.”
I took a deep breath, carrying the bags to the car after paying for the goods. The snow was falling steadily outside, reminding me of the night I spent at Sam's house after getting the ice cream she wanted so badly.
" And I meant it when I said that you should talk to Sam.”
" Can we drop the subject, please? " I murmured in reply.
" I'm trying to help you," she assured him, walking to the passenger side door.
" Help me do what?”
" Give Henry a chance to have a family together," she rolled her eyes.
I took my place in the driver's seat, before looking in her direction.
" I can't force her to stay with me, Lara. It's not what she wants! “
" You have no way of knowing. She's pregnant and you have no idea how crazy we've become in this situation!”
" I'm not going to talk about this anymore," I returned, feeling frustrated.
I had done everything in my power, what else could I do?
Was it worth trying one last time?
~~**~~
I was at the bar at my mother's house, picking up a set of cups that would be used later for Christmas Eve dinner when I noticed Callie approaching with a steaming mug in her hands. I focused on finishing my task while she watched me.
" Eggnog? " she offered me the mug with a smile on her face.
" Whiskey or cognac? " I questioned, accepting the drink.
" Cognac, just the way you like it," she assured me.
I looked at her suspiciously with this attitude, our relationship had been somewhat shaken since the whole situation with Sam. Although we talked, we still kept an acceptable distance from each other.
" Do you need something? “
" What is it? " she looked confused.
" Did you bring me the eggnog to ask me for something?”
" Of course not! Why would you think something like that? " she huffed, crossing her arms.
I analyzed her indignant expression, deciding whether I could trust her or not. Finally, she sighed, leaning over the counter.
" I don't want anything, Mom asked me to bring this for you and help you if you need it.”
" Thanks," I smiled in reply, "I think we'll have to wash the glasses, they're dusty.”
She nodded her head in understanding before going around the counter, placing all the glasses into the sink there.
" You wash and I'll dry? " she suggested with a smile.
For a few moments the two of us worked together in silence, until she broke it.
" Is Sam coming today?”
" Yes, we arranged to spend these holidays together for Henry.”
I tried to keep a neutral tone when talking about her. Despite my conversation with Lara, I had not gotten close to the mother of my son again. In fact, I wasn't even sure that she would show up today, I just hoped that she would fulfill our agreement.
" For Henry, of course," she sneered.
" Callie…”
" I'm not judging you, in fact I kind of expected the two of you together as soon as you and Harper broke up," she shrugged, accepting another wet cup from me.
" How is Harper? " I decided to change the subject, not feeling comfortable opening up to my older sister, unlike Lara.
" She's getting over it," she sighed, "she still likes you, but understands that it's not the right time for both of us. Adam and I are going to the Brown's for supper tonight, so I'm going to see her.”
" Do you think we'll ever get over what happened? " I questioned without thinking, receiving a strange look from my sister.
" And by "what happened" do you mean the fact that you broke up with her because you were in love with the mother of your child? " she raised one eyebrow in a familiar gesture.
I held my gaze in front of hers, seeing no need to confirm that comment, just waited for her to finish her reasoning. With a sigh, she spoke again.
" She likes you, Theon. She'll get over it, I know it, she knows it, and so do you. You had a history before you started dating, she's not going to throw it all away because of what happened.”
I nodded and went back to concentrating on my task, we worked in silence and soon we were done.