“It’s nearly Christmas,” Maggie gasps, clutching her chest.
“You took advantage of her,” my mother says, pointing at Lincoln. “She was going through a hard time finding out about her biological mother and you manipulated her.”
I stand in front of Lincoln, feeling pissed and possessive.
“You will not talk to him like that,” I say sternly to my mother. “He was there for me when no one else knew. He’s the reason I’m so happy. He’s the whole reason I’m doing okay right now. You will never ever speak to him like that again,” I say, hating the downtrodden look on her face, but I just couldn’t let her speak to him like that.
I look over at my aunt Maggie, who seems pleased with me standing up for her son.
Lincoln grips my hip, and I watch as everyone collectively follows the motion. My heart sinks as I look at my mother’s disappointment, but Lincoln’s touch grounds me.
35
MY GIRL
I grabPenny’s hip as she stands up to her mother for me.
The woman who was so scared about the damage our relationship would cause is choosing me, and I’m not sure how to handle it.
I’ve never been someone’s first choice before.
“Penny, you’ve been through a lot lately. I’m sure this can get annulled. What will people think?” her mother asks.
I know my aunt Holly isn’t meaning to be as hurtful as she is right now, but it just goes to show that she doesn’t really know Penny. She loves Penny, would kill for her, but she doesn’t know her, not like I do. I’m not sure anyone in the world knows who the real Penny is besides me. She gives people pieces of who she truly is, but I get the whole package.
My wife is strong and beautiful. Every time I think I couldn’t love her more, she just proves me wrong.
“I don’t want to get it annulled. You’re not listening. We’re married. It’s the happiest I’ve ever been. I’ve felt more like me in these last few months than I have in the last ten years. I don’t expect you all to get on board right away, honestly. I know it willbe an adjustment. I love Lincoln. He’s my husband, and I really hope you can learn to accept it.”
Holly sits there for a moment, taking in Penny’s words as my mother glances over at her other sons, who are all very obviously not shocked.
“You all knew?”
Ben shrugs, Aiden rubs his jaw, looking away, and Jessa mouths a sorry in Penny’s direction.
“Since Labor Day,” Gavin says with a shrug.
“Jesus Christ,” Penny’s dad mumbles under his breath.
“And you’re just okay with this?” my mom asks.
“When is the last time you remember Lincoln being happy? When he wasn’t moping around sitting by himself in the backyard. He fucking smiles now. It’s terrifying, but it’s because of Penny,” Gavin says, and I make a note to get him an additional Christmas gift.
My mom nods her head and takes a heavy sigh.
“Have you two thought about what people might think?” she asks, not judging, just asking. My aunt still looks like she’s wrapping her head around everything that just happened and I know Penny is worried she might falter in her recovery.
I’ve been patient and the only reason I was content in waiting so long is because Penny and I have been so happy in our private little newlywed bliss. I’m not going to let them ruin it for us.
“It will probably be strange for family friends we’ve known for a while, but like I give a fuck what they think? We’re not blood related, everything is legal. Her last name is Carlson already,” I say, grabbing Penny a little tighter.
My mother glances between the two of us and rubs her forehead.
“I already love you, Penny. It’s going to take a minute to get used to this, but I know Lincoln wouldn’t be impulsive about something so serious.” Penny stills next to me and Ipray she doesn’t think too hard about my mother’s backhanded compliment, that Penny is the impulsive one, when that’s the complete opposite.
“I think I’m just going to lie down for a while,” Holly says getting up.
“Mom,” Penny says, taking a step forward towards her mother.
