THE QUESTION
Sandy and Ryan stood at the kitchen window watching Seth and Rachel by the pool. Seth swam around crazily as Rachel watched from her position sitting on the edge.
"So how is she?" Sandy asked honestly.
After having only a brief conversation with Rachel two nights ago he was still unaware of all of the details.
Ryan stared out the window for a second watching his sister laughing and splashing Seth.
"I honestly can't remember her being this happy."
"Never?" Sandy asked curiously.
"Look at her," Ryan said.
They both stared at the couple outside and Sandy instantly forgot everything Rachel had said to him. She was happy around Seth; it seemed to be the only time she truly forgot about everything that was happening in her life.
"That's the not the girl I brought with me to New Port," Ryan finished.
.........
Seth began to swim slowly up to Rachel in his attempt to mimic Jaws.
"Here comes the Seth Octopus on his deep see adventure."
Rachel couldn't help but smile, he was clearly trying his hardest to make her happy. And it was working.
"His quest – dangerous. The reward – priceless," he finished.
"MasterCard would love you," Rachel commented tightening the bikini string around her neck.
"What is this?" Seth asked coming up close and touching her legs with a fake curiosity. "Has Seth Octopus found life? I think yes!"
He let his eyes visibly trail up her body to meet hers before gasping.
"And it comes in the form of a beauty he has never had the privilege to lay his eyes on."
Rachel made a dramatic turn of her head. "Where?" She asked.
Seth waited until she wasn't looking before moving his hands to her waist and pulling her slightly toward him.
Rachel turned back around feeling herself moving closer to the edge of the pool.
"Seth no," she said trying to bat him off.
In one quick movement, too fast for Rachel to counteract Seth had pulled her into the water with him.
"Seth!"
She jumped on him, pushing his head under the water. As his face came up Seth began to speak again.
"Argh!"
Rachel again pushed him under.
"Seth Octopus is under attack!"
Under again.
"Mayday! Mayday!"
Before Rachel had the chance to again submerge her boyfriend he lifted her up and out of the water causing her to scream in shock. Using her lightweight to his advantage Seth turned with Rachel still in his arms and let her go, sending her crashing back down into the water.
When she emerged only seconds later Rachel charged at Seth, and the battle began.
.........
Sandy let out a small laugh as he watched the pair frolicking about in the pool.
"Seth just loves her," he said.
"Yeah," Ryan replied smiling as his sister splashed her companion.
"You know, I honestly can't remember Seth being this happy."
"No, he cracked a smile last night when they had rollerblading monkeys on the Discovery Channel," Ryan commented.
Seth turned to him. "But that was only because Rachel was saying how cute they looked."
"Good point."
They continued watching the couple in the pool Rachel managing to get Seth in a headlock.
"So when are you gonna ask her?" Ryan wondered.
"Tonight after dinner," Sandy answered.
"I think she'll like it."'I hope it's not too soon."
"After everything she's been through with this family?"
"True. It's just that Kirsten and I are so nervous."
"Do you want me to be there?" Ryan asked.
Sandy thought about the query for a moment. "That would be nice."
"Okay."
.........
That night as the family sat around to enjoy a roast dinner curtesy of the take-out store down the road, Seth made aeroplane noises as he flew his fork over to Rachel's mouth.
"What are you, twelve?" She asked playfully.
"Only on the inside," he replied.
Sandy looked over at Kirsten who in turn looked at Ryan, who nodded his head.
"Um...Rachel, Sandy and I have something that we would like to talk to you about."
Rachel and Seth instantly stopped and stared at her. Rachel's heart sunk, she could see where this conversation was going, and it wasn't good.
"Shoot," she said.
"Well, Kirsten, Ryan and myself have been talking about your current situation," Sandy stated.
"Typical, leave me out," Seth grumbled stabbing a roast potato and shoving it into his mouth.
"And we decided that it was time."
Rachel looked at him wide eyed thinking the worst. "For what?" She asked.
"Well you have been living with us for a while now," Kirsten said.
"And we were wondering..." Sandy paused which only made Rachel panic even more. "You know you're family to us now, nothing can ever change that...but what would you say to making that permanent."
"You mean...?" Rachel asked.
"You never had a proper childhood, but you can still have a proper life. We would like to ask for the honour of becoming your legal guardian's," Sandy finished.
"Like with Ryan," Kirsten said giving Ryan a small rub on the shoulder.
"Oh my God, I thought you were going to kick me out," Rachel said completely shocked by the question.
"We would love to have the opportunity to care for you as legal parents."
"I think I'm gonna cry," Rachel managed.
"Wow," Seth said. "Way to keep a secret from us."
"I can't believe this," Rachel stated looking from person to person. Her eyes fell on Ryan who only smiled, his eyes telling her that it was okay.
"Don't feel pressured to give us an answer right away," Kirsten insisted.
"I'm finding it hard enough to speak."
Seth had not been listening to the conversation; he was contemplating the consequences of this new statement.
"Wait a second," he said, causing everything to pause in their tracks. "Doesn't that mean, if she says yes, that we will be brother and sister?"
Sandy nodded his head. "Legally, yes."
"But..." Rachel began looking from Sandy to Seth and then back again.
"I know that this will be a hard decision for you to make Rachel, that's why we want you to take your time and think of all the options," Kirsten said.
"No," Rachel began. "I mean, thank you so much, but I can't..."
"Rach this is what you've always wanted," Ryan voiced, speaking for the first time.
Rachel looked into her brother's eyes and places her hand on Seth's arm. "But this is what I've always dreamed of. And though a real family would be...I don't even have the words...I just, I can't lose Seth over that."
Seth placed his hand on hers. "Remember, I'm always here, no matter what. This will be a good thing for you, so I'm not going to stand in the way. Just believe that you can have anything, because you can."
"I have everything," Rachel said.
Sandy nodded slowly. "Understand Rachel, that the offer is always open, for whenever you think you might change your mind."
Rachel smiled as Sandy and Kirsten walked off.
"Why did you do that?" Seth asked once they were gone.
"Because I can," Rachel stated.
"You get a kick out of playing with people's minds?"
"Only yours. Seth listen to me, I don't want to lose you, not even over something as huge as this. You heard your dad, I'm family to them no matter what, but if I accept their offer, I'm can't be your girlfriend."
Ryan looked over at the couple. "I think, you might want to sleep on this Rach."
"Why is everyone acting like I am out of my mind?" She asked.
"Because you are!" Seth stated.
"I'm out of my mind because I can choose between my head and my heart? What kinda person says that that is bad?"
"The Seth kinda person."
"I thought you'd be happy."
"We are," Ryan insisted. "It's just that this is something huge and if you make a mistake you might end up regretting it."
"What mistake is there to make?"
"Choosing the wrong thing," Seth said.
"We're together, nothing else matters." She shrugged. "And besides, I can always change my mind when we break up, it wouldn't matter then."
"You're already planning our break up?" Seth asked.
"Hey, gotta control what's on the horizon."
"Women," Ryan mumbled.
"Men," Rachel retorted with a smile.
TO BE CONTINUED.........
(Oh the sadness, there is only 1 more chapter to go!! But you can still make this story live on by telling me that you want a sequel cos I got a few ideas running around in my head, but I will only write it if I get enough people wanting it. Please review. See ya soon)