“She went to the restroom with Maria and Helen,” Carrie said, giving John the stink-eye.
“Oh, Maria came? That’s fabulous. It’s good someone...” Didi was saying when Carrie glared at her, and she quickly shut up. The look between mother and daughter went unnoticed by John.
Just as John was wondering who Maria and Helen were and where on earth Grandpa Price was, Didi said, “Oh here they come.”
John turned around and saw Emma between two women, one looked to be in her sixties with curly gray hair and the other was a woman in her late twenties with whitish blonde hair and blue eyes. She looked like an older Carrie. Emma’s green eyes widened when she saw him, and she hurried forward.
“Hello babe.”
“What are you...?” she started asking when he cut her off.
“Congrats babe, you deserve this and more,” John said with a smile.
He looked at the women beside her expectantly and Emma finally got the message, and she did the introductions, “Maria, Helen, this is John, my boyfriend. John, these are Maria and Helen. Maria’s family and Helen is Carrie’s sister.”
“Hello,” John said as he shook hands. He turned to Emma and said, “Your grandfather couldn’t make it?”
“No, he couldn’t,” Maria said quietly before Emma could reply. “I see you are the one who’s dating my little girl.”
“Yes, ma'am. I know you’re probably mad I haven’t done the right thing by putting a ring on her finger and-” John started when Maria cut in.
“We don’t need to discuss all that here, we still have time, don’t you think?” Maria asked with a tight smile.
“Right, right,” John said with a nod.
“We are still going for our dinner, right?” Grant Jones boomed.
Maria turned to Emma and said, “Oh dear, I didn’t know you’d made plans with Carrie’s family. I should have informed you I would be coming.”
“It’s fine, Maria. We can both have our dinner together if it will be too inconveniencing to change the reservations,” Emma started but Didi tsked as she approached them. She placed an arm around Emma as she said, “Nonsense, Emma. Maria is family and of course she has to join us. It is a family dinner. You both are not going off and depriving us of your company.” She turned to John, paused for a moment before she said, “Johnny, you can join us if you don’t have work, that is.”
“I’ll be delighted to come with you,” John said cheerfully.
“Of course, you will,” Carrie muttered earning her a stern look from Helen.
The company shuffled out of the auditorium.
*
Dinner was one of laughter and cheer. Stories were being retold and jokes were being made. And then, John asked, “So why couldn’t Mr. Price come, Maria, Emma?”
Emma’s fork froze over her food and Maria said, “His health isn’t what it used to be. And he hates flying so... I’m really sorry, Emma.”
Emma placed a hand on Maria’s, and she smiled, “It’s okay, Maria. You are here and your presence is as important.”
“Why are you so concerned with Emma’s grandfather, John? Do you have business with him? Perhaps you want to pitch some architectural project to him?” Carrie asked slyly.
It was John’s turn to freeze. He understood that she was mocking him, using the lie he had told Emma when they first met. He regained himself quickly enough and dabbed his mouth with his napkin. Then he said, “I’m just eager to meet my future grandfather-in-law.”
Carrie scoffed and she stared at him pointedly. “So, you honestly think you’ll marry Emma? Oh, you delude yourself so.”
“Why can’t I marry Emma? We are having babies together.”
“Babies should not be the only reason a couple get married, young man!” Grant’s voice boomed, causing everyone to pay attention to him. “If you marry for a child alone there is no way a marriage can survive. Remember that.”
Maria tilted Emma’s face towards hers. Emma’s eyes were filled with tears, and she blinked them away.
“Mi corazoncito, what is this I’m hearing? Babies? Are you carrying twins?”
