Kristin wanted to weep, but she kept her sorrow buried as she spoke. “I gave up those things willingly, Mom. I love you. You and Dad are my entire life.”
Her heart ached. Obviously both of her parents had felt guilty for squashing her childhood and her adult life. That’s not what Kristin wanted, but it felt nice for them to acknowledge that she’d loved them enough to give up whatever was needed for her family.
“You’re a good girl. You always were. You’re special, honey.” She nodded jerkily toward Julian. “Now it’s your turn. With a man like that, I think you need a little alone time.”
“I’ve always wanted to go to Hawaii,” Kristin answered, trying to sound excited.
“I know. I think your dad put in his opinion about where you should honeymoon.”
“So this wasn’t a coincidence,” Kristin said carefully.
“I doubt that,” Cindy said with a happy smile.
Julian planned this trip? He wanted to please me by picking a destination I wanted?
No. It had to be a coincidence. “He has a place there,” Kristin informed her parent.
For the first time in a long time, her mom chuckled. “He has a place in a lot of locations, from what I understand. He has investments all over the world.”
Not knowing what to say to that, she answered, “Well then, I’m glad he picked Maui.”
“Go and have a wonderful time. I want lots of pictures. I’m glad you’re happy now, but I just wish I hadn’t missed the wedding,” Cindy commented wistfully.
“We can have a big reception when we come back, Cindy,” Julian suggested as he moved across the room with her father.
Kristin watched as her mother beamed at Julian happily. “A wonderful idea. It doesn’t sound like your brothers and your cousins got to attend the wedding, either.”
“They didn’t,” Julian confirmed.
“Then a reception is definitely in order,” Dale stated robustly.
“It’s settled, then. Right, darling?” Julian sat on the arm of the sofa and put his hand on Kristin’s shoulder as he made the affectionate remark.
“Of course, my love,” she answered through a clenched jaw.
Dale Moore slapped Julian on the back. “We can get the ball rolling on that. Cindy and I are retired together now. It will give us something to plan.”
“Thanks, Dale,” Julian said, sounding grateful.
“I so wish you’d call us Mom and Dad like Kristin does,” Cindy told Julian sincerely.
Kristin watched a myriad of emotions pass over her husband’s expression. Her mom’s comment had been innocent enough, but maybe he wasn’t ready to use those titles, out of respect for his murdered parents.
Before she could speak up, Julian did. “I’d be honored. I lost both of my parents a few years ago now.”
“Oh, Julian. I’m so sorry. What happened?” Cindy’s stunned expression was proof that Kristin’s parents didn’t know about Julian’s tragedy.
“They were both murdered in a home invasion,” he said flatly.
Kristin could see the horrified expression on her mom’s face as she spoke. “I’m so sorry. We can’t be your parents, but we’d like to be a second pair of parent figures to you.”
His lips formed a slow smile. “Thank you. You’ve raised a smart, beautiful, giving, and loving daughter. For that alone, I’d be proud to call you my honorary mom and dad.”
It was an awkward but deeply touching moment for Kristin. She had a feeling it was an action that was pivotal for Julian, and she was gratified that he handled it with grace, for her parents’ sake.
Hugging her mom tightly, she whispered in her ear, “I love you. But I’ll call while I’m gone.”
Her mother blew her off. “Don’t bother. I think Julian will keep you busy. If anything comes up, we’ll call you.”
It seemed strange to finally see her parents looking healthier, stronger. Stress had taken its toll on both of them, but they looked better.
She stood and hugged her dad as she whispered, “Are you going to be okay?”
“Fine, fine. Go on and have a good time. You’re a married woman now, and you don’t need to keep putting off living your life because of us anymore,” he boomed loudly enough for everyone in the room to hear.
“I don’t regret it.” She didn’t try to deny that she’d been living a half life. Maybe things hadn’t exactly worked out as planned, but she’d take a vacation to Hawaii as a new start.
Her parents didn’t need her anymore.
Somehow, that felt strangely bittersweet.
She and Julian finished their good-byes and left her happy mother and father behind them.
He held open the door of his brand-new black Mercedes SUV. Not the flashy car she’d imagined that Julian would drive, but practical for Maine winters.
“You like them,” she accused as she fastened her seat belt.
“Never said I didn’t. As a matter of fact, I already said as much.”
She was silent as he closed the door and situated himself in the driver’s seat.
Opening the console between them, he took out a bottle, shook it, and handed her two pills. “Take them,” he directed as he also handed her a mini bottled water.