Chapter Four: Home Sweet Home
"I'm home," Lizzie called as she opened the front door to her home in Hildredge a week later. She had finished her exams that morning and was home in time for lunch.
The last week had pretty much been hell for Lizzie.
Miranda hadn't said a single word for the rest of the week after Kate told her about Parker. In fact, the dark expression that shrouded her face hadn't changed either, and Lizzie could tell that Miranda was taking sleeping pills every night now.
Lizzie had also apologized to Ethan for yelling at him. They forgave each other, but neither was really talking.
Gordo went straight from West Coast University to Hollywood for his internship without even a simple goodbye.
Claire was upset about Parker, but she was more upset when Kate confronted her about stripping. The two stopped talking to each other for the remainder of the week and made no plans to hang out over the summer.
Ronny seemed to be in his own world. He offered condolence to whomever seemed to need it, but he was glad to get out of the stuffiness of WCU and escape to the safety of his own home.
Kate was the only person Lizzie was still talking to, but even they were happy to part. They both just wanted to get away from the thought of Parker for a little while.
Lizzie's house was silent. "I'm home," she said a little bit louder as she stepped inside. She attempted to shrug off her disappointment as she went up to her room to start unpacking.
As she was putting her last couple shirts in the washing machine, her mother, Jo entered the house through the front door. Lizzie heard her and jogged to the foyer.
"Hi, mom," she said.
"Lizzie," her mother replied and embraced her in a warm hug.
"Where did everybody go?" Lizzie asked.
"Oh. Well, I went to the mall to look for a pair of shoes, and your father spent the night at Frank's house, but must not be home yet. And Matt is out with that little slut somewhere probably planning the wedding that's never going to happen, because I won't let it."
"Oh," Lizzie replied. She wasn't sure how to react.
"Are you and dad okay?"
"Of course, dear. We're fine. Never been better even. Why?"
"Oh, no reason." She could tell her mom was lying.
Something was obviously wrong if dad was spending the night at Frank's house. Adults didn't have sleepovers. And to pile on top of everything, she sure hadn't changed her mind about Matt and Malina.
"So how are you holding up after... you know."
"I'm fine mom, really. Some days have been better than others, but I'm hangin on."
"Good. I'm glad to know that." Before anything further was said, Matt barged in the front door.
"Lizzie!" he exclaimed as he gave his sister a huge hug. "I'm so glad you're home."
"Wow. You've never been so glad to see me before in your life. In fact, you used to hate the idea of me in general."
"Hey, I'm a grown man now. I know how important my sister is."
"You are not a grown man," Mrs. McGuire snapped. "You are still a child and my son. If you were a grown man, you would be smart enough to not get married straight out of high school. And to- to- to that girl of all people."
Matt looked hurt. "Her name is Malina."
"I know that." She paused. "If you would excuse me, I'm gonna use the restroom."
Matt looked at Lizzie. She could see that his eyes were getting watery.
"Why does she have to be like that? I wish that she would just accept my decision."
"I know. Even if this is the biggest mistake of your life, which I'm not saying it is, I know you're not backing out, so you're right. She should at least keep her mouth shut."
"Thanks, Liz," Matt said and hugged his sister again.
"Hey, I heard about Parker. I was shocked."
"I'm sure you weren't as shocked as me."
"Are you gonna be okay?"
"Yeah. I think so. I have other things that I need to focus on right now like Mirand- I mean your wedding." Lizzie didn't want to keep anything from her brother, but she just didn't want to talk about Miranda's latest habit right then. "So what's up with mom and dad?" Lizzie asked, changing the subject.
"I think he's sick of listening to mom talk about how stupid I am. I don't think dad would ever stand up for me, but I think inwardly, he knows mom's gone too far. He's been at Frank's house for three days."
"You don't think that mom and dad are going to get divor..."
"Don't say that. It would be all my selfish fault. Maybe dad just feels like spending some time with Frank playing cards and stuff."
"Matt, even if they did separate, it wouldn't be your fault."
"You don't have to lie to me. I'm a big boy now. I can take the truth. I know if it weren't for me and Malina, none of this would have happened."
"Well, if you and Malina didn't happen, then something else would have. I'm sure. You love Malina."
"I still don't believe you."
"You don't have to believe a single thing I say, but it's the truth."
"Thanks sis."
"Don't you get all sappy on me now. I've had enough of that to last me a lifetime in the past week. So how's the wedding planning going?"
