Chapter 55: Dinner Table

-Molly's POV-

By the time the plane landed in the states, I was in a weird state of exhaustion and excitement. The flight had been long, as it always was, and I knew I was suffering from jet lag. But I also knew that as soon as we landed, Scott would be there waiting for us, and I couldn't wait to see him.
I couldn't believe how much I had missed him. We texted and emailed often. But hadn't actually had a chance to talk on the phone again. I was kind of pissed at his father for keeping him so busy. But if there had been some sort of emergency in the company, I supposed it was to be expected.
But now I was home, and I couldn't wait to be in his arms again. The moment the seat belt light was off after we landed, I practically jumped out of my seat and grabbed our carry-on.
"Whoa, Molls," my mother murmured sleepily. "Give everyone a minute to clear. I don't want to have to fight the crowd."
"You go ahead and wait, Mom. I just want to get off this plane. I've been on it enough," I excused myself.
I was one of the first ones off the plane and practically raced down the hallway to get out to the greeting area. Standing on my tiptoes, I scanned the room, looking for Scott's familiar face or hair.
But I didn't see him there.
He had texted me yesterday and promised he was going to be the one to pick us up. A sense of disappointment slowly bloomed in my stomach as people began to greet their loved ones, but there was no sign of mine.
"Looking for someone," a voice whispered in my ear.
I squealed and spun around to see the face I had been dying to see standing behind me.
"Scott!" I cried and threw my arms around him.
He chuckled and wrapped his arms around my waist. "Hey, baby girl."
I was a little embarrassed by my enthusiasm, but Scott just buried his face in my hair and held me tightly.
"God, it's not fair that you smell so good in public," he whispered before setting me down.
"I just spent half a day on a plane. I smell awful," I refuted with a sardonic giggle.
Scott tweaked my hair slightly. "Baby girl, I haven't been able to smell you in two weeks. You smell amazing to me."
I couldn't help giggling again. "You're so weird!"
"Scott!" my mother's voice rang out. "I'm so glad to see you!"
Irritation rushed through me, and I had to quell it. I hadn't wanted to be out of my mother's presence since I was fourteen. But right then, I wished we were anywhere but in the middle of an airport.
My mother began to babble about the flight and everything that had happened since Paul and Scott had left.
It really hadn't been much, but Mom managed to keep the conversation going until we were home again. I was glad she managed to keep up the conversation because I couldn't think of anything except how close Scott was to me.
The entire car smelled like him, causing every breath to be filled with Scott's scent. He was soo close to me that I could reach out and touch him.
Except that I couldn't. Not with my mother sitting just as close to us.
I knew that I had opted to keep this a secret, and Scott had agreed, but that didn't mean I couldn't wish the circumstances were different.
If Scott had been anyone else, I would still be kissing him. I felt a little frustrated at the situation. Actually, that was putting it mildly. I was beyond frustrated and was starting to feel extremely resentful.
It was getting more and more difficult to hide my desire for Scott. I wanted to be around him, just to be near him. Listening to his laughter filled my heart with joy.
He was giving my mother his entire attention, even though he already knew half of what she was saying. He was so sweet to her. It really made my heart melt for him.
I smiled softly and leaned back against the seat. My eyes drifted shut as I listened to Scott and Mom chat upfront.
I must have drifted off to sleep because the next thing I knew, the car door was opening, and I felt Scott's arms wrap around me.
"If you are awake, don't open your eyes. I need you in my arms," Scott whispered to me. "I'm not ready to let you go just yet."
My lips turned up in a small, almost imperceptive smile, letting him know I had understood him. I agreed with him and was more than willing to keep up the ruse just to stay in his arms.
"Is that Molly?" Paul's voice echoed through the small courtyard.
"Yes. Molly fell asleep in the back, and I didn't want to wake her. It's a long flight, and you know she has a hard time sleeping on planes," Scott explained.
His explanation was so rational that even I almost believed him.
"She should have just taken some melatonin and gotten to sleep," Paul grumbled.
"She doesn't care for them, Dad. I'm just gonna take her to her bed," Scott told them.
I could hear Paul grumbling as Scott carried me inside to my bed.
I thought he would leave me then, but instead, he just crawled into my bed and pulled me close. I sighed in approval and buried my face further into his chest.
"So you really did miss me," Scott commented with a chuckle.
I giggled sleepily and nodded. I knew I had missed Scott. But now that I was surrounded by him, I realized just how MUCH I missed him.
"Good, I'm glad," he replied as he pressed a kiss on my forehead.
"Did you miss me?" I inquired tentatively.
"Baby girl, I just carried you up from the car while pretending you were still asleep just so I didn't have to let you go yet... what do you think?" he asked, pressing another kiss on my forehead.
I giggled again and snuggled closer. The feeling of Scott's arms around me hastened my hurtle towards sleep.
"Good night, baby girl," Scott whispered against my forehead.
I murmured something as I drifted off. I didn't know what it was, but a quick squeeze of his arms told me that I had gotten my point across.
By the time I woke up, it was already dark outside. I rolled over in bed, looking for Scott. But he was already gone. His loss was acute until I remembered that I was home and he couldn't be far away.
I felt a little awkward and like a young teenage girl in her first relationship. It was odd how badly I wanted to see him again so soon after our cuddle session in bed. But I couldn't help it.
I rushed to shower and dress, then practically raced downstairs to look for everyone.
Most of the house was dark and quiet as I walked through the main floor. The soft sound of clinking cups drew me to the dining area. A peal of laughter grew louder as I got closer, and a small smile parted my lips when I heard Scott's husky chuckle following his father's.
I entered the dining room, and immediately the laughter cut off. I paused, feeling like I had just stepped into a place I wasn't wanted. Looking around anxiously, I relaxed slightly when I saw Scott and my mother's welcoming smiles.
However, when I looked over at Paul, there was a shadow of irritation on his face. I felt slightly guilty that I had shown up late to dinner and annoyed him. I knew that time management was a big deal for him.
"Sorry. I must have been more tired than I thought," I told Paul.
"It's alright, Molls," Scott answered for his father. "We all know what jet lag feels like."
Scott got up and pulled out a chair next to him at the table.
"Sit down. The cook left plenty here," Scott encouraged me.
"But if it's cold, you'll just have to accept it. We've already sent the cook home for the night," Paul warned me, the displeasure obvious in his voice.
I couldn't help but frown at him. While Paul had only ever really been warm and loving towards my mother, he had never been so incredibly rude to me.
It might have been the low light or my still tired, hazy gaze. But I could have sworn Paul was glaring at me.