Signs

A few days after the incident:

Fahmeen's POV:

"Those are pretty."
Rolf plays with the few braids I've done as my hair has been getting long. I smile at him through the mirror, butterflies in my stomach as he kisses the side of my neck. We were getting ready for the day. First thing's first we'd go to this local breakfast spot and eat pancakes. Then, he'd have to disappear on his top secret wood sculpting mission. I've tried getting it out of him, but that man is keeping whatever he's building strictly confidential - from me anyways. Whenever the topic would come up, the family would share secret glances thinking I hadn't noticed. In particular, Elizabeth would get giggly and have to leave the room otherwise Rolf would get visibly frustrated.

"Come on then, trouble."
He's wearing one of his 'holiday' shirts, only because I bought it for him. He did make a good point saying coming back home wasn't exactly a holiday for him but apparently my face made the decision regardless. And so here he was, offering me his hand and standing there with the top few buttons undone and his skin glowing from the sun. I try to match with my summer dress and wedges, and he approves I'm guessing as he openly checks me out. When he stares at me like this, it takes me back to the beginning of our relationship. I could never quite get used to his attention. Nor get enough of it.

As we walk down the stairs, we find Elizabeth pottering about in the kitchen and Raven reading a book at the window seat. The girls were both students and they were off for the summer, hence why I got to see them most of the time I've been here.
"Off to Joey's again?" Joey's was the diner.
I nod to Elizabeth and she warmly smiles back at me. As a family, we've been trying to get back to normal after the whole Alex ordeal. And I must admit, it's working.

*Flashback*

"Hiya sweetheart, mind if I sit?"
"No." I tell him. It wasn't cold but I keep shivering.
Thomas sits next to me on the balcony with a heavy sigh. I know he's watching me, with those worried eyes. Eyes that belong to a father. A soft blanket falls on my back. I wasn't sure how to react to this. It felt... needed. It was as if he knew how to respond in situations like this. It was natural to him.
"You know you can tell me anything. Well, not anything." He slightly cringes and I giggle, covering my mouth as it was night time. Thomas pinches my cheek.
"You're a good kid. It's easy to forget just how young you are."
I open my blanket, wanting to share with him. He softly chuckles and brings me into his side, draping it on the both of us. I notice he gives me the longer side.

I didn't know how to speak of what had happened earlier at the party.
"Does it bother you? How me and Rolf got together?"
"No. It's unconventional, don't get me wrong but, it's exactly how it was supposed to be, sweetheart."
My heart grows bigger to fit in this family of mine.

*End of flashback*

She comes up to us, grabbing Rolf's face and kissing him on the cheek.
"Mom."
He's like a child again, wiping away at his cheek as she just laughs at him. Then her eyes land on me.

"Oh no Fahmeen, run!"

I burst into laughter and heed Angie's warning, taking off in whatever direction that led me away from Elizabeth's puckered lips. As I'm on the other side of the island, I see her buckled over, her face tear stained and body shaking in giggles. Rolf and Raven stand by, with huge smiles on their faces watching us.
"Ang, help!" I stare in fake horror at their mother's approach and she's got her arms out like a zombie, lips still puckered. I run opposite and clash into Rolf, who then picks me up and puts me over his shoulder.
"I've got her mom, I'll give her all the kisses she needs."
As he smacks my ass, I blush ashamedly hearing their laughter on our way out.

I pretend to be upset and huff as I sit in the car, waiting for him.
"What? I saved you." He puts on his shades and tries to ignore me.
"You just had to spank me in front of your mother and sisters."

He sighs.
"You're lucky I didn't give all your kisses yet. Would've made a show out of it too. You're looking damn fine in that dress, baby."

Suddenly, I'm really warm and blushing from his compliment.
"All is forgiven."
Rolf smirks, reversing out of the driveway.
"I sure hope so." His eyes shine with a sexy gleam.

...

"Here, finish mine."
He piles on two of his leftover pancakes and drinks from his coffee. They're big pancakes, filling the rim of the plate.
"Are you sure?" I've been ravenous and he's noticed.
He raises his eyebrows at me and I look down sheepishly, immediately tucking into my second helping.

I love Joey's. Whenever we come, it's near enough empty and the sweet smell of syrup and coffee always wet my appetite. To my right, I see Rolf's truck parked just outside and to my left is the bar where you order and pay. The decor is old fashioned, and it's got wooden floor and panels. It's got a grandpa vibe, I mean we're the youngest customers I've seen as of yet.

"What are you thinking about?" His eyes watch me as he sips and occasionally glances at his newspaper. He's such a grandad himself.
"How much of an OAP you are."
His faces scrumples in confusion.
"What's an OAP?"
I scoff and am enjoying myself too much toying with him.
"Old age pensioner, duh."
His eyes slightly widen and he raises one eyebrow.
"Oh really?"

Then he snatches away my pancakes and I'm pouting, desperate to have them back.
"No, no I'm sorry I didn't mean that!" I reach for the plate but he just lifts it away. I'm standing up now, leaning over our table and towards his evil smile.
"A little closer." He mumbles as I obliviously keep my eyes on the pancakes. Then when I've gone far enough, he grabs my face.
"Gotcha."
And kisses my lips. I taste the syrup and I guess he tasted it on mine as he moans, ignoring the fact that we're in a public space. I let him carry on whilst I reach for the plate and once I've gotten hold of it, I pull away and sit back down.
"Thank you very much." I smile, digging in once more.
He looks a little dazed and just watches me, lost in that kiss.
"No, thank you."

*Flashback *
"He won't hurt you again. Not him, nor your father."
Thomas makes me look at him.
"Me and Rolf? We're the only men you need in your life."

...

"You can drop me off at River's. I want to see how he's doing."
Rolf doesn't respond but nods, looking straight ahead at the road. We were driving back from Joey's and he was off to continue his wood work. He goes to this nearby wood shop and meets up with others like him. It's cute.
"Are you okay with that?"

I can't help but ask as I remember that night and how River looked at me. Rolf didn't like it. I... didn't know what to think of it and I haven't dared to find out.
"I trust you. I trust him." He nods, as if he's working something out in his mind.
"There's nothing to worry about."
I smile at him and touch his arm.
"No, there isn't."
As I kiss his cheek, Rolf closes his eyes for a few seconds.
I see Sandra tending to the garden and it's been a while since I've last seen her. I'm quick to leave the car and I don't hear what Rolf had said.
"Sandra!"
She smiles as she sees me and stops chopping the excess grass. We hug and I continue for a few seconds longer. As I pull away, she still looks ahead but at Rolf who's waiting in the car. He doesn't seem to notice her looking at him.

"You haven't met?" I realise and I find it strange, considering how she's been working for River's family since Rolf would've been a kid. They were bound to bump into each other.
"He hasn't seen me yet."
Sandra says this with a distant look in her eye. Her choice of words seem, strange. But I try to ignore the vibe I was getting and wave goodbye at Rolf. He smiles at me before pulling away.

"So, how is he?"
River had to stay at the hospital for a few days as the internal injuries were keeping him under observation. But he's back now and I presume has been cared for by Sandra.
"He is slowly getting better. Master River is strong."
When she says that I remember what he's been through. Who he'd lost. I was keen to see him.
"Take me to him, please."