Page 42 of Not Like Christmas At All
Epilogue
Two Months Later
Nausea holds me in its clutches as the car winds higher up the mountain, each curve of the road churning my stomach a little more. The sun beats down on the dashboard, thickening the air around me in a stifling cocoon. Sweat beads at the back of my neck, and I lock my eyes on the road, willing the disorienting feeling to pass.
As a child, my family always had to pull off at some point during the hour drive to Julian because I could never make it the whole way without turning green.
It’s great to see that as an adult, things haven’t changed.
“I didn’t realize you get carsick so easily.” Lincoln’s brows knit together as he flicks his gaze at me. “I could have had my parents come to us.”
“No! I’m okay.” I blow out a shaky breath. “You’d think I would have outgrown it by now.”
“Some people don’t.” He reaches for the air vents, repositioning them so they all blow in my direction, then he cracks the windows. “Do you need me to pull over?”
I shake my head, but the sudden motion makes me queasy. “Maybe just some more air.”
He cranks the air conditioner, and I fix my gaze on the road again, hoping this disgusting feeling passes quickly.
“We’re almost there, I promise.” Lacing his fingers through mine, Lincoln rests our hands on my thigh. “Close your eyes and rest for a while, it might help.”
I do, because he’s right—sleep used to be the only thing that would help, and I’m surethathasn’t changed either.
It seems like only a few seconds when a soft squeeze on my knee rouses me.
“We’re here, baby.”
Yawning, I blink awake and immediately take in the picturesque view of the Stokes family home.
Then I realize I’m not flooded with queasiness anymore—the feeling has turned into something else.
Nerves.
I’m meeting Lincoln's parents.
After two months together, we’ve decided it’s time to meet each other’s parents. Dinner last night with mine went off without a hitch. Today, we’re spending a cozy day in Julian with his.
“I hope they like me,” I murmur, more to myself than to Lincoln as I unbuckle.
“They’re going toloveyou, Gen.”
He hops out of the car and comes around to open the door for me, and before he can, his mom comes bounding down the porch steps, arms wide. “Oh my goodness, there she is!”
I’m barely standing when she pulls me into a tight hug, squeezing me like she’s met me a thousand times. “Oh, sweetheart, do you have any idea how glad I am to finally meet you? I’ve been waiting way too long for Linc to bring someone home!”
Laughter bubbles within me, and my eyes begin to fill with tears. Mrs. Stokes squeezes me tight again before pulling back to look at me.
“You’re even more beautiful than I imagined you’d be. Tim! TIM! Come meet Lincoln’s girlfriend. She’s lovely!”
“Mom,” Lincoln chastises, steering her away from me and pulling her into his own hug. Over her shoulder, he mouthssorry, shaking his head. “You didn’t even tell Gen your name.”
“Ah! I’m just so excited. Can you blame me?” Standing up straight, she shakes out her shoulders like she’s shaking off her giddiness, then extends her hand. Schooling her features, she greets me again. “Hi, I’m Tina.”
I take it, laughing. “Hi Tina, it’s so good to finally meet you.”
“Tina, for goodness’ sake, give the woman a second to stretch her legs,” Lincoln's dad, Tim, grumbles from the porch. He’s leaning against the railing with a steaming mug in his hand and a playful grin on his face. “Can I get you lovebirds a cup of coffee?”
“That’d be great, thanks, Dad.” Lincoln laces his fingers through mine and leads me up the porch steps. Warmth surrounds me as I step inside their home, from the roar of their fireplace to the soft, delicate scent of coffee, pine, and cinnamon. As Lincoln pulls my sweater from my shoulders, I peek around at the cozy nostalgia of the home Lincoln grew up in.
