“I don’t love you because you’re the mother of our son, Victoria. I love you because you’re unapologetically you. You’re quietly vulnerable, but only for me. You’re strong, and kind, and you’re the best fucking mother on the planet. Sorry Mrs. B.”
Mom giggles but doesn’t reply.
“I want you to meet my parents not because you’re Wyatt’s mom, but because you’re the woman who has stolen my heart twice. And I don’t ever want it back.”
Wow. I get why this guy writes songs. He should write a romance novel.
“You might want a shower first, though. While I love…” He waves his hand in front of my face. “You may want to…” He looks around. “Wash the cum out of your hair before you see my mom,” he whispers then winks at me, making me snort-laugh. “Go shower. I’m going to make a Play Doh castle with our kid and try to convince him I didn’t eat any of his goldfish crackers while he was drooling on my shirt.”
Getting cum out of curls isn’t something I’m used to having to do, but eventually the crusty mess gets washed away in the shower. By the time I’m dressed and ready to go, my boys are too. Nerves shred my stomach, but we climb in the car and Raffi sets off toward his childhood home.
Guess it’s time to meet the in-laws.
“Tori, it’s so nice to finally meet you.” Raffi’s mom makes it sound like we’ve been together for years and years and we never got around to hanging out. I thought it had been weeks, but when I did the math on the ride here after Raffi’s declaration of the L-word, it’s more like a couple months. Doesn’t feel like it at all, it feels like no time has passed at all.
Mom says it takes a moment to fall in love, so I don’t feel quite so foolish about my emotions. But can a love born from lightning striking twice in the same place last forever?
Guess time will tell.
“Mrs. Shaw, it’s a pleasure.”
She scrunches her face up. “Please. It’s Ani and Travis. NoMr. and Mrs. in this house.” She opens her arms, but waits for me to nod before pulling me into a hug. As Raffi’s dad does the same, Raffi places Wyatt on the floor.
“Mayrik, Dad, this is my...” He swallows, his eyes glassy, and his chest heaving with effort as he sucks in slow breaths. “This is Wyatt.” His voice breaks on our son’s name, cracking something in my chest. He could have called himself Wyatt’s father, I wouldn’t have been mad, but I appreciate him taking a little more time to use the term in front of the little man. Just in case things don’t work out, or in case it makes me uncomfortable, either way.
Both Raffi’s parents crouch down to Wyatt’s level, smiles warm, respecting his distance. It must be so hard for them not to rush him, pick him up, and squish him until he squirms, but they’re patient and quiet. Their efforts to not overwhelm him aren’t lost on me, and it occurs to me Raffi might have prepped them not to go full grandparent all at once.
Wyatt hasn’t called Raffi daddy yet, he might never, and Raffi’s okay with that. But he knows Raffi is his dad, we told him this morning before we came to Raffi’s parents’ house. I’m not sure he fully understands yet. We’re letting Wyatt decide what to do with that information and not encouraging him or leading him one way or the other.
“Hi, Wyatt,” Ani looks like she might explode with excitement, but she keeps herself under wraps. “I’m Ani.” She flicks her gaze up at me like she’s seeking validation she’s doing okay, so I give her a reassuring nod. “And this is Travis.”
When Wyatt doesn’t move, I crouch down next to him, patting his back in slow circles. “These are Raffi’s parents. Ani is Raffi’s mama, and Travis is Raffi’s daddy.”
He looks at Raffi, then back at his grandparents. “Like nana?”
I nod at him. “Just like nana.” I turn to Ani. “Did you think of what you’d like for him to callyou?”
Ani’s face lights up like I just gave her a lifetime supply of her favorite candy. “Grandma and pawpaw? Is that okay?” Her uncertainty, the insecurity in her voice, makes me want to hug her. “Or Mayrik, like Raffi calls me? Too complicated? I don’t want to overwhelm him.”
“Of course. Wyatt, can you say Mayrik and pawpaw?”
He parrots it back to me while I point between Ani and Travis. When they stand, they maintain distance.
“He’s not allergic to anything, right?”
I shake my head.
“Can I give him a juice box?” She’s speaking in a hushed whisper, but Wyatt’s little face turns to me with gleeful hope in his eyes.
“He’s at his grandparents’ house.” I shrug, giving her a smile. “I fully expect you to give him all kinds of things he might not ordinarily have.”
The glint in her eye sparkles as she beams at me.
“It’s the nature of grandparents, right?”
She nods, biting on her bottom lip.
“Thank you for asking, though.”
