Shattered Girl (Emmy)

Chapter 139

"Mom, she's been sick, I overheard Patrick on the phone. Curious, I wandered over to him to see what was going on. I sat beside him on the couch, giving him a questioning look.

"Hold on a second, Mom, Patrick said, muting the phone. Mom wants you and me to come for dinner when you feel better," he told me.

"Sounds good to me," I told him, kissing him and then picking up one of the many books I had spread across the house.

I was finally feeling better after almost a week of sickness. My fever had taken three days to break, and when it finally did, I slept like the dead. None of the guys had gotten sick, and while I was happy I hadn't spread the cold around, I was grumpy that they weren't suffering like I was Drew felt this cold had made me so sick because of all the stress I had been under, and even though I didn't want to admit it...he was probably right.

Patrick and I headed to his parent's house for dinner with his mom the following evening. The

e six of us had a long talk yesterday and decided to set up date nights so everyone would have some one-on-one time with me. I also brought up that while I knew they all wanted to help and fix things for mic, there were times I tried to handle things myself without them taking over, and that if I said I needed time to myself, not to argue with me. Josh had grumbled over the last part but agreed, and I promised that if something got too stressful, I would let them know and ask for help.

When Patrick parked in the driveway of his parent's house, I noticed several of their cars were missing.

"Are your dads not home tonight?"

"No, they had some work stuff to deal with. It's just us and Mom tonight," Patrick told me as he came around and helped me out of the car. Hand in hand, we made our way up to the house, where Shannon was waiting for us.

"Oh my dear sweet girl, I'm so glad to see you feeling better," Shannon hugged me close, and I fought the urge to melt into her. She gave the best mom hugs.

Emmy out if she wasn't feeling up to it." I giggled as Shannon continued to scold her son as she led us inside. We slipped our shoes off and left them next to the shoe

up the jacket Josh had insisted I bring, then

Mom," Patrick

about five minutes, so why don't you kids go sit down, and I will be

kissing me before returning to the kitchen

have soda, or do you want water?" Shannon called from the kitchen... "Water is good," I called

the drinks, and Patrick followed behind her, carrying the Shepard Pie. He set the steaming dish in the center of the table before sitting next to

how much I loved it." I admitted as I took the plate; Patrick passed it to

promised me, "I will make sure you have the recipe before you move into your new place. When you're feeling better, I want to review some recipes and anything else you need." She continued. "Hey," Patrick complained. You never did that for me when I

put in front of you, but you are welcome to come with Emmy if you want." She

coffee after finishing dessert that Shannon mentioned a

to talk to you about something I wish I

and I

she sipped her coffee. It will be painless, I promise, but I know how determined you all

and I just wanted to share

don't want to discuss with you, and I would prefer you didn't discuss

I girlfriend."

said with a smile. It's just that unconventional relationships are as much work, if not more, than conventional ones. It's hard enough with two people's needs, but it is even more challenging the more people you add. "That's very true, I said as I shifted to lean against Patrick. He wrapped