Tainted Heart

Hope was in her room getting ready for dinner when she heard the front door open.

"Honey I'm home!" Carli yelled from downstairs dropping her keys on the table. She went over to the fridge and grabbed a water bottle, then headed upstairs to find Hope. Carli knocked on the door, not waiting for a response before she let herself in.

"You better be decent cuz I'm coming in," she announced as she walked in, half covering her eyes with a smirk on her face.

"You're supposed to wait for me to say it's ok to come in," she chuckled and walked out of the walk in closet holding up two shirts for Carli to give her opinion.

"The blue one, brings out your eyes," Carli said plopping down on Hope's bed. "So what's going on? Are you done freaking out about Kelley's half ass confessed love to you?"

Hope stopped her walk back to the closet and turned to give Carli her best glare.

"Those don't work on me Solo, you should know that," she said raising an eyebrow at Hope. "Anyways how'd it go today after you called?"

"Well I met her nephews today..." she walked back to the closet to find a pair of pants.

"Wait I thought that wasn't happening until dinner tonight?" She asked confused.

"I thought so too but I went over to Kell's work after I left and she asked me to go with her and I couldn't say no," she came out with a pair of pants, holding them out again for Carli to look at. "The little one loves me," she smiled remembering how much Jordan had talked to her, asked her questions, and the hug he had given her when they dropped her off at her car.

"The other one, the oldest one, I'm not so sure...he probably only spoke two words to me the whole time. I'm pretty sure he was glaring at me at some point." Now that Hope thought about it, he had not given her the time of his day, like he was just being protective over Kelley, or something. Hope wondered if that's how Kelley's brother was.

"Well look at you winning over the little dudes, well one of them at least, that's gotta count for sex points or something," Carli stated very seriously until she saw Hope's shocked reaction at what she had said.

"Did you just- like really Carli, really?" Her friend was something else for sure. "How am I friends with you? You're like a-ugh nevermind." She said in an exasperated tone, walking over to grab another pair of pants from the closet since Carli had shut down both first two choices.

Carli got her phone out when she heard her text notification go off. She smiled down at her phone.

"Care to share?" Hope asked a little smile making its way to her lips. Carli just shrugged it off.

"It's just - its nothing, it's nothing. I'm here to help you process the love confession, let's move on to that," she said putting her phone down, "what's going on your head Hope, isn't it good? I mean don't you love her too...?"

"I umm I don't - I mean I do, I think. I'm still processing how fast we've gotten so close. I know I'm on that road, she has been something really special since the beginning Car. She's different, what I feel for her...it's different than anything else I've ever experienced. And as much as I want to take it slow with her I can't help but just want to go all in." She finished sitting on her bed bringing her hands to her face.

"Then tell her that." Carli said, Hope gave her a slight confused look, "you don't need to tell her you love her, just tell her what you told me and that's all she's going to need to hear."

"It's not that easy Carli."

"But it is with her. You've told me how easy it's been with you two since the beginning, how easy it was for you to let your guard down, for you to let her in. She makes everything easy AND simple and I think that's good for you, considering shit has never been easy OR simple for you. So just tell her." Carli was now sitting by Hope with her hand on her shoulder.

"Have I told how much I love you?" Hope said resting her head on Carli's shoulder.

"Me yes, Kelley not so much," she laughed earning a slap from Hope on her arm.

"Ouch!"

"You're terrible!" She yelled getting up, grabbing her clothes and heading over to the bathroom to change, knowing Carli wouldn't even try to give her privacy in her own room.

"You're welcome!" Carli yelled back still laughing.

At the O'Hara household, Kelley was getting ready in her room while her brother finished cooking dinner. He had insisted on cooking himself without any help from Kelley. She knew in a way he was trying to impress Hope too.

Jordan had come in to Kelley's room and settled in the bed with his drawing book, asking question after question about Hope. As soon as he had found out that she was coming over for dinner he decided to draw something for her like he had told her he would.

Kelley just smiled at the little one, answering all of his questions.

"Alright squirrel I gotta change, meet you downstairs ok?" Kelley said to Jordan and he just smiled.

"Do you think she's gonna like it?" He said holding up his drawing for Kelley to see.

"She's gonna love it," Kelley winked at him.

"Yay!" He said jumping off the bed and walked towards the door to head down stairs.

To say Hope was getting nervous each passing minute was an understatement. She had texted Kelley asking her if she should bring something, to which Kelley had answered: 'Just your little butt Hopey.' Hope had rolled her eyes and had replied: 'I'm rolling my eyes at you right now.' All Kelley had texted back was a wink emoji.

Hope decided to stop and get some flowers for Kelley. She didn't know what kind of flowers Kelley favored so she had bought her favorite ones, red roses.

She had never given flowers to anyone, Kelley was the first. The first at many things for Hope.

"Alright Hope, get it together you're a Solo for god sakes," Hope gave herself a pep talk in front of Kelley's door before ringing the door bell. She heard Kelley yell something and then the door opened.

"Hi." Hope said feeling herself getting a little flustered.

