My outfit consists of a black fitted dress shirt and pants. Simple, but formal enough to wear for dinner. My beard is a little thick but nicely trimmed, and my hair is pretty much finger combed with a bit of gel. It’s the best I’m giving them.
Little Gracie is wearing a dark red long-sleeve dress with a snowflake pattern and a big bow to the side of the waist. The bottom puffs out, making it look like a ball gown, with thick white nylons beneath given the cold December weather. Let’s just say we had a hard time fitting her in her car seat with the puffy dress. But she looks like a princess, so it was worth every second.
Emma, on the other hand, looks absolutely stunning. A picture of sophistication and elegance. Her hair is in a tight, knotted low bun with a loose strand of hair on either side of her face framing it. It’s so exquisitely done that if I didn’t know myself, I’d think a hairstylist did it.
Her makeup is light, with a darker shade of pink lipstick, making her lips look even juicier. On her feet she has a pair of black high heels with a white T-strap and a bow over the section where her toes are. From the looks of it, I’m guessing they're retro too, but they fit perfectly with her dress.The dress I bought and convinced her to wear.
At first when I saw the shoes, I told her I didn’t think they were a good idea with the snow falling outside, but she assured me there would be no snow at her parents. She wasn’t wrong.
I don’t know how they do it, but the driveway is completely bare of any white flakes, yet the lawn has some. I bet they have a person hired specifically for this who comes out every five minutes and removes the snow.Typical rich snobs…
The outside of the house is nicely decorated for Christmas, but you can tell there was no love put into it. It’s not like Morgan and Clay’s home during winter. You can feel the joy when you see their place. But here? It’s just staged to impress people.
We haven’t done my place yet even though Christmas is next week. With Gracie coming into my life, hockey, and just trying to figure everything out, I completely forgot about the holiday until my mother called last week to ask if we were coming home for Christmas.
I think Em was in the same state as me, because when I brought it up earlier, she freaked out that she had forgotten about Christmas. Bunny and I decided we’d get a tree tomorrow and decorate a bit inside for Gracie to see, and all gifts will be bought online if possible.There’s no way I’m going shopping this close to Christmas.
Parking the car in the circular driveway, I kill the engine and look over to Bunny. She’s gazing out at the house and looks fully composed. But I see the way she’s playing with her nails; it’s her tell. She’ll pass underneath each nail over and over as if she’s cleaning them.
Little Bunny is nervous.
I put my hand on her thigh and give it a squeeze. When she turns to me, I give her a reassuring side smile. “Everything will be fine. I’m right here with you. And if it isn’t, then we’ll just leave. Okay?”
She bites her lip, then nods. “Okay.”
I let go and get out, walking over to the back door on her side to collect Gracie. Emma steps out and joins us with the diaper bag in hand. I take it from her, slip it over my shoulder, then offer her my arm.
She smiles warmly with a little giggle and places her hand around it. “Who knew the mighty Greyson Ford could be such a gentleman?”
“Shut up, Em.” I chuckle while smiling.
We walk up to the house, and before we can even knock, the front door opens. A short woman dressed in gray greets us, calling Emma by her last name.Must be staff.She takes our coats and sets the diaper bag on a little table by the entrance.
Another woman shows up in the entrance hall, clearly her mother if I take in the resemblance. But she looks like an older, fake version of Bunny. Fake tits, fake nose, redone cheekbones, and lips. Everything looks fake, and it’s really not appealing.
“Emma, darling, it’s about time you came home. This nonsense needs to stop.” She takes Emma by the shoulders and air kisses her cheeks.Can’t even give her own daughter a real embrace.
Her mother turns to me, looking me up and down, then offers a tight smile. “Hello,” is all she says before turning back to Em. “You didn’t tell me you were bringing a guest.”
“Yes, I did when I spoke to Daddy on the phone,” Emma informs her with a frown.
“Oh well, I must have forgotten. You know how I am when news isn’t important. In and out.”Oh, this woman. We literally just walked through the front door, and she’s already getting on my nerves.
“Anyway, I have a surprise for you waiting in the parlor room. Come.” She turns and marches away.Parlor room? Really?
Bunny rolls her eyes but follows behind, looking over her shoulder to make sure I’m right there. We enter the said ‘parlorroom’, and my hate for this woman instantly grows. Because there, sitting in one of the armchairs, is a man I despise. Tommy.
What the fuck is he doing here?!
He stands from his seat, buttoning his suit jacket and fixing his cuff links like an arrogant ass before walking in Emma’s direction. “Sweetheart, there you are. You can’t hide from me forever. It’s time you come home and we talk this through like adults, not children running away from our problems.”
She visibly stiffens in front of me as he comes to wrap his arms around her. In a split second, I grab Bunny by the waist with one hand and pull her into my chest, stopping his embrace before it can begin. He looks up at me, clearly noticing me for the first time.
God, do I hate snobs.
“Who areyou?” he asks, raising his chin as if it might make up our height difference.
“I’m the guy who told you to leave her alone. Clearly you didn’t get the message,” I say, making my voice harsher and squaring my shoulders.