"It's going. The wedding isn't gonna be anything big, though. Both of our parents refuse to put much money forward, so we're hacking into our savings to hire a preacher."
"Where's it gonna be at?"
"Hildredge Christian Church, but there won't be any flowers or anything fancy. The flower girls are wearing their old homecoming dresses and the guys are wearing dress pants and button up shirts."
"What about the reception?"
"No reception. It's too expensive."
"Okay. You're at least going on a honeymoon, right?"
"Nope. We're spending a few days at the Days Inn and then we'll stay in the married dorms at Hildredge College."
"Well, at least you don't have to freak out about planning everything perfectly."
"At least, but I really do want the best for Malina."
"I know you do, but this is your best for now."
"Yeah. I guess so."
"So what are your plans for the evening?"
"I was gonna fix everybody dinner and invite Malina over."
"Malina here with mom and dad?"
"Yeah. I guess we just keep getting this false hope that somehow they will both come to terms with our engagement."
"Well, I'll help you make dinner. I know what kind of cook you are."
Matt smiled. "What's that supposed to mean?" he asked, lightly punching Lizzie in the shoulder.
"You know Mr. I can't even boil water." Matt rolled his eyes as the two made their way to the kitchen.
Two hours later, the table was set over a burgundy tablecloth with the McGuire's best china, crystal glasses, and candles.
"Mmm. What smells so good?" Mrs. McGuire asked, entering the dining room.
"Oh, Lizzie and I just decided to throw together dinner tonight for you," Matt said.
"Wow," Mrs. McGuire said, eyeing the dining room table. "This is quite some dinner."
"Yeah. Is dad home?"
"No, he..." Mrs. McGuire was cut off by the front door opening.
Lizzie, who had been putting the final touches on her famous green bean casserole exclaimed, "Dad!" She ran to the front door and embraced her father.
He looked up. "Lizzie!" he said, returning the hug.
"I smell dinner."
"Yup. Me and Matt are just finishing up. It should be ready in about five minutes."
"You made dinner on your first night home?"
"Yeah. I was doing Matt a favor. He set the table and found the measuring cups."
"You're somethin else, Lizzie."
"Well, don't just stand there. Go wash up for dinner."
Mr. McGuire laughed. "Aren't I supposed to tell you that?"
"If you don't wash your hands, you can't have any supper," Lizzie said, smiling.
"You sound just like your mother," Mr., McGuire replied, shaking his head as he went upstairs to wash his hands. As he did so, the doorbell rang.
"I GOT IT!" Matt yelled as he bounded to the front door before Lizzie even had time to react to the bell. He opened to door, and Malina was standing on the other side. "Hey, babe," Matt said, pecking Malina on the lips. "You ready?"
"Ready as I'll ever be. I didn't think that I would ever loose sleep over a simple dinner before."
"I know. I know."
"Hey, Lizzie," Malina exclaimed, seeing Lizzie standing in the foyer.
"Hey, stranger," Lizzie replied and gave Malina a hug.
"I'm so glad that you've accepted me."
"Well, sis, that's what families are for, right?"
"Yup," Malina agreed, smiling.
"Well, lets call everybody to the table so we can get this over with," Matt said, ending the short reunion. Malina sighed. "You're right."
"You guys go sit down. I'll call mom and dad," Lizzie said.
Mr. McGuire was the first to the table to see Malina.
"Hi," he mumbled to Malina, not giving her any eye contact.
"Good evening, Mr. McGuire," Malina responded, trying to sound chipper.
"Where's mom?" Matt asked Lizzie.
"She's coming," Lizzie replied.
Mrs. McGuire entered the dining room, and the second she saw Malina, she stopped dead in her tracks.
"What's she doing here?" Mrs. McGuire whispered to Lizzie.
"Good evening, Mrs. McGuire," Malina said attentively.
Mrs. McGuire did not respond.
"Oh! I just remembered that I need to... to... uh... go to the store," Mrs. McGuire said.
"What for?" Matt asked.
"It's none of your business," Mrs. McGuire growled, backing up towards the exit.
"No, mom. You can't leave! This isn't fair. Lizzie spent two hours making this dinner. You are not backing out of this. What the hell is your problem anyways? This has nothing to do with the store does it?"
"Shut up, Matt," Mrs. McGuire said in a dangerously quite voice.
"No, mom. I'm done with you. Me and Malina are getting married this summer, and you aren't going to stop us by hating Malina. Might I remind you that I proposed to her? This was my idea. If you're going to hate anybody, hate me."
"I said shut up Matt," Mrs. McGuire repeated.
