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“I’m going to the mall to pick up more tomorrow,” I reply, and enjoy the chuckle from his sexy mouth.
TWENTY-TWO
Roast Beef and Mashed Potatoes
ALEX
The next day, Sabrina calls her parents to give them the news of our engagement. I can sense their apprehension and understand why they feel this way. They’ve never met me and have no idea what I’m all about. They’ve also lived through the horror of losing their daughter to a man who took them from her, not just physically, but emotionally too. If I were them, I’d feel the same.
I don’t want to lessen Sabrina’s excitement and happiness. She’s bubbly and cheerful, rambling on about Chloe’s wedding. Thank God for speakerphone, because Sabrina talks with her hands as well as her mouth. It’s cute!
I wait for a pause in her exuberance before I butt in. “Douglas, I’m wondering if you wouldn’t mind company next weekend. I think it’s high time that I meet the parents.”
“You’ll come out?” Douglas seems hopeful, and I can hear her mom, Cheryl, give a gleeful shout.
“Absolutely, if you’ll have us.”
“Of course. We’d be delighted.” He pauses a moment and directs his next comment to his daughter. “I miss you, baby girl. I can’t wait to see you.”
“Miss you too, Daddy,” she says, then comes to stand in my arms. Sabrina’s come far, but it’s been a long time since she’s been home.
“I’ll make arrangements, and Sabrina will let you know when we’ll be arriving,” I conclude. I think Sabrina needs time to regroup. We’ve talked about going to see her parents, and I know she wants to, but this is a big leap for her.
For the rest of the week, we talk it through. She called her counselor and had a session when she came home, and she says she’s ready for this.
“You say the word if you get uncomfortable or something triggers you, you tell me, and I’ll get us home,” I tell her. “I got your back.”
* * *
We landat the airport late Friday night, and Don, her brother, is there to pick us up. Sabrina’s clutching my hand so tight, I think she’s going to break my fingers, but as soon as she sees her brother with his arms wide open waiting for her, she tears off like a bullet and jumps in his arms.
Don is just as elated, picking up his sister and swinging her around in a circle before planting her back on her feet. I make my way over and see that Sabrina’s all choked up.
“I—I—” She’s so emotional that words won’t come out.
“Shush. I know,” he says, putting an arm around her shoulders. He looks over at me. “You must be Alex.” He extends a hand, and I take it.
“Pleased to meet you.” I smile.
Don takes one of the bags and slings it over his shoulder. “Let me give you a hand.”
“Thanks,” I say. Sabrina takes my hand, and all of us make our way to Don’s car. Once we’re settled, Don fills us in on what’s in store.
“Mom’s been cooking all day. Dad has paced the floor so much, I think the rug is threadbare. They’re so excited to see you again. Mom’s been cleaning for days,” he says with a laugh.
“I remember she does that. Whenever she’s nervous, she cleans,” Sabrina tells me. “How’s Dad?” she asks Don.
“He’s doing good.” He glances over to his sister. “The heart attack was a warning to change his lifestyle, and Mom’s made sure that he did. He walks every day now, tinkers in the garage, and has started some woodworking projects. He’s getting pretty good at it.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t come home,” Sabrina says in a quiet tone. “I put it all on you.”
“I get it. I really do. I’m not gonna lie to you, it sucked. It felt never-ending. Day in, day out, keeping Mom from losing her mind, taking Dad for rehab. But I get it, Bri. You were protecting us, and you didn’t think we’d be safe,” he tells her. “Sis, the only thing Mom and Dad care about is the fact you’re here now. They’re so happy. It’s so good to see them this excited.”
“I can’t wait to see them too,” Sabrina says with a small smile. “I can’t wait for them to meet Alex.”
“FYI, dude”—Don focuses his attention on me—“with all that’s happened, it’s fair for them to be skittish of a man being with their daughter.”
“Noted,” I reply. “I would think it strange if they didn’t have questions.” I would be nervous too if I were in their position. I would already have run a background check on the guy dating my daughter. A baby girl would absolutely kill me. If she was anything like Sabrina, sweet and trusting, I’d have to hire Mason on full-time to follow her around.
