15
Beckett
I look around the living room one more time, making sure that everything looks perfect for our movie night.
I had Edison go in his room with Dragana after we finished dinner so that I could set everything up and surprise him.
I found some large bowls in the kitchen and filled them up with microwave popcorn. I used some smaller bowls to put some candy treats into them that Edison picked out at Reece's. Skittles, M&M’s, and licorice are all set up and waiting, and there are bottles of water and juice boxes as well.
I picked up some grapes and watermelon slices from the store also to balance out the influx of junk I've set out for all of us, but if Edison doesn't want that tonight it's ok. The whole point of this evening is to continue to try to lift his spirits, and let him have a new experience.
I made sure that there were plenty of pillows and blankets set out, and closed all of the blinds and curtains in the room too.
I finally go to the bedroom and get him and Dragana so that they can see everything. Edison darts over to me from where he was playing with Ruffy, and I laugh as he nearly knocks me over, trying to get into the hallway.
"Slow down little man. You need to wash your hands before we get started, ok?" I say, pointing to the bathroom across the hall.
"Ok!" he shouts, running over and getting on his step stool to turn on the water at the sink.
Dragana comes beside me, placing a hand on her hip, "Do I need a ticket to attend this theater tonight?" she teases.
I chuckle and close the door behind her, "Not necessary ma'am. You have VIP access," I respond, motioning for her to follow me.
We walk into the living room and Dragana's eyes widen as she takes in my setup. She whistles, nodding her head in approval, "This is very nice for a little movie night," she says, moving to make herself comfortable on one of the sofas.
"Edison said he's never had one. So I needed to make it perfect for him," I shrug.
She doesn't respond and when I look over at her she is giving me a suspicious look that I'm all too familiar with. "Are you sure this is all just for Edison?"
"It's for all of you," I respond dryly, already knowing where this is going.
"Mmhmm," she says, smirking at me.
Edison comes racing in and stops short as he takes in everything in the living room. "Wow! This is so cool, Uncle Beckett!" he yells, unfreezing and running over to hug me.
I wrap my arms around him, feeling the same relief I keep experiencing every time he is happy. It's a strange feeling that I'm growing to enjoy. "You're very welcome," I mutter, rubbing his shaggy hair.
The doorbell rings and his smile grows impossibly wider, "That's Ms. Selah!" he exclaims.
He runs ahead of me as we go to the front door, and I unlock it, revealing the woman that I seem to not be able to get enough of.
She's surprisingly not wearing pink this evening, and has changed out of the dress she was wearing earlier. Instead she has changed into a cute billowy white blouse that she has paired with some black leggings that hug her curves nicely. It really doesn't matter what she has on, she makes my heart race regardless.
"Hi Edi!" she greets, making her way inside. "Hello Beckett."
"Hi," Edison and I respond in unison, making her laugh.
"You have to see what Uncle Beckett did in the living room Ms. Selah! It's soo cool," Edison exclaims, taking her hand and leading her further down the hall.
"Oh awesome!" Selah says, hurrying along to keep up with him.
When we get to the living room she greets Dragana and I see her face light up as she takes in everything around her. The smiles on all of their faces as they make their way over to the couches makes the effort more than worth it.
I wonder just how much more excited they would be if I rented out an entire movie theater just for them. I pocket that idea for another time.
"Isn't it cool?" Edison asks Selah as she greets Dragana and takes a seat.
Selah nods eagerly, "Very cool, Edi. Oh my gosh and we're watching Moana?!" she exclaims when she sees the DVD cover on the coffee table.
Her eyes move up and meet mine and she looks a bit embarrassed for a moment until I smile at her. "I just really like that movie too," she says quietly, looking away from me.
"It looks like a good one," I agree, coming over to sit next to her.
Edison grabs one of the bowls of popcorn then scoots over to sit next to Dragana, and we all settle in. I use the remote to dim the lights and start up the movie. I put my arm along the back of Selah's seat and she smiles shyly over at me.
Part of me is tempted to hold her hand like I did earlier today, but I don't want to push anything with Dragana and Edison right here.
She moves to get a box of apple juice, then scoots back next to me. "Do you want some popcorn? Or candy?" I ask her, moving to get one of the bowls.
She eyes the food on the table, but shakes her head, "Oh..no I'm good. Thank you though," she says, focusing back on the screen.
I furrow my eyebrows seeing the strange longing in her eyes as she stared at the candy. I fold away the moment and file it in my mind for later, focusing on the big screen tv in front of us.
