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Lily sighed. “I’m sorry this is the first time we’re meeting each other, Luca. Neither of us is being cast in the best light—”
“Neither of you?” Lock interjected. “Sorry, Mom, but that’s on you. As far as I’ve seen, all Luca has done is stand up for his wife, as he should. If you want this to continue, you’ll have to start over. Otherwise, we’re leaving.”
“You can’t leave. I flew out here for this.” She rubbed her lips together. “I’d like to see my grandchildren while I’m here.”
Lock chuffed. “We’ll see. As of right now, that’s not going to happen.”
“Oh. Well…” Lily patted her cheek, her gaze flitting over the three of us. “I think Lachlan is right. Let’s start fresh. I admit to being upset I’m the last to know about your marriage and started this meeting off on the wrong foot. I’m sorry for the way Peter spoke to you, Saoirse, and even more so, that I implied anything he said was correct.”
“It isn’t a surprise,” Saoirse said.
Her mother’s lashes lowered. “That’s incredibly unfortunate, but I know it’s my fault.” She gave us both a tentative smile. “Would you be willing to tell me about your engagement and wedding?”
Saoirse was still leaning against me, so I touched my lips to her temple and murmured next to her ear, “Anything you want, pretty girl.”
She exhaled and slipped her hand back into mine before facing her mother. “Luca has pictures. The wedding was just us, but it was beautiful.”
Saoirse went on to describe the ceremony, and I found myself listening, hanging on her every word. She wasn’t embellishing anything. She took her time explaining the little details, like the color of my suit, how she’d picked her dress, the flowers she’d carried. The setting was the highlight of her story. I passed my phone to Lily for her to scroll through the pictures the judge had taken.
She smiled as she looked. “This is very you, Sersh. You were never a poofy dress kind of girl—and never one for tradition.”
“The idea of a poofy dress makes me itchy,” Saoirse said. “We just wanted to be married. The ceremony wasn’t the important part.”
Lily passed the phone back to me and turned to her daughter. “A lot of people lose sight of that. They place too much emphasis on one day and not enough on the lifetime they’ll be spending with the other person. I’m hoping the two of you spent enough time together to really agree on what you want your life to look like.”
“We did,” I assured her. “Saoirse and I are still discovering each other. I hope that never ends. But as far as what our marriage will be, we’re in complete agreement.”
Lily squared her shoulders, looking back and forth between us. “You seem to have a good head on your shoulders, Luca. And while I’m certain you didn’t come here needing my approval, I have to say I like the way you are with my daughter.” She gave Lock a soft smile. “And having my son sit beside you tells me he likes the way you are too. He wouldn’t be here if he didn’t.”
Lock made a low sound, which I took as agreement.
“You’re right. I didn’t come here seeking your approval.” I leaned forward, ensuring I had Lily’s full attention. “It would be nice for my wife to have an easier relationship with you without the constant pressure of having her choices questioned. I hope your worries ease, knowing she has my unwavering support. If they don’t, I hope you find a way to keep them to yourself.”
“Well…” Lily straightened her silverware before flicking her eyes back up to mine, “I think I’ve been properly put in my place. I would love to have an easier relationship with my daughter. With both my kids.”
Things calmed between the four of us after that. Lily asked about Caleb and Hannah, and Lock told her about Elena’s pregnancy. She seemed genuinely thrilled.
I couldn’t get a read on this woman. On the one hand, she made Saoirse stressed and worried. But on the other, there was obvious and genuine love coming from her toward her children.
The one thing I did know was the next time I saw my own mother, she was getting a big hug and “thank you.” I’d never appreciated her more than I did now.
When dinner was over, the check paid, all of us made our way toward the exit. Peter was waiting outside, keeping a safe distance.
He wasn’t a complete idiot. Only three-quarters of one.
Lily took Lock’s hand. “Can I come out to see the kids in the morning before my flight?”
He pushed his shaggy hair off his face. “I don’t think you being at the ranch is a good idea.”
“Why not? Did Connell tell you not to let me? Because if he did—”
“No, Mom.” Saoirse’s hands were balled into tight fists. “Dad would never do that, and you know it. Stop trying to draw us into whatever drama is still happening between the two of you in your mind.”
Lock clamped down on his mother’s shoulder before she could respond. “We’ll meet you at the park in the morning. I’ll text you a time,” he said calmly.
“Fine.” Lily smoothed her palm over her already tidy hair. “Will I see you too, Saoirse? Luca?”
“No,” I answered. There was no chance I’d let Saoirse put herself through more stress tomorrow. Tonight had been enough. “We have to get back home. We’ll say goodbye now.”
