Chapter 18: Sister
"Stop it Eric," I giggled, trying to push him away.
Yes, I giggled. I actually giggled! Eric had come back from his business trip sometime in the middle of the night. I thought I was dreaming that he had come back but he was there with me. We were playfully wrestling on his bed, naked. It was probably ten o'clock in the morning, maybe later. All I knew was that we had spent a good portion in bed with each other.
"I have to go and make breakfast."
"No, you don't," he smirked against my shoulder as he was able to bring my body to his. "It's almost lunch anyways," he growled trapping me to him with the sheets.
"Eric," I moaned feeling him teasing at my entrance, "we have to leave this bed."
"If it is so that I can feast on you downstairs, then so be it," he gripped onto my hips and thrust into me. "Ana," Eric groaned in appreciation before moving the sheet away from my body.
My fingers reached into his hair, pulling them lightly as he began to kiss my shoulder. His lips trailed lower towards my chest as his hips bucked forward slowly. It made my entire body weak and excited, hungry and sated all at the same time.
"Eric," my head fell back.
My back arched, pushing my chest further into Eric's waiting mouth and hands. His other hand on my hip, eased off to a gentle but stimulating massage. I began to move with him. It was slow and I knew that we were building up to it. Things with Eric could be a quick bang, I knew they could. But he liked to take his time, make things explosive and smooth. His hand reached up to cup my face. I brought my head up and stared into his eyes. We'd find our heavenly delight gazing at one another.
Unfortunately, our ecstasy would have to wait.
"Uncle Eric! Guess who," an excited scream came from down the hall and before Eric or I could pull away, the bedroom door was pushed open. "It's me!"
Both our heads turned to see a little blonde haired girl. I instantly recognized her as Eric's niece from pictures I had seen. As if shouting 'Uncle Eric' wasn't a dead giveaway already. Her eyes went wide and I attempted to move the sheet to cover Eric's body as well. However, that was the least of her concern because the little girl's eyes were glaring at me.
"Who the heck are you?"
"Eve," Eric said in a stern voice.
"I'm," I looked at Eric and then immediately felt more shame take over as another voice appeared in the hallway.
"Eve, your Uncle is not answering his phone. I don't think that he's ho... Jesus Christ, Eric!"
There standing in the doorway with her hands in front of her eyes and trying to cover her daughter's eyes was the Barbie that I had seen him with at the coffee shop back in October.
After his niece had been led out, Eric burst into a fit of laughter and I almost wanted to strangle him. I hurried to get clothes on and tried to piece together in my mind the fact that Barbie had his niece with him. Where was his sister? And why in the world was he still laughing? What was terrible about the situation was that the little girl had seen me too. Mind you I was still wrapped up in a sheet but that would be traumatizing for any five-year-old and Eric was just laughing at the matter.
"Seriously Eric," I questioned as I threw his pants at him. "I can't believe you're laughing about this."
"It's been a while since my sister has caught me in a compromising position. I can't help it," he chuckled as he put on his pants. "At least this time it wasn't just me and my hand."
"Wait," I turned around as I finally got a bra and panty on, "Barbie is your sister?"
"Yeah, that's... Hold on, who is Barbie?"
After I looked away to grab a t-shirt and shorts, Eric pulled me back to him and gave me a small smile that said he was expecting an answer.
"When I saw you at Starbucks that one day I went to meet my cousin Pete, you were with her. I thought that because I was pushing you away that you had moved on."
Eric sighed. "I said that I wasn't one to play games but I would not have given up that easily."
"Obviously," I mumbled thinking how stupid the situation looked now. I had gotten jealous over nothing.
"And where does it fit into the story that she's Barbie?"
"My cousin started calling her Barbie because of the way she walks," I rolled my eyes.
"The way she walks," he repeated with a confused expression.
"You're not going to see it because she's your sister. But she has a sway when she walks," I said as Eric lifted his eyebrow. "You know," I moved my hips and tried to stalk towards him, "something like that," I looked down at my butt and then back at him to see that he was smirking. "You just wanted me to do that, didn't you?"
"Maybe," Eric attempted to grab me but I moved out of his way.
"No, your sister and niece are downstairs and I rather be on their good side right now," I shook my head and tried to put on clothes, "especially after the introduction I just had."
"I'll talk to Eve. She shouldn't have spoken to you like that."
"No," I sighed. "It's fine if she doesn't take to me. I was hoping that, well it doesn't matter."