The movie begins to play and I spend more time watching Selah and Edison than any of the adventure on the screen. Selah is just as captivated by it as Edison is, laughing at all of the comical, goofy scenes, and staring at the screen without blinking during the dramatic scenes.
She catches me watching her and does a double take when she realizes I saw her lip syncing to one of the songs, but I just smile at her and rub her shoulder reassuringly, letting her know that I'm not judging her.
By the time the movie ends both Dragana and Edison have dozed off, Edison leaning on Dragana's arm as he gently snores.
"I guess we were the only ones who could hang," I whisper to Selah.
She laughs quietly, "I guess so. He will have to just catch the ending next time," she whispers, as we both get up.
I go over and nudge Dragana and she startles awake, "Nisam Spavo!"
"Uh huh. Sure you weren't asleep. Come on," I chuckle, helping her get up.
She rubs her eyes, and smiles sleepily at Selah, "Goodnight Hun," she says to her, and shuffles out of the living room.
I pick up Edison and Ruffy, being careful not to wake him up. "I'll just get him settled and I'll be right back," I tell Selah before carrying him off to his bed.
I place him and his stuffed dog under his sheets, grateful that Dragana had the foresight to have him take a shower and get into pajamas before our movie night.
I look down at him for a few moments, smiling as he continues to sleep peacefully. I wait for a few minutes to make sure he doesn't wake up, then quietly make my way out of the room.
I find Selah by the front door, slipping back on her shoes. I walk over to her, putting my hands in my pockets before I reach out and touch her again. She straightens up as I step in front of her. "Heading home so soon?" I ask.
"Yes, I should get going," she says, looking past me. "I was wondering, where Helen is?"
"She went back to New York for the weekend," I say, watching her fidget with her keys.
She nods, "Oh, ok. I mean it's none of my business, but I was just wondering.. are you two dating or.."
I furrow my eyebrows, then grin, realizing she sounds a bit jealous. "Helen is married, Selah. To a very short, feisty, woman . So unless I shrink nine inches, in more than one area of my body, and grow some breasts, I'm not her type. At all."
Her mouth falls open, a small squeak escaping it as her eyes inadvertently move down to my shorts, "I-wow. Well I asked for that I guess," she laughs, covering her eyes with her hands.
I smile and lower her hands from her face, keeping one in mine. We gaze at each other and I step closer to her, "Why did you think I was dating her?" I ask quietly.
Her smile fades, "You two just seem close, and she honestly didn't really like to talk to me very much."
I nod, understanding how she could have misinterpreted things. "Helen is just all business, and a bit of an introvert until she gets to know someone better. Don't take that personally. And our closeness comes from us corresponding with each other 18 hours a day regarding work. But nothing else."
I swear I can see some tension leave her face, and I hate that she was thinking that something was going on between Helen and I, while I'm obviously pursuing her.
She moves her hand over her hair, smoothing it down, "Ok. Well, I better go," she says, turning and going to open the door.
I move behind her and slip my slides on following her outside. "Next time we get together I'm going to pick you up," I say, frowning as we walk to her car. "It's almost dark out."
"Again, I'm only about 10 minutes away from here, Beckett. And I've been driving myself in the dark since I was sixteen," she replies.
"You may have. But you don't need to when I’m around," I counter.
We stop by her car door, and I stand in front of her. I lean down and hear her intake a sharp breath, but she doesn't move.
I move my hands to her waist and press my lips against her cheek. I savor the feeling of her warm skin under my lips, humming against it as I squeeze her waist, my brain turning fuzzy as she lets out a quiet whimper.
I take my lips from her and look into her brown eyes, seeing a swarm of unspoken words swimming in them. I let out a breath and wrap my arms around her, giving her a hug before she can overthink what's happening between us.
Her arms wrap around my waist, and she nuzzles her head under my chin. "Beckett," she whispers, not moving.
"Yes, angel?" I ask, kissing her hair.
She tilts her head back and searches my face, and I'm tempted to lean in again, when she takes a step back from me.
"I better go," she says, looking down at the keys in her hand.
"Ok," I say, moving to open the car door for her.
I don't want her to go anywhere but I know that I have to do things at her pace right now. "Text me or call when you get home."
"I will," she agrees, glancing up at me. "And thanks again for tonight. It was fun. The movie was.. fun. Not..I-goodnight."
I smile, "I know what you mean, angel. Drive safe," I say, closing her car door.
I watch her back out of the gravel driveway before I head inside to clean up.