By Sunday, she was a little deflated and nervous.Meeting George’s parents seemed like a terrifying prospect.Also, meeting his family as his pregnant ...friend, seemed ...wrong.This was another element of her life that hadn’t gone how she had hoped.It was just a long list of shit that kept happening, and she didn’t know how to make it stop.One thing after another.
“My mom’s name is Nancy, and my dad is Drew,” George said, as they climbed out of his car.Several cars already sat in the driveway.
According to George, they didn’t need to bring anything, but Larissa had made a batch of cookies that morning, in order to give them a gift.Her father had always taught her to bring a gift when you were invited for dinner.She didn’t have time to pick or buy any flowers.Homemade cookies had an extra edge to them, because they were homemade, and that made them even more of a treat.
His father opened the door.She knew who Nancy and Drew Erickson were.She had seen them around town and had talked to them a time or two.She offered them a smile as Drew looked at her.
“Well, it is about time we got to see you,” Drew said.
Before she knew what was happening, she was pulled into a fatherly hug.“It is so good of you to come,” Drew said.“George has told us you’re nervous.I promise we don’t bite.We taught the kids early in life that biting was not socially acceptable.Of course, George here, he was the hardest one to teach.”
“Dad, come on.”
“He was a biter?”
“First class.If they had made a sport out of it, George would have won.”
Larissa looked back toward George, and it was the first time she had seen him look embarrassed.This might not be a bad experience after all.
“You’re a biter.”
“A past one.”
“Come on, Drew.Get them both in out of that freezing cold.I just won’t accept it.Stop letting all the heat out,” Nancy said.“Let me get a good look at you.”
Before she knew what was happening, her face was being pressed between two soft hands.
“You’re absolutely gorgeous, but then I’ve always told Drew that any man who got you was going to have to be pretty damn special.”
“Mom, Dad, come on.You’re going to scare her.”
His mother blew out a raspberry.“Enough, George.She is going to be the mother of your child and she needs to know you’re here for the long haul.I know we’re a large family, but we’re not too scary.”
“Speak for yourself.We’re all terrifying.”
“Callum, man, it’s been a lifetime,” George said.
Callum looked a little like George, only not as muscular, and his hair was lighter.Larissa was used to her little family with just herself and her father.This was a lot to take in.A lot more than she expected.She tried not to panic.It was hard not to.
Before long, two more men joined.Again, they looked similar to George but with different features.They all were introduced to her, and Larissa was pulled into one hug after another.She didn’t know at what moment she had stopped getting nervous, only that she had, and she was laughing and enjoying all the fun with the rest of them.
Erick and Jude came next.She noticed there was a stiffness with Erick and George.They all started to tease Erick, and his head was ruffled.
Harlow and Hunter hadn’t arrived yet.She tried to not panic, but then Nancy pulled her into the kitchen.
“I am sorry if that scared you.”
“It was ...wonderful,” Larissa said, and she couldn’t help but smile.She was nervous about her place and about George’s parents liking her.She was, after all, carrying their grandchild.
She already had an appointment booked with the doctor.Actually, George had made the appointment, and he’d already told her he was going with her.She didn’t have to do this alone.According to him, she didn’t have to do any of this alone.
She did have her doubts, but little by little, she was seeing that he had every intention of being there through it all.He was not backing down.
“Wonderful?”Nancy asked.
“Your family is ...it’s amazing.”Even though she still had her doubts about George, she couldn’t help but admit he had a lovely family.“I’ve always wanted a big family.”
“Ah, trust me, a big family is awesome, but it does come with complications.It wasn’t always like this.In fact, this is the first time it has been so ...right.I know I had a lot to do with that.”
