Author's Note: Wow, once again you guys love leaving reviews. Thank you so much! I'm so happy you guys like this story. I'm glad I posted it.
Since I send out thank you responses to all my reviewers. For those of you who don't have a screen name and reviewed, I'd like to thank you guys personally.
So thank you to: Danielle, VioletRaysOfSunshine3492 (for some reason I was unable to send you a message, sorry), The Unlucky 13, catie, AG, anonymous, Kiley, and lacevas (who I was also unable to message.)
If there is anyone I missed with replying to your review or if you do not want me to reply to your review, please send me a message.
This chapter was both hard and fun to write. I'm grateful to receive the help from Nugirl and DramaQueen1103. :D
*Sign language is in 'italics'
*Text messages in [bold]
Read & Review.
The Beauty of Hands
Chapter Three: Bonding Time
Bay sat in the small boutique, just outside her town, where she waited for Daphne. Daphne had just stepped into the dressing room for the umpteenth time, trying on all sorts of dresses.
Daphne stepped out in a pale pink, strapless, glitter dress, "Does this one look okay?"
Bay tried to hold in her laughter, "It looks like you were swallowed by a BeDazzler machine."
Daphne scrunched up her nose in disgust, "So it's a 'no'?"
"Definitely a no."
"Why don't you help me then?"
Bay sighed and got up from the leather chair she sat in, "Fine."
The girls browsed through the racks of dresses. There were all sorts of different styles and colors, it was too hard to choose. They finally narrowed it down to three dresses each.
As they stripped out their jeans and t-shirts and fumbled with the zippers of their dresses, they both stepped out their dressing rooms at the same time.
"I love that dress," Bay commented at the purple dress Daphne wore.
"Same with yours," Daphne admired the light blue, simple dress Bay had tried on.
"Want to switch?" Bay wondered.
"It's not like the first time it's happened to us," Daphne joked," Sure I'll switch."
Bay and Daphne walked back into their dressing room. They threw their dresses over the stall to each other, for the other to try on.
Once again they both stepped out at the same time.
Daphne grinned widely, "I think you found your dress."
"I'd have to say the same for you. That dress is amazing." Bay agreed.
They both walked to the large mirror that was in front of the dressing rooms.
Daphne spun and giggled as soon as she saw herself in the dress, "I love this!"
"So these are our dresses?" Bay wanted to make sure everything was final before paying.
Daphne nodded, "Yep. Lets get undressed and get some food. I'm hungry."
"I know. So glad you had food at the guest house. I couldn't stand to wait until my brother went to the store."
"I take it Toby isn't the best grocery shopper?"
Bay chuckled, "Not at all. He once came home with ten boxes of cereal and no milk."
"Ten? Why ten?"
"He thought since it was a '10 for 10 sale', you had to buy ten of those items."
Daphne shook her head and rolled her eyes, "Boys."
"Well lets get of these dresses and get some food!"
"Good plan."
Once everything was paid for, the girls went up to a diner that was just across the street from the boutique they had just left.
"How's your salad?"
"Good. How's your burger?" Daphne asked.
"Delicious," Bay took a bite of the burger, "So you don't miss meat at all?"
Daphne shook her head, "Nope."
"That's so weird…in a good way though." Bay defended. "So how's your cooking class going?"
"Fairly well. Some of the girls are still getting used to me being deaf."
"Do I need to beat them up?" Bay joked.
"Nah, I'm sure Tiffany will get over it."
"Tiffany? As in blonde hair, super skinny, model-like Tiffany?"
"Uhh…yeah. You know her?" Daphne questioned.
"She's been a witch to me ever since I started to date Liam."
"Oh great another thing to look forward too," Daphne said sarcastically.
"Don't worry, if she says anything I'll talk to her."
"Here's your chance." Daphne pointed behind Bay, where she sees Tiffany walk in with a group of friends.
"Don't say anything. Just act cool." Daphne read Bay's lips.
"Well, well, well look who it is." Tiffany walked up to the table where Daphne and Bay were eating at.
"Hey Tiffany," Bay said less enthused.
"I didn't know you hung out with her. Such a loser." Tiffany pointed to Daphne.
Daphne was unable to read her lips, by the way Bay was scowling she knew Tiffany had said something bad.
"Be nice to her," Bay warned.
"Why should I? It's not like she can hear."
Daphne watched as Bay's face turned deep red. Bay clenched her fist and was about to raise it before Daphne stepped in, "Oh my gosh." Daphne glanced at her phone.
"What?" Bay looked over at Daphne, "What's wrong?"
"Toby is hurt. He crashed his motorcycle."
"Toby doesn't have a mot-" Bay caught on to what Daphne was doing, "We have to go!" Bay pushed Tiffany aside and grabbed Daphne by the hand as she rushed out of there.
"You were going to hit her?" Daphne asked as they walked back to Bay's car.
"She's a bitch. She needed to be hit," Bay told her. "I would have been able to if you didn't pretend that Toby was hurt."
