Page 76 of Stuck with You

The irritation tensing my shoulders didn’t last long, and I nodded, “Of course, I’m happy. I think I’m in shock. I just wish I could hug you guys.”

Mom smiled in response. “You will in two weeks’ time.”

A couple of the tears I’d been trying so hard to keep back escaped, and I quickly moved to wipe them away. I still couldn’t believe this was happening.

“I’m glad to see you both got home safely, Mr. and Mrs. James,” Aiden said. He was standing at my side and lightly rested his hand across my back as he spoke. I’d completely forgotten he was there.

“Thank you, Aiden, we’re pretty glad too,” Mom replied. “It’s nice to see you again.”

“You too, Mrs. James.”

I wasn’t sure if Mom heard Aiden’s reply because her eyes had caught on where his hand was pressed to my back. She gave Dad a slight nudge as she nodded toward it. Dad looked totally oblivious, but from the knowing look Mom was giving me, I knew Aiden and I were totally busted.

It’s not like I was planning on keeping our relationship a secret or anything, but I hadn’t talked to them properly all week, and it wasn’t the kind of thing I wanted to announce to them in a text. There were no excuses for avoiding it now though.

“So, guys, I have something to tell you…” My stomach tensed as they sent me curious looks. I really wished I’d had a chance to tell them over the phone this week, because announcing this to my parents in person seemed so much harder. Dating was also pretty far down the list of things I wanted to discuss with Mom and Dad considering they had only just returned home. I knew it was best if I just got it over with quickly though.

“Aiden and I are dating,” I said, the words slipping from my lips in a rush. I had to resist the urge to cover my face. I wasn’t sure I wanted to see their reactions.

Mom’s face lit with a wide smile, but Dad’s expression had turned wary. I could see he wasn’t exactly thrilled by the news, but he didn’t seem totally against it either. I should have probably just been grateful he hadn’t started interrogating Aiden. My parents were oddly accepting of the news, and I had to wonder if they were simply too tired to react as shocked as I’d expected.

“Yes, Jade told us all about you two,” Mom said. “She wanted to make sure we were happy you continued staying at their house.”

“You already knew?” I blew out a breath, shaking my head. It seemed like everyone was finding out about Aiden and I before we got a chance to tell them. It was probably better this way though. Finding out from Jade probably softened the blow for my parents. I doubted either one of them would be acting so calmly if they haven’t received a heads-up. It was a miracle Mom wasn’t blurting out something embarrassing, and I didn’t even want to guess how Dad would have reacted if this was the first he’d heard of my new boyfriend. He’d always been quite protective of me when it came to boys.

“Yes, we already knew,” Mom said.

“So, you guys are cool with it then?” I asked.

“I wouldn’t say we’recool,” Dad replied. “But Jade seemed to think it was fine, and we trust you and know you wouldn’t do anything irresponsible.”

“Dad, you have nothing to worry about.” My cheeks flushed as I replied. This was so embarrassing. I didn’t want to discuss my relationship with either of my parents. I would have rather dug a hole and buried myself in it.

Mom must have sensed my discomfort because she slowly stretched her arms above her head and yawned. “It’s so good to see you, sweetie, but we’ve had a long journey and are quite tired.”

“Oh, of course.” I was grateful I didn’t have to keep discussing my new boyfriend with my parents but also sad at the thought of leaving so soon. I could also see Mom’s exhaustion wasn’t just an excuse though. She looked exhausted. “You guys go get some rest. Do you need anything from the stores at all?”

Mom smiled. “No, we’re all set. Jade dropped some groceries off this morning for us, and there’s a freezer full of meals. We’re fine.”

“As long as you’re sure.”

“We are,” Mom said. “I’ll call you later today, and we can catch up properly.”

“Okay. You better.”

“We will,” Dad replied.

I took a moment to look at my parents. Having them home felt like stepping into one of my dreams. It didn’t seem real that they were standing only a few feet away. That I could speak to them face to face. That I knew for certain they were safe. Seeing them at home gave me a sense of relief stronger than I’d never experienced before—and one I hoped I never had to experience again.

I shared one last smile with them before I started back to Aiden’s truck. He kept close to me as we walked, and I was grateful he was there. It was hard to leave my parents after only just getting them back. At least I wasn’t doing it alone.

He opened the door for me, but I turned before I got inside the truck and waved to my parents. They were hugging each other on the front porch as they watched me leave and started waving back.

“We love you,” Mom called.

“I love you guys too!” I shouted back, blowing them several kisses.

As Aiden and I drove away, I watched my parents through the back window until they disappeared. I would have happily camped out in the front yard of our house all day to talk with them. It was clear they needed some rest though. I doubted it was just the journey that had exhausted them. I didn’t want to imagine how difficult it must have been for them being stuck overseas with no way home.

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