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“Did you miss me or something?” I ask, delighted by their warm hugs and the weight of their small bodies melding with mine. I hitch Henri on my hip and take Martinez’s and turn to smile at Eva.
“Hi, angel.” I blow her a kiss.
“Hi, I guess I’ll get the bags,” she grumbles, but with a smile on her face. I lean down to drop a kiss on her cheek. She smells like chlorine and sunscreen. Eva climbs back into the car to get her brothers’ backpacks, and my mother hops down.
“You let them go swimming already, you’re getting soft.” I raise an eyebrow at my mother’s mock disapproval.
She shrugs. “They’re much nicer than you were.” She smiles and walks past our huddle toward the house. I pivot and rush after her as fast my clinging children will allow.
“Are you coming in?” I ask, when I catch up.
She glances at me like I’ve lost my mind. “Don’t I always?”
“Wait. I want to tell you someth—”
“Qui est cet homme?" Martinez digs his heels enough, to bring me to a halt, and I follow the trajectory of the finger he’s pointing, and even though this isn’t going according to plan, I can’t help but smile.
Stone stands in the doorway freshly showered and dressed in the same jeans and shirt he was wearing last night, looking like a dream come true.
“I see,” my mother drawls, and looks at me with arched brows.
“C'est un ami et il voulait vous rencontrer tous,” I explain to wide-eyed Martinez.
“You made a new friend?” Henri shrieks at my explanation, jumps down from my hip and strides up the walk. “I am Henri Landel. I’m the oldest boy in my family.” He extends his hand for Stone to shake.
For all his earlier talk about being nervous, he looks as relaxed as ever. He grins down at my son, “Hello, I’m Stone Rivers. I’m the second oldest boy in my family. Very nice to meet you.” He drops to his knee so they’re almost eye level and they shake hands.
“Mom?” Eva calls, tentatively from behind me and I turn to face her, Martinez still clinging to my leg.
“Are you okay?” I ask when she just stares at me.
“Is that…your boyfriend?” she mouths.
“Women your mother’s age don’t have boyfriends,” my mother answers loudly and I give her an exasperated glance.
A flushing Eva makes her way toward the door and Stone stands and meets her halfway. “Can I help you with your bags?” he asks.
She cocks her head and considers him, “Would you offer to help if I was a boy?”
“Eva!” My mother chides.
Eva’s undaunted, “Well?”
Stone nods. “Absolutely,” he confirms.
“Okay. That’s good. And thanks, but I got it.” She turns around to give me an inconspicuous thumbs up. I drop my head into my hands and laugh. This couldn’t be any more wonderful if I’d planned it.
“Well, let’s take this little party inside, shall we?” my mother says and starts to herd up toward the open front door.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I came out here because I just called in to work. I’m sorry,” Stone grimaces.
We planned on me bringing the kids in, introducing him and having lunch together.
But Martinez’s grip hasn’t eased, and I think maybe it’s for the best.
“Maybe come back for dinner?” I ask.
“Yes, I’ll cook,” my mother chimes in.
