Chapter 21
On the first Sunday evening they finally had free, they drove out to Logan’s parents for dinner.
It ended up being easier than them coming into the city.
Danielle couldn’t find a sitter, so he checked with Brooke, and she agreed going to them worked fine.
Logan wondered if the dinner would feel different now that they were actually dating for real and no longer under the guise of fake dating.
They agreed that his parents never needed to know about their fake dating phase.
The beginnings of spring made the air balmy and sweet. Logan lowered the windows of the car a few inches to let the tangy air roll through the cab. The wind picked up and made Brooke’s hair whirl around her.
Brooke spoke loudly over the roar of the engine. “When do the twins turn one?” They held hands over the center console.
“In a week. Danielle has insisted on a huge birthday bash.” Logan changed lanes without missing a beat. “She’s renting a petting zoo to come set up in her backyard.”
“They do that?” Brooke scrunched up her nose. “I can’t remember ever even having a cake for me.”
“I’m sorry, that bites, but don’t worry that will change.” Logan squeezed her hand. “I plan on making sure not a single one of your birthdays ever passes without the most annoyingly perfect fanfare.”
“I wasn’t—I don’t need fanfare.” Brooke’s cheeks splashed with pink. “Just a cake, a day celebrating with family. That would be enough.”
“You mean my family?” Logan glanced quickly at her then darted his gaze back to the highway.
“Yes.” Brooke gnawed on her free hand’s thumb nail. “But they’ll be mine too someday, right?”
The thought made his heart soar. He wanted nothing more than for Brooke to slide right into his family. She was his missing thread and belonged next to him in the fabric of the family.
“You’ve been listening.” He brought their holding hands up to his mouth and he kissed the back of her palm. “I want you to be my family. I want my family to be yours, too.”
“Then it’s all settled.” The exit to his parents’ came up next. Brooke pointed at the exit sign. “Don’t miss the exit, I’ve been distracting you with all this family talk.”
“Hey,” he merged onto the exit, slowing down as he rolled to the stoplight at the end of it. “I like this family talk.”
Then he made a right turn and drove at a leisurely pace through the neighborhood to his parents.
The sidewalks were lined with blooming trees.
A mixture of Eastern Redbud, Dogwood and Crabapple trees made a beautiful pop of spring.
Houses were set far back with green lawns and vibrant flowers.
He loved coming home, even more, he loved that this time Brooke was coming too.
Logan pulled onto the street which led to his parents. “Mom is already asking if we can come for Easter.”
“I’d love that,” Brooke wistfully sighed. “I look forward to many of these gatherings. If I’m being honest—I am a bit nervous to see Danielle. I haven’t seen her since I went to her house to help with Lily’s fever.”
“Has it been that long?” He eased the car to the curb and parked. “My sister is fully on board. She even apologized to me, which is huge. I can’t remember her ever admitting to being wrong about anything before.” He turned off the car and unbuckled his seat belt.
“I know.” Brooke unbuckled her seatbelt too. “But she wanted you to be with Shelby.”
“Not now.” Logan shoved his keys into his pocket. “She texted me incessantly during your hospital stay and called me regularly to make sure you were okay. I thought I told you that.”
“You did.” Brooke clasped and unclasped her hands together. “She’s your sister, is it too much to ask that I want her to like me?”
“She does.” He brushed her hair over her shoulder. “Just give her a chance to show you.”
“Okay.”
Before they even exited the car, the whole crew came tumbling out of the house. His parents each held a twin while Danielle darted across the lawn and opened Brooke’s door.
Danielle popped her head inside. “I owe you an apology,” she blurted out.
Brooke’s gaze darted between her and Logan then back to her. “Umm.” She tucked her loosened hair behind her ears. “Really?”
“Yes, I almost ruined my baby brother’s shot at happiness.”
Danielle grasped Brooke by her hands and yanked her out of the car to a standing position. Logan climbed out of the car and joined them.
