“Ty…” I mimic. “Look, we’ve got more baggage than most, I’ll give you that. But my mom never would have invited you if she didn’t want to meet you. And Sam’s not the violent sort. He’s a swim coach, not an MMA trainer.”
“Yea, ok…” he takes a fortifying breath. “Let’s do this.”
I laugh. “Oh my god, Ty, you’re not moving into enemy territory. Take it down a notch. They’re my family and I adore them. You’re my family, and I adore you. So, trust me, they’re going to love you. And don’t--” I interrupt him before he can say the words I know he’s going to. “Don’t waste a minute of your time on The Bastards. They’re not your family--they’ve proved that a thousand times. From here on out, Ty Marshall, you’re one of us.”
He leans toward me and presses a kiss to my lips. “I have no idea what I did to deserve you, but I hope to hell I can keep doing it.”
Before I can take our kiss deeper, there’s a tapping sound at my window. I turn back to see Sam, grinning, so I roll down the window.
“Making out in the driveway in broad daylight. Phoebe, did we teach you nothing? At least your mom and I had the common courtesy to get busy inside the house.”
Laughing, I roll up the window as he’s talking, just to shut him up. It doesn’t work. Instead. I open the door and launch myself into his open arms. “I missed you, Sam.”
“Same. kiddo. Alright. Let’s get this boyfriend of yours and head into the house, before your mom starts lifting stuff she’s not supposed to.”
I give him a questioning look, but my attention is diverted by the sight of my boyfriend. He stands before us, a little wooden, a little hesitant, but with his hand out. “Hi, Ty Marshall.”
Sam’s returned smile is warm. “Good to meet you, Ty. I’m Sam Wiznowski. Missy’s inside and she can’t wait to see you both. Come on,” he calls, motioning us both inside.
My mom is waiting at the door, a huge smile on her face as Sam squeezes her arm and stands beside her. She gives me a hug and I hold on tight. “Mom, this is Ty,” I say, gripping his hand and bringing him forward.
My mom is a pretty quiet person; she always has been, even before Dylan died. She’s reserved, especially when it comes to new people. So, imagine my surprise when she wraps her arms around Ty. But my shock is nothing compared to his. His whole body stiffens for a moment before he relaxes into her embrace. I realize he needs a mother’s loving hug more than most. And I think she needs it, too.
Sam herds us all into the kitchen. We sit at the counter, the way Dylan and I did as little kids, while my mom hurries around putting the finishing touches on everything. I know better than to ask if she needs help. The kitchen is tiny and my mom has her own way of doing things. Besides, since she and Sam cooked, Ty and I will be on dish duty.
A few hours later, most of the food is gone, the dishes are done, and leftovers are in the fridge. There’s pie, but I’m too full to eat it. It’s been a whirlwind of a day and I’m exhausted, so I curl up on the loveseat with Ty at my side. Sam and mom are cuddled up on the couch across from us as some football game plays out on the big-ass TV I’m sure came from Sam’s apartment.
“So when are you gonna make an honest man out of this guy, mom?” I ask, looking pointedly at the beautiful engagement ring that sits on her left ring finger.
My mom’s cheeks flush pink and Sam pulls her even closer. “Soon,” he answers. “Like...what are you two doing for Christmas?”
“Christmas? Like, the holiday that’s a month away?” I ask.
“We’re free,” Ty says.
“I mean, yea, we are, but... Wow. That’s not a lot of time to plan.”
“There’s not a lot to plan,” Sam shrugs.
My mom smiles. “We want you both there, obviously. Sam’s dad and brother, too, and a couple of friends. We want to have the ceremony here, in the gazebo out back, and then dinner inside.”
“That actually sounds perfect.” I tell her. “But don’t you want to wait for spring? Just so it’s a little warmer?”
“Nope,” Sam tells me. “First off, I’ve waited long enough. But also…”
A heavy silence fills the air as I look at my mom and Sam. He’s grinning ear-to-ear and she’s blushing furiously.
“No way…”
“Congrats, Phoebe. You’re going to be a big sister!” Sam laughs.
“Oh my god. Mom, is he serious?”
She’s smiling now, too. “Un-huh. It’s crazy, I know. I’m forty-one! And this wasn’t planned, but…”
“But…” Sam looks at her with that same sappy grin he’s been flashing her way for years.
“But we’re thrilled. And everything looks fine so far,” my mom says. Sam lifts her up onto his lap. “Everything looks fine so far because everything is fine. The baby is due in June.”
