Chapter 15
"So, did Patience like her present?" Hilary
asked, as Michael chuckled. He was standing in the kitchen talking with his
sister on the phone. Patience said she'd stop by later to help him pack.
Michael was heading back home to visit. Patience was visiting
her family for a little bit and then was flying out to Maryland to spend New
Years Eve with Michael and his family. Patience's family was okay with the
situation, especially since her older brothers were going to be by and one of
them would have his children there. So, they were willing to give her some peace
and quiet.
"She swears I enjoyed it more, and that was mostly because I
wasn't wearing it." Michael said.
"Did it not fit?" Hilary asked.
"No, it fit perfectly. It just wasn't her usual type of
pajamas." Michael said. "But, you did amazing with it. The blue was a great
color for her."
"You told me what she looked like and I just knew." Hilary
said.
"She's coming up for New Years Eve. Apparently there will be
too many kids at her parent's celebration so they gave her permission to spend
it with us." Michael said. "So you guys will get to finally meet her."
"You know you're going to have to tell Mom she's coming. Mom
will have to find all your embarrassing baby pictures of you and set them out
for her to see." Hilary said.
The front door opened and Patience stepped in. Michael waved
to her while Hilary kept talking to him. Patience walked into the kitchen and
leaned onto the island by where Michael was leaning.
"I am not letting Mom set out any of my baby pictures. Unless
it's the ones we put in my book. She's already seen those, so they're okay."
Michael warned, not paying attention to Patience, who turned the call onto
speakerphone.
"Michael, it's a rite of passage for every significant other.
Every time a girlfriend in your case or a boyfriend in Whitney and I's case
comes to the house for a holiday, the baby pictures come out." Hilary's vice
came out of the speaker, surprising Michael a little.
"But, I'm the youngest and the only boy so I ended up with
the most embarrassing pictures. And they are not ones I want to show my
girlfriend." Michael said.
"But I wanna see embarrassing pictures." Patience said,
whining a little and making Michael smile at her.
"Hey Patience." Hilary said, laughter in her voice from
Patience's fake whining.
"Hey Hilary. Tell Debbie I want to see the baby pictures."
Patience said.
"Thank you. Michael just wasn't seeing out point." Hilary
said.
"I'll see you guys at the end of the month." Patience said.
"We're excited to finally meet you in person. We've been
hearing such good things from Michael that we're excited to meet you." Hilary
said.
"I gotta go start packing for the trip. I'll call you if I
end up getting in early." Michael said.
"Okay. See you soon little brother." Hilary said, then both
hung up. Michael turned to look at Patience.
"I really do want to see your embarrassing baby photos. I'll
even bring some of mine if it'll make you feel better." Patience suggested.
"Nah, doesn't help." Michael said.
"I'll wear my gift from your sister one more time before it
gets packed up, along with bringing my dance recital pictures." Patience
suggested.
"Add in awkward teenage year photos and you have a deal."
Michael said.
Patience chuckled. "You drive a hard bargain Mr. Phelps." She
said, glancing down at her watch. "Looks like I gotta go slip into something
comfortable." She said as she raced up the stairs.
Michael laughed and then followed her up.