Different But Same (Eli "Hawk" Moskowitz)

LXVI. There For Her

For the duration of their time at Smitty's Diner, all Eli could think of was his run in with Terry Silver and how he hoped Lainey would never find out about Corey being released. He knew it impossible, but he wanted to keep it from her as long as he possibly could.

She was doing so well.

They'd had their food, and arrived back at theLaRusso house. Lainey smiled when she noticed her mom and Sam's cars parked in the driveway.

"You think your dad is home, princess?" Eli asked.

"I hope so."

"Let's go inside."

Lainey nodded. They got out of her car and made their way into the house.

They walked inside and the smell of food overtook Lainey's senses.

"Watch this," she whispered with a laugh as she walked into the kitchen, with Eli behind her.

"So, as soon as you get back here you eat?" Lainey asked with a stern glare, which soon turned into laughter as she looked at her mother, father, siblings and Chozen sat around the dining table. "You ordered Thai without me?"

Sam shook her head at Lainey's outburst.

"We assume you've already eaten." Anthony shrugged.

"I'd never say no to Thai," Lainey responded as she walked towards her father and wrapped her arms around him. "How are you feeling?" she asked with a frown as she observed he still had bruises.

"I'm fine, honey."

"Are you sure?"

"I promise." He reassured her with a squeeze of her hand. "Take a seat. Both of you," he said as he motioned to Eli.

They sat in the empty seats beside Anthony.

"Want some?" Anthony asked Eli.

"No thanks, man. I'm good," Eli responded.

"So, where have you been?" Daniel asked.

"To Smitty's Diner," Eli replied immediately.

Lainey understood why he didn't want to mention the cemetery. But she noticed how her mother looked at Eli and knew he wasn't telling the whole truth.

"Did you stay here last night?" Daniel asked Eli.

He nodded. "Yes."

"I almost walked in on them in the bath," Chozen stated as a matter of factly.

Eli's face reddened, Lainey sighed.

"It was just a bath, I wanted to be with her to make sure she was okay.." Eli explained.

"It doesn't matter why, I'm just glad you were there for her Eli," Daniel stated and swiftly changed the subject.

After their food, Lainey helped Amanda with the dishes.

"Is Eli okay? He seemed off today..." Amanda asked her daughter as she put the cutlery away.

Lainey sighed. "He told me some things today.."

"What things, honey?"

Lainey looked around the empty kitchen, cautious someone might overhear them.

"Lainey. What is it?"

"I—"

"Honey?" Amanda frowned and placed a supportive hand onto her daughter's shoulder.

"Did you know his dad is dead?"

"What?"

"Yeah... He told me today. I've never seen him so upset, mom. I took him to the cemetery, as he hadn't visited since the funeral which was years ago."