Page 34 of Accidentally Forever
“I can’t believeyou texted him,” I whispered.
My mom just grinned. “Of course I did. You weren’t going to invite him over to meet the parents. Some things are simply needed.”
I grimaced. “It’s only been a week and a half. People usually get months before this moment.” Or longer. Not that the Montgomerys were anything like normal.
“Most people don’t have their daughter’s significant other's phone number to make an evening meal happen.” Tabitha Montgomery winked. “I love that something is happening between the two of you, and Iwon’t ask for details. That’s your business. Even if there wasn’t, however, I would’ve wanted him here for a meal. With everything that happened in these recent months, he deserves a little comfort as well.”
I relaxed completely, leaning into my mother’s hold. “You’re right. I’m glad that he has you and Lexington’s parents. And franklyallof the aunts and uncles.”
“I’ve never met his parents, but I know a few things and they are lucky I don’t find them and run them down with one of the many cars we have and love. I am blessed with my parents and my in-laws. But I know a few of my sisters- and brothers-in-law had issues with their families. And knowing that they always had us to lean on helped them. Crew would’ve been invited here no matter what. That man needs to have a safe space—and we’re it. And of course, he helped my baby. I’m going to make sure he gets cake.”
I threw my head back and laughed before hugging her tight. My heart swelled at my mother’s words because she was right. Crew needed us even if sometimes I felt as though he forgot that in his urge to take care of everyone else. “Cake solves everything.”
“I thought that was cheese?” my younger sister Dara asked as she skipped into the room and threw her arms around me. She kissed me hard on the cheek andbeamed. “Thank you for bringing that beautiful man for dinner.”
I cringed. “Why did you make that sound likehe’sthe dinner? Plus don’t talk about Crew that way.”MyCrew.
My mom just pressed her lips together, holding back a laugh, thankfully not saying anything.
“He’s edible. You know that.”
Pushing at her arm, I tried not to laugh and let her win. “Is he out with Dad working the grill?” I asked, looking throughout the house for him.
“Yes, he’s out there last I saw.” Dara turned to Mom. “Oh, Mom. I forgot to mention that I needed that one paper you mentioned. Is it in the kitchen?”
“Yes, let me show you.” Mom kissed my cheek. “Go rescue your man. Though your dad isn’t as hard as my family was when it came to the third degree.”
Laughing, I pulled away and headed to the back of the house. She was right since I knew my uncles had questioned my father for daring to touch their precious sister, but now they were all best friends. I visited Pennsylvania often to visit that set of cousins and my dad still playfully growled with his in-laws.
My parents’ home was always so comforting. It wasn’t our childhood home, as we had moved a couple of times when I was growing up as the family expanded.The fact that my mother had birthed two sets of twins was a ridiculous feat. I still didn’t know how the two of them made it all work even with the family helping.
And then after Sebastian had Nora, we had all moved into a larger house to accommodate the growing family. I had been in college, while Sebastian had been taking courses, raising his daughter, and preparing to buy into the tattoo shop. Gus and Dora had still been in school, and my parents had done everything to make sure that we were safe, loved, and had two feet on the ground.
My mother was an organizational queen. She kept Montgomery Inc., the family’s first construction company going. Yes, Uncle Wes and the others were fantastic at what they did, but my mother was the planner extraordinaire. My father was a little messier, but not by much. I knew that part of his recovery had been taking control in what he had and that meant he didn’t leave any messes. Even his dark room was pristine so he wouldn’t accidentally harm one of his projects.
The walls were covered in art, some by family members, some by friends. And there were photographs everywhere. Of our childhood, of the family. Mostly ones my father had taken over time. And then a few of mine. That always made my stomach hurt, because I couldn’t help but compare myself to my father. And Iknew that was just in my head. Except maybe it wasn’t. Especially because people like that woman couldn’t help but give their opinion on my work.
I wanted to grow, I wanted to get better. And I would. But I still couldn’t help but wonder if I would ever get to a point where I felt like I knew what I was doing.
A hand slid around my waist, and I looked at Crew. “Dad grilling you instead of dinner?” I asked, honestly a little worried.
Crew shook his head. “Nope. We were just out there grilling real food, waiting for Sebastian and his family to get here.”
“Oh, are they here now?” I asked as I went to my tiptoes to look over his shoulder. Crew kissed the top of my head, and I blushed, knowing that my family was outright staring at me. We were all getting used to this new side of my relationship with Crew.
“They were just walking up.”
I pulled on Crew’s hand and tugged him to the side door. Before I could even open it though, Nora made her entrance, her dark hair in pigtails, and her smile wide.
“Aunt Aria? Mom and Dad said that you and uncle Crew were dating, and I had to not ask any questions. Can I ask a couple? Because I have a whole list.”
I threw my head back and laughed, as Crew let go of my hand to bend down and meet Nora’s gaze.
She was almost seven and had the Montgomery height. The height I hadn’t gotten. I was more like my mother, but Nora got her genes from her father. Sebastian might be my twin, but sometimes I wasn’t even sure we looked like we were from the same family. I knew his daughter was probably going to outgrow me quite quickly.
“What are your questions?” Crew asked, and I bit my lip, telling myself not to let my ovaries have control of this moment.
Nora ducked her head, blushing, and my eyes widened as I looked over her head at Sebastian and an adorably pregnant Raven. Nora never blushed. She was so confident, so this was a surprise. “I don’t know where to start. But how about, if you and Aunt Aria don’t work out, will you still wait for me?”
