Theon
" I can't believe she did that! " Lara exclaimed when I told her that Callie had introduced Harper to Samantha without my knowing.
We were having a relative heat wave for that time of year, and the streets were full of people enjoying the morning of mild sunshine and temperatures bordering on 77 degrees.
Lara took the opportunity to walk with Daphne, and I met them both near the store as I left for lunch. Ever since I found out about what Callie had done, I had avoided going to my mother's house. I still wasn't sure that I could talk to my sister without saying things that I would regret later, and really offend her this time, so I preferred to keep my distance.
" She did," I said dismayed, "in the end it wasn't so bad, since thanks to that Harper and I got along, but Samantha didn't have to go through something like that.”
" And have you talked to Callie yet? " she asked.
" If I talk to her now, our conversation won't be civilized at all," I admitted, "Mama is insisting that I take Samantha to meet her, but how can I do that if every time I turn my back, Callie offends her in some way?”
" Have you talked about this? Maybe it would be good for her to realize that we are not all the same.”
" I've thought about it, but I'm not sure," I admitted, "she got along with Harper, as much as possible, but I don't want to force anything on her that makes her uncomfortable.
We walked side by side towards the town square, where a series of water jets set into the ground formed a fountain where children liked to have fun in the summer.
" In my opinion, it will be more uncomfortable if you spend too much time there," she insisted, "she might think that you don't think well of her, that's the view she already has, at least. Or worse, that you don't consider her good enough to present to us.”
I absorbed that advice. Is my sister right? Samantha might think that I was hiding her from my family.
" I'll handle this," I assured, still thoughtful.
We rounded the fountain, entering a tree lined pedestrian path that would take us back to the store, when something caught my attention. Samantha was a few meters away, sitting on one of the benches, observing the movement around her.
" What was it? " Lara frowned.
" Samantha," I pointed to where the mother of my son was sitting.
" Ohh, and are you going to introduce us, or pretend you don't know her? " Lara teased, noticing that she looked in our direction.
I pondered for a moment, there was no escaping that introduction, and no reason to, I knew that Lara would be more sensitive to our situation than Callie.
" Let's go," I murmured, approaching the bench.
As soon as she noticed us approaching, she stood up, looking uncertain as to how she should act in the current situation.
" Theon, hi…”
" Good afternoon, Samantha," I leaned over, kissing her cheek, "how are you?”
" Well, we're fine," she smiled before looking in the direction of Lara, who was waiting patiently for me to introduce her.
" Samantha, this is my sister Lara and my niece," I introduced them as she greeted me with a polite smile.
" It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Samantha. I've heard a lot about you," she assured.
Samantha alternated her gaze between the two of us, not knowing how to react to that comment.
" Don't worry, I've heard only good things, I assure you," she winked.
Samantha was a little relieved, although she still seemed tense about the situation.
" It's a pleasure to meet you," Samantha babbled, watching my niece in her mother's arms with curiosity.
" This is Daphne," Lara explained with a smile, proudly showing off her daughter.
Samantha matched her smile with a little more naturalness.
" She is beautiful," she assured, hesitantly bringing her hand to the baby's face.
Daphne smiled at Samantha's caress, causing her to instinctively retract her hand.
" She liked you," Lara assured her, "She doesn't usually like just anyone.”
A gleam came over the mother of my son's eyes as she watched my niece, returning to caressing her face in a less hesitant manner.
" How old is she?”
" Almost five months old. At first I thought I wouldn't be able to handle it, but now I know I can.”
Samantha frowned, watching the two of us with a thoughtful expression, and I could imagine what was going on in her mind. We didn't feel ready either, and in a few months we would have no alternatives.
" I know what you are thinking Samantha, and we have a lot to talk about," my sister assured me, "maybe we should meet at another time.”
" Ohh, I don't know," Samantha stammered, looking in my direction, not knowing what to say.
I pondered for a moment if this was a good idea, leaving Samantha in Lara's company without knowing her so well? Would she be comfortable with this? On the other hand, I trusted my sister, and knew that she, unlike Callie, understood our situation and would be sensitive in dealing with Samantha.
" let's arrange something, but for now I have to go," Lara decided to give Samantha some time to get used to the idea.
" It was a pleasure to meet you, Lara," Samantha assured her with a slight smile.
" Tell Mama that until the weekend I'll drop by " I hugged my sister.
Samantha and I watched side by side as my sister and niece walked away. It wasn't long before her attention returned to me.
" I was going to work and stopped for a while to rest," she explained.
" I can walk with you if you like," I proposed.
The only response I got was a small smile before she walked back toward the school. I had no difficulty in accompanying her as I thought of something to discuss with the mother of my son.
" So, you went out with Lillian and Dominic yesterday? " I let out the first thing that came to mind.
" Ohh yes, it was a lot of fun," a genuine smile lit up her face for the first time since we met that day.
" They're good girls," I assured her.
" Well, I ended up telling them about our situation," she stopped walking, giving me a worried look, "I hope you don't mind.”
" Don’t Mind? Samantha, this is ridiculous," I assured her, "I told you, I have no interest in hiding our situation. You are the mother of my son, nothing will change that.”
A shy smile lit up her face before she looked away and started walking again. I watched her for a few moments before following her. She was proving to be an amazing woman, and I was glad to be getting along with her.
" We're in this together, Sam," I assured her.
Her workplace came into our line of vision, causing me to slow down a bit in an attempt to increase our time together.
" You know, Theon, since you said so, I have something to ask you," she stopped walking once more.
" What is it? " I frowned, feeling my curiosity taking over.
" I have to have an ultrasound in Vail on Friday," she explained, "I'm not sure how to get there.”
" You just give me the address and time and we'll go together," I assured her as I understood what she wanted.
" Won't that get in your way? " she asked, "I can manage.”
" Don't worry, I want to participate. I want to be present in every detail, that's why I brought you to Aspen. You don't have to fear getting in my way, you can ask for anything you need," I emphasized, receiving a grateful smile in return.
We walked back and soon we reached the door of the school, Samantha looked around, sighing.
" I have to go, Apollo. I'll see you Friday?
" Good class, Sam. Then text me the information," I asked as I said goodbye to her.