Chapter 20
It was a Saturday morning on the last weekend of March, and Bella was packing up the car - again - to head up to Houston. She hadn’t seen Jack in several weeks, as he’d been on something he called ‘survival training’.
“What’s that?” Bella had asked when he told her he’d be away.
“It’s exactly what it sounds like. We are dropped into some of the harshest environments in the world - all to ensure we can survive anything that might happen. I did it in pilot training, but this is a whole different level.”
“Where do they take you?”
“Bella, I’d love to tell you but I can’t. It’s not that I don’t trust you, but some things are still considered classified.”
“I understand completely. I guess that means no communication during that time. Who’s watching Piper and Sloane while you’re away? Do you need any help?”
“Thank you for the offer, that’s so sweet of you but it’s all taken care of. Fortunately, it’s going on at the same time as their spring break, so they are going to San Francisco for a few days with my parents, and then down to San Diego for a few days with Susan’s parents before they come home.”
"Oh, that's wonderful that they get time with both sets of grandparents."
"Am I allowed to ask when you'll be back?"
Grinning, he replied “Yes. I’ll be home next Friday; the girls get home on Sunday. Did you want to meet me at the house on Saturday? We can have some much-needed alone time, hint hint.”
“That sounds heavenly, I just hope you’re not too worn out from ‘surviving’.”
“I’m never too worn out for you!”
On the drive to Jack’s that Saturday, Bella had taken advantage of the Audi's — Ha! Quattro! --- talk to text function, giggling to herself as she texted Jack updates along the way.
Gear down, she texted about 15 minutes from his house, and followed that up with On final approach, 10 minutes later.
Wheels down, she sent five minutes out.
Her phone dinged. The Audi's system read it aloud, completely deadpan:
It’s so hot when you use pilot lingo - hurry up!
Pulling into Jack’s drive, she sent a quick Smooth Landing text, turned off the car, and got out to let Primmy out of the back seat and grabbed her small overnight case from the trunk.
Reaching the front door, she used the key Jack had given her after they agreed they were exclusive, and let herself in.
Letting go of the leash so Primrose could find Daisy, she called out, “Jack, I’m here! ”
Walking into the living room, she stopped when she saw an older woman standing in the room. The woman turned to Bella, and Bella realized this must be Susan’s mother, she looked just like the woman she’d seen in pictures.
“Hello. You must be Bella, Piper and Sloane have told us all about you. I’m their grandmother, Wendy Hansen.”
“Mrs. Hansen, it’s lovely to meet you” said Bella as she crossed the room to shake her hand.
“Bella, Bella - you’re here!”
“Dad, Bella’s here” called out Piper as she ran into the room to give Bella a hug.
Bella returned her hug, slightly uncomfortable at the turn of events. I didn’t see this one coming, she thought.
“Hi Bella, I didn’t hear you come in,” greeted Jack as he walked into the room with Sloane and an older man Bella assumed was Susan’s father. ‘I’m sorry’ he mouthed silently behind the other’s backs.
“Hi, I’m William Hansen,” said the older man, greeting her. “Call me Bill, everyone does.”
“They wanted to surprise me by coming home a few days early. Bill and Wendy usually drop the girls at the airport, but this time they wanted to come with them for a few days visit.” Jack said, trying to explain to Bella the older couple's presence.
"That's a wonderful surprise," Bella said, turning to him.
"Bill, it's nice to meet you — I'm Isabella Genovese, but please call me Bella."
Sloane and Piper filled the awkward silence by telling Jack and Bella all the details of their trip, and the fun things they’d done in California while spending time with both sets of grandparents.
Jack brought out a tray of iced tea for everyone, and they sat down on the sofa.
“So, Bella, the girls tell us you own a skincare company, and that your firm is contributing to the Diana IV mission. That must be how you met Jack,” said Mrs. Hansen.
“Yes, Ma’am.” Bella replied, telling a shortened version of events.
“I’ve heard of Bella Pelle, several of the women in my book club use your products and swear by them.”
“I’d be happy to send you products to try if you like. Let me know your skin type so I make sure I’m giving you items that will work for you. I can have those go out when I’m back in the office on Monday.”
“That’s very kind of you.”
Jack looked around the room, feeling helpless. He was happy to see Susan’s parents - they’d had a good relationship and still did - but this wasn’t how he expected to tell them about Bella. He’d been planning to tell them once he was absolutely certain of where the relationship was going.
“Well, I should go. You don’t get to see each other often and I’m sure you’d love some family time to catch up,” said Bella.
“No, Bella, don’t go - you and Primmy just got here!” implored Piper.
“Bella, please stay, don’t feel you need to leave on our account. We’d love the chance to get to know you.” said Bill.
“Are you sure? I don’t want to intrude.”
