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“Actually, yes. We do,” Mom snapped.
“Hold that thought. Would you like a cup of coffee? Or water?”
“It can wait.”
Oh! That serious. Okay.
“You’re scaring me, folks. What’s this about?” I asked, starting to feel a little uncomfortable.
“I’ll just rip the band-aid off. Son, we’re concerned for you. Since Dana’s demise, you’ve immersed yourself fully into work, and while we’re proud of you and how you’ve done well for yourself, we can’t help but worry about you. You’re our only son, after all.”
“I spoke with Claire…”
“Of course. She’s behind this,” I bit my lip.
“No. Do not blame your sister, Adrian. You wouldn’t talk to us or let us in. We had no choice.”
“That’s because there’s nothing to tell. I’m fine. Heck, I’ve been fine for a long time. I’m an adult. I think it’s high time you both start treating me as such,” I seethed.
“We will when you take responsibility. You have children now, so you will get it soon enough. Until you do, we are inclined to help you see the light. Your sister told us how you’ve been struggling with taking care of the girls. They need a feminine figure in their life, a mother. If you don’t do it for you, then do it for them,” Mom said, punching a finger in the air every now and then. “Alex, help me here,” she said, turning to Dad.
“Son, your mother is right. You should do this for your girls. A marriage will be good for everyone. But especially for you and the girls. It is for this reason that your mom and I have taken it upon ourselves to collate a list of eligible women who are your type. There should be one that you like or one who is at least…”
“…amenable.”
Are they serious? A list of eligible candidates? What made women eligible?’
I scoffed before I could stop myself. “Are you guys serious right now?”
“Son, we’re just looking out for you.”
I leaped out of the chair and paced the room, running a hand through my hair every now and then. They always did that, always. And I knew them well enough to know how persistent they could be. They wouldn’t rest until I’m hitched.
I blew out a breath and tried to compose myself at the sound of approaching footsteps. Zoey, unaware of our visitors, strode in, followed closely behind by the two girls. Her blue dress, the shade of her eyes, was wet, and it clung to her body. She stood wide-eyed in the doorway as three pairs of eyes turned to her. Rosie squealed and ran into my mom’s lap. Aurora, on the other hand, held her hand tightly and cowered behind her.
“Hey, Rory. Come to Granny.”
I saw a hint of shock in Zoey’s eyes. “Granny?” she mouthed to me.
“Zoey, meet my parents. Mr. and Mrs. Black.”
She walked up to us with a smile. “Hello, Sir, Ma’am. It’s an honor to meet you.”
“Nonsense. Call me Katy, darling,” Mom chirped delightedly. “Your hair, it’s so beautiful.”
That was a first. My mom never warmed up to anyone this quickly, and there she was, fangirling over Zoey. She really was special.
“Who’s your beautiful friend?” Dad, who had watched in silence up until that point, asked.
Mom gave me the idea—that was what I was going to pin it on when they left, if she didn’t end me before then, of course. Those were my thoughts after the craziest idea slipped into my head. It’s funny how creative my mind gets under pressure, but it always yielded amazing results. Take hiring her, for instance. Plus, I guess you could regard my new ‘plan’ a promotion. I looked at the two overbearing but loving humans before me and back at the woman who had managed to get under my skin since I first caught a glimpse of her and decided it was for the best.
“Mom, Dad, meet Zoey Carter, my girlfriend.”
I pinned her gaze with mine, pleading with my eyes and hoping she got the message. A million emotions came to play on her features.
“I was going to give it a little more time, then have you guys properly introduced, but since it played out this way, I guess it can’t be helped. Zoey has been helping with the girls, and as you can see, the girls love her.”
Mom was on her feet and crushing Zoey in a hug.” Son, she’s an absolute catch,” Mom crooned to the poor girl’s discomfort. “Alex, we have a wedding to plan,” she said with a wistful smile playing on her lips. “It will be beautiful.”
