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We all stand, and when my father opens his arms, I step into them, returning his tight embrace. “Thank you for dinner. And for coming into town. I do appreciate the gesture.”
“Of course,mon chéri.” He kisses my cheeks and steps back.
“What time are you leaving tomorrow?”
“Our flight is at ten, so we won’t see you before we leave, unfortunately.” My father sighs. “You know, you could always come home for a visit. Maybe for Christmas?” He glances meaningfully at Gunnar. “You could show Gunnar where you grew up.”
“Yes, do. We would love to have you.” My mother smiles at Gunnar, and it makes my heart full, especially after their initial meeting. I slip my arm around her waist and pull her into a hug. “I love you,maman. Thank you for coming in. I promise I will visit soon. As soon as things settle down here.”
She kisses my cheek. “I hope so,mon chou. We miss you.”
With a lump in my throat and a smile on my face, I watch as my father kisses Astrid on her cheeks and hugs Gary, then walks around the table to pull Gunnar into a hug. “Take good care of my son. And please come visit. We’d love to have you.”
Gunnar looks a bit overwhelmed but recovers quickly, returning the hug. “Thank you, sir.”
“Guillaume. Please.”
“Guillaume.Merci.”
My father slaps him on the back a few times and steps back.
I lean my temple against my mother’s, and she sighs. “I can see how much he cares for you,mon chou. And how much you care for him. I’m very glad that you’ve found someone. It makes me worry less about you here. I know you have friends, but it’s not the same.”
“Thank you,maman. That means a great deal to me.”
She squeezes my hand and lets me go, moving toward Gunnar. When she pulls him into a hug, he glances at me, wide-eyed and somewhat panicky. “You make my son very happy, so I am happy, too. I apologize for my earlier behavior, and I hope we can start fresh.”
Gunnar wraps an arm around her shoulders. “There is no need to apologize. You were already upset, and you knew nothing about me. Let’s just call it extenuating circumstances and move on.” Smiling, she pulls away, and Gunnar takes her hands in his. “I care for your son very much, Mrs. Allard. And I would never intentionally hurt him. I promise you, I will always try to make him happy.”
“Please call me Livia. And that’s all a mother can ask.” She leans in and kisses his cheek again, then turns to say goodbye to Astrid and Gary.
Slipping my arms around Gunnar’s waist, I rub my cheek against his beard. “Are you okay? You look a bit dazed.”
I feel his chuckle rumble against my chest. “Yes, I suppose I am. Your parents love you very much, Joce.”
I snort. “Sometimes too much. They can be overly protective.”
“Yes, but that’s what family does.”
Resting my cheek against his, I’m hit by an overwhelming need to be home with him, wrapped in his arms under the blankets. Socializing is fun, but I’ve had enough for one night. “I’m ready to go if you are. I feel like we haven’t had any time to ourselves today, and I want to get into bed and let you wrap yourself around me.”
“Oh, yeah?” I feel his smile against my temple. “I would very much like that, too. Holding you is the best part of my day.”
We say another round of quick goodbyes at the entrance, while the valet brings our cars. Once we’re on the road, I take Gunnar’s hand, close my eyes, and let my head fall back onto the headrest. He gives my hand a gentle squeeze. “You okay?”
“Mmmm. Just tired. Maybe a little tipsy.”
“Dinner went better than I expected.”
I nod, though he can’t see it in the dark. “Mmm. I knew it would be fine with Astrid and Gary there. They are like sunshine and charm personified.”
That makes Gunnar chuckle. “That’s it exactly.”
“Astrid’s stories helped, too. They showed your sweet side.”
The sound he makes is almost a growl. “I don’t have a sweet side.”
“Well, that’s not true. You’re always sweet to me.” He brings my hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to my fingers. “See? Just like that.” He grumbles a bit but doesn’t try to convince me otherwise, and the rest of the ride home is pleasant silence.
