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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Sept 11, 2017 21:05:22 GMT -8
Gwen's Parents' HouseLocated in Somerset, England and taking place on New Years Eve, 2003.  |
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Post by Kristi Lynne on Dec 4, 2017 13:15:30 GMT -8
Gwen closed the French doors behind her, welcoming the relative silence of the patio. The inside of her parents’ estate was still echoing with raucous laughter and celebration as everyone toasted the happy couple, Helena and Neil, on their impending nuptials. As her eyes adjusted to the dimming light, she saw her brother, Julian, reclining in one of the patio chairs, a glass in one hand and their father’s brandy decanter in another. He held the bottle up towards her with a questioning look, and she nodded emphatically.
She took the glass he offered and sat in a nearby chair.
“So…” he began, his hands forming the words in sign language. He’d been deaf since birth and even though the rest of the family had learned enough for basic communication, Gwen was the only one committed to having full conversations with him. It was like their own secret code. “Our sister’s getting married?”
“It would seem that way,” she signed in response.
“He’s kind of a jerk.”
“I totally agree.”
“Loads of money, though. He can keep Helena living in the manner to which she has become accustomed.”
“And God help him if he doesn’t,” she responded, sharing a laugh.
Julian leaned forward in his chair. “They’re all proud of you, too, Gwen.”
“Yeah, for about five seconds till Helena decided to deliver her good news.”
“Who cares? You have a nice house, nice friends, a job that you love with a promotion now, and that guy…what was his name?”
“Nathan. And no, that didn’t work out.”
“Gwen!”
“What? I tried. I really did try. But it didn’t work out.”
“You’re hopeless.”
“Not all of us can have stable relationships, baby brother,” she declared. “By the way, Sharon’s very nice.”
“She is, isn’t she? And she’s obviously got good taste in men. She did pick me, after all.”
“Oh, I don’t know. Are you sure she’s of sound mind?”
“Sod off.”
She giggled and took another drink of brandy.
“Gwen, I’m glad you came back for the holidays.”
“Me, too,” she replied. “Still don’t have anyone to kiss at midnight, though.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll kiss you.”
“Thanks, but that would be weird.”
“Yeah, I guess it would be weird. But the offer still stands.”
“Thanks, but no thanks.”
He held up his glass. “To 2004. May it be full of pleasant surprises.”
“I’ll drink to that,” she agreed, clinking glasses with him and smiling.
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