173
Wednesday arrived quietly, the kind of soft sunrise that painted the penthouse in warm gold and made everything feel calmer than the world deserved. Ericka sat at the edge of the bed tying her hair back for the third time, her knee bouncing lightly.
Amanda watched from the doorway, slipping on her blazer.
"You okay?" she asked gently.
Ericka let out a long breath. "My family will be here in two hours. And I feel like I forgot how to breathe."
Amanda crossed the room, cupped Ericka's cheeks, and rested their foreheads together.
"You're going to be perfect," she murmured. "They already love you. And they'll definitely love us."
Ericka huffed a shaky laugh. "It's not us I'm worried about. It's... everything else. The PR fire, the upcoming interview, the fake proposal photoshoot... and now adding my mom, dad, and sister on top of that."
Amanda kissed her softly. "Then we'll take today one moment at a time."
Traffic was light. The city was awake but not rushed, like it knew today mattered.
Ericka sat upright the whole ride, hands clasped, eyes glued to the arrivals terminal. When she finally spotted them—
Her mom waving both arms like she was flagging down a plane.
Her dad holding two suitcases in one hand like they weighed nothing.
Her sister ... standing with one hip popped, silently judging the world.
Ericka whispered, "Oh god," and Amanda squeezed her thigh.
"Go," Amanda whispered. "They missed you."
Ericka stepped out first, and instantly—
"Baby!" her mom shouted, jogging toward her.
Ericka barely got her arms up before she was wrapped in a bear hug, squeezed tight enough to knock the tension right out of her. Her dad hugged her next, warm and grounding. Her sister walked up last, giving a small smirk.
"You look rich," her sister said.
Ericka groaned. "Please don't start."
Then her mom turned straight to Amanda.
"And you must be Amanda!" she exclaimed, pulling her into a hug before Amanda could introduce herself.
Amanda blinked, then hugged her back. "It's really nice to finally meet you."
Her dad shook Amanda's hand firmly.
Her sister gave a slow nod of approval. "Okay. I get it."
Ericka covered her face. "Please stop evaluating my woman like she's furniture."
Amanda laughed. "I don't mind."
The SUV pulled out of the airport, morning sun warming through the windows while the city churned awake outside.
But inside the car?
The energy was... loud.
Ericka sat in the passenger seat trying to look composed, but her sister in the backseat was leaning forward between the front seats like a detective interrogating a suspect.
"So, Amanda," her sister began, chin resting on her folded arms, "how long have you been secretly dating my sister before she finally told us?"
Amanda laughed nervously, adjusting her grip on the wheel. "Uh—I wouldn't say secretly. More like... quietly."
Ericka groaned. "Can we not do this interrogation thing right now?"
"Nope," her sister replied cheerfully. "Anyway, Amanda, answer the question."
Amanda bit her lip, a smile tugging at the corner. "A little while. We were being careful."
Ericka's sister nodded like she understood perfectly. "Mm-hmm. And do you plan on breaking her heart? Just asking."
Ericka gasped, whipping around in her seat. "Danielle, oh my—!"
Danielle held up a hand dramatically. "Please. Let me protect my sister in peace."
Amanda chuckled. "Honestly? I think she's the one who could break mine."
Ericka's family made a synchronized "Awww,"
Ericka turned bright red.
Amanda smirked.
Her dad chimed in. "Well, from the way she talks about you, seems like you two balance each other."
Amanda smiled. "She's my peace."
Ericka mumbled, "Stop," but her cheeks were burning.
Danielle suddenly tapped Amanda's shoulder. "Okay so serious question."
Amanda braced herself. "Yes?"
Danielle's eyes lit up. "So when are you taking me shopping?"
Amanda blinked. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me," Danielle said. "My sister is a whole CEO dating a whole beautiful woman. That means I deserve at least a mall trip, maybe two."
Ericka groaned into her hands. "Danielle—"
"No, no," her sister insisted, "this is important family bonding. Like... showing me the life my sister is living. And I want nice things."
Their mom smacked her lightly. "Stop being greedy."
"I'm being practical!" Danielle chirped.
Amanda laughed so hard she had to slow down at a yellow light.
Then she said, perfectly calm:
"Oh she's spending time with you. Don't worry."
Danielle lifted her eyebrows. "Oh?"
Ericka turned slowly to Amanda. "What... did you do?"
Amanda grinned and tapped her phone mounted by the GPS.
"I already added it to her schedule."
Ericka stared.
Open-mouthed.
Betrayed.
"You... scheduled me?" she asked.
"Yes," Amanda said brightly. "Tomorrow afternoon. Shopping with Danielle. Two hours blocked out. Reminders set."
Danielle punched the air. "HA! I love this family dynamic!"
Ericka muttered something under her breath about mutiny.
Amanda reached across the console and squeezed her knee.
