Peace and Love

Chapter seven - Dinner and truths

Abby's POV:

Sam and Sarah finally bought a house. They chose the one which Luke and I liked the most. From all of them that we saw. I think this one looks decent. I mean, for the amount of money you pay, it's enough what you get. Also, it has everything you need. The furniture looks good. They have moved some of their stuff here. Most of them are still at their other house. Sam said he would sell it after they took everything from there. That probably won't be soon. He has to go alone. I mean, without Sarah. She has to take care of the kids. Luke and I can help, but only if it's during the weekend. My boyfriend can go with his brother for two days. We wanted to see the new house. Well, they didn't let us. According to Sarah, we'll get an invitation when everything is ready. I won't lie. I am excited about this. They asked us many questions for ideas as if we would leave there. In this house, we haven't changed anything. Luke doesn't want to do it. Me too. I should say that his grandparents were modern people. There is no old furniture. Also, I liked the way everything was ordered. Luke's granny had good taste in that. I didn't know them very well, but I miss them sometimes. They were good to me and accepted me the way I was. They were ready to do everything for us. I wish I could show them how far we are. Maybe they already know it. I'm glad they gave us a place to stay. Technically, they gave it to my boyfriend, but he was kind enough to share it with me. We moved out a bit younger, but I don't regret it. That was the best decision I have ever made. I live with my boyfriend, who knows how to treat me. No matter what happens, he will always be by my side. That's why I share everything with him. He won't judge me. That is one of the things I appreciate the most. I hope that we'll always be so happy. We deserve it.

Currently, I am at the office. I finished a meeting five minutes ago. We talked about the project on which we are working. The clients want many things, but I think we have enough time. Also, the people with who I work are good. If I don't know how to do something, someone always helps me. That's one of the reasons why I don't want to change my company. I like being here. Even if I had changed my teams, people from the old one still greeted me. I'm glad that I can rely on them. Here, many people care about me. I mean professionally.

Soon is my lunch break. I planned to eat with Luke, but he is busy. His meeting has to be at lunchtime. It's not his fault, but I am annoyed. Well, I will see him at home. It's not a big deal. I know we see each other every day, but having some extra time for him is something I like. Maybe I can go and visit him. No, that is too much. I won't do anything. Hopefully, we'll have a peaceful night at home. We spent too much time helping Sarah and Sam. I love them. Well, I want to spend time with my boyfriend too.

- Knock, knock.

- Hey, Andrew. Can I help you?

- This came for you.

- What is this?

- I don't know. I haven't opened it.

- Ok, thanks.

- I'll leave you now.

- Wait!

- Yes?

- Are you free for lunch?

- Yes, I am.

- Do you want us to go out?

- Why not? Give me fifteen minutes. I need to finish something.

- No problem.

- Ok, see you soon. - Andrew said and left

I opened the envelope, curious to see what was inside. I don't remember ordering something. Also, it's addressed to me, not to the company. Inside, there was an invitation.

The family of Sarah and Sam is inviting you to a dinner at their new house tonight at 7 pm. If you come, it will mean a lot to us.

When Sarah said she would give us invitations, I didn't think it was for real. I wonder if Luke got one. I can call him, but his meeting has probably started. That's why I only texted him. He will see it after some time. I took my things and went to my lunch with Andrew. There is a restaurant nearby. I usually go there because it's close to my office.

- How are you today?

- I'm good.

- Did you open the envelope?

- Yes, it was an invitation for dinner. From Luke's brother and his wife.

- Interesting.

- She mentioned it, but I didn't think she was talking for real.

- It's a way to invite someone.

- They bought a new house. That's for what is this dinner.

- Good for them.

Andrew and I talked while eating. Later, we went back to work. Luke has answered my message. He got the same invitation as me. I guess we are going for dinner tonight. I spent the afternoon finishing my tasks for the day. No one gives me a certain amount of time for which I have to do them, but I like organizing my work. That way, I will have time for everything.

After work, I went home. Luke was already there with some bags. I guess he went shopping. Well, we have to bring something to this dinner. We can't go like that.

- Hello.

- Oh, hey.

- I see you came home early.

- Well, I asked if I could go home early because I had some work. It was only an hour earlier.

- It's still something.

- I went to take some things. The kids are little, so I got them toys.

- They are cute.

- Hopefully, they will like it.

- They will, for sure.

- Now I want something from you.

- What?

- I haven't seen you all day. Won't you greet me properly?

- I gladly will do it, but we don't have much time.

- Why do you have to be like that?

- Like what?

- It's not every day when I want something from you. - Luke said and came up to me

- What exactly do you want?

- A simple kiss? Is it that much?

- Seriously? You had to start with that in the beginning.

- Hold on! What were you thinking about?

- Never mind.

- Naughty girl. - he said, chuckling

- Let's get ready for dinner.

- Not without my kiss.

- Ok, fine. - I said and kissed him

Of course, he had to deepen it. It's not like I mind. I would love to do more, but I don't have the time for this. Lately, I feel like I don't have time for anything. Soon, he pulled away, and we got ready to go. When we arrived, it was 7:10 pm. I will count this on time. I knocked on the door, and Sam opened it.

- Hello. - I said

- Hey, thank you for coming.

- No problem.

- Come in. You want to eat and a tour, or tour and eating.

- Whatever you say.

- How are you, little brother?

- Will you ever stop calling me like that? I am not little anymore. - Luke said

- Maybe, but you always will be my little brother.

- Ok, whatever.

- Hi, Sarah.

- Hello.

- Hey, kids.

- Dad? What are you doing here?

- Well, we got invited for dinner. - mister Adams said

- You two are here again.

- I'm happy to see you, miss Adams. - I said

- You can leave the games. I won't fall for that.

- It wasn't a game, but ok.

