I was mortified at the thought of both of them arguing over which lingerie would look better on me. I hoped Gram would not allow Jake to follow us. Without a doubt, Jake won this battle. He practically ran to the lingerie department with a silly grin the whole way up. Gram and Jake enjoyed picking out lingerie while I stood there flustered. Jake, of course, picked out the skimpiest outfits. Gram picked out classic and demure ones I felt more comfortable looking at.
Jake feverishly summoned me with a continuous curling of his hand and suggested, “Emily, try these on. I can come in and help you if you like.”
Gram and I both slapped him on the arm. Jake was having a ball.
Luckily, Gram didn’t make me try on any of the pieces but she purchased them all.
“Gram, I don’t think I need so many outfits,” I said, trying to sway her from buying me too much.
“Emily, a girl can never have too many diamonds or lingerie.” With time, I could get used to this adage.
“Amen!” Jake added.
We got back to the flat exhausted. The maid set up our rooms while I helped Gram up to her room. I noticed that she had two twin beds in her room and I asked if I could sleep with her in the unused twin bed.
“Would you mind, Gram? I’d love to hear stories about Jake’s grandpa if you’re not too tired.”
“That would be lovely, Emily. This bed hasn’t been used since my husband died two years ago. I’ll have the maid get it ready for you.”
“Thank you, Gram.”
Jake and I got ready for bed, and we said our good nights by his door. He watched me walk up to Gram’s room and curiously followed me in. When he realized that we were sleeping in the same room, he insisted on sleeping with us.
I tried to send him away.
“Jake, there’s no room in here for you. Where will you sleep?”
“Gram, I can’t believe you let Emi in here, but not your favorite grandson. Either I bring my own mattress and sleep between you two or Emi has to move back to the guest room. That’s not fair,” he whined.
“How old are you? You sound like a five-year-old.” I pretended to scold. But, Gram and I both couldn’t resist him. We gave in to his tantrum.
Jake and the butler brought in the mattress and the box spring and placed it between Gram and myself.
“What, no bed frame?” I asked.
“I was tempted, but the butler looked annoyed with me so I thought I’d stop here.”
So here we were—Gram, Jake, and me sleeping next to one another on three separate beds. It was a Kodak moment.
I asked Gram to tell me stories about Jake’s late grandfather, and she started and ended about the same time. She was so exhausted from the day, she fell right asleep. Jake swiftly jumped onto my twin-size mattress and cuddled me.
“I knew this would happen. The minute her head hits the pillow, Gram is out. We finally get some alone time. I don’t think I’ve touched you since we got to London.”
“Is this why you wanted to sleep in this room? I’m still upset with you for your indiscrete confession about my lack of experience. I told you I’m not letting you touch me till we get married.”
He paid no attention. “We can change…” his lips started on the hollow of my neck, “your lack of experience status…” I became immobilized by his mouth devouring every inch, “right now if you like.”
“Are…you…nuts…?” I said talking slowly, breathing heavily. “Gram is five feet away from us.” And yet, I didn’t refuse him. “You can stay here for a bit but you need to move back down to your bed.”
I could hear Jake’s silent laugh. He knew I wanted his lips to stay on my body the entire night if possible. I feigned a white flag and allowed Jake to stay with me the rest of the night. I had the best night’s rest since we got to Europe.
We left for Heathrow early in the morning but Gram chose not to fly back with us. She had too many loose ends to tie up before coming to the States. She promised to come in two weeks. On our way to the airport, Jake brought up a thought that was on the forefront of my mind.
“Emi? When do you want to go see your parents? Don’t you think I should meet them before we get married?”
I instantly started to cry.
“Love, why are you crying?”
“Because I missed them so much when I was in Japan. I almost flew to Texas one of the weekends to apologize to them. Last time I was there, I said a lot of hurtful things and was really mean to them. Those words have haunted me for months.”
“What did you say to them?” With his arms around me, I tried to feel comforted.
“I ranted like a child about them being happily together while leaving me by myself, miserable. I apologized in the end, but I’m sure my parents were up in heaven crying with me.”
“Let’s go make things right, and I need to apologize as well. I’m sure they’re not too happy with me since I’m the one who made you cry. Can we postpone New York and stop by Texas instead? From there we will go home.”
“Thank you, Jake. I would love that.”
“There’s nothing to thank me for. Remember, we are a family now. Just like you treat my parents as your own, I will do the same with your parents.”