Chapter 11

(Italics inside like this.) = Inner thoughts

Bold like this = emphasized words.

[Stuff in these = actions while speaking]

*-*-*-* = Time passing

Wednesday morning at the Field's house.

Emily's POV*

I finish pouring coffee into my travel cup and switch off the coffee pot as I place the decanter back in its place. I call out, "Aria get a move on we are going to be late for school."

Aria hurries into the kitchen straight to the travel mug I had waiting for her. She takes a drink smiles big and says, "I love that you always make my coffee just the right way. Relax babe we got lots of time. Besides it's not like we have anything important to do at school. Three more days and we are free."

I gather our stuff hand Aria her backpack and as we walk out to the car I say, "True but attendance is something that we have already slacked on. You were there when told us we have to be there for the rest of the year. I know it was my idea to skip last week but I don't want to get into any more trouble."

As we get into the car Aria says, "I know but it was worth it. It was a great day. This week is going by too fast. I love waking up next to you even if you are grumpy. We worried for nothing about living together don't you agree?"

I look in the rearview mirror to make sure there is no car there as we sit at the stop sign. I turn to Aria and answer, "Yes. Five days and neither of us are ready for the padded room. You are making progress on wearing P.J.s. And I'm not grumpy."

Aria comes close to spilling her coffee as I accelerate and turn the car. She chuckles as she says, "Yes you are. I am not happy about the jammies but I still love you."

I say, "I love you too." We drive the rest of the way to school listening to the radio and laughing.

I pull into an empty parking space put the car in park turn off the key and say, "We have to get going."

*-*-*-*-*After school.

Aria's POV*

I close my locker; adjust the strap of my backpack that is loaded with far too much junk, (How did I accumulate so much stuff?) turn to Spencer and say, "See you later. Family obligations await."

Spencer replies, "Yea I know what you mean. Hey that reminds me are you busy Friday night? My family is doing an all in one thing at the country club and since it's my birthday I get to invite my friends. I told them not to make a big deal out of it."

I respond as we walk, "That sounds great. I will know for sure after today if there are any conflicting plans. I'll let you know."

Emily comes up from behind and says, "Hey I'm soooo sorry but could you get another ride? I have to go to a job interview that coach got for me. I know it's bad timing and I will get to your party as soon as I can but the person that I am meeting with is only available today and coach had to call in a big favor to arrange the interview."

Spencer nods as I look to ask her for a ride. I turn to Emily and say, "Sure. What's the job?"

Emily kisses me quick and answers, "I'll tell you later. I have to go." She runs ahead of us and is out the door before I can say anything.

Spencer drops me off at my house. I go inside and get ready.

*-*-*-*-*-*Later that day.

Emily's POV*

I arrive at the community center and as I enter I see Aria's brother. I wave as I walk over and say, "Hi Mike. How late am I?"

Mike answers, "Not very. Everyone is still catching up and stuff. Dinner will be ready in about 20min. depending on if my dad and uncle Scott can avoid burning the place down. Good to see you by the way. Aria is in there somewhere." He points to the meeting room.

I smile and say, "Good to see you too Mike. I'm sure I will see you later. Thank you."

I walk into the large meeting room and look around for Aria. I am relived to see her mom approaching me. I walk over and she opens her arms inviting me for a hug and says, "Emily it's good to see you. I haven't seen Aria lately but I'm know she is around." We release the hug and I say, "Thank you Ella. I'm sure Aria is making the rounds. You look nice. I'm sorry I'm late but I had something I couldn't miss."

Ella smiles and says, "Thanks. Emily there is no reason to be nervous you are with family even if you don't know most of them. Aria has been bragging about you so much that I bet they all feel like they know you. Just relax you will be fine."

I smile and say, "Do I look that nervous? I was a little but I feel better now."

Ella places a reassuring hand on my shoulder and says, "You look fine. It's a mother thing. I sensed it. Here comes Aria. I should go check on the food."

Aria walks up carrying a young girl who is enthusiastically waving her hand at me. I wave back. As they walk up Aria leans in and kisses me on the cheek and as she starts to speak the youngster says, "Hi Emily!"