Eric walked up to me and kissed me gently before cupping my face. "It's not okay with me that she behaved in such a manner. She probably thinks that," he cleared his throat turning away before looking back at me intently. "No, I'm definitely sure that's what she is thinking. She thinks that you're one of the girls that hang around the Center."
Realization hit my mind about who Eric's niece thought I was. A part of me was glad that her anger wasn't necessarily directed towards me. Her disgust was probably from the fact that her Uncle Eric had one of 'those' girls with him. Another part of me was worried that I had come off looking like some sort of immoral woman. That was until Eric kissed me again, this time certain and deeply.
"I'll make them aware of who you are. They both know that I'm dating now. Remember they're excited to meet you and probably just got a bit of a surprise, thinking that I revert back to picking up girls from the Center. We'll talk more about your dreams," he smiled before turning serious, "and we won't talk anymore about the girls at the Center or what happened in the beginning of our relationship because you are it for me. And that is final, understood?" I nodded and he kissed my forehead. "Take as much time as you need to get ready."
Eric walked out the room but not before giving me one more longing glance and then he departed. I let out a small breath of relief at the fact that he had both opened and closed the case about his previous encounters with the girls at his Aunt's place in one quick moment. From the look his niece gave me, I was sure she didn't like any of them. I had just finished my morning routine when I decided to dress comfortably now since it was obvious Barbie was Eric's sister. I only realized that this whole time I had thought about him moving on that easily with someone gorgeous like her when really, he had not.
I was using shorts and a relaxed tank as I walked downstairs.
"So, she lives here with you," I heard his sister ask.
"Not yet but I'm hoping she does soon."
"So, you've asked her to move here with you?"
"Not really," he said in a confused tone - which was odd for Eric. He was usually so sure of himself. He had this air of confidence about him. It caused me to wonder why he seemed so nervous. "I mean we've talked about her moving in. And then there's the promotion," he paused.
"You didn't tell her about it?"
"I did. But I haven't been selected for it."
"Yet," she finished. "You're brilliant and hardworking. You're going to get it. I know it. We've talked about this, Eric. You're proving mom and Aunt Jeanine that you didn't need them! You're doing something that Dad wanted, for both of us."
"It will mean nothing if she does not want to move with me," he finished and that's when I realized why he sounded so uncertain when his sister brought it up. "I won't deny the promotion is a huge deal for me. But so is Ana," he added. "I know this sounds corny but I can't be without her. After what happened with Marcus, we got into this habit of sleeping with each other every night and I mean 'sleeping' Jess. We just lay with each other, hold one another. I don't know how to explain it but I feel complete when she's with me. I want her to move in with me but she's been hurt before and moving in is a sensitive issue."
"Show her that you are different, that things are going to be different than what she's gone through."
"Don't you think I've tried? I just really want this to work, Jess. You told me to be patient and I was, I am," he corrected, "but I can't stand the thought of her telling me 'no' in the end."
"It seems that for now everything looks good between the two of you," I couldn't help but miss the hint of teasing in his sister's tone.
Suddenly they both started to laugh a little.
"I can't believe you caught me with my pants down, again," Eric chuckled.
"Haven't you heard of locking your door?"
"Haven't you heard of knocking?"
I smiled at their sibling-like conversation. It reminded me of my brothers.
"You kind of embarrassed Ana, walking in on us like that," Eric pointed out. "She's not a generally open person."
"Yeah, she did not look open," she snorted, "what with the way her legs were wrapped around you."
"Hey! That's my girl you're talking about. She's not like those bitches at the Center. And I didn't appreciate your daughter talking to her as though she were one."
His sister laughed lightly. "I'm teasing you Eric. It's nice to see you get protective over someone other than me and Eve. From what I've heard about her, from our previous conversations, I think she is a great person for you. You certainly are happier. And the things that you two have done together," she sighed. "Thanksgiving, the Christmas decorations and even now," she listed. "Eric, this place looks like it's been given some color and considering that the two guest rooms down here have been redone, it feels like you've allowed her to have free reign of your home, of your life."
"I gave her a key a while back."
"Wow, things have really progressed, haven't they? I mean the last time I saw you was right before Halloween and the two of you weren't exactly talking at the time. That was what three months ago," his sister questioned, "so what changed?"
"I guess I took your advice. I was patient and I didn't give up on her, on us."
