“I am. What are you doing here?”
“I felt bad you were spending Christmas alone, but I think I should have called first.” She bites her lip.
Well, this is a predicament. I’m looking forward to seeing my family, but I don’t want to pass up an opportunity to spend time with Tara either. We have so little of it as it is. I smile inwardly to myself.
“I’m going to see my family. Why don’t you come?”
“Come?” She raises her eyebrows. “To meet your parents?” she echoes unsurely.
“Yeah.” I shut the door behind me and slip my arm around her, basically making the decision for her.
“You sure?” she asks as we walk down the hall to the elevator.
“Of course, I’m sure.” We step inside and I hit the button for the lobby. “You are wearing clothes underneath that coat, right?”
She looks up me with an impish grin. “Maybe.”
AFTER TARA FLASHED ME HERoutfit in the elevator, we headed to Greenwich, Connecticut. The town I grew up in. Although my parents divorced, my home was far from broken. I was blessed with a grandfather who raised me, a stepfather who loved me like his own, and two beautiful younger sisters. But there is no one more important to me than my mother. I don’t visit enough, call enough, do anything, really, that is enough. But she never complains and she is always there when I need her no matter what. It has been that way my entire life. I thanked her once (I have thanked her many times) and she told me a ‘thank you’ isn’t necessary. The best way to repay her love is with grandchildren. I was twenty at the time and nearly passed out. But I think of that conversation often, more so now than ever. I glance at Tara sitting in the front seat next to me and almost scoff. In my wildest dreams, Tara Stevens would ever become Tara Carmichael and then be crazy enough to carry my child. It’s nice to fantasize, but I know where I live, and that is reality.
“Holy shit.” Tara nearly breaks her neck looking out the rental car window as I pull down the driveway that’s almost half a mile long.
“This is where you grew up?” The awe is blatant in her voice.
“Yup,” I confirm. Greenwich is not what you would call a poor town.
I’m not one to flaunt my family’s money, but we have tons of it.
I park in front, and as we step out of the car, my palms suddenly start to sweat.
Tara gazes over at me with an unsure expression.
“I think I am a little out of my element,” she admits nervously.
That makes two of us right now.
“It will be fine.” I take her hand and assure her. “My family is wonderful, and they will love you.”
“I’m taking your word as bond.” She squeezes my fingers tightly as we stroll up the brick walkway to the massive mahogany front door.
I smile as I ring the bell. A few seconds later, there is a loud squeal. “He’s here!” And my sister Cara opens the door. Tara and I are greeted by the entire family all at once. I barely have time to introduce her as Cara and my other sister, Camille, attack me with hugs and kisses. It’s been so long, and they look so different. So grown up since the last time I saw them. Both with long dark hair like my mother and big brown eyes like mine.
“Christopher!” My stepfather, Richard, pulls me into a quick hug.
“What happened to your arm?” I ask as we are led out of the cold.
He holds up his wrist with the brace. “Carpal tunnel syndrome. Can you believe it?”
“I can, knowing how many emails you shoot out.” I laugh.
“Comes with the territory.”
I look over to see my mom standing in the foyer grinning from ear to ear. I give her the biggest hug I can manage, lifting her right off the ground.
“It is about time my soldier came home.”
“Ex-soldier,” I correct her.
“I’ll never buy that.” She winks turning her attention on Tara, who looks a little overwhelmed but trying desperately to handle it.
