Arranged Marriage
"Mum" I can take care of him, you go out and enjoy yourself. We'll be fine" I assure Renee - my mum.
"Are you sure?" She asks hesitantly for what seems like the hundredth time this evening.
"Yes" I urge, following mum in to our living room, where my four year old brother - Seth is sat playing with his toys. I ruffle his brown locks and walk over to the couch lounging on it.
"Ok" she breathes, a small smile spreading across her lips.
"Great" I grin, "Now hurry up and get ready. Phil will be home soon" I tell her, waving my hand in the direction of the stairs.
"Where are you going mummy?" Seth pipes, his small porcelain face crushing up in curiosity.
"Me and Phil are going out. Will you be ok with Bella?" Mum asks him. Seth instantly nods his head eagerly, smiling jubilantly. Satisfied by Seth's reaction, mum smiled and strides up to her bedroom in order to get dressed for dinner with her husband - Phil Dwyer.
Phil's a minor league baseball player and met mum last summer, despite the age difference they both became besotted with each other after instantly hitting off. Phil's the first man who brought a smile on mum's face after the death of my dad - Charlie Swan.
Anyone who managed to keep my mother happy was worth it, so at the beginning of this year, Phil and mum got married on a small remote island, with immediate family members present and they've been happy ever since.
Me and Seth usually take up most of Mum's time, leaving her little if any time alone with Phil. After much reluctance on mum's behalf, she finally agreed to spend some much needed alone time with Phil this evening.
"So Seth" I said, catching his attention. "What do you want to do today?" I ask him, grinning slightly.
Seth furrowed his face in concentration before answering, "Can we watch a movie, with some popcorn and candy and cookies?" He quips in excitement.
"Erm..." I breathe, pretending to deliberate over his request.
"Bella" Seth whined impatiently.
I giggle, adding "Ok"
"Yes" Seth shouts, pumping his fist in the air, looking completely adorable. He rushed to the movies collection and picks out 'Cars', lifting it to show me. I nod my heath and Seth's mile widens.
While Seth put his toys away, I start up on getting the popcorn made as well as some other snacks and drinks all suitable for a four year old.
I heard the front door open and can hear Phil calling out. Stepping in to the living room, I greet Phil and tell him mum's upstairs getting ready.
"What for?" He asks, looking confused.
"You and mum are going out, now go and get changed"
"We are?" He says, grinning ear to ear.
I smiled in return, "Yeah, now go" He doesn't need to be told twice and off to get dressed.
Twenty minutes later, I have all the snacks ready for my evening with Seth, layed out on the table and we wait until mum and Phil leave to start the film. As Seth isn't one to watch a movie with anyone talking and rustling about.
I hear the clapping of heels and turn around. Mum's standing near the couch, wearing a red knee-length silk dress, with a modest neck line and black heels. Her brown hair is pinned up in a stylish bun and she's wearing a little make-up. She looks wonderful.
"What do you think?" She asks, brushing her hands over her clothes.
"You look great" I comment.
"You look pretty" Seth chides after me. The slightest hint of a blush forms on mums face at our comments, a trait I got from her.
Seconds later, Phil follows in behind mum, wearing a grey shirt and black trousers. Both of them look the picture of elegance and sophistication.
"You kids will be fine?" Phil asks, pointing his index fingers at me and Seth in question.
I sigh before answering, "I'm 19 years old! And we'll be fine" I promised them.
Phil grins in reply, "I know, I'm just messing" he jokes and pulls out some cash for me and Seth to order pizza.
Mum steps forward and bends down to Seth, "No messing about ok?" She begins, brushing Seth's hair out his eyes. "Listen to what Bella says" She instructed him, kissing both his cheeks.
Mum moves over to me, repeating the same gesture of affection."Now I know I don't need to tell you to behave, so if there's any problems call me" She finishes, picking up her black clutch and walking out.
I turn around to face Seth, "How about we get that movie in?" He grins and nods his head in response. I push the disk in and press play, sitting next to Seth on the couch.
Half an hour passes and I feel myself drifting off, animated movies aren't really my scene. Just then there's a knock on the door, me and Seth turn to face the door.
"Mum must have left something behind" I mutter to myself and shoot off the couch and head for the door.
I unlock the door and pull it open, emerald green eyes catching my chocolate brown ones.
Dum Dum Dum! Who is it? I wonder...Reviews anyone?