I’m Making Waffles

Emma~

I wake filled with excitement for the first time in a long time. My family is sleeping only just downstairs, and I have the perfect kitchen waiting to cook for them.

After my original half-arsed attempt to paint it and my little spat with Orion, I woke the next morning to find the painting was finished for me. I wonder if he got a staff member to do it or if it was done by himself. I find it hard to imagine him slaving over a paint roller, but I also find it hard to imagine him inviting my family, and yet here they are.

My stomach tightens slightly when my thoughts take a different turn, and the simple chore of painting turns into a shirtless exercise which lands me in a cold shower before I even think to start my day.

I know exactly what those muscles feel like after being pressed against them last night, and is it bad to admit they’ve been haunting my mind? It’s the close proximity, it has to be. My hormones are driving me crazy, and with him being so nice for a change, it’s only making things worse.

Thankfully the freezing temperature of the water does its job, and I’m ready to rock and roll. I pay careful attention to my appearance for once and wear one of my new dresses to see what they’ll think.

I can already hear Owen complaining in my mind when considering he’d have me in permanent scruffs, and I’ll take any opportunity I can get for now to wind my big brother up again. I can’t make this too easy on him, and it’ll be a nice distraction for us before needing to say goodbye.

Using my newly gifted phone, monitored by Orion of course to avoid any ideas of escape, I invite the girls, their partners, and the kids over for breakfast. I want my family to meet them, and why not make a thing of it? It’s always more fun when cooking breakfast for a bunch of people, and the kids haven’t had my waffles yet.

When I get downstairs I find that the smell of coffee is already filling the room and it’s not just because Orion is sitting there at the breakfast bar. There’s a pot percolating on the countertop and if I’m not mistaken, I can see cinnamon sprinkles floating around in there as well.

“How do you know my coffee secret?” I ask while reaching out to pour myself a cup. “Don’t tell me you’re a cinnamon fan too?” I add while doing the universal gesture for ‘do you want one?’

He shrugs as if willing to give it a try and takes a sip first before answering me.

“It’s all the house has smelt like the past few weeks, that and well... your smell.” He says and downs his cup in the next swig.

What’s made him so tired?

“What is my smell?” I can’t help but ask, I know what his is obviously but I’ve not been wearing anything particular. Is it something bad? Do I need to ask Donovan to source me some perfume?

He tilts his head at me as if considering for a moment and then gives a small smile. “Like books… books and vanilla.”

There are worse things to smell like I guess, yet I can’t help but wonder what ‘books’ actually smell like. Musty? Old? Or more of a sandalwood like my mother did? I have so many candles back home with that scent just because of the memories it can bring back.

“Could you spare some more?” He speaks again, while also nodding to his now empty cup and I chuckle to myself while refilling it.

It’s an addictive combination and I’m surprised he tried it as it was when considering how he usually has his drowning in milk and sugar. Instead of commenting further though, I let him finish his drink in silence while I pull together what I’ll need for my breakfast extravaganza.

I’m thinking berries and I’m thinking chocolate chips. It’s impossible to go wrong with either of them and why not give my guests the choice? There’s plenty of syrup in the pantry and there’s even a packet of bacon if savory is more suited to some of my guests. It’s always hard to remind myself that not everyone has a sweet tooth.

The waffle machine is put to the test and my father makes his way downstairs around the same time all of the kids end up flying through the front door. I’m not surprised to hear that Owen will be following down behind him and he’s always been a pain to get up on a morning.

Maybe the smell of breakfast will be enough to entice him down sooner?

I’m glad for the number of plates stacked in one of the cupboards and I didn’t think at first when inviting so many people over. I was worried if there would be enough but thankfully this place is fit for a banquet and I wonder again why we couldn’t have just had the party here last night.

The food is a hit and there’s barely enough to fill a plate when Owen finally makes himself known. Through this time Delilah has kindly been amusing my father and it’s been easier than I thought to draw him into the collective conversation.

He’s always had a knack for getting along with kids and I’m reminded of how great he was when Owen and I were young. Will he be wanting grandkids any time soon? Goodness, why did my mind go in that direction?

***

Slapping his knees and rising to his feet, my father gestures for me to follow him outside with my brother, and my heart sinks for what is to come. I knew they were only staying for the night, but it still hurts to have to say goodbye.

“I’m glad to see you’re okay, Emma,” he says after the first hug, and I nod my head in agreement. I’ve been struggling, still am, but I’m okay. It could be a lot worse.

“You’re happier than I thought you’d be,” Owen adds to my father’s comment, and I shrug.

“Of course I’m happy, you’re here!” I poke him in the ribs playfully, and it’s his turn to give me a squeeze.

“You know what I mean, I didn’t think you’d take to it so well... all things considered.” He pulls a face when referencing Orion’s reputation, and I wince in response.

The past twenty-four hours have been a whirlwind of emotions for me, and I have no idea what to think, never mind about my future husband.

“Let’s not talk about Orion. Let’s talk about your next visit,” I hint hopefully, and my father sighs.

I know it’s not going to be easy for him to commit to coming back, but I need to know that it’s at least on the cards. I’m sure Orion will be okay with it, or I’ll make him be. I know how to get on his nerves well enough now to make a very convincing argument.

“We’ll be back, Emma,” Owen takes over from my father to promise. “We just can’t say when. There are two important men we have to deal with to make that happen now, you know.” He gives an awkward laugh, but I take it as progress.

“Good. So this isn’t goodbye, it’s just see you later.” I sound very childlike when saying it just now, but I don’t care. I need them to feed into this for me so that I can cope with what’s to come.

Having them hold me and hug me reminds me of why I turned back the night I made my escape. I’m doing this for them, and no matter what happens to me, it’s all going to be worth it if they’re okay.