Page 8 of All the Promises We Break

“If it is, I’ll get you out of there and we’ll move on. I’ve already decided your parents will either accept what we have to say, or they won’t. Honestly, I don’t give a shit either way. I’ll be your family. My family will be your family.”

“I love this protector vibe you’ve got going on. It’s really fucking sexy.”

“Then you can consider this dinner as a literal lane to dessert. Now, let’s do this.” Eli leans in and kisses me with a soft confidence that almost makes me believe we’ll walk out of here tonight without a fight.

His strong hand settles in the small of my back as we walk those last paved steps to the front door. After a few deep breaths outside, I punch in the code to the lock and the door opens with a double beep from the alarm system. Close behind is the click-clack of paws on the hardwood floor.

Jester, our golden retriever, comes barreling around the corner from the living room. He wriggles and wiggles between Eli and me, trying to get all the scritches and love he can. “Hey, Jester. What’s going on, boy? Huh? Did you miss me?”

“Did you just call him Jester?”

“I love call signs just as much as you, Goose.” I giggle.

“Dylan? Is that you?” my mother calls from the kitchen.

“Yes, it’s me.”

I rise from Jester and stand with my hands balancing my weight on the foyer table. Mom’s white orchids are in bloom. I can’t believe she finally made one last. Eli is still kneeling behindme, becoming fast friends with the dog. At least Jester likes him. That’s one down.

“I sent your father out for fresh bread from that bakery you like so much,” she says as she emerges from the kitchen. “It will go well with the grilled chicken penne.”

As she crosses to give me a hug, Eli rises from behind the shield of my body. “Mom, this is Elijah Sawyer. Eli, this is my mother Margaret Cooper.”

Eli extends his right hand to her, with his left returning to the small of my back. “It’s a pleasure to finally put a face to the name, Mrs. Cooper.”

The shock on her face is as bright as the sun coming in the windows. She reaches out to take his hand. “Nice to meet you too. I wasn’t aware you were bringing a guest, darling.”

“Yeah. That was sort of the point. Mom, can we go in the living room and talk before Dad gets back?”

“Normally when you want to talk without him here, you want me to help you tell him something. Is that what we have going on? Wait. Did you say your last name was Sawyer?”

“Yes, ma’am. My father is Jackson Sawyer.”

I watch the light go on in my mother’s eyes as she begins to piece everything together. “Why don’t you call me, Maggie? Dylan, will you lead Elijah to the living room? I think I need wine for this.”

My shoulders roll forward as I hear her in the kitchen twisting the bottles around in the wine refrigerator. Eli gently pulls me along to our oversized sectional along the floor-to-ceiling windows at the back of the house. The windows are cracked to let in a cool breeze. There’s room enough for three adults to lie down on the cushions. At this point, I’m praying it doesn’t come to that.

Eli takes his position on my left, only sitting once my mother returns with a tray, four glasses, and an open bottle of whitethat I could easily sink to the bottom of. I’ve gone over about a thousand ways at lightning speed in my brain about how to begin. My mother, however, beats me to the punch.

“I read in the news that you were in an accident a few weeks ago. I trust you’re healing well?”

“I am. Thank you. I’ll return to the office at the beginning of the week part time, then as I readjust, I’ll increase my hours. I wouldn’t be as far along with my recovery if it had not been for your daughter. She’s taken good care of me.”

I wind my arm underneath Eli’s, sliding my hand along the top of his thigh. The sleeve of my chunky cardigan slips up from my fingertips, bunching back to my knuckles, exposing the sparkle of my diamonds against the rich navy of Eli’s pants.

“What is that? Dylan? What’s that on your hand?” She pauses as she stares between us. “You’re getting married? I know you find the music of Romeo and Juliet a favorite, but for God’s sake.”

“Stop, Mom. Just stop, please. Can’t you tell this is hard for me? For us? I was hoping you could for once be happy that I’m happy.”

“How did this happen? You said you didn’t have any room for anything but dance. At least that’s what you always told us.”

My voice instantly raises an octave. “How did this happen?! Right, because why would anyone want to commit to me?”

Eli holds his left hand up. “Okay. Take a breath. Do you want me to answer that? I can. I can tell you exactly how it happened.” My head rests against my right hand in defeat. Eli looks to me for permission to continue. I give him a nod so he knows he has it.

“Your question of how this happened has a backstory, which I’ll save until we’re all together. What I can tell you now is that Dylan is the best thing that could have happened to me. She’s not only beautiful, but she’s also talented, brilliant, caring beyond words, and loving beyond measure.

“We met in a combination of ordinary and extraordinary circumstances. She’s my right hand, my best hand. I’m lucky to have her woven into all aspects of my life and family. I would like your blessing and that’s what I’m here to seek.”

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