"Of course, please stay. We were thinking of ordering in — do you like Italian food? Oh, what am I thinking — you're Italian, you probably make a better dinner than we could ever get from a restaurant," Mrs. Hansen said.
I noticed she didn’t tell me to call her Wendy, thought Bella.
Dinner choices settled, Bella excused herself to use the ladies’ room, and while in there quickly used an app to book herself into the pet friendly hotel she and Primrose used before they started staying at Jack’s. She thought that would be better for everyone all the way around.
A few hours later dinner was delivered, and they gathered around the dining room table, with polite conversation going on while they ate.
“Big G’s lasagna is better than this, right Bella?” said Sloane.
“Big G?” asked Mrs. Hansen
“Yes, that’s my father. John Genovese, everyone calls him ‘Big G’.
“Any relation to that Big G from the mattress stores? That’s where we got our mattress,” said Bill.
"One and the same," Bella said with a smile.
“What a coincidence!”
They finished dinner, and Bella offered to help Jack clean up in the kitchen, while Susan’s parents and the girls volunteered to take the dogs for a walk. Carrying plates into the kitchen, Jack rinsed and loaded the dishwasher while Bella put the leftovers into containers.
“Bella, I’m so sorry. I had no idea. They arrived about 5 minutes before you, so I didn’t even have a chance to call and give you a heads up.”
“It was definitely a shock, but at the same time I understand. They’re curious and concerned about the person their granddaughters are around. I mean, didn’t Big G do that to you?”
“Yeah, he did, but I thought maybe we’d have more time before I had that conversation with them - Hell, you haven’t even met my parents yet!”
“It’s fine Jack, really. I only hope meeting me puts their mind at ease, at least regarding the girls.”
“I know, but I was excited for our night together. You’re not mad, are you?”
“Not at all. Besides, I’m seeing you in Dallas next weekend” Bella replied, giving him a quick kiss.
Finishing up in the kitchen, Jack put Bella’s case back in her car, and they waited for everyone to return with the dogs so Bella and Primrose could head over to their hotel for the night, before driving back to Dallas in the morning.
After everyone returned, Bella said her goodbyes and started to open the door when she heard Mrs. Hansen say, “Bella, may I have a word?”
Here we go, thought Bella. “Of course, Mrs. Hansen.”
Moving to the living room, Bella waited patiently for the older woman to speak.
“I’m sure us turning up was a surprise to you,” said Mrs. Hansen. “The girls spoke so highly of you, that I have to admit we were curious and wanted to meet you.”
“I understand Mrs. Hansen; my parents did pretty much the same thing to Jack.”
“I understand you’re a widow.”
“Yes, I lost my husband a few years ago to a heart attack.”
“We saw the lip color shade you named after Susan, and the donation of the profits to her favorite teacher’s charity. That was very kind of you. I think it speaks directly to the type of person you are Bella, it’s no wonder Jack is taken with you. And the girls are crazy about you.”
“It really was my honor. Teachers are the unsung heroes of the world; I wanted to do it.”
“Piper said Susan would have liked you, and after meeting you I agreed. They told us about ‘midnight margaritas’ at Christmas. That sounds like something Susan would have done. I think she’d be pleased knowing there is someone in their lives who cares about them as much as she did.”
“Thank you Mrs. Hansen, that means a lot to me. For as long as I’m in the girls and Jack’s lives I want to honor Susan’s memory, she sounds like she was an extraordinary woman.”
“She was. And please, call me Wendy.”
Later, after taking Primmy out for a last potty break, Bella took a hot bath, then settled into bed, giving in completely to Primrose's begging eyes and lifting her onto the bed. I need to be sure to leave a nice tip for housekeeping. Bella’s phone rang, and she picked it up to see Jack calling.
“Jack, it’s late - is everything okay?”
“Yes, I just wanted to hear your voice, since I’m not going to get to see your body tonight. I’m sorry our weekend didn’t turn out like we planned.”
“It’s fine really. Well - obviously, I’m disappointed I’m not going to see your body, but we’re seeing each other next weekend in Dallas - we can more than make up for it then.”
“That sounds heavenly, Ms. Genovese. Also, Bill and Wendy both said they thought you were lovely, and they were happy for me and the girls. I know it must be hard and bittersweet for them to see someone else here instead of Susan, but they were genuinely fine about it. Bill actually pulled me aside and said he'd wondered what was taking me so long - Susan wouldn’t have wanted me to grieve her the rest of my life.”
“That's really lovely of them. I can't imagine how hard this must be. I hope they know I’m not here to take Susan’s place - no one could ever do that; she sounds like she was truly one of a kind. All I can do is be me - and hope that’s enough. Does that make sense?”
“It does, and trust me - you are more than enough.”