She let out a small laugh. "Imagine that? Me - a single-mom that tried to get the father of my child who is a complete and utter asshole to settle down - was able to give good advice to my brother who would whore it up back in the day."
"Enough about the whores, please," Eric asked her sounding a bit exasperated. "Ana does not like to hear about that. I have left them alone for a long time now but it still," he paused, "I don't like talking about it either. I'm trying to leave it behind me, sis. I have Ana now and I want it to stay that way. The moment I saw her I knew that she was it for me, Jess. I don't know how to explain it. I can't picture anyone else being here. And now that I've got her, she's smart and caring and funny. She's lively and fresh and an all-around good person. I..."
"Wait," there was a happiness to her tone which made itself apparent after her next statement, "is my wittle bwudder in love," she teased and I couldn't help but blush as I decided to finally come out at the end of the hallway and heard him say with conviction:
"I most definitely am, Jess. She makes me happy."
I smiled and leaned against the wall, watching his sister smile happily at him. "I'm happy for you then. If anyone deserves it, I know it's you."
"You deserve it too," Eric stood taller and reached out to put a gentle hand on his sister's shoulder. "We both do, especially after everything," he shook his head.
His sister moved to kiss his cheek before she smiled again at him. I stepped out further from the hallway and her eyes landed on me. And for the first time, I didn't feel as though I were being critiqued. Her eyes shone acceptance and joy. She stepped around Eric and I suddenly got nervous as she strode up to me. She still had a sway, I thought.
"Ana, right," she asked as I nodded. "It's so good to finally meet you," she wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug, giving me a small squeeze, "of course with clothes on," she whispered the last part making both of us laugh.
"I'm sorry about that..."
"Oh no, don't even apologize," she waved it off and rolled her eyes. "I'm sure you've been missing my brother like crazy this past what," she turned to him, "months that you left your girlfriend alone."
Eric shook his head. "It was hardly even a week. I came back early and..."
He tried to argue but she shook her head and took my arm in hers, leading me to the bar stool at the kitchen counter to sit. "That's still too long, Eric," she scolded as he glared at her. I couldn't help but laugh at the scene of the two of them playfully arguing about stuff. "So," she finally turned to me, "tell me about yourself, Ana."
We had talked about Amity and how I grew up with six brothers - also adding in that there was one more on the way. She told me some slightly embarrassing stories about Eric's childhood that of course in turn got a story or two about her childhood. I had never seen Eric so relaxed with another person, not even spending time with Edward and Myra had made him this at peace. At the same time, I had not felt at ease like this with Beth. I could certainly see how mature Jess was, compared to Beth. And it wasn't just the fact that Jess was older in years, it was her demeanor that showed respect. I knew right away that I would like her and there was a feeling I got that told me, she was thinking the same. We had all decided that we were going to go out for lunch when Eve came back into the kitchen.
"Good heavens, what do you have on," her mother cried and I cringed at how I should have checked first with Eric or Jess about decorating that room.
"My room looks like Pixie Hollow, mom! It has a tent in it, too," she smiled excitedly.
"Oh my God, Eric you didn't have to," Jess turned to her brother. "You spoil her too much."
"I didn't get that," Eric shook his head.
"But," she turned back to Eve.
"I don't even know what that is," Eric confessed. "Are you a troll, Eve?"
"I'm a fairy," she shouted.
"Actually, it was me that brought it," I lifted my hand with a guilty look on my face. "I'm sorry. I should have asked. But I just..."
Eric cleared his throat and shook his head. "You wanted to do a nice gesture for someone. And don't you think Eve," he turned to her, "that someone nice like that deserves a bit more respect than what was shown to her," he knelt down to her level.
Eve nodded and turned to look at me. Her eyes scanned over me briefly as though she were studying me for a moment and I almost wanted to run from the room. You could tell she was Eric's niece with that look that she had.
"I'm sorry that I was disrespectful," she said in a sad tone and then looked to her mom before turning to me. "My mom told me that Uncle Eric had a girlfriend. I had only seen him with girls from..."
"Eve," her mother scolded her but Eric stood up and gestured for me to come over to him.
"She knows about Aunt Jeanine, Jess," he told her. "I didn't want any secrets between us."
"Wow," Jess said sounding impressed and then muttered something like 'whipped' under her breath. Eric growled as I hid a laugh under my breath.