Aria looks surprised and I respond, "Hi there. What is you name?" She answers, "Lori."

I offer my hand and say, "It is a pleasure to meet you Lori. How old are you?"

Her tiny arms reach out to me as she practically jumps out of Aria's arms. I catch her and she hugs me tight as she says, "I'm six years old."

Aria says, "That is so sweet. Guess she takes after the rest of the family. Big on hugs instead of hand shakes. Fair warning. Lori is usually more shy though."

I shift Lori into a more stable hold and ask, "Has Aria been telling stories about me?"

Lori answers with a shy smile, "Yes." She covers her mouth.

I look at Aria who is blushing and say, "That was a secret huh?" Lori nods. I hug her and say, "It's okay I won't tell. I hope they were good stories."

Lori uncovers her mouth and says; "She said you make her happy. That is good. Can you come color with me Emily?"

I smile and wink at Aria and say, "That sounds fun Lori I will. Where are the crayons?"

Lori points and says, "Over there. My mom is keeping them safe from Mike. He said he wanted them but they are mine."

Aria says, "You met my aunt Sara. She is Lori's mom." She reaches to take Lori sets her on her feet and says, "Lori would you go and pick out a picture for us? Emily and I will come color with you soon." Lori says, "I know witch one to pick. Bye." She runs to the table her mom is sitting at.

Aria gives me a big hug, "I am so glad you are here. I got an idea and want to clear it with you first…"

I step back out of the hug and say, "I don't like where this is going. What are up to?"

Aria holds my hands and says, "Rather than introduce you to everyone as we see them and have to do the whole awkward moment lots of times I want to just use the P.A. and do it all at once. I'll do all the talking and you don't even have to stand with me if you don't want to. I hope you will but I understand if you don't."

I think for a minute and say, "I would rather not stand in front of all these people I don't know…well I know a few but you know. Aria I get the wanting to avoid awkward moment thing. I'll agree if you promise that you won't make a big deal out of it."

Aria smiles and says, "Define big deal. 'Cause it is a big deal and I don't know how to downplay it."

I look at the floor and say, "You know don't get up there and get to a place where I have to come up there because of what you say. You kind of are good at putting me on the spot. At least at the bar when you were pointing at me from the stage it was people I knew I would never see again and I was drunk. Don't get me wrong it was awesome when you sang to me but this is different."

Aria pulls me into a hug and asks, "How do I introduce you? Is just pointing to you and you waving good enough?"

I laugh off my nerves and ask, "Does waving from under the table count?"

I feel a tug on my shirt as I release the hug and look to see Lori. She says, "Are you coming to color with me?"

Aria crouches to be eye level with Lori and says, "Lori honey I have a very important job for you. Emily is a little afraid right now and I think you can keep her safe. Can do that for me?" (That is a dirty trick Aria using this sweet little girl.)

Lori nods at Aria then looks up at me reaches for my hand grabs it and says, "It is safe over there with mom and we can color. Come on." She tugs me with her as I give Aria a disapproving look.

Lori and I get to the table Lori pats her hand on an empty chair hops into the one next to it and says, "Sit next to me Emily. Mom this is Emily."

I sit as directed and say to Lori's mom, "Hi Sara. It's been a long time."

Sara smiles and says, "Hello Emily. You sure have grown up since the last time I saw you. I see you have met Lori. I hope she is not bothering you she can get…"

I stop her and say, "No bother at all. Lori and I are good buddies already [I rub Lori's back.] She is really no trouble." I pick up a crayon look at Lori and ask, "Did you pick a picture for me to color?" She reaches for the book that she wasn't coloring in pushes it to me and says, "Please color that one. Its one Aria said she wanted to do but she left before she finished."

I say, "You know Aria is very good at coloring why don't we save this one for her and I will pick another one." Lori looks up from her coloring book smiles nods and goes back to work.

*-*-*-*-*-*After dinner.

Aria's POV*

I look around to make sure my mom is in the room and Emily asks, "Who are you looking for? What are you up to now?"

I answer, "My mom. Don't worry. I think your introduction went well. I got a little tongue tied but over all it was good."

Emily says, "Yes. Thank you again for all the nice things you said about me."

