99. Bailey
ninety-nine
Bailey
I glance at him at a red light, grinning when he catches me. “You nervous?” I ask. “Nope,” he says, leg bouncing three times the speed of the music playing.
“You sure?” I say as I take his hand in mine.
“Okay, so I’m more worried about your Dad than I am your Mom, but I’m definitely concerned,” he admits.
“Worried and concerned but not nervous,” I reply. “Got it,” I say, trying to hide the smile threatening to bloom.
“The trick with my Mom is to compliment her cooking,” I advise. “As far as my Dad goes, he’s a tough one to crack. I’d definitely advise against conversations involving anal sex.”
He laughs, “You’re ridiculous.”
“And you’re mine,” I say, giving his hand a squeeze. “They’re going to love you.”
He lets out a sigh and relaxes into his seat.
As we head up the long driveway, his grip tightens in mine and he clears his throat.
I put the car in park and meet his gaze. Those amber pools full of unanswered questions stare back at me and I wish I could kiss his worries away.
I grab his face in my hands. “Lolly, you’re perfect. In every way. No matter what happens today, you are still going to be mine when we walk out of here, hand in hand. Okay?”
He nods. “Okay,” he says.
I press my lips to his, breathing in everything that is him. My happy. My world. “I love you,” I breathe against his mouth.
“I love you, too.”
“Come on, I’ve got some people I want you to meet.”
I take his hand as we make our way to the front door, our footfalls light on the paved walkway. The evening air cool against my skin, a gentle reminder that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.
I inhale, hold for three, and knock.
The door swings open, Mom steps around with a bright smile and an oven mit on one hand.
“Oh my lanta I am so happy yall are here!” She beams. “Oliver, it is nice to finally meet you,” she says. “Honestly, Bailey, why did you wait so long to bring him over?” She swats at me with her mitted hand.
I laugh.
Lolly smiles, “It’s nice to meet you too, Mrs. Bailey. Thank you for having us.”
“You gonna let us in or will we be eating outside?” I say with a grin.
“Come inside, both of you,” she says as she steps aside and hurries us in.
“Okay, the poppyseed chicken is almost done. You two have a seat. Bailey, your Dad should be down any minute,” she says before sauntering back to the kitchen.
We follow behind her and take our seats at the table. “You want anything to drink?”
“I’m good right now, thanks,” he says with a wink.
“Greg? Honey? The boys are here!” She bellows.
We both try and fail to stifle our laughter.
“Coming,” Dad yells from upstairs.
He rounds the corner and raises a hand in a small wave, “Oliver? Good to have you,” he says.
“It’s good to be here,” Lolly replies with a tentative smile.
Dad takes a seat across from us. “So, what have you been up to?” He looks to both of us, waiting for one of us to speak.
“Well,” I begin, “He’s been busy in talks with a tech company about the program he built for his mom,” I say with pride.
“Is that so?” Dad asks, brows raised.
“Yes sir,” he says. “The ultimate goal is to help other families keep their loved ones at home safely as I was able to.”
My heart swells in my chest. My god, he’s incredible.
Mom chimes in, “Oh, honey that’s wonderful!”
“Yeah, it really is,” I add.
“Thank you,” he says.
Mom sets the table as we catch up, Lolly chiming in as if he was always meant to be here.
Conversation flows easily and the food is delicious as always.
But it hits different now. Everything is better with him by my side.
The laughter, the dessert. Hell, even the wallpaper seems a brighter shade of green.
“Oliver, I want you to know that you are always welcome here. We both know what you did for our son, a debt we can never repay, but I’d like to try,” she says with a warm smile.
“Thank you. And you don’t owe me anything,” he says with a soft smile.
I grab his hand under the table, intertwining our fingers as we finish the evening off with Mom’s apple pie and Blue Bell ice cream.