Chapter 16
Sophie
Meeting the parents. It felt like a big deal. Or maybe I was just traumatized from my experience with Max and Helen.
“Sophie, dear, everything is going to be fine,” Walt assured me, wrapping his arm around my shoulders for a quick squeeze.
I tried to loosen the death grip I had on the bottle of wine I’d brought for dinner.
A moment of insecurity hit me. I was bringing my ex’s grandfather with me to meet my new boyfriend’s family.
What am I doing? The door swung open before I could fully melt down.
“You’re here! Oh, we’ve been dying to meet you!” I was enveloped in a hug from a tiny but strong woman.
Her dark hair was sprinkled with gray, cut in a chic shoulder-length style with thick bangs.
She had a long sweater on that looked incredibly soft yet casual, paired with brown leggings and thick socks.
She had a scarf draped loosely around her neck, making the outfit look put together in a way I could never pull off.
She stepped back, but didn’t let go of me completely, examining my face.
I was surprised when she pressed her hand to my cheek.
“Just lovely. We’re so happy to have you here,” she told me, excitement written all over her. Before I could reply, she was moving on from me to crouch in front of Lou.
“Hi, there. Are you Eloise?” she asked, her voice kind, an inviting smile on her face. Lou looked up at me shyly before turning back to the woman.
“Linc calls me Lou.”
“Does he now? Well, I’m Linc’s mama. My name is Abigail, but you can call me Abby or Mimi. Whichever you prefer.” My heart beat in my chest as I watched the interaction.
“Oh, where are my manners? Come in. Here, let me take those,” Abigail said, reaching for the container of cookies Lou was holding.
“I made them with Mommy. They’re for you,” Lou said, passing the container over excitedly.
“They must be the best cookies ever, then! I can’t wait to try one.” We had made it into the entryway, and I was helping Lou out of her shoes and jacket as Abigail stood near us, chatting away.
“And you must be Pops. We’ve heard a lot about you as well.”
“Thank you for letting me join, Mrs. Carson,” he replied.
“Please, none of that formal nonsense. Abby or Mimi for you as well,” she replied, and a feeling of warmth spread through me. In only a few seconds, this woman had welcomed us into her home, genuine interest and care in every gesture.
“Ma? What’s taking so long?” Linc appeared, well over a foot taller than his mother. Their resemblance was unmistakable. As soon as he saw us, his face softened.
“Linc!” Lou ran straight for him, leaping into his arms as soon as he was within reach. Catching her easily, Lincoln watched Lou closely as she filled him in.
“Your mom said I can call her Mimi. Is that okay? We made cookies!”
“Mom is the boss. You should listen to her.” He gave Lou a hug before putting her down, an analytical look on his face.
“Lulu, you look bigger since the last time I saw you. Have you been eating your broccoli?”
“I’ve been eating my vegetables every day! I’m stronger, just like you said.” She puffed her chest out proudly as we all stood around, watching the two engage.
“Well, grab on. Let’s see how much stronger,” Linc said, lifting his arm out.
The more time we spent together, the closer the two got, and this was one of their favorite games.
She grabbed Linc’s arm, her hands looking so tiny against his forearm as he lifted her.
Lou squealed in excitement before breaking into giggles as she tried to hold on, her feet dangling just a few inches from the ground.
“Wow. Never thought I’d see the day, but damn, if this isn’t adorable.” A younger woman spoke from my side. I jumped, not having heard her approach.
“Quinn. Baby sister, favorite child, and keeper of all family secrets. Anytime Linc pisses you off, I’m your girl,” she told me. I couldn’t help but laugh.
“It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you,” I told her honestly. I knew she was a social worker and that, behind her affable nature, she could be ruthless and protective of those in her care. I admired what she did, but had a hard time imagining the young woman scaring anyone.
“Come on, let me get you a glass of wine. Hopefully, they’ll figure out the rest of the house exists past the entryway.” I paused for a moment, but seeing that Lou was with Linc, both Walt and Abigail standing by, I followed.
Quinn led me down a hallway, then into a spacious kitchen. A man with salt-and-pepper hair was cooking at the stove while a younger man dug through the fridge.
“Dad, Mase, this is Sophie. I rescued her from Mom’s twenty-minute welcome tour.” Both men turned around. The older of the two stepped forward, a huge smile transforming his face as he reached for my hand.
“Sophie! So good to meet you. My name is Garrett, and the grouchy-looking fellow is our middle child, Mason.” He shook my hand with a firm grip, a warm smile on his face.
“Thank you for having us over. It’s wonderful to finally meet you,” I told him genuinely.
“Nice to meet you, Sophie. Heard a lot about you,” Mason replied. It was strange; he looked so similar to Linc, yet so different. Mason was all hard edges, precision, and clean lines. His haircut looked vaguely military, and he held himself with an almost rigid posture.
“Mommy! I held on for thirty seconds this time! I’m getting stronger!” Lou burst into the kitchen, Linc following behind her.
“No way!” I replied, happy to see her smiling and talking. Meeting strangers was hit or miss with Lou. The kitchen was large, but it felt intimate and friendly. Mason and Garrett stayed by the stove as Quinn passed me a glass of wine. Lou looked between the two men before walking over to Mason.
