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He looked back at me from the road. “I love you, too,” he said, and he brought up my hand to his lips and kissed it. Then, squeezing it as he brought it back down, he said, “We’re here, this house on the left.”
I wasn’t quite sure what I’d been expecting, but the Minneapolis residence was just as impressive as the one on Laguna Way. It was double the height, prefaced by a lush, magnificent garden that I could only assume had been plucked straight from Versailles. Lucas pulled into the driveway, right beside his mother’s car, and turned to me one last time.
“Are you sure you’re ready for this?” he asked me.
Whatever confidence I felt I’d been lacking, his care and concern restored. It was as if his regard for my wellbeing in turn compelled me to be well. Suddenly I felt prepared for all that was to come, regardless of the outcome. And so, looking him in the eyes, I said, “Let’s do this,” and together we emerged from the car.
Lucas unlocked the front door, and when he opened it, the house was totally silent. Had it not been for the car in the driveway, I would’ve assumed nobody was home, but then I heard a shuffle from what sounded like upstairs.
“Hello? Lucas?” called his mother’s voice.
“Yes, Mamá, it’s me—and I brought Natalie.”
I heard a commotion somewhere across the house, as if someone had dropped something, but before I could look to Lucas for an explanation, his mother appeared over the lip of the staircase, her expression cold and unreadable. She said nothing, only stared.
“Where’s Isabella?” he asked her.
“Out,” she replied tersely.
But I was feeling bold. “Who else is here, then? Because I could’ve sworn I just heard someone down here.”
“As I’ve already told you—” she began, her tone impatient, when suddenly Isabella emerged from around the corner.
“Mamá, it’s fine, I’m right here,” said Isabella.
Before there could be any lull in the conversation, Lucas declared, rather loudly, “Family meeting in the living room. Now.”
To my surprise, his mother’s expression changed, from one of contrived disinterest to one of genuine incredulity. Silently she made her way down the stairs, while Isabella shuffled toward the nearest couch and seated herself. Lucas’s mother joined Isabella on this couch, while Lucas and I sat together on the couch opposite them.
“Alright,” Lucas said. “So, now that this meeting has been called to order, there are a few things I need to say.”
“Lucas, why is she—” his mother began.
“Because she’s family,” he snapped, before she even had a chance to finish her thought. “Just listen, please.” I saw her body relax slightly, and Lucas continued, “We’ve come here today to set the record straight. You’ve heard terrible things about Natalie, not one of which is true. She’s fiercely independent, she’s kind…” he paused suddenly, drawing in a sharp breath. “And she’s the mother of my child.”
“What?!” exclaimed Isabella. Their mother was speechless.
“Yes, I’m the father of her daughter, Sophie—I only found out myself a few hours ago. And the reason she waited so long to tell me, was because she didn’t want me to think she was using me, for my name or my money. She wanted us to build a relationship on its own terms, outside of obligation.” He paused, squeezing my hand. It looked as if he might cry, but he didn’t. He went on, “I love her, so much. Her and our daughter. They’re my family as much as you are, and I’d very much like it if you could accept them.”
He fell silent, and for a moment the room was thick with contemplation. Then, his mother turned tentatively toward me. “Natalie, is this true?”
“It is,” I said. “I didn’t want him to think I was taking advantage of him, and so I didn’t tell him, but they love each other, and… and he had a right to know.” I paused briefly, wiping a tear from my eye. “He’s an incredible father, and an absolute gentleman. He’s so good to her, and to me. I don’t know how you raised your son, but you did it right.” Then, I looked at Lucas for what felt like the very first time. “I love you, Lucas, you mean everything to me.”
I fell into his shoulder, overwhelmed by raw emotion. He wrapped his arms around me protectively, and pulled me in. Suddenly the world around me vanished, and it was just the two of us.
But then I returned to myself and, remembering where we were and what we were doing, I quickly sat up straight, wiping my tears decisively with my forearm and fixing my hair before I looked back at Lucas’s mother. Her countenance had metamorphosed, and were it not for the hair and clothes, I could hardly have recognized her. She was smiling slightly, and tears were welling in her eyes.
“I had no idea…” she said. “Natalie, I’m so sorry, for everything. I know how hard it is, raising a child without a father. When my husband died, I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders. But you did it on your own, and never expected anyone to do anything for you. I commend you for all of it, and I’m so excited to meet my granddaughter. Natalie, I want you to know that you’re a welcome part of this family. You and Sophie.” She smiled, more markedly than I’d ever seen her smile before. Then, she lightly nudged Isabella.
“I’m sorry, too,” Isabella said, sounding sincere despite the brevity of her response. But this didn’t cut it for her mother, who cast a cautionary side-eye, and so she continued, “What I did was wrong. I thought I was acting in my brother’s best interest, but I can see now that I had it all wrong. I hope you can forgive me.”
I was stupefied. Although this was the outcome I’d hoped for, I hadn’t anticipated it coming as easily—and suddenly—as it did. And so, not knowing what to do, I stood up and walked across the living room, to the couch where Lucas’s mother and sister were sitting.
“I appreciate it,” I said. “But in my family, we settle these things with a hug.” Not caring how corny it sounded, I cast my arms wide, and to my surprise, Lucas’s mother stood up and embraced me. Isabella stood up as well, not waiting for her mother to finish before joining in, and before I knew it Lucas had made his way over, and we were delightfully entangled in a group hug.
“Sweet Natalie,” said his mother. “Welcome to the family.”
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