Oh man. It’s like she knows what to say to make me want to propose. She holds out her fork to me, letting me steal another piece of pineapple. Sighing, I tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “You’re annoying, but you’re cute.”
“Oh, I think our gate is up!” she squeaks. “Let’s go!”
Springing to her feet, she frantically tries to collect her bags with one hand and balance her fruit pot with the other. It’s a disaster waiting to happen.
“Stand still,” I tell her, taking the bags from her hand and slinging them over my shoulder. She watches me round up our things, grinning ear to ear. “Okay, let’s go.”
“Aye, aye, Captain.”
The second the plane took off I fell asleep in the middle of Stassie’s chest. After three peaceful hours, we land in Washington to much cooler temperatures than LA. Hopping into a cab, Stassie gives her address, and we head off.
We’re only staying here two nights before heading to Colorado, where we’re spending Christmas and New Year. It’s an understatement to say I’m fucking terrified to meet her parents. She speaks so highly of them and I only get to make a first impression once.
She turns her phone back on and all their excited messages start coming through. Threading her fingers through mine, she brings the back of my hand to her mouth and covers it in kisses. “You okay, bub?”
“What if they don’t like me?”
“They already like you, Nathan. And if somehow you make a terrible first impression, I see them once a year, so it doesn’t matter anyway. I like you enough for everyone.”
“Remember a month ago when you said sleeping in my bed every night would be distracting?”
“I do.”
“I’m glad you let me distract you. Thank you for not letting me spend the holidays alone.”
She gives me the smile I love. It’s a soft one, one that makes her eyes shine, and it’s one I think she saves for me. “I think you’ve probably improved me more than you’ve distracted me.”
We sit in comfortable silence for the rest of the journey, and I feel calm until the cab turns into a cul-de-sac and stops in front of the house. Stassie gives my hand one final squeeze, then starts to climb out. No turning back now.
* * *
After feelinglike I’m going to pass out with nerves for the first fifteen minutes of being here, I can honestly say Julia and Colin Allen are the most welcoming people I’ve ever met.
It’s been overwhelming but in a nice way. I already know a bit about them from Anastasia, but it’s been nice to hear from them about their family. One thing they would never need to tell me is how much they love Anastasia, because it’s clear from the way they looked at her when they opened the door to watch us climb the porch. Julia wouldn’t let her go for five minutes.
They quickly gave me a tour, before letting us put our bags away, and the whole place is covered in pictures of Stas. Birthdays, camping, Christmas, all with the same mischievous face on them.
God, our kids will be adorable.
Julia hands me my third gingerbread cookie, then turns to Stassie and clears her throat. “You didn’t get back to me about booking time at the rink, honey. I didn’t know what to do…”
The atmosphere in the room instantly changes, it gets cooler, or maybe it’s my imagination because I know skating is both the sunshine and the black cloud over this family.
I slip my cookie-free hand into Anastasia’s, giving it an encouraging squeeze. She clings tightly. “I’m not planning to skate, and, uh, if it’s okay, I’d like it if we don’t talk about skating while I’m here. I had some sessions with Dr. Andrews last month; he thinks it would be good for me to find other things to talk about.”
Colin leans forward, looking genuinely shocked. “Really?”
She nods, looking between both her parents. Julia is trying hard not to show her shock, but she’s not quite managing it.
“It helps with the pressure. He thinks it’s good to rest physicallyandmentally. So you not asking about it helps me. I can let you guys know if anything new or interesting happens in future.”
“Of course, Annie. We only ask because we know how important it is to you. We only care about your happiness, honey. We won’t bring it up, will we, Col? Not unless you want us to.”
I feel the tension in Anastasia’s body ease, her grip loosens, and she relaxes. I change the subject to move on from this one, questioning a nickname I’ve never heard. “Annie?”
Stas looks at me, her expression serious. “Yeah, they call me Annie because I was an orphan.”
Colin bursts out laughing as Julia gasps, crossing her arms over her chest. “Anastasia Rebecca Allen!” she squeaks. “We call you Annie because you couldn’t spellAnastasiauntil you were eight!” Looking at me, she shakes her head. “Please don’t listen to my daughter.”