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Going Home Chapter 13 Erika woke up the next morning and found herself looking up into Lance’s face. "Morning, Cupcake," he said softly. She smiled and stretched her arms above her head. After a moment she realized that she wasn’t wearing anything and the sheet had slipped away when she raised her arms. "Oops." Erika said, blushing as she pulled the sheet back into place. "That’s a great way to wake up," Lance said, smiling at her. "Oh, shut up!" she told him. She propped herself up on her elbows and kissed Lance. "What time is it, sweetie?" Lance glanced over at the clock. "Almost 9. Why?" "Oh no! I didn’t call Kevin last might to tell him that I wasn’t coming home. He’s gonna be so mad. Can you take me home?" "No problem. Before you go, I wanted to ask you to spend Christmas with me. I want you to come home to Mississippi with me and meet my family." Lance looked at her sincerely. Erika smiled up at him. "I would love to, but I really need to talk to Kevin first." Lance kissed her softly. "Sure, just let me know. I love you." "I love you too," Erika replied, tears of happiness glistening in her eyes. 15 minutes later she walked into the house and found Kevin waiting for her in the living room. He pulled her into his arms and held her tightly. "I was so worried. I’m so glad you’re OK." Kevin released her and looked at her sternly. "Now where were you?" he exploded. "I was with Lance," Erika said softly. "Kevin, I am so sorry I forgot to call. As soon as I woke up I came right home because I knew you’d be worried. I’m sorry." Kevin paced back and forth across the floor. He stopped right in front of her. "Did you sleep with him?" Erika gasped. "Kevin, that is none of your business." "Yes it is! I am responsible for you! You never came home last night and now I find out that you slept with someone who has probably slept with millions of girls across Europe and America. And all you can say is you’re sorry?" Erika was crying but she managed to look her brother straight in his eyes. "That’s not true and you know it Kevin," she struggled to keep her voice calm. "Not that you need to know because it’s none of your business, but that was his first time. it was also my first time and you have just managed to ruin it. I love him, Kevin and you can’t change that no matter what you say." With that she turned and ran up the stairs, still crying. Kevin dropped to the couch and buried his head in his hands. "You’re wrong, you know," a voice came from the doorway. "What?" he asked looking up. Katie came into the room. "I said, you’re wrong. You shouldn’t have yelled at Erika like that, Kevin. It wasn’t right. First, she’s 19. She’s old enough to make her own decisions. If she’s 19 and if she just slept with someone for the first time, he had to be special. Kevin, I believe her when she say’s she loves him. I also honestly believe that he loves her. Did you see them at the wedding? They couldn’t keep their eyes off each other. Their in love, Kevin. Erika wants to grow up...let her." Kevin’s shoulders slumped. "I know, honey. I know. It’s just hard for me. When dad died, he made me promise to look out for her, to help her and guide her. I know what Lance’s life is like, I live it. I just don’t want her to get hurt." "Baby, I know that you’re just trying to do what’s best for her. But Kev, you forget that she also knows what she’s getting into. She knows what it was like to have you away all the time. She’s smart, Kevin. Believe in her and trust her," Katie told him. Kevin stood up. "You’re right. I’m gonna go apologize." Erika was lying on her bed, still crying when Kim walked into the room. "Oh my god, Erika! What happened? Did something go wrong with you and Lance? Erika, you’re scaring me. Tell me what happened!" Erika say up and wiped the tears from her eyes. "I’m OK. I’m OK. Nothing happened with me and Lance. Actually, I just got home. I spent the night with him." Kim smiled. "That’s great, Erika. I’m really happy for the both of you. So what’s wrong?" "Kevin yelled at me when I got home. When he found out that I slept with Lance he took off on me. He said that I shouldn’t have slept with someone who has probably slept with millions of girls across the world," Erika told Kim, starting to cry again. "Erika, I’m sure he didn’t mean it. Even if he did, you know that it’s not true, so it doesn’t matter," Kim said. Erika wiped her tears away again. "OK, enough about me and my problems. How was your day with Nick after your night with Nick?" Erika asked, smiling slightly. "You knew?! Of course you knew. Anyway, he took me to meet his family. They are so wonderful, Erika. Some of the nicest people I have ever met," Kim said. "I know. I love his parents, and Aaron and Angel are the sweetest things," Erika replied and turned her head when she heard a knock on the door. Kevin poked his head in the room. "I’ll go and let you two talk," Kim said. She hugged Erika quickly and walked out of the room. "What do you want, Kevin? You made it clear downstaris that you don’t trust my judgment, so I don’t think I want to talk to you right now," Erika told him. Kevin sat down on the bed next to her. "Erika, I’m sorry I blew up at you like that. I was worried about you and when I found out that you slept with him, something in me snapped. It’s hard for me to realize that you’re not my little sister anymore. I just want what’s best for you. I apologize for what I said about Lance. I know he’s not like that. I was just worried that you’d get hurt when he leaves." "First, I will always be your little sister. I don’t want that to change. But I need you to trust in me and my judgment. Can you do that for me?" she asked. Kevin drew her into his arms. "I can, sweetie. I can." Erika started to cry again as she held onto her brother. "Kevin, before I forget, I wanted to ask you something. Lance asked me to come home with him to Mississippi for Christmas. He wants me to meet his family. I want to go, but I wanted to ask you first." "You can go, under one condition. You spend Christmas morning with me and Katie and Kim. Deal?" Kevin asked. Erika smiled at her brother. "Deal!"Next: Chapter 14 |