“How are your guys?” Beckett asks when it’s just the three of us.
“Great.”
“When are you going to tell mom and dad?”
“Never.” They are so stuck in their ways, with their traditional thoughts on marriage and relationships, that me coming to them with this… I don’t think they’d be able to process. I don’t think they’d disown me, but it would be awkward. Tense.
Beckett laughs. “I bet they’d love them.”
“We’re not having this conversation.”
He holds up his hands. “One last thing, and it’s a serious question. How do you plan on having a long-term future with them when mom and dad are kept in the dark? Family functions, dinners, holidays? Have you thought about that?”
I nod, recalling we briefly talked about it last month after Easter. The talk probably required more in-depth conversation about those things, but I’d been thinking about it, them, for months and I knew I wouldn’t leave again. I guess I sort of took the approach that if they’re what I want, then we’ll figure out the rest. I knew kids and marriage were likely not going to happen and I was ok with that.
If the marriage issue became a big deal, perhaps we could have a little ceremony between all of us. Plus, there’s a trend where people aren’t getting married anymore. Lifelong partners. That’s what we are. If we had everything else but the piece of paper, then did it matter? Kids. I still don’t know how I feel about that yet. I talked myself into not needing kids with them, and maybe part of me hopes they’ll change and that will be one of the things we figure out along the way. I’m not in a rush for them, so who knows? Plus, I’m fairly certain I’ll be an auntie in less than two years. Likely nine months after the wedding.
Holidays… we still need to figure that out. Easter worked out so well, and it will next year, but Thanksgiving and Christmas. Those will be the tougher holidays to avoid or participate in. Maybe for the first year or two I could just not be dating anyone? But that won’t last forever and I definitely don’t feel like having mom set me up every holiday. I could simply pick one to be my boyfriend in front of my parents, but I don’t know… I’d feel bad for the others and wouldn’t want them to think they are less, because none of them are.
It’s not perfect, but we’ll figure it out. I believe I’m meant to be with those men, so the universe will provide. Things happen for a reason, so I just need to wait and see what path this will take. It’s going to work out because we are meant to be. Boom!
“Well, have you figured it out?” Beckett presses again when I don’t answer immediately.
“I don’t know Beckett, but I’ll figure it out.” There’s a slight edge in my voice when I answer, causing his brows to perk up in defense.
“You always do,” he answers softly, not wanting to push too hard.
“So when are you moving out of mom and dads?” I fire back, ready to move the conversation off of me.
“I don’t know Everlee, but I’ll figure it out,” he repeats my words back to me.
Being the mature person I am, I stick my tongue out at him. “How’s work going?” I look at Will.
“Great. The new house has been fantastic. I think they’re just grateful I’m not Beckett.”
“Har har. Hilarious.”
Will shrugs and smiles. He’s a good-looking man with a bright white smile. He seems wholesome and sweet, but still a little reserved. Definitely not as outgoing and in your face as Beckett, which is honestly the best thing for Beckett. He needs someone sensible to balance him out. If not, it would be total chaos.
I watch Beckett watch Will laugh and have never seen him so happy. He’s almost glowing, which tells me it’s something serious. And because he’s never brought a man around to meet the family or to important events.
Beckett looks over my shoulder. “Looks like one of your men would like a word with you.” He pumps his eyebrows.
My head snaps behind me and I see Emmett standing by the railing looking at us, so I wave him over.
“He trimmed his beard. Now he looks like a sexy lumberjack in the summer with it all tight around his face.”
“He’s sexy lumberjack every season.”
“Who?” Emmett asks, sliding his arm around my waist, but keeping his hand at a respectable height.
“This hot guy I know.”
“Hmm.” He cuts his eyes at me.
I smile, winking.
“Are you enjoying yourselves?” Emmett asks the group.
