He jumps from the couch and damn near sprints into the kitchen eager to tell his wife about the new drama.
“Well,” Oliver begins, “It’s a sealed deal now darlin’.”
He relaxes back into the couch and bumps his forehead against mine. I turn to face him fully without pulling back.
“I just thought it was too soon.” I murmur.
I don’t want him thinking like his dad. I don’t want him to think I don’t want him.
“It definitely was. And I didn’t think you were trying to dump me. Me and my dad don’t usually agree on much.” He says as he grabs my nape.
His thumb guides my chin up and he kisses me softly.
“Also you got scammed.” He whispers against my lips.
Jerking back I stare at him until he explains.
“I sent my mom the picture I took of us at the bar. Dad didn’t know you were my girlfriend, but she sure did.” He tells me as his mother walks back out of the kitchen.
“You didn’t need a ham!” I shout at Sandy.
“Nope.” She says proudly with her hands on her hips, “I’ve had one in the freezer since October. This is far from my first rodeo.”
She looks so smug looking at me and I can’t find it in my heart to be mad. I wanted to meet Oliver’s family and spend Christmas with him. I just didn’t want to seem clingy and overly infatuated. Clearly around this family I’m destined to be the normal one. Roger is second with his faulty movie choice.
“This is kind of tradition with our mother.” Penelope says from the doorway. “She invited Darren to a cousin’s wedding as my plus one without telling me.”
Oliver is looking at me with a direct and piercing gaze when he asks, “I’ll take you home if you don’t want to stay. You don’t have to stay for dinner if you’re uncomfortable.” He reassures me.
I see the truth in his resolve on his face. He will sabotage his own mother’s plan to make me happy, even at the cost of his own happiness.
Deciding to be selfish I reply, “Oh no, I’m staying. She owes me a meal for manipulating my emotions at the very least.”
Glancing over at Penelope still standing by the door I add, “And it had better be the best ham I’ve ever tasted andnot burned.”
She looks puzzled for a moment before she dashes back into the kitchen shouting, “Oh shit, oh shit!” At the top of her lungs.
Oliver and I share a look before we both laugh.
“Well now that I know who you are I have a few questions about your intentions young lady.” Roger says as he returns to his spot on the couch.
“Dad.” Oliver drags the word out with a groan.
I try my best to smother a giggle.
“Well I can’t have you marrying some Yankee who is going to drag you up to the great white north now can I?” He glares at his son.
“I’m settled here.” I reassure Roger, “I video called my sisters this morning, but my family isn’t as tight knit as yours.”
“You work?” Roger asks point blank.
“Copy editor in the city. Moved here for the job actually.” I reply quickly.
“Children?” Roger asks.
“Dad!” Oliver cuts in quickly, “We’ve been dating for five days!”
Roger doesn’t argue but his eyebrow does raise as he looks in my direction.
