Looking back at dad, I see he is crying. Oh, God, dad and his tears.
“It’s fine, honey. He just wants to meet the man who is in love with you.” My mom has sidled up next to me this time. My hands find my stomach as I brace for the forewarning. Be careful, Emma. You are strong, Emma. Take care of yourself first, Emma. “I like him. I think he’s good for you,” she says.
I relax my hands and turn to face her. The lines around her eyes are wrinkled in and they’re slightly wet from the tears that are filling up her eyes. “It’s good to have you back, honey.”
Mom pulls me into a hug and I hold right on to her. We haven’t shared a good hug in way too long.
I look back at the men in my life. My dad extends his hand to Alexander, who shakes it back and then my dad pulls Alexander in for a hug. I’d be lying if I said Alexander didn’t look wildly uncomfortable with the gesture but he is going along with it anyway.
After the reception is over we make our way to McConaughey’s for the after party and I am relieved to switch my wedding heels for a pair of slippers. Alexander loosens his tie but leaves his suit intact. Instead of the usual scotch, he orders a pint with me and together we sway and sing to the music blasting from the speakers as Leah leads us all in a song.
When we head back to my parents’ house, Alexander and I are tipsy as we walk through the back door, clawing at each other’s bodies and making out like teenagers and being entirely too loud. My parents are still up, wearing their robes and talking in the kitchen. When we see them, Alexander and I halt our laughter and remove our hands from one another.
Dad looks uncomfortable with the situation, his eyes darting to the floor. “Alexander, you’ll be in Leah’s room tonight. Pam made up the bed for you this morning.”
Alexander offers him a “Yes, sir” and it causes me to snicker at the idea of Alexander being schooled by his girlfriend’s dad. From the grin on Mom’s face, I can tell she finds this amusing as well.
Dad walks over and gives me a kiss on the cheek. “Good night, darling,” he says about to turn around but then faces me again, “It’s so nice to see you smiling.”
I place my hands to my mouth and feel the smile across my face.
My parents head out of the kitchen and I push Alexander’s back so he’s following them up the stairs.
When we get to my room, Alexander offers me a sweet kiss on the cheek and then disappears across the hall to Leah’s room.
I take my time in the bathroom, showering off the caked-on makeup and washing out the massive amount of hairspray in my hair. When I emerge, the hallway is dark and the house is quiet. I glance at Leah’s bedroom door and contemplate paying a visit to the man who traveled here to tell me he loves me.
I’ve never had a boy stay at my parents’ house. I’ve never snuck one in and I’ve definitely never fooled around with a boy under my parents’ roof.
I’m twenty-five years old and finally about to break the rules.
I walk to my room, thinking about what I can slip on that would be sexy yet easy to take off. I open my bedroom door and when I close it I almost scream as a large shadow is standing in the middle of my room.
I fall back against the door, my hand to my chest attempting to calm my rapid heartbeat.
“Jesus Christ, you scared the hell out of me!” I yell in a whisper.
Alexander quietly laughs. “Scared you? Try sleeping in Leah’s room. It’s like a time capsule to 2005 in there. I thought she only liked McConaughey, but there’s Leto, Gosling, Damon . . . their eyes just stare at you in your sleep!”
I bite down on the inside of my lips, clamping them down to stifle my laughter. “Are you afraid of the dark?”
“No!” he says too defensively.