- I want to show you the house. Sam's parents already saw it. - Sarah said

- Ok, take the lead.

They decorated the house very well. Honestly, almost nothing changed. The furniture is the same. They only have painted the walls. As I said, they would look fresher. Everything looks amazing. Sarah has put pictures of her and Sam all over their bedroom. I guess that it has been the same in their old house.

- Do you like it? - Sarah asked

- Everything is perfect. You did a good job.

- No, you did. Without you and Luke, we weren't going to do it.

- We didn't do anything.

- That's what you think.

- Can I know why all of us are here? You know what I mean. - Luke said

- Because we wanted to do everything at once. Otherwise, I have to cook twice. Don't forget that I am a mother of two.

- You can always ask for help.

- I know, but I prefer to do it myself. Also, that is a way for you to understand each other.

- Thanks, but I don't think it will happen.

After the house tour, we went back to the kitchen. Luke gave the bags to Sam. The kids were already in their chairs, eating. I won't lie. They are cute. I like it when I see someone with a kid, but not the idea of me having one.

- Honey, the house is perfect. You decorated it so well. - miss Adams said

- Thanks, mom. I have to give credit to Luke and Abby for the ideas. Also, they helped with the choice.

- Oh, I see. Now I know why the house is so tight.

- Mom.

- You have two kids. Maybe another one will come. You need more space.

- Mom, the money is mine. I will spend them the way I want.

- Luke, how are you? I see you are still with Abby. - mister Adams said

- Well, I am not leaving her.

- I didn't say that you have to. It's good to have someone by your side.

- I know.

Nothing else was said. Honestly, things were a bit awkward. I don't know what Sarah's idea was. It's not working. Miss Adams was ignoring us completely. It's like we weren't here at all. At least her husband was paying attention to us. Maybe I imagine things, but I see regret in his eyes. It's like he feels guilty. I still don't understand what the problem is. I didn't do anything to them. Neither did their son. He is not perfect, the same as Sam. Both of them deserve respect.

I excused myself and went to the bathroom. The thing is that I wanted to breathe for a while. Later, I went for a glass of water. I saw mister Adams sitting alone.

- Are you ok?

- Oh, hey, Abby.

- Hey.

- Can we talk in the backyard?

- Yeah, sure.

- Let's go.

- Is there a problem?

- I'm sorry for what my wife has said to you. Sam told me what had happened.

- It's ok. I'm over it.

- Look. I don't know how to say this.

- To say what?

- I'm sorry about my wife. I tried to talk with her and tell her that Luke didn't do anything. For some reason, she doesn't want to accept it. I think she is mad because he got his grandparents' house.

- What does he have to do with that? He didn't make them do it.

- I know, but she can't accept it. I have no idea why she is doing everything. Since they started going to school, she has been treating them differently. I tried to spend more time with Luke, but it wasn't the same. There were things only a woman could do.

- Well, no one can replace the mother.

- That's what I mean. I tried to make her talk to him, but she refused. She said if I ever went and apologized, she would leave me. I don't know if she meant it for real, but I didn't want to risk it. She is not perfect, but I love her. I know she is a good person. The thing is that I don't understand why she is treating them like that. You have nothing to do with that. She is saying all these things to you because of Luke. Abby, you didn't do anything. Don't take it personally.

- I'm glad you are saying all these things, but they don't change anything. She is still guilty.

- I know. I can try to talk with her again, but I don't think she will listen.

- Hey, don't ruin your marriage because of that. It's not worth it.

- What she is doing is wrong. I know it.

- Why are you not like her?

- Because I know my kids didn't do anything. Both of them are grown-up men who know what to do. I'm glad that he is still with you. I was afraid he might do something to make you go away.

- That won't happen. Believe it or not, I am treated like a princess. It's unnecessary, but I like it.

- Please, don't leave him. Even if I fix everything, it won't be the same. He loves you, Abby. He loves you a lot. I don't know if he can show it, but that is visible.

- He finds his ways. - I said, chuckling

- I will try to fix everything.

- Do what is best for you.

- I want things to be like they used to be.

- It's not my business, but if she treats him the same way again, I won't let her close.

- That is one of the things I will try to change.

- Ok. I would like to see it.

- I will try my best.

- We'll see, shall we?

- Let's go back to the kitchen. I want to try the cake Sarah made. - mister Adams said, chuckling

- Not only you.

We stayed with Sarah and Sam around 10 pm. Later, we went home. I still think about what mister Adams said. I want to believe him, but something makes me doubt. I better talk with Luke about this. We walked in, and I went into the bedroom. I want to rest. I didn't do much, but it was enough.

- Are you ok? - Luke asked

- Can we talk about something?

- Sure. Is there a problem?

- Look, I talked with your dad. Technically, he wanted to do it.

- I know everything.

- What?

- I saw you two leave. I thought he would do something like my mom. That's why I followed you. I didn't want to listen much until I heard what he said about me.

- Ok, then. Do you think he means it?

- I do. He did spend more time with me. Mom was ignoring me. I was ok with him, but I needed her. Well, when I was little. I don't need this woman anymore.

- No matter what you do, she always will be your mom.

- I know. It's better if my dad doesn't do anything. I don't want him to mess with her.

- Maybe he'll have success.

- I doubt it.

Luke and I talked for a while about that. I want to believe everything, but I can't. His dad might tell the truth, but I don't think he can change his wife. It doesn't hurt to try. At least he can do that. I want to talk with her too, but I don't want to listen to how badly she speaks about me. I mean, all the time. I would love to have a good conversation with her. Well, if that is even possible. I am starting to doubt this. There is a reason why she treats both of her kids differently. I want to know that, but I don't think she will talk to me. I hope I won't get hurt and disappointed when I decide to do it.