Page 51 of Impossible

“I’ll talk to her tonight when I get home.”

“She’s there right now?” Jackson asks.

“She’s watching Harper.”

“Oh, I guess I just thought Mom and Dad were watching her,” Jackson replies. “You guys really are serious.”

It happened so fast, but I don’t want to slow things down with Riley. Why should we if we’re happy? Life can knock you down. Make you feel like there is no hope. When you’re living in the darkest moments of your life, thinking you will never see the light again, and one day that light shows up, you don’t let it go. Riley is that light for me.

“Areyousureaboutthis?” Riley asks while standing nervously holding Harper by the front door as I finish packing the diaper bag.

When I got home last night, I told Riley that I wanted to bring her to family dinner tonight. She was hesitant at first, thinking it wasn’t the right time to tell my folks, but I convinced her. She knows my mom adores her and was so happy that Riley spent so much time with Harper this summer. When she asked about Peyton, I just brushed it off like she would be fine with it. I know I should’ve been more up front about my own concerns regarding Peyton, but I didn’t want to worry Riley.

“Positive, babe.” I kiss her forehead to try to reassure her. “Now, let’s get going.”

The drive is silent as I watch Riley fidget in her seat. I place my hand over hers, trying to offer my support. She seems to instantly calm at my touch as I rub circles with my thumb. When I park in the driveway, I stop her from getting out of the car right away.

“Hey, come here,” I tell her as I reach for her cheek. “It’s going to be fine. My brothers already know and are happy for us. Everything will work out.”

She nods her head. I lean in and give her a kiss. Once I get a small taste, I’m tempted to deepen it, likes always, but manage to pull back. When we walk through the doors, I hear the commotion in the back. Mom has the sliding door open while everyone is hanging out on the patio outside. I grab Riley’s hand while she holds onto Harper like her own security blanket. Once we walk outside, the laughter and chatter falls silent.

“Hey, guys,” I say. Shit, why didn’t I talk to my parents about this first? All of a sudden, I feel like a complete idiot. “Thought I would bring Riley to join us today.”

She squeezes my hand a little tighter. I’m going to hear about this from her later.

“What up, Riley!” Logan breaks the silence. “Welcome to Sunday dinner, now give me my niece.”

Logan walks up and takes Harper while winking at Riley. I want to thank him for breaking the silence but also want to punch him for winking at my girl like that. He walks back to his seat with Harper and sits down next to Peyton and James. Peyton is currently staring daggers at me, which doesn’t make me feel optimistic about where this night is headed. Mom recovers from her stunned reaction and offers Riley a genuine smile.

“Riley, dear. How lovely to see you again. Please, come take a seat.”

Mom has us come take a seat next to her and dad. Logan is smiling at the situation like it's his favorite soap opera while I see Jackson and Greyson looking back and forth between us and my parents, waiting for their reactions. I didn’t mean to make a big announcement about our relationship. I just wanted her to join tonight and spend some time with the family. Walking in holding hands was a pretty clear message. I suck at this.

“What a lovely surprise to have you two for dinner,” Mom says.

“Thank you for having me,” Riley replies.

I grab her hand under the table and she squeezes it.

“What can I get the two of you to drink?” Dad asks.

“I’ll take a beer, whatever you’ve got. You want a red wine?” I ask Riley, she nods her head in response.

“Let’s all stop dancing around the subject. Liam and Riley are dating,” Jackson declares.

I want to try to take control of this situation before it gets a little out of hand. Riley deserves more than this and I feel like I failed her, throwing her into this without properly thinking about it before hand. I look over at her and smile, trying to show her that there is nothing to be ashamed of.

“Yes,” I begin to say. “Riley and I are dating. We were spending a lot of time together over the summer and something just shifted between us. I realize it may come as a shock to some of you, but we’re really happy together. She’s been an amazing support to me since Becca passed. She is amazing with Harper and always there to offer a helping hand. She is the most selfless person I know. We hope you all will be happy for us since we have been through so much in the last seven months.”

“Of course, we want you two to be happy. This time has been hard on all of us. I won’t lie that is does come as a bit of a surprise, but if this is what makes you two happy, then I'm happy for you. We all miss Becca and will always miss her, but you deserve to find love and happiness again,” Mom says.

“Thanks, Mom. Idolove Riley.”

There’s a snort that comes from Peyton. I knew this was coming, she is not going to hold in her feelings.

“Do you have something to say?” I ask her.

“Oh, no, nothing at all. This seems perfectly normal. Messing around with your deceased wife’s friend. Let’s all just pretend like it’s okay.” She turns her head to Riley with a look of resentment.

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