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The Raphaels exchange glances, Raphael playfully kisses her nose to dispel her annoyance. She wipes her nose, he pulls her close, and with a thousand kisses and tender words, his charm wins her over.
I lean back, watching them with a smile. Ethan holds me close but limits his affection to a kiss on my forehead, which I gladly accept, fingers tangled in his collar.
“Think we’ll be like them once our child arrives?” I ask Ethan, my voice sugary sweet.
“I sure hope so!” He looks at me, leaning in for another kiss that lifts me off my feet once again.
Chapter Thirty-Two
ETHAN
It’s the next weekend, and we’re on our way to Mia’s parents.
Anxious thoughts swirl as I drive us there. It’s about an hour southwest of Detroit, so I have plenty of time to worry.
“Do you think they’ll like me?” I ask, my uncertainty clear as day.
She giggles, squeezing my arm reassuringly. “They’re academics, so hockey might not be the best icebreaker.”
My shoulders slump at her words, but then Mia perks up. “Dad is into classic cars, though. He builds miniatures in the garage.”
“Ah,” I nod, encouraged. “That could work.”
Mia’s parents live in an elegant neighborhood, where my Rolls Royce seems to fit right in.
As we turn onto their street, Mia points. “It’s the first house on the left, okay?”
“I remember, love…” I say, parking in front of their house.
Before we step out, Mia leans over to me and kisses me so lovingly I wonder what I did to deserve it. I know she’s grateful that I’m here to support her as she prepares to tell her parents about the pregnancy.
We hold hands as we walk up the porch. I catch a glimpse of her mother peeking through the curtains as we approach, and she promptly runs to the door to greet us.
“You came!” she exclaims, greeting Mia first. She’s a small woman, shorter than Mia, but the two look very much alike. “Oh, my God, you’re tall!”
She greets me with a hug and, and I lean forward into it, finding warmth in her embrace.
“I’m Nora Sanders,” she beams, ushering us in. “And this is Eugene.”
Turning around to find an empty living room, she calls out, “Eugene!”
Mia’s father walks in. He is a sturdy man in his sixties, who looks a lot more like a carpenter than an academic. He offers me his hand, and I reciprocate his firm grip.
“I suppose you’re Ethan,” he says, serious. “Brothers with Ryan.”
“That’s correct sir,” I nod.
“Call me Eugene, kid. I don’t like feeling older than I am,” he insists, letting go of my hand and settling into an armchair.
“Did you have a nice trip?” Nora shows us our seats and Mia and I sit together on the couch.
“It’s not that long of a ride, mom!” Mia says, holding my hand.
“This is going to be confusing…” Eugene says. He’s the grumpy type, just like my current coach. I can handle him.
“What is confusing, dear?” Nora plays the peacemaker.
“Our daughter dating the brother of her ex. What’s gotten into you, Mia?”