"What can I say, I don't like people fighting." Daphne shrugged innocently.
"Let's get home," Bay said as she started the engine.
"Good you're home. Let me borrow the keys." Toby said as he made his way to Daphne and Bay.
"Why? What happened to your car?" Bay wondered.
"Out of gas. Toby replied. "Please! I need to go pick up groceries before Mom gets home."
Bay glanced at Daphne, "Did you want to go look at shoes?"
'I'm sure I have a pair in the house.' Daphne said, "Let Toby borrow the car."
Bay sighed before handing her keys to Toby, "If you wreck it. You are dead."
Toby snatched the keys from her hands, "Got it, no crashing into lampposts." he swung the key ring around his finger before getting in to the driving seat and reviving the engine.
"Wait." Bay called, "Help us with our bags?"
Toby gave the girls a look then rolled his eye, "If I get in trouble-"
"Then it'll be your fault." Daphne points out.
"Great now I have my fake sister and real sister turning on me." Toby said playfully. He picked up the bags and carried them into the house, "What did you guys buy?"
"Dresses." Daphne informed.
"There for Carlton's Dance this Saturday." Bay explained.
"You two are going to a dance?" Toby couldn't believe what he was hearing, "Seriously? That is-"
"Oh look Mom's home." Bay points behind Toby.
Toby quickly looked behind and then glared at Bay when he realized no on was there, "Not funny!"
"I thought it was." Daphne giggled.
"I'm leaving!" Toby was fed up with the harassment. "You guys need anything?"
"We need cereal." Daphne said as she glanced over at Bay, who just laughed.
"That happened one time!" Toby defended, "Why are you telling her this?" he looked over at Bay.
"Well she is your sister." Bay pointed out.
"I wish I was adopted." Toby said storming out.
"I love it when he's mad."
"I got to say it is pretty funny." Daphne smiled.
Bay agrees happily then leads Daphne upstairs to her bedroom and closed the door behind them.
"I have a couple of accessories I think would go nice with your dress." Bay said slowly while looking at Daphne, not really knowing how to sign smiles, "I can't wait to see."
Bay goes over to her vanity and opens a drawer pulling out a small necklace with a rose on it. "My Mom gave it to me." She says, and then looks up. "I mean your Mom."
"Our Mom." Daphne said.
"Did you speak with Liam?" Bay wondered.
'Last night'
'And?'
'He said he'd love to go' Daphne broke out into a huge grin.
Bay couldn't help but smile too, 'Did you guys figure how you are getting to the dance?'
'No. How are you and Emmett getting there?'
"I don't think riding on his motorcycle will work with a dress."
"You can come with us."
"Really?"
"Yeah. The more the merrier." Daphne said happily.
'Thank you.'
'Any time.' Daphne signed before she glanced at the clock, "I have to go home, Mom needs help with dinner."
"Oh wait!" Bay said before she tapped on Daphne's shoulder, getting her attention. "I need advice."
"Uhh...sure."
"I'm meeting Emmett's mom today."
"Melody? Really?"
"Yeah. I'm freaking out." Bay said in a stressful manner. "Is she nice?"
"Soo nice. She's like a second mother to me."
"Do you think she'll like me."
'You are Regina's daughter' Daphne points out before she left Bay's room. 'And she'll love you.'
Bay shuts her door after Daphne leaves, letting herself have some alone.
She picked up her phone from her bedside table and flipped it open. She scrolled through her contacts in search of Emmett's cell phone number. She highlights it and presses 'Send text message'
[Daphne said we can ride w/ her & Liam.] Bay typed and clicked send. She sat her phone on her stomach while she waited for him to text back.
[Sounds good. R u ready for tonight? Mom made spaghetti.] Emmett texted back.
[Spaghetti is my fav!] Bay texted.
[I know. That's why she's making it. C u soon.]
[Kk. Bye.] Bay threw her phone next to her. She stared at the ceiling a few minutes longer before getting up, "I need to find something to wear," She says aloud.
She rummaged through her closet for something girly. She wasn't sure if Emmett's mother would approve of her dark colored clothes. She groaned loudly, not satisfied with her selection. She walked back over to her bed and picked up her phone.
[Come by. Need help.] Bay texted before throwing her phone back in its previous spot.
A few minutes later, Daphne pushed open the door to Bay's room, "You texted me.
Everything alright?"
'I can't find anything to wear!'
'What do you call your closet full of clothes?'
'But I don't want to wear those. I want something Melody will like.'
'She wants to get to know you. Wear what you normally do.'
'Sure.' Bay rolled her eyes, frustrated, " What about this?" She pulled out a pair of jeans
and black skull top.
"Less punk."
"This?" Bay then pulled out a sequenced dress.
"Less funk." Daphne pushed Bay aside. She pushed through the hangers of clothing, "This?"
"That?" Bay looks over at the faded floral printed top.
"What's with it?" Daphne wondered.
"My mom bought that for me as a gag gift." Bay chuckled.
