Chapter 15 Gisselle
Meeting Liam's family was a different level of seriousness, and suddenly the charcuterie board I'd made felt inadequate.
"Do you think your mom will like me?" I questioned.
"Hell yeah. She's going to love you. She'll definitely try to marry me off with me bringing you home." Liam squeezed my thigh before reaching into the back for his toolbox.
We got out of the car and headed up the path to a cute two-story home where Liam had grown up. "You know my pops gave me this toolbox when I was in high school and started tinkering with things. He said every man should be able to fix things."
"Aww, I love that."
Liam smiled at the memory. The door opened, and I immediately knew where Liam got his smile. His mom, Denise, was about my height with pretty, brown eyes. Her silver-streaked locs were pulled into an updo, and she wore a cute little lounge outfit.
"It's about time. I was beginning to think you were avoiding me and fixing this hot water heater." Liam hugged his mother with his free arm.
When they separated, Mrs. Crawford looked my way.
"Mama, this is Gisselle. Gisselle, this is my mama, Denise," Liam introduced.
"It's so nice to meet you, Mrs. Crawford," I expressed as Mrs. Crawford pulled me in for a hug.
"Ah, so this is the famous Gisselle I've been hearing about. I'm so glad you're here."
I held up the charcuterie board. "I brought something for us to snack on while the men work."
"First of all, it's Denise, baby. Mrs. Crawford is my mother-in-law. And second, this food tray looks absolutely delicious. You didn't have to go through all this trouble."
"It was no trouble. I enjoy putting them together," I insisted.
We entered the house into a cozy living room with family photos.
"Kiara and her boyfriend, Michael, are already here. They came early so Kiara could help me prepare lunch," Denise explained.
"Your home is beautiful," I complimented as we walked through the living room into the kitchen.
"Thank you, honey," Denise replied.
The kitchen was bright and open-concept. Liam's sister, Kiara, sat on a barstool at the island, scrolling on her phone while a man I assumed was Michael sat next to her. They looked up when we entered.
"The prodigal son returns with a woman," Kiara joked.
"Gisselle, this is my little sis, Kiara. Kiara, this is Gisselle. Be nice."
His sister was stunning and a younger version of their mother. "I'm always nice. It's a pleasure to meet the woman who's turned this man's life upside down."
I immediately laughed at her directness. "Nice to meet you. Liam's told me so much about you."
Kiara winked. "All lies. This is my boyfriend, Michael."
Michael stepped forward to shake our hands. "Nice to meet you, Gisselle. And Liam, man, you're replacing the hot water heater? I have a little experience. I can help out."
Michael and Liam slapped hands. "Most definitely. Kiara, he's a keeper," Liam noted. Liam nodded toward the basement. "Mama, where is it leaking from?"
"I'm not going to keep dealing with the leak, which is why I purchased a new tank. I can't risk that thing flooding the basement again. Now go on, you two. We, ladies, want to get acquainted while you guys play in the sandbox."
Liam smirked, looking my way. "You good?"
I nodded, already at ease with his family.
After the basement door closed, Denise headed to the refrigerator and pulled out a pitcher. "Who wants a mimosa to go with the beautiful spread Gisselle brought?"
"Me," Kiara requested.
"I'd like one," I echoed.
"Mama, do you remember when Liam bought a powder blue tux to wear to prom, but he looked like he was straight from the set of Dumb & Dumber. Gisselle, I swear I have the picture here somewhere," Kiara said, swiping through her photos.
"What!" I giggled.
Denise laughed. "Lord, y'all's daddy was pissed. He spent good money on a tux rental, but Liam wanted to stand out."
Kiara showed me the photo, and we fell out in laughter. "Oh my God, if we ever get married, please don't let him show up like this."
The three of us paused as a crash came from the basement, followed by cursing. We resumed when no further sounds of distress followed.
"He better not damage the new tank. It cost me a thousand dollars," Denise noted.
Michael came upstairs. "We need to turn off the water for a bit."
"May I wash my hands first?" I asked.
"Yes, baby, the bathroom is down the hall."
I headed down the hall to the restroom and freshened up.
Back in the kitchen, Denise and Kiara grabbed items off the charcuterie board, so I grabbed a plate and followed suit.
"Hey, Gisselle, did Liam ever tell you he set our backyard on fire?" Kiara asked.
"Wait, what? Mr. Firefighter?" I asked, popping a piece of cheese in my mouth.
"No, he actually tried to contain the fire, but it got out of hand. He joined the Junior Fire Department Program after that," Denise explained.