"You'll survive. She loves you."
Danielle leaned forward again, smirking.
"And Amanda, you're my favorite now."
Ericka glared. "Hey!"
Danielle shrugged. "Well, maybe if you scheduled shopping trips for me—"
"Out," Ericka joked, pointing at the imaginary eject button.
Amanda burst out laughing as the SUV pulled into the private parking deck of the building.
The elevator glided open onto the private residential floor — quiet, elegant, lined with soft lighting and tall plants that made the hallway feel more like a luxury hotel than an apartment building.
Ericka's parents stepped out first, taking in the polished space with wide, impressed eyes.
Danielle trailed behind, phone already snapping pictures.
"This place is... stunning," Ericka's mom murmured, brushing her fingers along the smooth wall like she couldn't help herself.
Ericka rolled her eyes but smiled. "It's just home, Mom."
Amanda, walking ahead with two of the suitcases, laughed softly. "Wait until you see the condo."
Ericka shot her a playful smirk. "She designed half of it. She's underselling."
Amanda gave an exaggerated bow. "Interior design queen in my spare time."
They reached the end of the hall where a corner unit waited — sleek black door, matte finish, and a discreet keypad. Amanda punched in the code and opened it wide.
The guest condo opened into a warm, modern space that immediately drew in a collective breath from the family.
Sunlight spilled through the floor-to-ceiling windows, washing over the soft cream walls and plush charcoal couch.
Brand-new throw blankets were draped neatly across the cushions.
Candles sat unlit on the coffee table. A huge vase of fresh flowers — white lilies and eucalyptus — sat on the island, filling the air with a subtle, calming scent.
Ericka's mom pressed a hand to her chest. "Oh, Ericka... sweetheart. This is beautiful."
Her dad nodded slowly, impressed. "This feels like a resort."
Danielle strutted deeper inside and made a beeline for the kitchen. She tugged the fridge open and stopped dead.
"Okay, this fridge is stocked like an apocalypse bunker." She pointed dramatically. "Fruit trays, waters, mozzarella sticks, yogurt, sparkling juice, three types of hummus — Amanda, what did you DO?"
Amanda leaned against the island, arms folded, grinning. "I told them you like options."
Danielle shot her a glare that was way too affectionate. "And you delivered."
Ericka smirked. "She planned all of this last night. She's ridiculous."
Amanda shrugged modestly. "Just wanted y'all to feel welcome."
Danielle kept scrolling through the fridge. "This is enough food to feed a basketball team!"
Amanda leaned closer, dropping her voice conspiratorially.
"Honestly? Ericka bought this place specifically for y'all — so you can visit anytime."
Danielle froze, then looked at her sister. "You bought an entire condo for us?"
Ericka cracked a tiny smile. "Yes. You deserve somewhere comfortable when you come."
Amanda nudged Danielle again and whispered, "And if you ever want to move here... you already have a place."
Danielle's eyes widened. "Stop. Don't tempt me."
Across the room, Ericka snapped her gaze toward Amanda.
"Amanda."
Amanda turned slowly with her best who, me? innocence. "What? It's true!"
"You can't just—invite my sister to move here."
Amanda leaned into Danielle dramatically and stage-whispered, "Welp. Looks like I'm in trouble."
Danielle laughed so hard she nearly fell onto the barstool.
Ericka's mom touched Amanda's arm gently. "Thank you, dear. Truly. You didn't have to do all this."
Amanda shook her head sincerely. "You're Ericka's family. So... you're mine too."
Ericka froze for half a second. Her heartbeat visibly softened behind her ribs.
Amanda continued, clearing her throat.
"Plus, I do have access to all her bank information."
Danielle slapped a hand over her chest. "OH she's dangerous."
Ericka covered her face with both hands. "Please stop talking."
Amanda wrapped an arm around her waist, tugging her close. "Never."
Ericka's dad chuckled. "Well... with both of you running things, I'm not worried about a single thing."
Amanda nodded proudly. "Anything you need, my number is on the fridge."
She pointed to a sticky note with her handwriting:
Call me for ANYTHING (yes, literally anything) — Amanda ??
Danielle burst out laughing. "Oh my God, you're too much."
Amanda smirked. "If you want something delivered, text me. If I say 'Ericka needs it,' it usually arrives within an hour."
Ericka elbowed her. "Stop exposing us."
Amanda whispered, "Never."
Danielle flopped onto the couch, stretching dramatically. "Yep. This is home now. I live here."
Ericka crossed her arms. "Get up and pick a bedroom."
Danielle grinned. "Already did — the one with the balcony."
Amanda pointed at her knowingly. "Called it."
Ericka's mom hugged Amanda lightly. "Thank you. For loving her. For loving us."
Amanda returned the squeeze. "Always."
Ericka glanced away — flustered but glowing.