"Wear it with a blank tank top underneath and a black skirt." Daphne handed her the shirt,
"I have to go. I have water boiling."
"Thanks. Bye." Bay waved.
'Mom, I'm going to go pick up Bay.' Emmett informed when he walked into the kitchen where his mother had finished preparing dinner.
'Okay. Make sure you drive safe and make sure you guys both wear a helmet.'
'Always do Ma,' Emmett said as he grabbed his keys. Before he left the house he gave his mother a kiss on the cheek. 'Bye Mom.'
'Bye, sweetie.' Melody signed and went back to draining the noodles.
Emmett walked out the back door, through the garage, and to his motorcycle. He made sure his helmet was fastened snuggly before put his key into the ignition.
He arrived at the Kennish's home and made his way to the large front door. He rang the door bell twice before he was greeted by Kathryn.
"Emmett! Hello."
Emmett smiled and waved politely.
"Bay is in the living room."
'Thanks.' Emmett signed and walked with Kathryn to the living room.
Bay got up from the sofa as soon as she saw her boyfriend. "Hey." she said shyly.
"You guys have plans?" Kathryn wondered.
"Yeah, I'm going over to Emmett's house for dinner."
"Oh, I didn't know that."
"Sorry it was sort of last minute planning." Bay apologized.
"It's fine. You two have fun." Kathryn said and walked the two teens to the door, "Drive safe. Bye Emmett."
'Goodbye,' Emmett mouthed while he signed. They walked to his motorcycle and Emmett tossed Bay a helmet. 'Ready?'
'Yep,' Bay couldn't help but smile even though she was super nervous.
It wasn't a long ride to Emmett's house, not that it mattered. Once he parked his motorcycle in the garage and made sure everything was fine he guided Bay into his house.
She had been there once before, but last time ended with her storming out.
'My mom is in the kitchen.'
"Okay." Bay said nervously.
Emmett placed his hand on her hand and walked with her to the kitchen, 'I got you. No worries.'
'Thanks.' Bay used her free hand to sign.
'Mom,' Emmett tapped on his mother's shoulder, getting her attention, 'Mom, this is Bay.'
'I'm Melody,' she extended her hand.
Bay gladly shook it, 'Thank you for having me.'
'Our pleasure. Emmett tells me you have a stomach for spaghetti,'
'I love it.'
'Good, I made enough for you to take home to your family.'
"Family?" Bay said aloud, not able to figure what Emmett's mother was signing. "I have a brother, Toby, and well…Daphne, who I guess you could -"
'No. no. no. Take food to your family.' Emmett explained.
"Oh leftovers." Bay felt stupid for misinterpreting, 'Thank you.'
Melody smiled sweetly, 'Let's eat!'
Emmett walked with Bay to the dinning room, where the table was set so beautifully.
"Wow. This looks amazing." Bay complimented.
'Thank you, dear. I'm glad you like it.' Melody said touched. 'So you said you have a brother?'
" Brother? Yes, his name is Toby. He's 17."
'Emmett mentioned you're an artist?'
"I don't think of myself as an artist. I just love to paint." Bay said truthfully.
'Stop fooling yourself. You're art is amazing' Emmett flashed Bay a smile.
'So how is the spaghetti?' Melody wondered.
"So good! What sauce do you use?" Bay asked, not ever tasting anything like it before.
'From my great grandmother. It was her recipe.'
"I love it."
'Me too. Great job Mom.'
Melody smiled, pleased she did so well, 'Thank you both.'
Dinner ended an hour later and desert too passed. Bay and Emmett excused themselves after finishing the cheesecake.
"Do you think she liked me?" Bay asked nervously, hoping she made a good impression.
'You were wonderful. She liked you.' Emmett assured, 'I have to help clean up, I can take you home now.'
"Okay. Tell your mom I said thanks again, I had a great time." Bay was glad she did this. She wished she hadn't stressed out so much over it.
Emmett drove Bay home and waited for her to get into the house before driving away. He walked into his house, kicked of his shoes and helped his mother load the dishwasher. 'What'd you think?'
'She is a very nice girl.' Melody said before breaking out into a laugh. 'She reminds me of Regina.'
'Is that a good thing?'
Melody smiled, 'It's a wonderful thing.'
Later that night Emmett sat on his bed and admired the picture he took of Bay when they riding on his motorcycle tonight. He smiled the way her hair was tossed in front of her face from the wind.
He glanced at the clock, it was almost ten o'clock. 'I hope she's up.' he thought to himself.
He grabbed his cell phone and texted her, [Hope u had fun]
[I did. My parents said they want u to come over sometime for dinner]
[Uh oh.] Emmett texted.
[Don't worry I'll have my dad go easy on u. : )]
[Great. Can't wait for the dance.]
[Me either.] Bay texted back.
[Get some sleep. TTYT]
[Night.] Bay texted before she shut her phone and laid down.
Emmett did the same once he received the last text from her. He sunk into his bed, covered himself with a blanket and went to sleep.
They both fell asleep with smiles on their faces.