Chapter Nine
The family dinner was definitely the most pleasant hour of the week. The kitchen was filled with their laughter and endless conversation. Emma and Mimi got the praise they deserved for the delicious meal, which made them proud. Diane mentioned that she wouldn't mind being surprised with dinner more often, but Emma wisely didn't make any promise.
Diane and Will shared a few smiles and she realized she really had no reason to be jealous of anyone from his past, because they were the ones his heart belonged to. She'd thought it might take longer to forgive him, but it didn't take long at all. She loved him too much for that.
After the ice cream for dessert the girls volunteered to do the dishes, but Diane insisted on handling that and only accepted Will's offer to help. The kids relocated to the living room to start the movie they planned to watch after dinner and the parents promised to join them soon.
Once they were left alone Diane approached the sink to wash the dirty dishes that were already in there, while Will began to gather the rest of them from the table. It was a routine they had gotten used to through the years.
"Their timing couldn't have been better," she noted, glancing at Will with a content smile on her face while he placed a few plates in front of her.
"I know, our children are amazing," he replied proudly, with the expression she only saw on his face when he was talking about the kids.
"I almost feel guilty that we leave tomorrow," she sighed, even if she suspected that the kids were actually happy to be left alone with their aunt, who was always the cool one.
"So the spa plan is still on?" he asked, sounding a little surprised.
Did he really think she'd cancel it because of what happened?
"Of course. Did you think I might change my mind?" she inquired cautiously. Maybe she'd been too hard on him in the office that's why he had such thoughts afterwards.
"I wasn't sure if you still want to go," he explained with hesitation in his voice and even though she didn't like that he doubted her, she didn't let it show. One tension filled scenario had been enough for this day, they needed to leave it behind.
"I do, it's exactly what we need," she reassured him and he instantly looked a lot happier.
"I agree," his eyes spoke to hers and for a moment she forgot about the running water. He got closer to her, placed his palms on the sides of her face and he was about to kiss her when they were interrupted by an intruder. They quickly pulled away while Emma entered the kitchen.
"Sorry, I just forgot my glass," their daughter apologized, grabbed her glass from the table, then sent a smile in their direction. "Carry on," she added and left just as quickly as she'd come.
"You heard her," Will reached out his hand towards Diane and she soon felt it on her cheek again.
"I did," her lips curled up and welcomed his for a kiss that finally resolved the tension and misunderstanding between them.
Once the dishes were all clean, dry and back in their usual places, Diane and Will joined the kids in the living room to occupy their usual place on the couch. Will put his arm around Diane to pull her closer and she rested her head on his shoulder. When Emma glanced at them, Diane shared a smile with her daughter. This was the happiness she wouldn't trade for anything in the world.
o-o-o
"Hey, can I come in?" Diane peeked inside Emma's room later that night, where her daughter was busy typing on her laptop.
"Sure," Em closed the device and turned her attention to Diane.
"I just wanted to thank you again for the dinner, it was very thoughtful," Diane smiled at her daughter and the proud expression on Em's face gave away that she appreciated the compliment.
"You're welcome. I'm happy it turned out so well. Dad wasn't in the best mood when he got home. I hope everything's okay," Em inquired in a soft voice, she had always been good at sensing such things.
Diane knew they'd have to tell the kids about the article before it came out, so they would be prepared, but she didn't want to do it now. It could wait, it had ruined the day once already.
"He didn't have the best day, so he appreciated your surprise even more," she reassured her daughter who looked very pleased with the reply.
"Do you miss working with him?"
Diane wasn't sure where this question came from, but she had no problem admitting how she felt. "I do," she nodded.
Emma stared at her mom for a few seconds in silence before she spoke again, "I think he misses you too."
"I know, that's why I suggested the weekend getaway, even if I feel a little bad for leaving you behind," Diane admitted.
"Don't worry about us, we will be fine. You need some time alone with dad, we understand that," Emma sounded more grown-up than usual and in the light of her behavior this evening it managed to raise Diane's suspicion.
"How come you and Eric aren't on a date tonight?" she inquired. It was a Friday night after all, Em should have been out with her boyfriend as usual, instead of spending time with them.
"He couldn't get away from home tonight," the girl explained and looked a little perplexed.
"I hope everything's okay between you two," Diane tried to find out if there was something she'd missed.
"Yes, it is," the girl nodded confidently, but she seemed to have more to say, so Diane waited silently in case she wished to continue. "Can I ask something?" Em asked hesitantly and her voice and the look on her face both suggested that it was an important matter, Diane's instincts had been right after all.
"Of course," Diane sat on the side of the bed to show she was giving Emma her full attention.
"Melissa's parents have a house at the lake and she invited some of us to stay there next weekend. Can I go?"
Diane had to hide that she was a little disappointed. It should have crossed her mind earlier that Emma wanted something in return for being the perfect daughter tonight. But in the end it wasn't the worst deal, unless Diane couldn't give her what she wanted.
"For the whole weekend?" she tried to mask her inner battle and focus on the nature of Em's request.
"Yes," the girl responded in a weak voice, clearly anxious about Diane's reaction.
"Will her parents be there too?" she dag further, to figure out the catch.
"I think so," Em's reply wasn't very convincing, but Diane let it slide.
"And who else did she invite?" she got to the most important question.
"Some people from the class," Emma's puzzled expression was enough for Diane to get suspicious there.
"Is Eric among them?" she guessed what could be the main issue and she was indeed right.
"Yes," Emma admitted, still waiting for her verdict impatiently.
"I see. I'm not sure I like this idea," Diane noted and at least Emma didn't look surprised. The girl didn't respond, but Diane felt like explaining it further nevertheless. "You've only been dating for a few weeks, it's way too early to spend a whole weekend together."
Emma was already seventeen, and Diane remembered how she'd been at that age even if it had been a long time ago. But it didn't factor in much when she had to make decisions as a mother.
"We won't be alone," Emma protested, but only mildly, she probably knew it wouldn't help her any further if she got defensive.
"Let me talk to Melissa's parents first," Diane suggested a compromise and Emma had no choice but to accept it.
"Okay," she replied with a faint smile, clearly not satisfied with the verdict.
"You didn't expect me to say yes right away, did you?" Diane inquired with an encouraging smile. She didn't say no after all and Emma should at least appreciate that.
"I didn't," Emma's smile widened a bit.
"I need to discuss it with your dad too," Diane reminded her, and she was not looking forward to that conversation at all. Will would surely react a lot worse to this proposal and the last thing they needed right now was another fight.
"I know," Emma sighed, letting her smile fade away. She obviously knew her dad was the harder case too, no wonder she asked Diane first and had gone into all the trouble with the dinner to make it more difficult for them to say no.
"I just hope this wasn't your reason to cook dinner for us," Diane tried to sound playful, but decided to let it off her chest nevertheless.
"Maybe a small part of it," Emma chose to be honest, and Diane appreciated the gesture, "but even if you won't let me go, I wouldn't trade tonight for anything," she declared and it was easy to tell that she meant it.
"I wouldn't either," Diane admitted with a grin, "we'll talk about it on Monday, all right?" she gave her some hope, even if she had no idea what they would decide.
But it would have to wait until they get back from the spa with Will, she wouldn't let anything else cloud their weekend plans.