I smile at her and say, "I almost said how talented you are in bed, that is when I got messed up. It's time to embarrass mom. I'll be back."

I hurry to the table in front of the stage before Emily can scold me for my almost slip. I check the computer to make sure the song is ready. I pick up the mic. Turn it on, tap it to test it and get the attention of the room.

I speak into the mic. "Hello everyone me again. I want to thank everyone for all of this tonight. Most of all I want to thank my mom not just for tonight but also for everything. Where are you mom? There she is. She is trying to escape. [I see her sneaking towards the door and point to Mike.] Mike would you stop her for me please? You can't get away mom so just relax I got a seat for you right up here." I take a relaxing breath as Mike leads mom to the chair. As she sits I say, "Tonight is a celebration for me but I couldn't have accomplished what I have without my mom. She has been so wonderful and supportive I don't know what I would do without her. I know now more than ever I haven't always been the best daughter and when I found this song {Martina McBride - Teenage Daughters} I saw things from a different perspective. I imagined that mom was singing it to me as I listened. I hope I can recreate that for you now. I'm sorry mom. I understand better than you think. Thank you and I love you."

I step to the computer hit play wait for the music and sing to my mom. She looks at me with a shocked look on her face as I dance and sing to her. I see Lori dancing with Emily so I walk over and dance with them for a chorus then dance my way back to my mom. I sit on her lap as I sing the last part of the song. I turn off the mic. Hug her as tight as I can. The rest of the room applauds and I say, "I love you mom." She says, "I love you too."

*-*-*-*Later that night at the Field's residence.

Emily's POV*

I walk into the living room and Aria is looking at me with that sexy mischievous smirk of hers. I smile at her and ask, "What cha doing?"

She answers, "I'm thinking that we need to test these." She holds out the remote vibrating things that we ordered a few days ago. I look and see there's only one complete set.

I ask, "You didn't wait for me?"

She answers, "I haven't turned it on yet but I have mine in place. It is a bit strange but not uncomfortable. Here try it. I was thinking we could have a little fun at school tomorrow."

I reach and take the device from Aria's hand and reply, "You and your thinking usually means trouble. Okay. Where exactly does it go? I mean I know where but won't it just work its way out? And we'll see how the test here goes before we start talking public use. And tomorrow I have a meeting with coach and my new boss so Friday would be better."

Aria giggles and says, "Oh yea I forgot. You have a little pocket in the crotch of your underwear right? [I nod.] It goes in there so it doesn't fall out. Want me to help?"

I smile and shake my head. I turn and fumble a little as I hear Aria say, "Pull them down a little more my view could be better." I manage to get it in place adjust my underwear turn and Aria hands me the purple controller and waves the pink one at me. She asks, "You want to go together or separate?"

I think for a minute getting used to the foreign object in my panties before I answer, "Maybe we should do our own?" She shakes her head. I say, "Yea that would defeat the purpose. On three?" She nods. I locate the button on the controller.

Aria counts, "1, 2, 3." I push the button as I feel the vibration and my body bends in reflex to avoid the foreign sensation. I look at Aria as I straighten my posture and she is smiling and asks, "So…what do you think? I am glad I was sitting you looked like you weren't controlling that bend."

I ask, "This is low or high?" I take a couple steps and start to feel comfortable with this new sensation.

Aria asks, "Want me to turn it up? You can mine."

I quickly answer, "Not yet. You want more? Okay." I push the button again and Aria jumps and squeaks. I giggle and say, "Try it standing and walking. I'll try sitting." She nods and stands. I step over to the sofa and sit. (This is getting good) I feel the speed increase and gasp more from the surprise of the unanticipated change than from the actual device. I decide to try walking stand and adjust the device. (I can't do that in public) I walk out to the kitchen and back. We continue various things I decide that sitting is most comfortable and then I see Aria walking with her back to me so I push the button. She chirps and stumbles a little. She turns smiles at me holds up the controller as she says, "Oh really? Take this." She pushes the button. I only react a little this time more from the device I say, "Not knowing it's coming is by far more reactive. We should try it with pants on. Well maybe not…a dress would hide the wet spot this thing is making."

We look at each other and… (I guess we aren't going to sleep much tonight.)