Chapter 61: Chapter Thirty Three-1

I look up to Miles, to see him smiling down at me. "I love you," he mouths and I feel my stomach squirm. "I love you," I silently say back. Miles places his arm around my shoulder and as we all head to our cars, I smile at my friends. Despite the night having taken a bad turn, we're all together and honestly, that's the best I can hope for. I don't know what is funnier, the fact that I had to physically wheel Finn out of the hospital in a wheelchair, or the fact that he fell over when he stood up. I am also questioning whether I am a terrible person for laughing before helping him. "Stupid dumb leg, who needs it anyway?" Finn growls under his breath as I help him up the porch steps. "They're pretty important," I reply with an eye roll, bearing more of his weight than I am probably capable of. My knees buckle and I quickly catch him before he falls. He shoots a scowl in my direction and I grimace, dragging him through the doorway. When we get inside, I guide him straight to the lounge room. Considering both our rooms are upstairs, he is now going to be sleeping in the lounge room. Mum spent the morning of turning the room into a good set up for Finn, so that he has everything he may need or want. She has also set up a table beside the bed. "Look at you, getting the royal treatment," I tease as I gently lower him into the bed. "I guess one good thing about this is I get to finish all the Netflix shows I've been watching," he grunts. "If you get ahead in anything I'm watching and spoil it for me, I'll stab you in the neck with a fork. And you won't be able to run away," I warn him with narrowed eyes. "Wow," he replies with a quirked eyebrow. "That was very dramatic." I shrug. He is breathless as he lays down. I adjust his pillows so that he is more comfortable. "I am going to break Eli's neck," he says through gritted teeth as he glares down at his cast-clad leg. "Fuck Anger Management." I exhale deeply though my nose and decide not to comment. Finn is in a sour mood for the rest of the afternoon so we all let him be. I know that he will cheer up once he's left alone and wallows in self-pity for long enough. I try to remain as calm and patient as possible, knowing that he is frustrated. As I begin to chop up the vegetables, mum joins me in the kitchen, her brow creased, as it has been ever since the accident. "I've phoned Arthur, I'm taking a week off work," she explains to me as she retrieves the fry pan from the cupboard. "Oh?" "Someone needs to be here for Finn and you have school," she points out. "Can we afford for you to take time off work?" I question. "I have holiday pay built up. Besides, don't stress about those things, okay?" "I'm practically an adult, Ma." I say to her gently as I continue to neatly slice the zucchini on the chopping board in front of me. "You don't need to be burdened with everything. Finn and I more than happy to help with anything, okay? I work a lot, too, so I can help with bills and such." "And I love you for that," she smiles. "How have you been?" I cautiously ask, drawing my eyes to hers. She stiffens noticeably. "I haven't had a sip for almost two weeks." "Good," I nod but give her a soft smile. "That's really good." Her cheeks redden as she looks down to the ground, obviously horrified that we're having this conversation. I don't judge her, I know life has been tough. For her to raise us on her own, while dealing with the loss of the love of her life and her unborn child. I don't blame her for leaning on some sort of vice. We're here for her, no matter what. "What's Miles doing tonight?" she blurts suddenly and I arch an eyebrow. "I'm not sure. Why's that?" "Do you... do you want to ask him over for dinner?" she asks awkwardly. I blink at her for a solid minute as her words sink into my brain. "Invite Miles? Over here? For dinner? With you and Finn?" The questions tumble from my mouth as I gape at her. "Yeah," she shrugs casually. "He made the effort to apologise for what he did to you. I didn't realise how much we all... seemed to blame him for Richard's death. That would have been hard on him. He lost all of us and it wasn't right." I blink back tears as I nod. "We were cruel to cut him out like that. I can't believe we..." "Isobel," she sighs, effectively cutting me off as she wipes the corner of her eye. "I'm ashamed that I let that happen. We can't change how we poorly acted in the past, but we can change how we act now. You love him, don't you?" I nod without any hesitation. She nods back after a moment. "Then, that's settled. Invite him over for dinner." she instructs and waves her hands at me in a shooing motion. "Go call him. I'll take over here." "Thanks, Ma," I smile and wrap my arms around her delicate frame. She clings back to me for a few moments, before I pad into the lounge room, where Finn is sprawled out on his bed. He has his arms propped behind his head, his leg elevated on a pile of pillows that are usually neatly spread across the lounge. "Sup," he greets me as I collapse onto the lounge, throwing my feet over the arm chair, glad to see some junk food therapy and Netflix binge-watching has effectively improved his mood. "Inviting Miles over for dinner," I reply as I search for his contact number, even though I practically know it off by heart. "What?" he splutters. "Mum's idea," I shrug. "Behave." His face hardens as I dial. I smile sweetly at him. He folds his arms across his chest childishly. "Hello?" Miles' smooth voice greets me. "Hi," I reply quietly and Finn rolls his eyes in exaggeration. "What's up?" "I have a proposition for you." "Yes." Miles says instantly. "You haven't even heard what I've asked yet." "Don't need to." I grin widely and Finn makes a gag sound. I flip him off and turn away from him. "Mum wants you to come over for dinner." "She does?" the surprise in his voice is evident. "Yep, Finn does too." "Oh fuck off," I hear Finn mutter. "I find it hard to believe that second comment, but sure, I'll come over. Now?" he asks me. "Yep, we've started cooking." "Okay, I'll see you soon. Love you." "Love you, too," I say significantly quieter and Finn screws his face up. "Ew," Finn says immediately once I hang up. "You two are like... fully in love and shit. That's gross." I snort with laughter as I look at him. "Why, do you not love Becca?" His eyebrows shoot up as he looks at me. "Er... No? I don't think so? Wait, how do I know? When do you say it? Shit... I've never even thought about this before." I let out a loud laugh. "She's your first girlfriend, relax. You'll know if you love her. You haven't been dating very long. Give it time."