Page 89 of A New Year In The Presidential Suite

“Yes, it does. How do you know?”

Her mother chuckled. “Your sisters adore you and have been fussing about certain news. Bit by bit I could put it together. Please come. We can’t wait to meet him. Do you mind if I call your sisters so we can all celebrate?”

Lori laughed. “By all means, call them. Griff needs to see how close our family is. We’ll be there shortly.”

After Lori hung up, she turned to Griff. “Well, it’s too late now. You’re about to meet my entire family.”

He laughed. “Might as well get it over with,” he teased. “It’ll be a bit like you meeting mine all together.”

By the time Lori and Griff drove up to her parents’ house, Flo’s van and Aurelia’s SUV were already in the driveway.

She parked the car and got out to lead Griff to the front door of the two-story colonial home that had housed their close-knit family.

They’d reached midway up the sidewalk when the front door opened, and both of her sisters rushed to greet them.

Lori accepted their hugs and then introduced Griff.

“We’re very happy to meet you,” said Aurelia.

“I’m glad you’re visiting. Guess it was a surprise,” Flo said.

“A fantastic one,” said Lori, turning to Griff, who was grinning.

Lori looked up and saw her parents at the doorway waiting. Her mother was blinking rapidly as she held Eloise in her arms. Her father had hold of Hudson’s hand. Aurelia’s daughters, Sara and Lizbeth, broke free and ran toward her.

They stopped when they got close and studied Griff with openness and then ran to hug her.

Lori made more introductions.

“Gordon is going to pick up Blake,” said Aurelia. “They should be here soon.”

Lori noticed both of her sisters study her ring finger but neither said anything about her bare hand.

“Okay, everyone. I want to introduce Griff to Mom and Dad,” Lori said. “Let’s go.”

Lori led Griff to the entrance.

“Mom and Dad, I want you to meet Griffin Sawyer. Griff, these are my parents, Caroline and Henry Pierce.”

Griff shook hands with each of them, and they all entered the house, followed by the group outside.

“Well, this is a special occasion,” said Lori’s mother. “It’s nice you could visit.”

“Yes,” said Griff. He put an arm around Lori. “It’s a real pleasure.”

“Why don’t we have a toast to celebrate your visit?” said Lori’s father.

“I suggest we have an informal dinner together. By informal, I mean ordering in New York style pizza, salads, and anything else we want,” Lori’s mother said. “It’s easiest with the kids.”

“Are you game?” Lori asked Griff.

“You bet,” he said.

While her mother took charge of the kids, her father suggested he could use some help from Griff in selecting a proper wine.

Left alone, Lori turned to her sisters who’d gathered around her.

Flo fanned herself. “What a hottie! The website doesn’t do him justice.”