Chapter 30: Liam
I knew Isabelle had come into the kitchen before she had fully entered, could just feel her there. Once she was there, I could tell something was bothering her. At first, I wasn’t sure how to approach the topic of figuring out what. I only wanted her to tell me things she chose to and not make her feel like she needed too. So, I wait until I could see her moving out of the corner of my eye to say something. While I was upset that she didn’t get anything, I could in a way understand that it might be hard when you’ve never been given a choice and now you have nothing but choices before you. So, I did the only thing I could think of, and that was offer to help. She was becoming comfortable around me, and it made my heart skip a beat when she came here to seek me out. The relief the offer I gave her was palpable, and I have a feeling she actually came here to ask for help but just couldn’t bring herself to do. And that made the feelings inside me grow so much more than anything else. She sought me out and wanted to ask for something. We made dinner together and laughed and just enjoyed each other’s company, we even made some apple cake. Getting flour everywhere. By the time everything was close to being ready and the kitchen cleaned up we had about a hour before dinner.
“Would you like to go look now for some things until they get here?” I ask her. She looked down at her clothes covered in flour, then back up at me.
“Shouldn’t I go change?” I looked her over. I kind of liked this version of her. She seemed light and carefree for once.
“Only if you want to. I wasn’t planning changing.”
“You somehow missed all the exploding flour!” She giggled and I loved the sound. She isn’t wrong, I didn’t have much on me, not enough to change anyway. What was there could easily be brushed off.
“You do not have to it’s just a casual dinner, but you are free to if you would be more comfortable.” I stress to her. I don’t want her to feel the need to impress anyone. She looks like she is thinking it over, then says.
“I think I do want to put something else on.” She sounds surer of herself. It’s a statement not a question.
“Go on then, I’ll set the table.” She smiles, turns and off she goes down the hallway. For once it feels like she is trying to find something quick to come back, rather than to get away.
Just as I finish setting the table I hear Declan’s loud ass voice yelling from the door.
“Honey, I’m home!” Followed by a giggle and reprimand by Cara.
“Stop it you big eejit!” she must have popped him one because the next thing I hear is him grunting.
“Ay What was that for?” They walk in and I meet them by the stairs in the foyer.
“Must you always be so loud?”
“Well, yea.” He gives me a look like duh you should know this by now. Honestly, I really should he was always the loud one.
“Where is she?” he asks once again looking like I’m hiding her from him.
“She wanted to change, we were cooking, and she got flour all over her.” I answer as I take the basket of soda bread from Care, placing a kiss on her cheek. I look at him and I see the shadows of accusations in his eyes. “Don’t you even dare. I made it a point to tell her it wasn’t necessary, and to only if she wanted to.”
He goes to respond but before anything comes out, he looks over my shoulder to the stairs. I turn to see what he is looking at, and I am graced with the presence of an angel. Some how Isabelle found a light green sundress that fits her quite well, must have been from Cara when we first found her and she herself was under weight. I am pretty sure my jaw is hanging open and I might even be drooling, she looks so beautiful. I make sure to tell her so when she get to us.
“You look beautiful, my stor.” She blushes, I put my head on her lower back bringing her closer to my brother and his wife. “I take great pleasure in introducing you two to Isabelle.” I pause, keeping my eyes on her watching for too much discomfort she may be having. She isn’t comfortable but she doesn’t seem ready to run. “Isabelle, you already know Delcan, but this is his wife, Cara.”
Care steps forward extended her hand, Isabelle looks at me and I nod. She then offers her own hand.
“Its nice to meet you.” She says sounding a little unsure. Cara on the other hand, her eyes start to pool as she looks at Isabella's sling and she speaks.
“I am so so sorry. We really didn’t mean to hurt you, I swear!” Isabelle's spine stiffens slightly. She is getting ready to say something I am not going to like. It’s her tell in that aspect. She gives me a sorry smile.
“It really isn’t your fault. Unfortunately, it only becomes easier to do the more times it’s happened.” Yep, I don’t like that, neither does Declan, Cara doesn’t even know what to say, stunned silent and that is a feat in itself. Isabelle reading the room starts to fidget a bit. I know it’s up to me to get her past this. So, I pull her to my side.
“Never again.” It comes out before I even have a chance to think. But I mean it. I kiss her head to show her I am not upset with her. “Let’s go eat shall we.” I then turn with her, and we head to the table. I am going to have to try and keep the conversation light as possible.