I snort-laugh at this. With everything going on in our lives with my recovery, I forgot I was even on a bike when the accident happened. It was never part of my daily routine five years ago, so I forgot it even existed.
“As long as you get one too, then that’s perfect.”
Charlie kisses the tip of my nose, “Deal.”
“I think we knocked our first Christmas as a couple out of the park,” I say.
Charlie opens his mouth to agree but there is a knock at the door. I can tell by the look on his face that he doesn’t know who it is.
“Mom,” he says, surprised, as he opens the door after checking the peephole. A tall, slender woman, her blonde hair pulled into a ponytail, pushes past him with five tote bags slung over her shoulders. Behind her is a short balding man with grays where he does still have hair. He’s dragging two wheeled suitcases behind him. The last to enter is a young man who looks like he could be Charlie’s twin with the same strong jaw and Italian nose. Charlie has deep milk chocolate brown eyes, but this man’s eyes are blue. Charlie has blond hair that has a way of breaking free of being tamed; this man has chestnut brown hair that is slickly combed back.
“My son.” She hugs Charlie closely, squeezing him around the middle. Charlie hugs her back, but his back is rigid, arms stiff as they wrap around her.
“Vince, Brad.” Charlie shakes their hands, stepping back and taking in the sight of all their bags. He crosses his arms across his chest defensively. “What’s going on?” he asks, not introducing me just yet.
I stay where I am, standing beside the island, even as his mother drops her bags from her shoulders.
“That apartment above Bradley had a terrible leak and the heat wasn’t working. I just knew that my Charlie would have space for us, so here we are.” Charlie looks like he would rather stick his arm in the garbage disposal. “Who is this?” his mother asks, finally catching sight of me.
She looks me up and down from my still damp hair down to the pajamas and slippers on my feet. It’s obvious to her that I am not a new arrival, but rather spent the night in her son’s home.
“Elia, this is my mother, Barbara, my step father, Vince, and my brother, Brad. Family, this is my girlfriend, Elia.”
I swoon being introduced as his girlfriend. I’m saved only by his arm wrapping around my shoulders, keeping me tight to his body. His mother looks like she tasted something sour and doesn’t reach a hand out to me. Vince takes pity on me, offering me his hand, shaking it firmly. Brad looks at me curiously, hesitating before finally shaking my hand.
“I made somepizzellefor breakfast and can make more if you want. We also have some eggs and I think cinnamon rolls.” I step back toward the kitchen, ready to spring into action.
“You can take our bags to the guest room to start. I’ll poke around the kitchen and see if there is anything to make. Oh, I just miss making breakfast for my boys on Christmas morning.” His mother finally takes in what Charlie is wearing and she laughs.
“She’s not the maid,” Charlie challenges, reaching back to me so I don’t walk away.
She blatantly ignores him and says, “Go change out of that ridiculous outfit and put on some nice clothes.”
I regret encouraging him to mend fences with her already.
“I can put your stuff in the guest room, but you’re not staying. I’ll book you a hotel before you spend the night here,” Charlie says, grabbing the bags and moving them out of the way. Vince is quick to help, eager to be useful and do something. Brad doesn’t bother to help, sullenly going to sit on the couch. I can’t believe he hasn’t said anything yet. There is so much going on that I almost miss his mother trying to throw out our Christmas gifts to each other.
“I’ve got those.” I move quickly to get them out of her grip, taking them into the bedroom. Charlie comes in a minute later and closes the door. He leans against it, his eyes closed.
“I have regrets,” I confess immediately, prompting a rueful smile from him.
“She can be intense,” he admits.
I’m so frustrated, I start to unbutton my top, angry that she made me feel stupid in this outfit. Charlie’s hands still mine, finishing the task and holding my eyes.
“I’m not kidding, Charlie. I have to fight to prove myself to everyone in your life. Not a single person is willing to give me a chance. Jack actually sicced Ainsley on you last night, your father called me a strumpet, and your mother almost threw away our gifts.” I have to actively try to not stomp my feet like a petulant child. I’m pacing around the room, topless and angry. I’m so mad that I forgot that I was going to get changed.
“I don’t...”
“I cannot fight them all, Charlie,” I cut him off. I know I must look crazy, my eyes wild, tits flopping around.
He reaches out, takes my hands, and pulls me to a stop. “I can go nuclear today. It is guaranteed to ruin the morning, but if we drink enough, it has potential for entertainment.”
I consider it, but not really. Driving a wedge further between him and his mother might win me brownie points with his father, but will do me no favors anywhere else.
“No, I don’t want to ruin your relationship with your mother. The whole point of this was to try to mend fences, not attach rockets to them and light them on fire.”
Charlie takes off his shirt. He sidles close to me, in my space, his fingers gently tugging my pants down by the waistband.