Page 47 of Unexpected Love

We pull up in front of my parents’ house and see my sister’s minivan in the driveway. I look at Chloe and shake my head. “It was just supposed to be us, Mom, Dad, and Haddie. I’m gonna apologize right now because it’s going to be chaos.”

“It’s really okay.” I get out and go around to open her door and help her out. Hand in hand, we walk up to the door. I don’t bother knocking—we just walk right in. Natalie greets us first…well, she greets Chloe first.

“Are you going to be my aunt? You look like Snow White. Can I sit by you?” My sweet niece fires off a barrage of questions.

“Natalie, leave Uncle Joe’s girlfriend alone,” my dad says as he walks toward us.

“Okay, Pawpaw.” She gives us both a hug before scampering off to do who knows what.

“Chloe, it’s good to see you again.” My dad bends down and kisses her cheek.

“It’s good to see you too, Dylan.” He offers her his arm, and they walk farther into the house.

“Uhh…hello. Did you forget about me?” I holler from behind them.

Apparently Ben got called into work and my mom felt bad for my sister, so that’s why she and the kids are over. It’s really not that bad with them here—I was just hoping my parents could really get to know Chloe without any distractions. When I step into the family room, Chloe’s hugging my mom and then Abby. They don’t see it, but I do—Chloe smiles and reaches out, touching Abby’s baby bump. She’s smiling, but it’s not reaching her eyes.

Luckily, Rion runs up to Chloe and wraps his chubby little arms around her leg. While still talking to Abby, she bends down and picks up my nephew in her arms. My mom comes toward me and gives me a hug.

“Hi, honey. Sorry about Abby and the kids being here.”

I shake my head. “It’s seriously okay. As you can see, she’s enjoying the attention.” Natalie’s herding Chloe toward the sofa. Dalton comes toward me, and I pick him up, throwing him over my shoulder. I move farther into the room and sit down with Dalton in my lap next to Chloe.

After everyone sits for a bit, we all head into the dining room. My mom and Haddie carry out the dishes. It’s chaotic until finally we get everyone’s plates filled and the kids are finally quiet.

Conversation is light while everyone eats. Natalie is pretty much the one running the conversation right now. She’s in kindergarten, smart as a whip, and loves school. We all listen as she regales us with tales from her class.

“For show and tell, Matt brought his pet tarantula in, and when Ms. James saw it, she screamed and ran out of the room. Matt’s mommy had to take it home so our teacher would come back in. It was so gross.” She’s not looking at any of us as she talks; she concentrates on her plate.

“What did you bring for show and tell?” I ask her.

Natalie finally looks up. “Mommy brought my tap shoes, and I showed them how I can dance.” She pushes back her chair, stands up, and with a hand on her hip starts moving her little feet. She sits back down. “They all clapped and said I was a good dancer. Am I a good dancer, Uncle Joe?”

“You’re the best little tap dancer I’ve ever seen.”

She smiles so bright. I wrap my arm around her and give her a squeeze.

After dinner, Chloe, ignoring my mom’s request to sit down, helps Haddie clear the table while my mom and Abby clean the kids up. Abby tells us goodbye and apologizes for intruding on our dinner. I open my mouth to tell her she wasn’t, but Chloe beats me to it.

“I’m glad you were here and that I got to spend time getting to know your sweet kids.” Abby hugs Chloe, then we all head outside. Haddie’s going with her to help with the kids in the morning. I walk around to the driver’s side and give my sister a hug.

“I love her for you, Joey,” Abby whispers in my ear. She pulls back and gives me a big smile before climbing in her minivan. I open the door to the back and climb inside to give my niece and nephews hugs goodbye.

I shut the door and walk around the front to pull Chloe back against my chest. We wave as they take their leave. With my arm around her shoulders, we follow my parents back inside.

“Who wants coffee?” my mom asks.

My dad and I say yes, and so does Chloe. My girl follows my mom into the kitchen to help her get coffee. As soon as they disappear, my dad turns to me. “She’s great, Joe. I know we’ve known her since she was a little girl, but she’s really grown into a fine woman.”

My dad saying that really means a lot. “I’m falling in love with her.” I say it quietly so I know she doesn’t hear me.

“That’s great, son. You haven’t been serious with anyone since Tracey. You seem really happy, but you guys live four hours away from each other. That may be fine for now, but it can’t work forever. What are your long-term plans?”

To be honest, I’ve tried not to think about it, because I don’t think she’d consider moving away from her parents, brother, and friends. Hell, we’ve only had one real date, but I know how I feel. I know every time I leave her, I get an ache in my belly and a pain in my chest.

“I don’t know…we haven’t really talked about that stuff yet. I was hoping with her here this weekend that we could. All I know is I that I want to be with her, and every time I leave her, I feel ill.”

We don’t get to finish our discussion because Chloe and my mom return, carrying a tray of coffee cups and cake. My girl sits next to me and hands me a plate with a piece of my mom’s famous homemade chocolate cake.

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