I know Hattie is anxious about meeting them right before we fly out to Aspen for the weekend, but it's important. I want her to know that, even if she no longer has her mom in her life, she has mine. My parents will love her unconditionally. They'll support and protect her, no matter what.
She's closing one chapter of her life, but this is a brand new one, and I want it to start happy, with her surrounded by people who love her. She deserves that.
I pull into my parents' driveway, shaking my head when I see my mom peering through the curtains like a creeper. Of course, she's been stalking the window, waiting for us to get here. I bet she's been there half the morning already.
Hattie sees her peek out and then dart behind the curtains like she's trying not to get caught, and giggles. "Is that your mom?"
"That's her," I mutter. "She's a wild woman."
"She looks like fun."
"She's a fucking mess," I admit, smiling softly. "You ready to go meet her?"
"I think so." Hattie peeks over at me. "Do I look okay?"
"You look as beautiful as ever, butterfly."
She smiles softly, not a hint of doubt in her eyes. "Then I guess we should get this show on the road, Cranky Bear."
I grin at her and then hop out, circling around to open her door.
"You asshole!" Sophie shouts from the front porch.
"What the fuck?" I turn to scowl at her. "What'd I do?"
She huffs and then stomps down the steps toward me, but she's smiling, so whatever I did can't be that bad. "First Austin, now you," she says, poking me in the side. "I'm the last Hawkes standing. Our entire fanbase is collectively losing their minds right now, and don't even get me started on the nine times Mom has called me this week, demanding to know when I'm going to get married and give her grandbabies." She stares up at me, looking frazzled. "It's a shitshow, Sidney. I blame you."
"So…tell the world to fuck off," I mutter. "You aren't allowed to date anyway."
I dread the day my sister decides to date. Half the men in Chicago will be lined up at her door, just waiting for a chance. And, knowing her, she's going to give them hell. It's what she does. Sophie has never, not a single day in her life, been tame. She may dance like an angel, but her halo has horns.
"I do what I want," she retorts before peering through the window at Hattie, who is trying to look everywhere but at the two of us. "Is that my future sister?"
"Yeah, that's my girl."
Sophie blinks at me, her expression softening. "Wow. I never thought I'd see the day you used that tone." She slides her arm around my waist, hugging me. "Good for you, you big jerk."
I chuckle, shaking my head before I pop Hattie's door open to introduce them. "Hattie baby, this is my sister, Sophie. Soph, this is my girl, Hattie."
"Hi," Hattie whispers, smiling nervously. "I saw you dance the other night. You're basically my hero now."
"I thought I was your hero," I tease.
"Um, no. You're my second-favorite football player. Keep up, Cranky Bear," Hattie says, patting me on the chest.
Sophie's eyes light up, her smile growing. "Oh, I like you already. You're going to help me drive my brother nuts."
"Cool," Hattie whispers as I lift her from the truck before placing her on her feet. At least, I intend to place her on her feet. I'm not entirely sure they even touch the ground before my mom comes flying down the front steps like a goddamn ninja.
"Hi! You're here!" she cries, lifting Hattie off her feet in a hug.
"Ma," I groan when Hattie squeaks in shock. "You gotta let her breathe."
"Don't tell me how to live my life, Sidney Bronson Hawkes," Ma mutters, not even looking at me. She's too busy beaming at Hattie. "Oh, sweetheart. You're so beautiful! Just look at those gray eyes and all that hair. Oh!" My mom hugs her again. "I hope my grandbabies look just like you."
Hattie stares at me with wide eyes.
"I tried to warn you," I murmur to her. There is no containing my mother. She's loud, bright, and will absolutely kick my ass. She also loves with her whole heart. Hattie needs that. There isn't a single other person on this planet I trust to love her the way a mother should, other than my mom.
