Chapter 10

Realization hit me as I figured out what she was asking. My eyes widen in surprise and I almost dropped the dish. Putting the dish on the table carefully, I faced her. "W-what?" I stuttered. All of a sudden, she began chuckling at my expression. "I was just joking, dear. I know you are not like that. I knew the moment I saw you that you are a kind, intelligent and honourable person. So unlike the impolite bimbos that Tyler normally brings here." "Mom!" Tyler cut in and I laughed a little at her words. "Don't 'mom' me." Rachel said with a glare his way. "Don't think I don't know what goes on in your room every time a girl comes over. Doing homework? I wasn't born yesterday, Tyler. By the looks of those girls, they don't even know what homework is." She turned to me again. "It's a good thing he found someone like you. You're a good girl, Emily and you are good for him. I just know it." She said, a smile on her lips. I didn't know what to say, so I nodded my head. "Okay, let's eat." We all washed up and settled down to eat. I couldn't help but feel guilty. Rachel was such a nice woman and I felt bad that I was lying to her about me and Tyler's relationship. The dinner was delicious and Rachel was great dinner company. I ate every single thing, which Rachel was delighted about. When we were finished eating, Rachel went to the kitchen and came back with slices of the chocolate cake that I had brought earlier. Even though I couldn't eat anything more, I accepted the offered slice. After I finished the last crumb of the cake, I looked up at Rachel across the table. "Thanks again for dinner, Rachel. It was amazing." I commended. She smiled brightly. "You're welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it." "Thanks." I returned her smile, which was contagious. She clasped her hands in excitement suddenly. "Oh, I have to show you Tyler's pictures. I'll go get my album." She said, getting up instantly. Tyler, who was beside me, eyes widened. "No, Mom. I don't think that is necessary. Emily has to leave now anyways." He said quickly, trying to stop his mother. His mother brushed his comment aside. "Oh, nonsense. I'm sure Emily would be happy to see it." She said, stopping to look at me. "Oh yes, I would love to." I said, nodding my head eagerly. Tyler glared at me. I looked at him and gave him an innocent smile. Rachel came with the album and we went into the living room and sat on the couch. Tyler sat on the recliner in front of us, crossing his arms and looking unhappy that I was seeing his baby pictures. Rachel showed me all kinds of pictures. Pictures of her family, Tyler, she and Tyler, Tyler and his dad. I especially like the ones with Tyler. He was so cute as a baby and a young boy. There was a baby picture of Tyler naked in a bath tub. There was one, where he was five or six, his face and hands were covered in icing from the cake that was in front of him. He was grinning at the camera, showing missing front teeth. "Ohh, this is when he was seven and had the chicken pox." Rachel pointed at a picture where a small boy was sitting on a bed. His face and arms were covered with small red spots. "Aww...look at him. He looks grumpy." I said, giggling. "Yes, he didn't want to take any pictures." Rachel explained. I looked up at Tyler, who was glaring at me. He was looking exactly like he was looking in the picture right now; grumpy. "Ty, you didn't tell me that you were this adorable as a boy?" Tyler continued to glare at me, ignoring my comment. Ignoring Tyler and the daggers he was shooting my way, I continued to look at the pictures. We looked at all the pictures in the album and when we were finished, Rachel closed it. I stood up from the couch. "It was so nice being here. Thanks for inviting me." Rachel stood up too. "I'm glad you came." She walked over to me and pulled me in a tight hug. She pulled back and look at me. "You are welcome here anytime, okay?" "Okay." I nodded. "Do you want help with the dishes?" She shook her head quickly. "Oh no, dear. That's okay, but thanks for offering." "Okay, I'm leaving now then. See you soon." I bid her goodbye and turned to Tyler, who had stood up too. He came beside me to walk me to the door. Tyler open the front door and I stepped out. He stepped out after me. I turned to him, lifting an eyebrow. "Where are you going? You don't need to follow me over to my house. It's a short walk and it's only 6:30pm." "Believe me, I do. My mother expects me to walk you home. If I don't, she is going to give me and earful about how she raised me better." Tyler said. I nodded my head in understanding and we walked over to my house in silence, until Tyler spoke. "So, I see you enjoyed yourself looking at my baby pictures." "Yep." I said. I then stood on my tiptoe and pinched his cheek. "It was the highlight of my night actually. You were so adorable." He brushed my hands away. "I don't know why Mom always needs to show my pictures every time someone comes over?" I grinned, enjoying teasing him. "Because they are so adorable." "Okay, okay, you've had your fun. When are you going to stop with those pictures?" Tyler asked. We had just reached my front door and I turned to face him. "Hmm..." I tapped my chin pretending to think. "I don't know." He cracked a small smile then. "You are so mean. You know that right?"