Page 47 of Lucky 22

From the moment we walk through the door, I can sense thatthings aren’t going to go quite as well as they did in my mind.

Everyone is very friendly, kind, and polite, but I can tellthat A.) they’re not used to Christian bringing a girl home to meet the family,and B.) they are super protective of him. Most people I meet are interested inmy career and ask about the famous people I know, but the Lucasesjust sort of smile and nod as I talk about myself.

I can’t remember the last time I was this nervous, and I’mrelieved when the conversation moves away from me.

Christian has two sisters and two brothers, all of whom areincredibly chatty and eager to tell me every detail about Christian’s life. Hismother keeps putting food out for everyone to eat, but his father just watchesme. It’s not like he’s glaring or frowning, he’s just…observing. I make amental note to spend a little time talking to him so I can win him over.

“Ella, did you know that Christian was voted most helpful inschool?”

“Ella, did Christian ever tell you about the old car we allused to share?”

“Christian, tell Ella how you started learning how to throwby aiming for the stop sign on the corner.”

“Did you tell Ella about the time you got hit by aninety-five-mile-per-hour fastball?”

When he doesn’t answer fast enough, his oldest sister,Marie, explains.

“It was crazy, and he let the ball hit him so he could geton base. Can you imagine? And this was while he was still in college, mind you.The ball deflected off his arm and hit his ribs so hard he had an enormousbruise there the next day.” She shakes her head, even as she smiles atChristian. Note to self: I really like Marie, but I can tell she’s veryprotective and considers herself like another mom to Christian. I need to makesure she trusts me.

He grins. “We won, so, it was worth it.”

I just smile because that seems a little excessive. I’vewanted roles before, but not enough to physically hurt myself. I’ve worndifferent makeup and changed my hair, but nothing painful. Then again, sportsis an entirely different animal from acting.

I learn so much about Christian over the next two days andthoroughly enjoy myself, but I never get the time I wanted with his father.When it’s time for me to leave for the airport, and I’m saying goodbye toeveryone, I save his dad for last.

“It was a pleasure meeting you, Mr. Lucas. Thank you forwelcoming me into your home.” I smile, my voice soft and sincere, but hedoesn’t return it.

“Nice to meet you, Ella,” he says stiffly before turning andwalking away.

It isn’t until Christian and I are alone in the car that Iask if I did okay.

“Why would you even ask?” he says, sounding totally amused.“Everyone really liked you.”

“Except your dad,” I murmur.

He studies me for a long moment. “My dad’s just…stoic.”

Every time we’ve talked about his family, I got theimpression that his father was strict, but I thought it was when Christian andhis siblings were growing up. The man I just said goodbye to seems like maybehe’s still that way. And it makes my heart ache for my man. He deserves to havea dad who gushes over him and everything he’s accomplished in his career.

But I keep that observation to myself.

I do that a lot in this relationship, and I’m not sure why.I talk a big game about how we are free to be ourselves and how great it is,but am I lying to myself? Shouldn’t I be able to voice these feelings insteadof mulling them over and keeping them to myself?

It’s something to think about.

Later.

Now, I focus on what things will be like after Christmas.Our families are very similar, but I know my dad will be a lot easier onChristian than Mr. Lucas was on me.

At the airport, he doesn’t walk me in. Dropping me off atthe curb is easier, and I know he’s eager to get back to his family.

“I’ll see you next week, Ella Rose,” he says, right beforehe kisses me.

I’m getting better with these goodbyes, but I’m still goingto miss the heck out of him.

Meeting the Holts is filled with as much enthusiasmand as many embarrassing stories as Christian’s siblings had, and I’m cringinga little when my mom puts in a VHS tape, because we are probably the onlyfamily that still owns a VCR, of the Wonder Land Christmas Special that I sangin when I was twelve.

Christian is smiling from ear to ear, and I know he’senjoying himself.