Kiara and I burst out laughing. "Mama, you always defended that man's foolishness."
Denise shook her head with fondness. "I mean, he did turn out to be a respectful lieutenant."
Another thud came from downstairs. "Yo, pass me the wrench."
"I bet you ten dollars we end up calling a plumber," Kiara offered.
"Twenty says they'll fix it, but not without flooding the basement first," I countered.
"I put my money on Liam," Denise replied loyally.
"Gisselle, it's only because Mama's drinking mimosas." Kiara laughed.
Moments later, the men came back from the basement, carrying the old tank.
"Let me open the front door," Kiara declared, hopping off the barstool.
After putting the tank out at the curb, Michael and Liam went back to the basement.
"Gisselle, I really want to thank you for saving my Liam. He's been in a shell for so long now. I didn't think we would ever get him back in this capacity," Denise explained.
I smiled. "Liam did the same for me. I moved to Goodwin Grove to start a new life, but I never expected to find love."
After another twenty to thirty minutes of getting to know each other, the men emerged from the basement.
"Is my floor flooded?" Denise immediately asked.
"Come on, Mama, I know what I'm doing, or you would've hired a plumber. We turned the water back on," Liam responded.
"Liam, we need to flush the faucets to push the air out," Michael stated.
"I'll get the bathroom upstairs. You get the one down here," Liam instructed, turning on the kitchen faucet first.
"Thank you, boys, so much for fixing my tank. Hell, I was tired of taking hoe baths." Denise laughed.
"Mama!" Kiara laughed.
I giggled.
"What? I'm telling the truth. You boys get cleaned up to eat," Denise ordered when Liam returned.
We sat down to eat, and seeing Liam like this, surrounded by the people who loved him, made me fall for him even more.
Later that evening, at home, I propped a pillow up behind me as I chatted with my parents virtually. Liam observed from the kitchen doorway with a beer in hand.
"Look at you, settled into your new place," Mom exclaimed.
"Yeah. How are y'all doing?" I asked.
"Your mama gave me Covid," Daddy blurted out.
"No, I didn't," Mom fussed. "Chile, this man is losing his mind."
Liam crossed the room and joined me on the couch, leaning into the frame. My parents' expressions shifted to smiles.
"Mr. and Mrs. Daniels, I'm Liam. Your daughter has kept me on my toes since our first encounter in Goodwin Grove."
I held my breath, waiting for my parents' reactions.
"Lieutenant Crawford, I've heard good things about you and your work on that arson case." Daddy nodded approvingly.
"Thank you, sir. I have a great team, not to mention how Gisselle continued to work on her project, even with the craziness going on."
"That's our girl. Lieutenant, tell us about yourself. Gisselle has been tight-lipped about the man she's moved in with."
Heat rose to my neck. "Mom!"
Liam laughed. "It's not much to tell, ma'am. I was born and raised in Goodwin Grove, and I come from a family of educators."
Mom nodded. "Nice. We value education in the home."
"Yes, ma'am. My sister was the rebel, though she skipped college to become a flight attendant," I noted.
"There's nothing wrong with honest work. You own that house you're in?" Daddy asked.
"Daddy!" I protested.
"It's a fair question. Yes, sir. I purchased it as a fixer-upper."
We talked a while longer, and I promised we would visit Columbus soon. Thirty minutes had passed by the time we'd said our goodbyes.
I closed the laptop. "That went well."
Liam pulled me close. "Your parents are great. I see where you get your directness from. Your dad doesn't play games."
"Neither do you. You won them over like it was nothing."
"I wasn't trying to win anyone over. I was being myself," Liam clarified.
"Being yourself is pretty damn impressive. Thank you for that."
What started as a thank-you kiss quickly deepened with Liam's hand cupping my face as I melted against him. He rested his forehead against mine as we broke the kiss.
"Speaking of impressive, I've been taking those juicy pineapple gummies and…"
Liam pulled back. "The what now?"
I pulled my lip in to keep from laughing at his expression. "Pineapple gummies. You know? They're supposed to make things sweeter."
Heat pooled low in my belly as understanding dawned on his face.
"Are you telling me supplements will make you taste better than you already do, for me?"
I nodded, feeling shy and bold at the same time. "I heard about it online and wanted to try something new—"
Before I finished my statement, Liam was on his feet, scooping me off the couch and moving toward the bedroom.
"What are you doing, Lieutenant?"
"Oh, I gotta test out this pineapple theory."
I giggled as he laid me on the bed. "They also make the kitty slippery."
"Say less!" His hands were already working to remove my clothes.