I knelt in front of Eve and she looked scared as though I were going to scold her. "It's okay Eve," I told her gently. "You love your Uncle Eric a lot and just want what's best for him. I understand," I smiled encouragingly. "This obviously wasn't how I expected to meet you but it would have to do. I hope that you come to like me for several reasons of course. And one of them is because like you and your mom, I care deeply about your Uncle Eric. I want to stay with him and make him happy. And I know that to do that, I need to be friends with you and your mom too. Does that sound like something we can work together on, being friends?"
She nodded and before a smile broke out, she frowned deeply. "What is the other reason?"
I let out a small laugh and turned to the room. "I was just telling your mom that I grew up with six brothers." Eve made a face and then smiled brightly. "There were no girls around to play hopscotch or jump rope or paint our nails and braid our hair or princesses or..."
Eve gasped. "You know how to braid hair," she asked happily.
"I do."
She grinned and looked to my hair, reaching out to touch it. I nodded that it was okay and she ran her small fingers through it. "Can you braid my hair?"
"Where are your manners, little lady?"
Eve looked properly reprimanded by her mother but turned to me and nodded. "May you braid my hair, please?"
"Of course," I smiled and she took my hand leading me to the room.
I stayed in there with Eve for half an hour as I did two different braids before she decided she wanted to see another one. We talked about her first year in school. She was excited about it and told me about her last field trip with the class. She also apologized again about being rude in the morning. She was told by her mom that Uncle Eric had a nice girlfriend but when she saw me she thought I was one of those mean girls she used to see before. I assured her - because Eric had already assured me - that those days were gone and now she was stuck with little old' me.
"I think you're nice," she smiled at me and then looked around the room. "And thank you for my Tinkerbell things."
"I wasn't sure what princess you liked."
"My favorite princess changes a lot."
"Which one do you like now," I asked.
"Belle," she said and then turned around in the chair. "I think you're like her."
"Because my hair is brown like hers," I asked with a small smile.
Eve tilted her head. "It is more than that. Uncle Eric said that you go to College and you study a lot. Belle is smart. And I think you're smart just like her. My mommy said that's why Uncle Eric loves you so much," she looked down shyly, "because you are more than just a pretty face."
"Can I tell you something," I placed my hand under her chin and lifted her face to look at me. "I love your Uncle Eric for seeing all the good that I have to offer. I always thought that being liked by people meant being the most beautiful person in the world."
A little frown showed on her face. "But people should like you for you," she stated.
"They should," I nodded. "They should like you for the person you are here," I pointed to her heart, "not out here," I tapped her nose causing her to giggle. "There are some people who are beautiful and handsome on the outside but on the inside..."
"They are ugly," she stuck out her tongue. "That's why I like Belle," she nodded. "She saw the Beast for who he was or who he could be."
I smiled. "If you think I'm like Belle, would that make your Uncle Eric the Beast?"
She giggled and nodded.
"Don't worry I won't tell him," I said as she giggled again before turning back around.
We had just finished the third braid when Jessica and Eric popped in to say that they were going to order pizza and we could eat lunch here and then head out for dinner, instead. It gave Eric and his sister more time to catch up. I liked how Eve had squeezed her tiny body between me and Eric and constantly fought for our attention. It was so different than having lunch with Cain and Beth. The atmosphere was comfortable and fun. At the end, Eve had called me 'Aunty Ana' and it did not go unnoticed by either Eric or Jessica. Jessica smiled as she told Eve that it was time for her nap.
Eric leaned over once they were gone and kissed me. "It wasn't the best start but I like where this is heading."
"They're both really sweet Eric. I can see it working nicely."
"That's good because I don't want you going anywhere else unless it's with me," he kissed my forehead before pulling me into his lap. He settled back onto the ouch and held me against his chest. "So, my sister and I were talking about the promotion before you came down."
"What about it," I let my fingers play with his shirt.
"I..."
"Sister walking back into the room," Jessica announced herself, "I hope your pants are on little brother."
I let out a small laugh and buried my face in Eric's side.
"Well," Eric moved us to a sitting position but kept me tucked at his side, "I'm glad I came home a day earlier so that you and I could have some time alone. If it were left up to my sister, we wouldn't see a lot of one another."
"Your niece wants to spend time with you too," she said as she sat down, "not to mention she told me that she and Aunty Ana were going to do something tomorrow."
"We were," I asked completely confused.
Eric chuckled. "Chances are that you probably did not make plans but she did," he informed me. "You don't have to take her anywhere."
