Snowflakes and Second chances

STARTING OVER

“Hey” he greets, his beautiful eyes twinkling, looking as handsome as always in his cream-colored cashmere sweater and gray dress pants.

“Uhm Sebastian, hi?” I reply feeling self-conscious by the way he focuses on my face, looking away to take in my outfit before returning his attention to my eyes.

“Oh sorry don't mind me, they're caught up in the kitchen, Mandy said to get the door for her, come on in?” He steps away motioning for me to come inside, and I hum in reply with a small smile as I slip inside, and he shuts the door behind me.

I quietly follow as he heads off towards where I could hear voices coming from as a warm aroma filled the place, and I'm not surprised at how familiar he was with the place seeing as it was his best friend's house.

I take in the homely feel of the house, the cute coat hanger, key bowl, shoe holder and halfway done decorations here and there showing them getting into the spirit of Christmas, their house was gorgeous and well-kept.

“Amelia!” I turn at Sophia's squeal, squatting down to her eye level as she hops out of her seat at runs over to hug me.

“Didn't realize you'd be here, or I would've arrived earlier!” I joke as she giggles, reaching out to touch my hair.

“Uncle Jules made lasagna! I like your dress, you look so pretty.” She says excitedly, and I laugh, squishing her cheeks as I stand up to face the hosts.

“Sorry I'm late, hope everyone's got enough space in their tummies because I brought pie!” I say and Mandy grins widely, coming over to hug me in greeting.

She pulls away and then gives my brother who just stood awkwardly by the oven a deadly glare, and he shuffles over immediately.

“Uhm thanks… It's nice to have you over, I'll take the load off your hands.” He reaches out, and I hand him the basket I had packed the pie and fruits in.

He gives me a small smile and I can feel a majority of my nerves melting off at the action, although it did seem Mandy was threatening him into being courteous.

“It's astonishing to watch how Julian is so obedient when it comes to you, I can barely get the knucklehead to listen to s**t that I say, and you're doing it with just your eyes!” Sebastian jokes earning a whack in the head and chuckles as Julian shoots daggers at him with his eyes trying to hide the smile on his face.

“Oh and the fruits are for you, my first present yet to my unborn niece and sister-in-law.” I say as we begin taking out the dishes to the dining table where Sophie was so focused on setting up, although it had already been set up.

“Like you could tell, that's what I'm craving tonight, I sincerely appreciate the thought.” She replies as I take the dishes from her walking past Sebastian who had the glasses.

“It's a boy.” Julian states and I turn surprised to see he was talking to me as I set out the dishes on the table clothes.

“Uhm…okay? I'm fine with a nephew too, both will be even cooler.” I reply, and he stares at me blankly for a few seconds and I begin to worry I've said something wrong before he suddenly bursts into hearty laughter, stopping his task of moving the fruits into a bowl.

“Dad said the same thing the other day, Mandy will lose it if she gets to hear that you guys are secretly praying she pushes out two babies and not one. She's stressed out enough already thinking about the upcoming labor, her reaction to this would be hilarious.” He laughs and I gradually join in.

“Uncle Jules? I'll teach the baby ballet right?” Sophia pipes in as she returns to the dining table, taking her seat.

“Of course, darling, the baby will be delighted to be your student.” He replies as we try to keep our increased laughter at bay from the completely serious expression on her face.

“Dinner's served!” Mandy sings returning to the kitchen with the rest of everything and she and I lock eyes, and she gives me a wink seeing as I was in the same room with Julian, and he seemed to be laughing.

I smile at her, feeling lucky to have such an addition to the family and I know more than anything that my brother's heart is in safe hands because she was sure a pure soul.

The love they had for each other could be felt from a mile away, just like how much they cared for dad, and I couldn't help the twinge of envy I felt wishing I'd be able to have something like that someday.

We dig into the mouthwatering dishes of lasagna, salad, tomato soup and grilled fish before finishing it off with a bit of my pie enjoying a lighthearted conversation, something I was grateful for.

As we clear up the table, Julian helps me to pack the plates away and while loading them into the sink, he clears his throat just as we're done, stopping me from going back to the dining to continue helping pack up.

“To be honest, I wouldn't have stayed tonight if Mandy hadn't threatened to make me sleep on the couch just like she did last night after the things I said to you at the diner. But I am sorry though… I'm angry at you, but that doesn't mean I can't see you trying to make amends, and I apologize for making it harder, you're my little sister and I love you, I would rather not be on the list of things that are bothering you so why don't we start over?” He states and I give him a teary smile nodding softly.

“I'd really like that too.” I reply, and he returns the smile, reaching out to pull me into a hug, after a few seconds, he lets go and steps away still smiling.

“The pie was wonderful, you're still my favorite Baker. One of these days, though, you're going to have to tell me in details what happened because I refuse to believe it was just a divorce, and I'm honestly looking for any reason to beat the s**t out of Jacob.” He states, and I laugh at this as he pats me in the back before walking out of the kitchen.

I decide to start up on the dishes, not wanting to leave them for Mandy who must've been exhausted already and as I start, someone walks into the kitchen.

The cologne hits me first before the feel of his presence does, as Sebastian comes to stand beside me with the rest of the dishes.

“I've managed to convince Mandy to retire to bed early, and Sophia's finishing the rest of the pie with Jules by the TV. Let me join you with that?” He gestures towards the task at hand, and although I want to protest or reject his offer, I knew it'd be faster with a pair of extra hands, and I'd get to go home early.

“Okay then, grab a dishcloth.” He does a mock salute in reply to me and I snicker moving aside for him watching as he rolls up his sleeves and takes a clean dishcloth off the rack.

Something in the fact that I had bumped into him in tonight's dinner of all other days didn't seem entirely coincidental but somehow, I didn't mind whatever setup was being played out, maybe just perhaps, our friendship deserved a chance to start over just like my relationship with my brother.