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I opened the car door and climbed out, rolling my eyes when my mom didn’t even acknowledge me as I slammed it shut behind me. I muttered as I rounded the hood of the car and opened Ellery’s door, then helped her out of her seat.
My mom finally looked up from the baby. “My goodness,” she exclaimed. “Look at how gorgeous you are!”
Ellery’s cheeks heated, but she smiled shyly back at my mom. “Um, thank you.”
“Hey, Mom,” I grumbled. “Nice to see you, too.”
“Oh pish, Zane,” she muttered, looking back down at the baby. “You know I’m always happy to see my boy. Now, introduce me to your girl.”
“Mom, this is my Ellery. Baby, this is my mom, Diana. Don’t believe any stories she tells you about me. She lies.”
Mom gasped and tossed me an indignant glare.
“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Thomas,” Ellery said sweetly, even as she elbowed me in the ribs and whispered, “Be nice.”
My mom grinned widely. “Well, aren’t you all sugar and spice? I have a feeling we’re going to get along wonderfully!” She held Corinne with one arm and slipped the other through Ellery’s before leading her toward the house. “Come, come. Dinner is almost ready!”
My dad, who looked like an older version of me, stood at the door, grinning widely. His body was slightly hunched, and he walked a little stiffly when he moved back to let us enter, but his whiskey-colored eyes twinkled. Despite being in constant pain, my dad was one of the most upbeat and optimistic people I knew.
“Dad, this is Ellery.”
“Nice to finally meet the girl we’ve heard so much about,” he said as he took Ellery’s hand.
“My girl,” I grunted, snatching her hand back and tucking her under my arm. It was ridiculous, but I couldn't seem to control my caveman instincts around Ellery.
She rolled her eyes and peered up at me. “He’s your father, for Pete’s sake.”
I just shrugged and led her through the house, ignoring the laughter following me. When we reached the kitchen, I set Corinne’s diaper bag on the counter. Then I leaned against it and pulled Ellery to me so she stood between my legs, her back to my front. “Anything I can help with?” I asked as I rested my chin on Ellery’s head.
“You can set the table,” my mom instructed distractedly as she cooed at Corinne. A timer went off, and she sighed, making me chuckle. “I’d better get dinner out of the oven.”
Reluctantly, I let Ellery go when she reached for Corinne. As usual, as soon as my baby girl was in Ellery’s arms, she snuggled in close and relaxed. Warmth spread through my chest as I watched my girls until my mom snapped a dish towel on my arm. “Son of a bitch!” I muttered.
“Watch your language, young man,” my mom admonished with a glare. “Now, get the table set.”
Ellery giggled, and I couldn’t help smiling at the sound, but I pretended to grumble as I walked to the cupboard to grab plates.
“I’m going to change Corinne and make a bottle,” she told me softly.
“Thanks, baby.” I planted a kiss on her lips as I walked by.
She gasped before her eyes darted around, then landed back on me. “You can’t kiss me in front of your parents,” she hissed.
“The hell I can’t,” I growled before slipping an arm around her waist and hauling her body into mine. My mouth covered hers, and I gave her a hard, intense kiss. When I pulled back, she looked dazed, and I couldn’t help smirking. “You’re mine. I’ll kiss you whenever I damn well please.” I patted her sexy ass, then let her go and moseyed out to the dining room.
“Just like his father,” my mom muttered.
My dad laughed, and I glanced up as he walked into the room. He had the silverware, and for a few moments, we completed our task in silence. When we’d added everything else to the table, we re-entered the kitchen, and he grabbed us both a beer from the fridge.
“When is the wedding?” he asked with a sly grin.
“When do I get more grandbabies?” my mom piped up.
I took a drink from my bottle, then grinned. “Soon.”
Ellery returned before I could say anything else, and my mom announced that everything was ready. She asked to feed Corinne, so Ellery gently passed her over before taking her seat next to me.
During the meal, my parents got to know my girl and entertained her with ridiculous stories from my childhood. It didn’t escape my notice that none of them included Laura, and I was grateful for that. Ellery and I had talked about my sister, so it wasn’t like she would be blindsided by the mention, but it was still a raw subject for me and my parents.
