looking on the bright side

Hannah wasn't sure New Year's was as upbeat as it could be... since she and Stuart both had colds and they got worse.. with the stomach flu. Oh, what a way to spend time with each other. But she took care of him and he took care of her. Although, it felt like days before they came back to reality.

Finally, Ellis brought over some egg drop soup and dumplings. It was so hot and fresh and yummy.

"You truly are the cook in the family." She smiled with satisfaction, wanting to know how he made it.

"You're just hungry." He told her while he watched her breathe in the hot soup. Stuart was still asleep.

"So what's up with you and that guy, Callum?" She had wanted to know when they came over on Christmas eve, but waited until now to ask.

"Its nothing." But his smile gave way that it might be something.

"I'm not Edmond." She was serious. "You, can tell me."

She knew Edmond sort of dropped a bomb when he showed up Christmas eve, since he swore he would never come to Stuart's, but there he was with presents for everyone. She knew Ellis was a bit timid, but somehow it went OK. It was as if Edmond took a happy pill for the occasion.

"We..we just go out.. occasionally." He wouldn't call it dating with Callum. "We're friends."

"Oh." Her smile was open. She could still hope the best for him. He did need friends. "Well, it was nice seeing you two together." No way could she tell him what to do. She knew these things took time. She told him she'd been texting Stuart for some time, before they met. "I was afraid, that would be, all there was to it."

"I'm sure you had him guessing." Ellis smiled back. He told her he was happy that his sister was with someone she wanted to be with.