Ezra told her it didn’t matter and he suggested that they both picked them off the trees together. Delaney nodded and walked closer to the apple tree, running her hand against the rough bark. That was a good idea. They could both work on the trees and have them picked twice as fast rather than having one work on the trees and one work on the bushes. There were so many trees and so many bushes. It reminded her of a fruit orchard.
”How did you find this place so fast? If you don’t mind me asking I mean. ” Delaney smiled at him and then turned her back on the tree so she could face him. ”Watch.” She looked at the ground and then at the branches above her. The lowest ones were maybe five or ten feet above her head, but they were long. She held her hands above her head so each hand was under a branch. She moved her hands slowly out to the sides of her. The branches moved down around her and bended behind her like a swing. She sat on the two branches and slowly retracted them to their original position. As she did this, she moved from the two branches onto the thicker branch entirely and wrapped her legs around the wood. When the branches were back and she was sturdy, she moved the leaves of the tree so a small opening was made. She peered down at Ezra and smiled. ”I have a feeling you can guess, but I can manipulate, and form of plant life. I can sense and locate any type of plant when it’s nearby. So, like Eva can manipulate air, I can manipulate plants. Exciting, isn’t it?” She let sarcasm touch in her question, but she really did like her gift. It suited her and she liked being able to communicate with plants. Maybe it bored others, but not her. She looked at Ezra and wondered what he could do.“I told you mine, now tell me yours.” She smiled at him and swung her legs leisurely. He was easy to talk too. She was glad he was Eric’s friend. Maybe they could become close.
She gestured to the tree closest to him. ”Do you need a lift?” She could do what she had done to herself to him, or she could bend the branches down towards him so he didn’t have to go up into the trees. He could be scared of heights for all she knew. Fortunately, bringing herself up into the tree didn’t take as much energy as she had thought. The branches were lighter and more malleable than she imagined. She was glad. It took less concentration and energy out of her. She still hadn’t eaten yet.
Nathan watched as Ophelia took a bite of the bagel and then announced she was going over to Cami. She then turned to him and ordered him to get food. He laughed and kissed her on the cheek before letting her go. ”Yes, ma’am.” As if on cue, his stomach grumbled again and he let her walk off. He wasn’t going to get food bcause she told him to, but because he was starving, plain and simple. He hadn’t eaten since dinner the previous day so his stomach felt like it was about to start eating itself if it didn’t get anything soon. He walked back over to where the food was, stopping at the table first to pick up a plate. Willow had just helped herself and Lucas, Eric was finishing serving his food and heading towards the table Cami had set, and the others that he could see were on stools. He went to the food and helped himself to a large portion of eggs and bacon, skipping on the waffles and pancakes. He had never been a big fan of them, plus he liked his protein. He didn’t doubt Greyson had made them well, he just didn’t want any. He would definitely have to wait for fruit. He needed his daily fruit salad. Hopefully there was enough fruit for him to make it and everyone else to help themselves. He got himself a glass of water after his food and made his way back to the table. He sat in the spot he had taken his plate from and started eating.
Willow sat at the table, eating her eggs, bacon, and waffles. She cut up Lucas’ waffles and gave them to him, putting a little bit of syrup on them. He grabbed his fork and then looked at her.
“Mommy, can I have some strawberries? Please?” Willow looked at his plate and nodded her head. He usually always had strawberries with his breakfast, unless it was blueberries, grapes, or apple slices. At least one type of fruit to eat in the morning. He asked for them on his own after a while. She hadn’t known how much he liked them until he started bugging her about them. ”Yeah, we just have to wait for a little bit. Delaney and Ezra are getting them right now.” At the mention of Ezra’s name, Lucas looked at her excitedly. ”Is he still going to play with me today?” Willow laughed and assured him he was. She didn’t know why he wanted to play with Ezra so badly. Maybe Ezra just had that special touch with kids.
Lucas started eating and Eric sat down at the table. She smiled at him politely and then Nathan soon followed him in taking a place at the table. Lucas saw Nathan and immediately jumped up from his seat and ran over to him. Willow moved to retrieve her son and tell him to keep eating his food, but Lucas was already in Nathan’s lap and laughing. Lucas threw his arms around Nathan and hugged him tightly. ”Uncle Nate!” Willow shook her head and slid her son’s plate across the table towards Nathan. She knew her son well enough that he wouldn’t return to her if Nathan was nearby. He was his godfather after all and Lucas loved him. Nathan took it and nudged Lucas lightly after hugging him back. ”What’s up, buddy? Come on, eat your waffles. You need to get big and strong if you want to be like me.” Willow rolled her eyes but kept eating, and Lucas pouted before picking up his fork again. ”I am strong, I just need to get big.” Nathan laughed and returned to his food. When he had had enough to silence his stomach somewhat, he looked at his best friend across the table. ”I need to talk to you.” Willow paused and looked at him curiously. For as long as she had known Nathan, he never used that line on her. It was odd to hear it coming from him. ”About what?” It hadn’t been long since they both talked, so what did he possibly have to say to her? ”It’s not life or death, we just need to catch up.” Catch up?They had just talked the night before then ended up in this place with all these people. The only thing that had happened since they had last seen each other was what happened to Talia, and pretty much everyone knew the same information on that. Willow just shrugged and returned to her food. They could talk when he got back from school.
It was easier than Damian had expected. All he had to do was talk and she caved in. Maybe it was the threat, maybe it was the image of her loved ones being hurt, or maybe it was the fact that she did need his help that made her accept his offer. All he knew was she had accepted and she was now his to play with. Just him and her. He grinned at her, obviously pleased, and refolded his hands in front of him. "Excellent.” It really was excellent. Everything was going smoothly so far. He hoped it would stay that way.
“I've already found a room for us to use. We start tonight. Meet me here at 8:30 and I will lead you to the room. Do not be late and do not forget." He turned his back on her and started walking away from her. He got about 5 feet when he turned his head to the side and called over his shoulder to her. "I trust that you will lie in the event anyone asks where you're going or why you're missing around 8:30 for a few nights. Perhaps to practice your dancing?" He knew enough about Eva to know she took kickboxing and dance lessons. She might not even be good at them. He just knew she did them. He also knew that the training wouldn’t only be a few nights. They would be often, but he would go into detail with her later in the day. He had to prepare her so she knew what she was really getting into, but he wouldn’t let her go back on her word, not easily. If she left at any point, he would have wasted his time. He would have to start all over. She was the one.