"You got me flowers!" Kelley exclaimed melting at the sight of Hope holding the red roses.

"Oh these?" She pointed at the roses, "nah these are for Jordan." She kept a stern face trying to fight the smile on her face.

"I knew it, I should have known," Kelley said bringing her hand to her chest faking hurt. She pulled Hope towards her and brought their lips together, her hand going to the back of Hope's neck to deepen the kiss a little.

"Mm.. as much... as I'm loving this.....we got a dinner to get to," she said in between kisses, finally pulling away from Kelley.

"Ugh! Well finish this later," Kelley quietly growled opening the front door all the way.

"Here these are for you, I didn't know what kind of flowers you liked so I got my favorites instead," Hope said nervously, extending the arm holding the flowers towards Kelley.

"Thank you," Kelley said taking the roses from Hope. She gave Hope a kiss on her cheek and before fully pulling away she brought her lips to Hope's ear, "Lilies, I like Lilies." she said before stepping aside and ushering her inside the house.

As soon as she walked in she heard tiny footsteps tuning towards her, and then he heard him yell her name, sort of.

"Hopey!" Jordan yelled reaching Hope with the biggest smile on his face. She kneeled down and he wrapped his tiny little hands around her neck almost making her fall.

"Hey squirrel" she said balancing herself so that she didn't fall.

Kelley was looking at the two humans in front of her with adoration. She was over the moon that Jordan had taken such a liking to Hope. Though it didn't surprised her at all, he was Kelley's nephew and they were so much alike, including the little respect they both had for personal space.

"What's with the running and the yelling Jordan?" Kelley's bother asked while walking into the living room holding a spoon, "Oh she's here."

Hope stood up as soon as Jordan let go of her. She was getting sick, like a nervous sick.

"Jer, this is Hope my girlfriend. Hope this is Jerry my brother," Kelley said looked in between both Hope and her brother.

"She's aunty Kell's special person daddy, she makes her happy." Jordan stated very seriously, all three adults chuckled at the little one. Jerry walked closer to Hope and extended his hand.

"Very nice to finally meet you, and put a face to the person this one over here won't shut up about," Hope shook his hand briefly before letting go.

"Nice to meet you too," she looked over at Kelley and raised an eyebrow. She was slightly blushing at what her brother had said to Hope.

"I heard that you've met Jordan and Jacob already. This one here," he pointed to Jordan, "won't shut up about you either," he laughed. "Please take a seat I'll go grab you something to drink. Water, beer wine?" He asked.

"I'll get em," Kelley said, "I need to put these flowers in a vase with some water. Hope?"

"Just water please," she said taking a seat on the couch closest to her, she really hated Kelley right now for leaving her alone with Jerry. At least Jordan was still there.

"Jer?"

"Water too, here will you drop this in the kitchen too please?" He handed over the spoon that made the trip to the living room with him. "Jordan go wash up and tell your brother to do the same please."

'Great,' Hope thought. Kelley and Jordan left leaving Hope and Jerry by themselves.

"So, what are your intentions with Kelley?" Jerry asked with a seriousness to his tone. He stared at Hope waiting for an answer. The same way Jacob the oldest one was staring at her earlier, almost glaring at her.

"I uh my um.." That's all she could say, words were just not reaching her mouth. She dropped her head trying to compose her thoughts. She heard a little chuckle coming from Jerry's way.

"I'm kidding. I'm sorry, I have a weird sense of humor," he said taking a seat across from Hope, "Kelley has told me so little about you really but I would like to get to know the person that's been making my little sister happy these last few weeks."

Hope let out a chuckle too.

"Here I was beginning to think I should of stopped by the store and gotten an engagement ring or something instead of flowers," she said feeling her nervousness leave her body at last. "My intentions are nothing but good I promise, she's really special that one."

"I'm glad to hear that at least a future is on your mind," he said smiling. "She really is, a little wild and crazy but that's what makes her special."

"I couldn't agree more, on the crazy part of course," she chuckled. She noticed he was wearing a Huskies t-shirt and smiled at that, "great choice, go UWs right?"

Jerry looked down at his tshirt and let out a laugh.

"You know, I wasn't a really big fan but my wife used to be crazy about college sports, she's the one that got me into it." Jerry smiled at the memory of his wife, how she used to drag them all to games when they could all go, specially soccer games and football games.

"I actually went there, played a little soccer and basketball myself. I'm a huge fan too," Hope relaxed more. "My dad used to go to every game I ever played, he was definitely my number one fan."

Jerry was surprised at that, he never would have pictured Hope as someone that liked sports, let alone college sports.

"Never would have pegged you as a person that played sports," he shrugged, "I guess people can surprise you. You said your dad was your biggest fan?"

"Yeah he passed away a few years ago, hear attack." She said looking down at her hands, feeling a little sadness creep up on her.

"I'm sorry to hear about that, loosing people you love...it's never easy." His voice changed, Hope could hear the sadness in it.

"Thank you, and yes loosing people you love isn't the best," Hope remebered Kelley telling her about Jerry's wife dying not to long ago. "I'm sorry too, Kells told me about your wife, I can't imagine loosing the person you'd chosen to love."