"You know what, there is that cartoon movie that came out the same time as Rogue One," I tapped his chest, "remember we saw the poster for it and Myra and Edward were taking pictures by it?"
"Edward," Jess sat up in her seat, "the Technician's son?" I missed it but Eric must have given her a slight nod. "Dammit, Eric," she stood, "you said that you got out!"
"And I did!"
"Then what the fucking hell are you doing with the Technician's son? Are you out of your damn mind!"
"Calm down," he told her.
"All that fucking bull shit about Ana making you happy and how you found contentment with being out and away from Aunt Jeanine," she shook her head. I had never seen her look so furious. It was like Eric's sister was replaced with Medusa or something. The only way I could describe it is like the Lord of the Rings movie when Galadriel looked corrupted by the ring. "I'm not going back with you! You told me to get out and look at you! Look at you, dammit! What are you doing still..."
"Edward got out too," Eric said suddenly causing her to stop.
"What?"
"He is dating one of Ana's friends. They both work at the bank. He's been living a normal life for a while now. He was one of the first people that Dad helped get out of there, Jess."
"Oh," she slowly sat back down and looked at her hands.
"I didn't mean to cause a fight," I started to shake my head.
"No, it's alright," Eric pulled me closer, kissing my forehead again. "Jess, I'm going to get this out now. I've told Ana a lot about my past, I had to after Marcus started stalking her."
Jessica looked up and straight at me with fear in her eyes.
"Brandon and Owen have been here, watching my apartment and checking hers," he nodded to me. "If you see them around, know that I didn't go back. I won't. I told you that I got out and that you should do the same. Its what Dad would have wanted and I've stuck to it. But because of my background, the police - well some of them - won't help Ana with Marcus. I had to call in a few favors but that is it. As for the Technician's son and," he paused and sighed, making Jessica turn to him, "and the Practitioner's son, they aren't involved in the Center. They hang out together and sometimes Ana is there with them because she works with their girlfriends."
"And these girls," she pressed.
"They aren't from the Center, either. Those girls are a fresh start for them, just as much as Ana is for me."
"So, they're..."
Eric shook his head. "That's the only contact I've had."
She nodded and turned away, wiping a tear that started to form.
"Forgive me Ana," she said after a moment. "I'm sure Eric only told you the bad things that happened. The awful, gory, sickening and horrifying things that happened, you should not know about," she looked at me. "You would be exposed to that if Eric went back and I," she shook her head, "my daughter would be too. It was so hard for us to leave. Our mother, our Aunt, Eve's father," she took a deep breath, "they are still there and they are all that we know, all that I know."
"I'm sorry I brought up Edward. I didn't think that..."
"No Ana, it's okay really," she nodded and gave me a small smile before looking at her brother. "Have you talked to Aunt Jeanine about Marcus?"
"She wants me to come back. I want to protect Ana but I won't do that," Eric shook his head. "And now it seems that she might be working with him. Brandon told me that they are not certain but word is that he has gone missing and sweet old' Aunt Jeanine won't cough up any information."
"He," I paused and untangled myself from Eric, walking over towards the kitchen drawer. I grabbed a few of the pictures in there that Eric and I had hanging on the Christmas tree. We were supposed to look for frames and put them up around the house. I wanted to make this place look more personal. "Do you remember this bunny," I handed Jess the picture of Eve and the doll.
"She calls it her baby," Jess answered and smiled at Eric. "Eric got it for her when she was born. She goes everywhere with it. I just placed it next to her so she could go down for her nap."
"Was there any chance it went missing," I questioned.
"Ana, what is this about," Eric leaned forward.
"That incident at the traffic light," I reminded him as he nodded. "Marcus threw a package on the car. In the bag was that bunny," I pointed to the picture.
"Oh God," Jess covered her mouth and ran towards the room. She came back with the bunny in hand, twirling it around and looking at it. "Aunt Jeanine came over a few days ago, maybe three days, I'm not sure," she looked up at Eric and shook her head.
Eric reached for the bunny and looked it over as well. "What did she want?"
"It was a weird visit," Jess looked confused. "Her entire squad came and searched the apartment. They said that it was protocol to make sure it was safe for her to visit me," she scoffed, "as if I'd do something dangerous to her. I couldn't find Eve's bunny that night. She cried for a while. We were going to call you, Eric. I was able to get her to sleep and the next morning, it showed up," Jess gasped and closed her eyes, "it showed up in her room."