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Sam reached over and took his hand, squeezing it. “They’ll be happy to see you, Aero.”
Her calm, soothing voice made him feel a bit braver, and he nodded, releasing her hand to get out of the truck. As he approached the front porch, the front door whipped open, and a woman appeared.
Sam paused a few feet behind Aero, watching raptly as the woman rushed forward, her salt and pepper hair brushing her shoulders and tears filling her green eyes.
“Marcus?” The woman gasped, staring up at Aero in disbelief.
“Hi, Mom,” Aero said, and the woman fell against his chest. Aero caught her, holding her close as his own tears fell from his eyes.
“Cathy? What is it?” An older man called from the doorway, his eyes assessing the scene on his front walk.
“Hey, Dad.” Aero locked eyes with his father.
“Mark.” His father flicked his gaze over to Sam. “Who’s your friend?”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Hello, dear.” Aero’s mom leaned around him, smiling at Sam with watery eyes. “How are you?”
“Mom, Dad, this is Sam. Sam, these are my parents,” Aero introduced them.
“Hi.” Sam smiled and waved. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Come in, come in.” Aero’s mom took his hand, tugging him up the steps, and inside with Sam on his heels.
When everyone was settled at the old wooden dining table with coffee, Aero’s father asked, “So, what brings you back here?”
Sam assessed him. It was clear where Aero got his good looks. His father was classically handsome, his blonde hair paling and his skin darkened from years of working outside in the sun.
“It was time,” Aero said, twining his fingers with Sam’s and resting their hands on the table.
“Well, your sisters will be thrilled to see you,” his mother smiled, “and I’m so happy you’ve met someone.”
Sam blushed, looking down into her coffee mug.
“Mom, please,” Aero said, embarrassed.
“And she’s so pretty,” Aero’s mother gushed.
“Thank you, Mrs. McBride,” Sam said, smiling at the woman.
“Please, call me Cathy,” she insisted. “What do you do, Sam?”
“Sam teaches kindergarten,” Aero said, pride clear in his tone.
“Oh, how wonderful! You must be very patient.” Cathy chuckled, and Sam smiled.
“My students are my life. They are so funny, and I love watching them learn and grow,” Sam said honestly. She saw Aero’s father nod approvingly.
“How did you two meet?” Cathy asked, looking at Aero expectantly.
Sam and Aero shared a look, but he launched into the story of joining the Iron Dragons, what life was like there, how he and Sam crossed paths, and their relationship up to that point.
His mother was listening raptly while his father remained mostly impassive, glancing at Sam on occasion until the front door swung open.
“Markie Mark!” A tall blonde woman squealed, rushing forward and throwing her arms around Aero. He flinched slightly but hugged her back.
“McKenzie,” he said gruffly.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” McKenzie grinned with a wide, familiar smile that Sam recognized. She looked a lot like Aero.
