Page 27 of Uproot

She's surprisingly not wearing pink this evening, and has changed out of the dress she was wearing earlier. Instead she has changed into a cute billowy white blouse that she has paired with some black leggings that hug her curves nicely. It really doesn't matter what she has on, she makes my heart race regardless.

"Hi Edi!" she greets, making her way inside. "Hello Beckett."

"Hi," Edison and I respond in unison, making her laugh.

"You have to see what Uncle Beckett did in the living room Ms. Selah! It's soo cool," Edison exclaims, taking her hand and leading her further down the hall.

"Oh awesome!" Selah says, hurrying along to keep up with him.

When we get to the living room she greets Dragana and I see her face light up as she takes in everything around her. The smiles on all of their faces as they make their way over to the couches makes the effort more than worth it.

I wonder just how much more excited they would be if I rented out an entire movie theater just for them. I pocket that idea for another time.

"Isn't it cool?" Edison asks Selah as she greets Dragana and takes a seat.

Selah nods eagerly, "Very cool, Edi. Oh my gosh and we're watching Moana?!" she exclaims when she sees the DVD cover on the coffee table.

Her eyes move up and meet mine and she looks a bit embarrassed for a moment until I smile at her. "I just really like that movie too," she says quietly, looking away from me.

"It looks like a good one," I agree, coming over to sit next to her.

Edison grabs one of the bowls of popcorn then scoots over to sit next to Dragana, and we all settle in. I use the remote to dim the lights and start up the movie. I put my arm along the back of Selah's seat and she smiles shyly over at me.

Part of me is tempted to hold her hand like I did earlier today, but I don't want to push anything with Dragana and Edison right here.

She moves to get a box of apple juice, then scoots back next to me. "Do you want some popcorn? Or candy?" I ask her, moving to get one of the bowls.

She eyes the food on the table, but shakes her head, "Oh..no I'm good. Thank you though," she says, focusing back on the screen.

I furrow my eyebrows seeing the strange longing in her eyes as she stared at the candy. I fold away the moment and file it in my mind for later, focusing on the big screen tv in front of us.

The movie begins to play and I spend more time watching Selah and Edison than any of the adventure on the screen. Selah is just as captivated by it as Edison is, laughing at all of the comical, goofy scenes, and staring at the screen without blinking during the dramatic scenes.

She catches me watching her and does a double take when she realizes I saw her lip syncing to one of the songs, but I just smile at her and rub her shoulder reassuringly, letting her know that I'm not judging her.

By the time the movie ends both Dragana and Edison have dozed off, Edison leaning on Dragana's arm as he gently snores.

"I guess we were the only ones who could hang," I whisper to Selah.

She laughs quietly, "I guess so. He will have to just catch the ending next time," she whispers, as we both get up.

I go over and nudge Dragana and she startles awake, "Nisam Spavo!"

"Uh huh. Sure you weren't asleep. Come on," I chuckle, helping her get up.

She rubs her eyes, and smiles sleepily at Selah, "Goodnight Hun," she says to her, and shuffles out of the living room.

I pick up Edison and Ruffy, being careful not to wake him up. "I'll just get him settled and I'll be right back," I tell Selah before carrying him off to his bed.

I place him and his stuffed dog under his sheets, grateful that Dragana had the foresight to have him take a shower and get into pajamas before our movie night.

I look down at him for a few moments, smiling as he continues to sleep peacefully. I wait for a few minutes to make sure he doesn't wake up, then quietly make my way out of the room.

I find Selah by the front door, slipping back on her shoes. I walk over to her, putting my hands in my pockets before I reach out and touch her again. She straightens up as I step in front of her. "Heading home so soon?" I ask.

"Yes, I should get going," she says, looking past me. "I was wondering, where Helen is?"

"She went back to New York for the weekend," I say, watching her fidget with her keys.

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