“I’m sorry.” Danielle hugged her. “I hope you can forgive me.”
“Of course.” Brooke smiled and patted her on her back before releasing their embrace. “It’s water under the bridge.”
Brooke twisted and met his gaze. She beamed. Logan winked at her.
Danielle hooked her elbow around Brooke’s. “Grab her stuff,” she instructed Logan.
“Aye, Aye.” Logan gathered up Brooke’s purse and shut the car door, and he followed behind them as they walked up the house.
“How are you feeling?” Danielle patted Brooke arm with her other hand. “Is your abdomen still sore?” Her gaze roamed over her. “My brother had better be taking good care of you.”
“I’m doing much better.” Brooke peered over her shoulder to Logan. “And I’ve had an excellent doctor taking care of me. He’s made sure I followed the aftercare to a T.”
“Good.” Danielle shot Logan a pleased look. “Then Mom and I taught him well.”
“Thanks.” Brooke smiled. “I’ve certainly reaped the benefits of your hard work.”
“You should’ve seen him as a kid.” Danielle smirked. “Oh, the stories I have to tell you.”
“Ooh, this is going to be fun.” Brooke elbowed Logan.
“Hey.” Logan broke the two women apart and wrapped an arm around Brooke’s shoulders. “Please do not listen to her. I was the poster child for a well-mannered and perfect child.”
“Yeah, right.” Danielle shook a finger at him. “Didn’t you almost burn down the school during chemistry?”
“They managed to get the fire out quickly,” Logan countered defensively. “The teacher had it one hundred percent under control.”
“What?” Brooke’s eyes dilated. “How did you manage to do that?”
“A kid dared me to triple the amount of one chemical. He claimed he saw something about it on one of those true crime stories.” Logan winced. “It wasn’t my finest hour but believe me when I say it was a one-time thing.”
“Yes, because you received in-school suspension and Dad scared you straight,” Danielle replied.
“But look at me now. I’m a model citizen. My fire days are long behind me.”
“You’re hogging her.” Amy shouted to them as she rearranged one of the twins from one of her hips to the other. “Get on up here.”
“We’re coming!” Logan shouted back.
“Mom,” Danielle leaned in closer and whispered, “made that jambalaya, she claims is a family recipe. Word to the wise, eat slowly, and take large sips of water to get it down.”
“When is she ever going to learn how much we hate that stuff,” Logan muttered under her breath. “Good luck to us all.”
Brooke chuckled. “Okay,” she whispered back. “I appreciate the advice.”
When they arrived at the front porch, Logan’s parents hugged her while balancing a twin on their hips. Brooke shook Michael’s hand. Logan snatched Amelia from Amy and snuggled her against his chest. Amy, Danielle and Michael went into the house.
Paul hung back with them with Lily on his hip. “How are you doing?” His gaze swung to Brooke. “Is your incision healing okay?”
“I’m feeling much better,” Brooke said. “Thanks for asking.”
“I heard one of my colleagues performed the surgery,” Paul said.
“Really?” she raised an eyebrow.
“Dr. Stein who performed your surgery went to medical school with Dad,” Logan said.
“Wow, small world,” Brooke said.
“He is top notch, and he’s been a great mentor to Logan. I’m glad he was there to do the surgery.”
“Me too,” she said.
They paused.
“Come on now,” Paul mumbled and gestured for them to follow him inside. “Amy made her jambalaya.” He leaned in a tad closer. “I’m sorry. None of us have the heart to tell her it’s terrible.”
Brooke laughed. “I promise to keep the family secret.”
“That’s right,” Logan squeezed her hip, “our family secret.”
“Exactly,” Paul said.
“Come on.” Logan led her inside. “The jambalaya puke fest is waiting.”
Her eyes sparkled back at him. “Bring it on,” Brooke teased. “I was made for this.”
“You are going to fit right in,” Paul said.
Logan drew Brooke close to his side and wrapped an arm around her waist. “I know.” He kissed her on the cheek. “She fits, right next to me.”