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“But, they can also be a little like a family, too.”
“I don’t want to cause waves between you two…”
“You will,” I admitted. “When I dated Paula, then married her, it caused a shit ton of waves. I dealt with it then, and I’ll deal with it again. My mother thinks no woman is good enough for her child. That’s on her, not you. You can’t let her intimidate you.”
“Sure, but maybe we can wait.”
“Do you want to wait?” I asked. “We’ve jumped into this disaster headfirst, and it’s been a juggling act, but it’s gone well. The kids love you, Paula fucking loves you, for what that’s worth. And I love you. I know we were going to take everything slow but…I don’t want to. I don’t want to suffer the holidays coming up without you. I know it’s selfish but—”
“It’s not selfish,” she said, stopping the words flooding out of my mouth.
I wasn’t usually so wordy. At least, out loud I wasn’t.
“I want that, too. I know we can’t at school, but otherwise, I mean, why not now?”
She held my hand tighter and I reciprocated.
“I want to tell my family about you. I hate lying almost as much as I hate hiding you. You’re not something that should be hidden.”
A burst of excited relief smashed through my chest. I hadn’t realized how much I’d been wanting to hear those words until she’d gifted them to me.
“Maybe…we could spend Thanksgiving with my family, and Christmas with yours?”
“I am supposed to have the boys for Christmas this year, so that will work. Other than my mother, of course.”
“She can come. If there’s anyone who can win her over, my mama can.”
My other hand lifted and I touched her cheek so gently, swiping my thumb over the curve of it.
“Ok. I’m just worried that my cantankerous mother might ruin my first impression.”
She chuckled.
“How could they not like you?”
I lifted a brow, but didn’t argue. Instead, I leaned forward and pressed my lips softly to hers.
“I love you. With that, we can get through anything. Even a couple holidays with our families.”
She nodded, staring up at me with such blatant love and trust, it almost scared me. I knew at some point I would disappoint her. That was just the curse of humanity. I just hoped that I would be able to make it up to her, and she would be able to forgive my imperfections.
We dissolved into silence as we finished up our dinner, then we moved over to the living room where we tried to find a show to watch.
“I actually have some school to do,” Mia said after a while. “Homework.”
I nudged her shoulder.
“That’s fine. Do you have it with you?”
She shook her head.
“No, it’s at the dorm. I dropped my backpack off after classes let out, before getting ready for our double date yesterday.”
I frowned.
“Well shit, ok. I’ll drive you back.”
She gripped my arm as I tried to get up.
