The door bell went off when Amy was amidst towel drying her hair. The blond locks assumed a curly pattern from being exposed to water when she showered. She tighten her bathrobe and went out while tying a towel on her head. Some strands were left loose that beautifully framed her makeup free face.
"Yes?" She said as she opened the door and her eyes lit up in recognition when she saw who it was.
Nora and Ian did not expect such a scene. Amy's eyes were bright and blue, her long lashes flattered the blue orbs, her cheeks had on a beautiful rosy color, her lips were full and plump, and from the way her mounds stood behind the robe, it meant she was naked underneath. Both Aunt and Nephew swallowed a hard lump in their daze.
Nora was the first to snap out of it and noticed Ian's Adam's apple wobble from such a swallow. And do we have here? Alex had sent Ian along with her to keep her in check since she insisted on coming to get Amy but what was this familiar scene. But wait, was this how idiotic she looked just now while looking at Any? She cleared her throat before looking back at Amy.
"Mrs. Standford, mom said to tell you breakfast is ready, but of course, you and I can make plans of our own", she threw a seductive wink at her.
Amy ignored her and looked at Ian. "Tell your grandma, I'll be there in twenty."
? "Right", Ian snapped out of his reverie after hearing her say his name.
Amy gave a small smile at Nora before closing the door in her face. She heard the sound of the locks go off inside Amy's house.
"Ah! Come on! I wasn't going to do anything!" Nora shouted in disappointed. "Maybe?" She added quietly.
She looked at Ian before a smirk played on her lips. Her eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint as she swing an arm over his shoulder. She leaned into his ear and whispered.
"I know your dirty little secret."
Ian shrugged away her arm and walked on as he said with his usual impassive expression. "I'm not sure I'm following."
"Just now, that was a 'you look so good I want to fuck you' look you gave Emily", she said with a sly smile playing on her lips.
"I don't know what you're talking about", he denied despite the redness of his ears and the thumping of his heart saying otherwise.
"Is that right?" She asked. He heard her go quiet before she suddenly burst out, "Ian has a- mmmmm!"
He was quick to jump to her side and cup her mouth so she doesn't spew nonsense. She fell into a victorious laugh though it came out muffled. Ian felt something warm and slimy make contact with his palm before he quickly removed his hand.
"Ew! Aunt Nora!" He grimaced as he wiped the saliva off his hand against his jeans.
"Your hand tastes like weed", she muttered in observation. Ian froze the moment he heard that. Seeing his state, she smacked the back of his head before swinging an arm over his shoulder. "You punk, don't you know it's rude to keep the good stuff to yourself?"
Ian looked at her befuddled only to find her grinning. While his friends got cool yet crazy uncles, he had a crazy Aunt who could fill in the role just fine or even better. Sometimes she felt more like a sibling than a elder, probably because their age difference wasn't that much. He fell into a laugh before they got a move on. When Alex saw them walk in whilst laughing, she sighed at the sight. Maybe she should have gone to get Amy herself.
As said, Amy finished dressing up within twenty minutes. She loved sweats because they were stretchy and comfortable. She topped it with a matching hoodie which still showed her baby bump. She had tied up her hair into a ponytail because they might do some baking even though Stella is injured.
She knocked once before walking in. The house echoed with chatter and a sound coming from the television.
"Aunt Emily!" Stacy run towards her and hugged her legs.
"Not too fast honey, don't forget, your Aunt Emily has a bun in the oven", Alex gently reminded.
"Sorry, Aunt Emily", Stacy looked up with her cute eyes sparkling as she apologized.
Amy smiled and caressed her cheek, "Don't worry. Just slow down okay?"
"Mm", Stacy answered as Amy took her hand in hers.
She exchanged some greetings with the rest, hugging Alex and Richard. She looked around and saw Stella seated in the living room. She walked over while ignoring Nora's flying kisses as she settled next to Stella. She pecked the older woman's cheeks before relaxing in her seat.
"You look like you haven't slept", Stella commented as she took in Amy's face.
Amy gasped as she cupped her cheeks, "Does it show?"
Stella nodded in response with evident worry. Amy looked at Stacy who sat beside her to find her mimicking her actions as she nodded away. Amy chuckled at the cuteness and pinched her cheeks. Stacy fell into a giggle at Amy's actions. Amy took advantage of that started tickling her.
"Aunt Emily! Aunt Emily!" Stacy cried out in between laughter.
Stella could not help but laugh at the exchange. She found it cute how the two got along so well. Her heart melted when she saw the sight. Soon, it would be Amy and her little one. Everyone was all smiles as the house echoed with Stacy's laughter.
"Breakfast is ready!" Alex shouted with a chuckle. "Ian and Nora set the table!"
Since Stella was in the living room, they set the table there. Amy had stopped tickling Stacy as she now conversed with Stella. Ian could not help but steal glances at her as he set the table. As he walked back to the kitchen, he found Nora giving him a knowing gaze and smirk as she went to set things down the coffee table. Ian looked away with his ears and cheeks burning red.
"What's with you two?" Richard cast a suspicious gaze between the two as he went to sit down.
"Right? They're up to something", Alex commented as she also sat down.
"Don't know what you're talking about", Nora was barely fighting a grin as she saw Ian's ears burn red.
Richard shook his head before redirecting his gaze towards his wife. "Can we change it to the news channel?"
"Dad!"
"Grandpa!"
"Richard, it's eight in the morning! Why can't we watch something else?"
Richard stared at them befuddled at the complaints. Even Stacy complained about it. He let out a hearty laugh but obviously amused. He held up his hands in surrender.
"I just want to see what's on the headlines", he defended in between laughter.
"Just the headlines! And don't change to a sports channel!" Stella warned.
"Yes, yes", he said as he took the remote.
Alex reached over to serve her mother when Amy stopped her with a gesture. Alex eased back in her seat as Amy took over the task. Stella's heart warmed up when she saw this. It seemed Amy knew her favorites and the amount she mostly ate.
"BREAKING NEWS! THREE BODIES HAVE BEEN FOUND BURNED DOWN IN AN ABANDONED BUILDING IN ****. THE AUTHORITIES HAVE IDENTIFIED THEM TO BE A MR. ALEX MORRIS, MR. CHRISTOPHER JONES, AND MR. DANIEL CORDEN...."
As the news anchor announced their names, pictures of the men appeared on screen one by one. Amy's hand movements stopped as she felt a sickening twist in the pit of her stomach.
"Emily? Are you alright?" Stella carefully asked when she noticed Amy's face pale.
"Huh? Oh? It's just.... disturbing", she managed to reply.
"Richard change the channel", Stella said immediately.
Richard complied and changed the channel. Amy resumed piling up food for Stella but she could not help but mull over the news. Her heart was thudding wildly from it despite her calm composure. Those three men, she knew them. On the night before, she had a conversation with Zach about it.
'This only means.....'