Seth started up the front walk, his heart hammering against his ribs. Before they even reached the front door, it flung open.
Cue the circus…
Seth barely had time to shoulder his duffel before the front door burst open.
“Seth!” His mom rushed out the front door, her face lit with pure joy. She threw her arms around him, squeezing tight enough to crack ribs before pulling back to study him. “Oh, honey, I’m so glad you’re all here.”
His mother’s gaze darted between Heavenly and Hudson, her expression shifting from delighted to stunned. As she zeroed in on Hudson with wide eyes, she pressed a hand to her heart.
“Oh, my goodness.” Her voice was barely a whisper. “You look exactly like Seth when he was your age.”
Hudson shifted like he wasn’t sure what to make of his new grandmother’s attention, but she was already moving, pulling the teenager into a fierce hug, her voice cracking with emotion. “Welcome to the family, sweetheart. I’m so happy to meet you.”
Seth looked on, his throat tightening. His mom held Hudson as if he’d always belonged. Slowly, his son embraced her in return.
When they broke apart, she smiled brightly, then turned to Heavenly with open arms. “And you must be Heavenly. You’re even more beautiful than Seth’s photo.”
His girl returned the hug with a careful smile, and Seth understood. Not only was his mom a stranger, but Heavenly hadn’t had a maternal figure in her life in damn near a decade. And if there was one thing his mom exuded, it was maternal energy.
“It’s wonderful to meet you, Mrs. Cooper,” Heavenly said. “Thank you for having us.”
“Call me Grace, please. Besides, I’ll be Mrs. Mahoney in a few days.” His mother beamed, then turned to Beck with a welcoming expression and pulled him into a hug with a laugh. “I’m a hugger. And you must be Dr. Beckman. Any friend of Seth’s is welcome here. I’m glad you could join us.”
Surprise flickered across Beck’s face. He hadn’t expected warmth, much less immediate acceptance. Because he’d grown up with a family who rejected outsiders? Or because he was well aware that if Grace Cooper knew the truth, she wouldn’t be quite so welcoming?
Before Seth confessed all, he hoped Beck saw that the Coopers had big hearts, especially his mom. Because if they were all going to be family someday, Beck had to like them, too. If not…he could see some really awkward Thanksgiving dinners in their future.
“Mom, let them breathe,” Matt called from the doorway, where the rest of the clan had gathered, jostling each other and grinning. “You’re going to suffocate them before they even get inside.”
“Let them in already.” Danny laughed behind Matt. “Maggie wants to meet everyone.”
“And you don’t?” his wife called from the doorway.
Shaking her head, his mom gestured toward the porch. “Let’s go inside. Don’t let Danny fool you. The whole clan has been dying to meet you.”
Seth sucked in a bracing breath and took Heavenly’s hand. Beck and Hudson fell in behind them as his mom led them inside.
He prayed this ruse went off without a hitch…or they were fucked.
They pressed in through the gauntlet of Coopers hovering around the doorway—hugs, kisses on the cheeks, backslaps, and good-natured ribbing before he’d even stepped in the foyer.
Inside, the house smelled like his childhood—his mom’s signature vanilla candles mixed with whatever she was cooking. He led Heavenly from the entryway into the large family room, Beck and Hudson trailing.
Within moments, they were surrounded by the controlled chaos of the Cooper family. Heavenly was already holding Anna and nodding at Maggie before they’d even been introduced. Everyone else stared at Hudson, whispering about the strength of the Cooper genes. Since he and his brothers all looked a lot alike? Yeah.
His son sent him a WTF side-eye, like he was completely overwhelmed. Same with Beck, who looked on with an expression that asked is this normal?
Seth tried not to laugh as Matt and Danny returned moments later with their luggage, setting the bags by the door.
He began introductions next. “Everyone, meet Heavenly, Hudson, and Beck.” He gestured first to his mother’s fiancé. “This is Carl.”
The strapping fifty-something man with the well-trimmed beard stepped forward with a firm handshake and a welcoming smile. “Nice to meet you all.”
“Congratulations on your upcoming wedding,” Heavenly murmured.
Carl wrapped his arm around Grace’s waist and winked. “I’m the lucky one. Naturally, I had to marry her before she came to her senses.”
Everyone laughed as Seth turned to his brothers. “This is Matt. And Danny.” After they offered handshakes and hugs with typical Cooper warmth, he slid a hand to his sister-in-law’s shoulder. “Danny’s wife, Maggie. And Heavenly, you already met their adorable daughter, Anna.” He tickled the baby girl’s chin, earning a gurgle. “And the twins, but you already know those knuckleheads.”
