Chapter 17 The Brooks Family

What happened last:

"Are you free on Thursday? My sister wants to meet you and she's having a barbecue she wants us to come to." Annie looked into his eyes, seeing how insecure and worried he was. "Please for me? We will leave as soon as you want, okay?"

"I'm not sure about this, but for you I'll come," he murmured.

"We will be there Dani. Love you."

_-:-_:…-_-::-_.

To think Auggie was nervous would be an absolute understatement; his heart was pounding as he drove to Annie's house. He felt like a nervous wreck. He'd picked her up that morning and they'd spent the afternoon at his apartment, 'til it was time for Danielle's barbecue that evening.

Annie put a hand over Auggie's on the steering wheel. "Deep breaths Auggie. Don't be nervous, nothing bad is going to happen. I'm sure my sister and her family will like you."

Auggie was grateful for Annie's reassurances, but he couldn't help that his mind was running on high gear. His fear off getting stared at like an animal in the zoo was his main worry. He hoped that Annie's kindness ran in the family.

"It's not that esay Annie, I've endured plenty of encounters with narrow-minded people who couldn't get past staring at my legs. Some people reject me because of them and think that my mind was blown away with my legs and talk to me like I'm stupid or something."

Auggie wanted to believe that this evening would not end in a catastrophe but he wasn't so sure of it. Five minutes later he pulled into the Brooks' driveway. Annie leaned over after he stopped the engine and gave him a small, but lingering kiss. Then she got out of the car and walked to the front and waited for Auggie to join her. As soon as he was beside her, she looped her arm through his free arm and they walked to the front door. Annie pushed the doorbell.

A few seconds later, the door opened. "August, it's nice to finally meet the man Annie is talking so warmly about," Danielle gushed.

"Hello Mrs. Brooks, it's nice to meet you too," Auggie held out his right hand for her to shake.

Danielle looked him straight in the eyes, took his hand and pulled him for a warm hug. He nearly toppled over, but he had his cane as a safety measure so he managed to keep his balance. He blushed and looked over at Annie, hoping she'd come to the rescue.

"Hands off my boyfriend Dani. Can we come in now? I didn't dress up to stand on your front porch all evening," Annie said, gesturing to her dress.

"Oh, where are my manners. Please come in and make yourself at home." Danielle stepped back and gestured for them to step inside. When everyone was inside she closed the door and led the way into the dining room. As they came closer Auggie could hear voices of children, presumably Katia and Chloe and a male voice as well. He was had a feeling the evening wouldn't end with disaster; he felt welcome.

"August, I want to meet you the rest of the family. Over there is my beloved husband Michael and, " Katia and Chloe were running towards her, "this is Katia and Chloe, our little troublemakers."

Auggie walked up to Michael, very aware that he was being watched from five sets of eyes. He straightened himself more so he was showing his height and held out his right hand to Michael.

"Hello Mr. Brooks, thanks for inviting me," Auggie said as Michael shook his hand.

"Please, it's Danielle and Michael," Michael said and smiled warmly.

"Okay, and I'm Auggie." He smiled his trademark smile.

"Have a seat over there Auggie." Danielle pointed to the chair he wanted him in. As he took his seat everyone else gathered around the table and took their seats as well. Danielle was the perfect hostess and asked what everyone wanted to drink. After she'd gotten everyone their preferred drinks she asked about Annie and Auggie's plans for the weekend were.
"I don't know Dani, Auggie wants it to be a surprise." Annie answered, giving Danielle a stern look that clearly told her to not ask more questions. Before Danielle could answer the clock on the oven started buzzing and she stood up and made her way to the kitchen. After she had the bread out of the oven, Michael took charge of the grill.

"We have everything from chicken to lamb, what do you want?" Michael asked.

Katia answered, "I want to have some chicken breast."
"Daddy, can I get some lamb? Please" Chloe said.

After everyone had their choice of meat they filled their plates with side dishes. Auggie waited until everyone began to eat and took the first bite of the garlic butter bread. It was delicious, although not as good as his mother's. It lacked maternal love. The conversation flowed easily and it was a lovely evening. Auggie got more comfortable every minute.
When everyone had finished eating Danielle began to gather up the plates. Annie and Michael stood as well and helped with clearing the table. Just as Auggie had gotten to his feet and had grabbed a hold of the salad bowl disaster struck; Chloe knocked into his chair and the chair knocked into him. Chloe fell on her knees, the chair tumbled to the side and Auggie began to sway because of the impact. He let go of the bowl and held his hands out to take some of the impact. Auggie landed hard on the floor and was as red as the grass was green; he was beyond embarrassed. Chloe was crying, she had a cut on her knee that was bleeding. Auggie scooted closer to her, his uncle-instincts kicking in. Annie, Danielle and Michael came out to find out what the noise was. They didn't know wether to laugh or cry from the sight that met them. Auggie was on the floor, more lying than sitting up, examining Chloe's knee. Chole was sobbing and her cheeks were wet from tears. She was constantly apologizing; "I'm so sorry Mr. Auggie, I didn't pay attention."
"It's okay Chloe, nothing happened, I'm fine. Just stay calm and if someone brings me the first aid kit I'll patch up your knee in no time. I'm very good at fixing bloody knees."

"I'll get it for you," Danielle said to Auggie. Michael followed her to the kitchen to get a broom and a mop to clean up the broken salad bowl. Annie knelt down next to Auggie and whispered; "Do you need help to get into another position?"
He shook his head and Annie remembered what he had told her; children didn't get awkward around her.

Danielle came out of the kitchen and handed the first aid kit over to Auggie.

"Look Chloe, I'm going to swipe with this big Q-tip around the wound to check if there's anything stuck in it." Chloe nodded nervously, but she stopped crying. Auggie told her everything he did, step by step, and after a few moments later he placed a Band-Aid on her knee. "All done! Go tell your Mom you've been brave and deserve something sweet."

With that she got up and walked away, leaving Michael and Annie with him. Michael was cleaning up the remains of the shattered salad bowl and Annie was by his side. He turned around, positioned his legs and struggled to his feet, he knew he was being watched, but felt it was more embarrassing to stay on the floor. A moment later he was up and he tried his best to straighten out his clothes and wipe off the stains when he heard small footsteps approaching.
"Thank you Mr. Auggie. Can I hug you?" Chloe asked shyly. Auggie smiled and gathered her up into his arms and gave her a quick hug. He felt a hand on his shoulder and felt a quick kiss on his cheek. "Thank you Auggie. You really are good with children," Danielle complimented him.

"You're welcome Danielle. I have four older brothers and they all have kids. Some older than your girls, some younger." Auggie answered, his expression was unreadable. It looked like he was torn between missing, longing and sadness.

After the incident the kids were put to bed and the adults were in the living room, nursing their drinks. They talked about sport and some other safe topics. It was 11 a.m. when Annie and Auggie bid the Brooks goodbye and headed out. When they were alone Annie asked if he Auggie wanted to spend the night at her place, in the guesthouse. Before they'd left Auggie's apartment she had secretly packed his toiletries and some other things she knew he needed, as well as a change of clothes for him in her bag.

"I don't have any of my things here and you know I need some stuff," Auggie said, clearly embarrassed, hanging his head.

"Don't worry Auggie, I have some things for you right in my bag okay?" She gave him a pleading look, she knew he couldn't resist.

_'''''_'''''_

Thanks for reading! Please review!

Thanks to my beta Millemini, she is doing some awesome work.