“How come you look like Linc, but smaller?” Lou asked, studying the two men. From behind me, Linc let out a bark of laughter as Mason shot him a stern look. Mason turned to Lou, his smile softening his face as he bent down to answer her question.
“We look alike because we’re brothers. Linc may be bigger, but I’m prettier.” Mason winked at Lou, and she ran back over to me, hiding her face in my legs. Linc made his way over to us and pulled me into his arms as soon as he was within reach.
“You didn’t even say hi to me,” he whispered, his voice grouchy as he pressed a kiss to my neck.
“Ew. There are children present. Come on, Lou. Let’s go into the living room. I brought some games over. I thought we could pick one to play after dinner,” Quinn said as she focused on Lou.
“You play games? We played Jenga the other day, and I won! I beat Ethan and Becca. What’s your favorite game?” Lou’s questions trailed behind her excited form as she eagerly took Quinn’s hand to check out the living room.
“No necking in the kitchen,” Garrett demanded, waving a towel at us, shooing us out of the space.
Linc took my glass of wine and led me into the living room, where Lou was looking through a pile of games as Walt and Abigail chatted in the other corner.
Linc sat on the couch, pulling me down next to him, one arm around my back as he held me tightly against his side.
“Mom! They have SO many games! Quinn said we could play after dinner. Linc, will you play too?” Lou asked excitedly, and my heart hurt for a minute.
She didn’t really experience this; dinners with her father’s family were cold and not intended for children.
We only saw my parents once a year, and most of that time, Lou ran around outside with the animals as opposed to sitting down and playing with either of my parents.
“Can I play too?” Abigail asked, and Lou’s eyes widened.
“You wanna play with me too?” she asked, looking slightly amazed.
“As long as that’s alright with you. I happen to be the reigning champion at UNO,” Abigail replied, a smile on her face.
“COOL!”
“Hey, no fair. I want in on game time too,” Mason said, walking into the room with a tray of vegetables, crackers, and various dips. Garrett followed behind him with a small plate of Goldfish and apple slices for Lou.
“Hi there, little miss. My name is Garrett. I’m Linc’s dad. I heard Goldfish are your favorite snack, so I made sure we kept some for you.”
“A special plate just for me? I don’t have to eat any of the vegetables in the goop?” she asked, pointing at the crudités.
“No way! No veggies in this house,” Garrett replied, looking offended.
“Dad!” Linc shook his head in disappointment, and Garrett stood up, hands on his hips.
“What? I made you eat your veggies, and look! You’re all grown up, so my job is done.
I’m ready to be the fun house.” Grabbing some Goldfish, he popped them into his mouth before taking a seat on the floor next to the coffee table full of snacks.
The environment was relaxed and welcoming.
It was such a foreign experience. I watched as Lou looked around the room, her eyes darting between all the people and the games Quinn had pulled out.
She walked over to Quinn before leaning over to try to whisper in her ear.
“Do you think… Maybe we could play for a little before dinner?” Lou asked shyly, looking nervous.
“Absolutely! Why are we whispering, though?” Quinn asked back, a smile on her face.
“Grandma Helen says I’m too loud at dinner.” A heavy silence fell over the room, and I was surprised to see that Mason was the first to kick into gear.
“Well, you don’t have to be quiet here. I feel like maybe we should give Lou a tour of the garage,” he suggested, eyebrows waggling.
“Brilliant!” Quinn answered, jumping up.
“What’s in the garage?” I asked, confused.
“C’mon. Let’s all go,” Linc said, helping me to my feet.
“I’m gonna get dinner on the table. You all have fun,” Garrett told us affectionately.
“I’ll help,” Walt offered, surprising me.
The two men walked into the kitchen, and a strange feeling passed over me.
Pops didn’t have many friends. I knew he spent most of his free time with us.
I hope he isn’t isolated because of my decision to leave Max.
That thought trailed away as we walked through the mudroom and entered the garage in single file.
“Are those… DRUMS?” Lou exclaimed, just as I stepped in far enough to take in all of the music equipment.
There was a drum kit in the center, a guitar, and a keyboard, along with a few mic stands and speakers.
The walls had some sort of foam covering them, and several other instruments littered the space.
“What’s all this?” I asked Abigail.
“Lincoln wanted to be a rock star when he was a kid. Begged us every night for three years for the drum kit. We finally gave in. It’s as bad as everyone says…
so we soundproofed the garage and put it out here.
By then, Mason was asking every day for a guitar.
Once Quinn was old enough to talk, she wanted to sing, so they were in here practicing for a few years.
Had to get Garrett new hearing aids after, but we always kept the space set up for them.
I don’t have a single musical bone in my body, so not really sure where they get it.
Sometimes, on holidays, they’ll play for us,” Abigail told us fondly.
“What do you wanna try out first?” Quinn asked.
Lou’s eyes widened. She turned to look at me.
I gave her a nod of encouragement, smiling at her excitement.
She ran up to the drums, but didn’t touch them, then ran up to the keyboard, examining it.
Lou seemed frozen by indecision as Linc walked toward the drums with sticks.
He sat down and started a basic beat on the drum.
Lou walked over to stand near him, and he casually handed her a stick, pointing at the cymbals.
“Can you hit that for me? Ready… And go.” It was not in sync, the clangs completely missing the beat, but the loud noise filling the garage was absolutely perfect. Lou’s excited cheers and loud laughter were the sweetest music I had ever heard.