While Elizabeth watched Ginny, Emma helped Erin get ready for her date with Paul that night. The couple seemed to be over heels with each other, as this was the third date that week. Erin twisted her hair up, and pursed her lips, before sighing and letting her hair fall loose.
"You look great." Emma smiled as she folded Serena's clothes. She paused when she saw a picture buried underneath of a man with his arms around the brother and sister. "You think this is Serena and Jeffrey's daddy?" She showed Erin the photo.
"I dunno," Erin paused and sighed. "Something just doesn't seem right about it all. Rose hasn't even said anything about why Serena and Jeffrey had to come with her."
"Aww. She's hungry." Elizabeth smiled as Emma fed her daughter under a blanket in the house. The younger girl jumped when she glanced out the window. "Why is... Drew here? And Aimee? I thought she was at boarding school?"
Emma frowned. "I don't know, Elizabeth. Go see." Elizabeth smoothed down her skirt before swallowing hard and walking outside. Her heart sank when she was welcomed to the sight of Aimee holding onto Drew's arm and laughing, her face very close to his.
"Oh Drew, you look so handsome today." Aimee giggled girlishly, before setting her gaze on her former best friend. "Elizabeth, how you have... grown!" She plastered on the fake smile her mother used so much and looked her up and down.
Elizabeth flushed and self consciously folded her arms. "Yeah... I'm, tall..." She trailed off, her eyes flitting between the two. She breathed a sigh of relief as Olivia appeared beside her. Elizabeth let her mother talk while she stayed silent before saying an awkward goodbye.
Jeffrey and Serena became part of the family quickly, acting like younger siblings of the eight. Ginny grew everyday, and John Curtis talked non stop. One Sunday afternoon, Emma took a notion to swim at Drucilla's Pond, and invited everyone who was home. Rose, Grandma and Olivia decided to stay home and watch over Ginny, and Paul, Ben, Jim Bob and John were in a big discussion and didn't want to leave.
A troop marched down to the Pond, talking and laughing. Mary Ellen, Emma and Erin stayed at the back, keeping just behind Serena, Jeffrey and John Curtis. Elizabeth led, chattering with Aimee about times gone by. The two had become just as close, even though Aimee was a different girl than the one that had ran about all those summers ago.
The three oldest sisters sat by the edge and waded occasionally, keeping watch on John Curtis. "Ever think about finding love again, Mary Ellen?" Erin asked, splashing her feet about nonchalantly.
"Love just breaks my heart every time. I doubt I'll ever marry again, Curt's memory is still so painful. I'm not sure though." Mary Ellen mumbled.
Emma nodded, her heart sinking a little. She also missed Curt a lot, they had been quite close. She couldn't believe her eyes when she looked up and got a closer look at Jeffrey's back. He must have forgotten to cover it, because it still had scars from what she could tell was a violent beating.
One look with the little boy said it all.