"No. I'm still not finished. You used to support what I did and the decisions I made, but instead of telling me what I couldn't do, you let me learn from many of my mistakes. I know you think that us getting married is a mistake, but there's absolutely nothing you can do about it. If this is such a huge mistake, why can't you just let me learn from it? I thought I knew you better than this, but I was wrong," Matt continued, standing up.
"I TOLD YOU TO SHUT UP!" Mrs. McGuire screamed. Matt looked stunned.
"No, you shut up, Jo," Mr. McGuire said from out of the blue. "Don't you remember our wedding and how nervous we were? Our relationship was held by a thread because of our nerves, and my parents accepted you with open arms. It's a miracle that Matt and Malina didn't break up months ago thanks to you. Now how would it make you feel to see your only son heartbroken? You cried with Lizzie after Ronny dumped her, and that was just a little two day fling back in eighth grade."
Mrs. McGuire's mouth hung open in shock. "Well, that was then and this is now. And Matt, I never want to see her ever again in this household. Get out," she said, staring at Malina. Malina's eyes filled with tears, and she ran out the front door.
"You are the most horrible excuse for a person alive," Matt hissed as he ran after Malina.
After the couple was gone, Mrs. McGuire said, "Well, if that doesn't break them up, then I don't know what will."
"Even if this is a mistake, they aren't turning back, so give in," Lizzie reasoned.
"If you're so supportive of Matt, then why are you here?" Mrs. McGuire hissed.
"Because this is my home. Or it used to be at least."
"No, it's because you have nowhere to go."
"I'm done speaking to you," Lizzie said, her eyes welling up with tears. She ran out of the dining room up to her bedroom.
She sat down on her bed and started scanning her room. She still had the same wallpaper from when she was seven and her music box that played the nutcracker when she opened it had been there since she was four. The framed picture of her parents holding her the day she was born had been hung up the day she was brought home. How could her mother not call this her home? Her mother had been upset. She probably wasn't thinking. Before Lizzie could make any more excuses for her mother, she noticed a napkin next to her music box. Derek. He had offered to talk if she was upset, but this was lame. He had offered to just talk, though. Her hand lingered over the napkin. That had been two weeks ago. He probably didn't even remember that they had met. But life had been crazy. He would understand. Lizzie grabbed the napkin in her left hand and her cordless phone in the other hand. Before she let herself think, a pleasant
"Hello?" came out of the other line.
"Uh, hello. I mean hi. May I please speak with Derek?" Lizzie stammered.
"This is Derek."
"Hi. This may be kinda stupid, but we had talked two weeks ago in a coffee house, and I know it's been two weeks and all, but..."
"Lizzie," Derek said, perking up.
"Yeah."
"Hey, how are you?"
"If you mean how am I dealing with Parker's death, I'm fine. Her funeral gave me a lot of closure. I still haven't forgotten her. I never will, but I'm better than that night at the coffee house if that's what you mean. Oh boy, here I go blubbering again."
"It's cool. So what's bothering you?"
"I thought you said I could just call you."
"Sorry. I didn't mean it like that. I'm thrilled to hear from you again, but something in your voice is telling me that something's bothering you."
"It's funny. I've talked to you once before in my life and you can already tell by my voice when I'm upset. I dated this other guy for two years, and he never had a clue."
"Hey, what can I say? I'm Mr. Sensitive."
Lizzie chuckled. "I can't believe we went to the same college, and I never laid eyes on you until two weeks ago."
"WCU isn't exactly small."
"True."
"So what's on your mind?"
"Oh, my brother and mom are still at it. Or more specifically, my mom is still bitchin at Matt for getting married."
"Right out of high school, right?"
"Yup."
"Hey, I don't know how to say this, but I'm gonna be in Hildredge tomorrow night. Maybe we could go for some coffee or something in the afternoon before my seminar."
"Like on a date?" Lizzie asked, her heart pounding.
"Yeah."
"Sure. I'd love to."
"Cool. I'll pick you up at four?"
"Sounds great. Perfect even. If you don't mind my nosiness, what's the seminar about?"
"Oh, you should come. I think you would love it."
"So you're surprising me."
"Pretty much."
"I hate surprises."
"I think you're lying."
"That's for me to know and you to find out."
"Is that a threat?"
"Maybe."
"So how 'bout some directions to your house." Lizzie explained to Derek how to get to her home, they said their goodbyes and hung up.
A/N: Let me know what you think! The more reviews, the sooner I will get a new chapter out! I promise.