Jerry just gave a faint smile, "Yeah it hasn't been easy at all honestly. But Kelley has been here for me more than I would have asked, and the kids definitely give me that last little push I sometimes need."

"You guys seem really close, I can't imagine making that big of a move for my brother. Like, don't get me wrong I love my family, but we're not exactly that close," Hope admitted.

"Yeah I'm lucky to be as close as me and Kelley are, she's amazing." Jerry said and Hope couldn't agree more.

There was was a small comfortable silence between them. As if on cue Kelley made an appearance.

"Hope you're not talking about me now," Kelley came in back to the living room holding 3 water bottles in her hand, handing one to her brother and walking over to take a seat by Hope's side.

"Wasn't that the point of you leaving us alone?" Jerry bantered back.

"Not really, I tried to hurry back, don't want you scaring my girlfriend away so soon," Kelley looked over at Hope and smiled "I kinda want to keep her."

"Yeah I think you might wanna hold on to her, she's pretty ok," he said making eye contact and smiling at Hope. "Alright, I'm gonna go finish dinner. Kell will you set up the table please?" Jerry got on his feet and headed for the kitchen.

"Help me?" Kelley said grabbing Hope's hand and pulling her up on to her feet with her.

"If I say no, can I go hang out with the squirrels instead?" Hope asked and Kelley laughed ignoring her while pulling Hope towards the dining room.

The night went better then Hope had expected. Kelley's brother had been really welcoming. They had spent the majority of the night laughing around the table. It was something Hope had never experienced with her family. It's not that her family was terrible, they had good memories of course, but the bad memories always surpassed the good ones.

They found themselves sitting around the living room talking about nothing and everything. Even Jacob, the oldest one, had started to talk to her. He still hadn't warmed up to her one hundred percent but at least he was talking to her, so Hope decided it was better than nothing.

Soon it was bedtime for the boys and Jordan had insisted that Kelley put them to bed tonight.

"Come on then squirrel let's go," Kelley said, he grabbed her hand and started walking when he suddenly stopped.

"Wait aunty my drawing! I have to give it to her before she leaves!" he exclaiming, letting go of Kelley and starting to run up the stairs to his room to grab Hope's drawing.

"No running Jordan!" Jerry yelled, he was already half way up the stairs when he stopped and started walking, trying to take two stairs at a time. Considering how small he was it wasn't working out pretty well for him. They all laughed at him, everyone but Jacob. Hope could of swear she saw him roll his eyes a little.

"Come on Jake lets go!" Kelley said, holding her hand out. He glared at her and Kelley just smiled.

"It's Jacob, not Jake," he said sounding a little annoyed. He started to walk up the stairs leaving Kelley behind.

"Alright. I'll be back, wait for me." Kelley said following behind her nephew, leaving Hope and Jerry alone again. Only this time Hope wasn't all that nervous anymore.

"Thanks for having me over, dinner was great," Hope said looking over at Jerry who was already smiling at her.

"It was a pleasure having you. The boys, specially Jordan seem to love you already," he said studying her for a second before speaking again, "you are good for her. I still have my doubts because of what she's been through and because I bearly know you. But I've also never seen her this happy. So all I'm going to say to you is don't screw with her heart."

Hope just nodded and made eye contact with him. Big mistake. He was giving her a very intimidating stare and Hope started to get nervous again.

"I-I wouldn't dream of it, I'll take good care of her I promise," she said not breaking eye contact with him, "and I take promises very seriously."

"Good," they both broke the staring contest they had when they heard Kelley coming down the stairs. "Thanks again for coming, have a good night Hope."

"You too, have a goodnight." was all Hope said before she broke into a smile seeing Kelley walk down the last steps.

"Night Jer," Kelley said when her brother passed her on his way up.

"Well he said he was too tired to come back down the stairs, so he told me to give you this," Kelley said handing Hope a piece of paper.

Hope looked at it, a smile forming on her lips.

It was a drawing of her and Jordan holding hands, each of them holding a ice cream cone. At least that's what it looked like. At the corner of the page he had written both their names, some letters bigger than others but they were readable. 'Hopey and Squirrel.'

Hope felt herself get emotional. There he was, this kid she had met hours ago, making her feel so loved. Just like Kelley had done in such a short time.

"Come home with me?" She suddenly asked looking up to meet Kelley's gaze.

"God yes, thought I was gonna have to invite myself over," Kelley said faking relief. Hope laughed.

"You don't need an invitation Kell," she leaned in and gave Kelley a kiss.

"Mm, ok just let me grab some stuff and I'll be on my way, see you there?" Kelley smiles, and Hope just nods. "I'll walk you out."

On her quiet drive back home Hope couldn't help but smile.

The dinner had gone great and, in a way, it had helped. She was determined to tell Kelley just how much she cared about her. Maybe it was too soon to admit her real feelings. Their relationship had grown so much in so little time, but she didn't care. She was ready to go all in.

She was ready to give Kelley all of her heart.