The fact that she needed medication just to get through a dinner made his chest tighten. Though she’d explained her health situation to him the previous day, the reality hadn’t really sunk in yet.
Ben looked at her with new understanding. He'd been struggling to reconcile the image of the driven athlete he'd once known with the woman beside him now. Her revelation about needing medication just to attend a dinner made the reality of her condition hit home in a way her explanation hadn't quite managed yesterday.
"I'm sorry it's so difficult," he said softly.
Amelia shrugged, her gaze fixed on the approaching gates of the estate. "It's just part of my life now. I've had to adapt."
As they approached the security gate, Ben slowed the SUV and rolled down his window. The guard recognized him immediately and waved them through with a friendly salute.
"Does that ever get old?" Amelia asked, gesturing toward the guard booth. "Having security everywhere you go?"
"Honestly? I barely notice it anymore," Ben admitted. "It's been part of my life for as long as I can remember.”
“You don’t have a bodyguard with you now.”
“I managed to convince Luca that it wasn’t a safety risk for me to pick you up on my own,” Ben said, then touched the holster he wore under a lightweight sports coat. “But I am armed. Just in case.”
“I remember that you used to shoot as a teenager.”
“Yep. Jude made sure that I was very proficient with weapons.”
Ben smoothly guided the SUV into the large parking pad at the back of the house. Though they had a large front entrance, they rarely used it, and he didn’t want Amelia to be intimidated by that formality.
The back entrance was used by family and friends, so it was only right that she enter there with him.
As they reached the back door, Ben opened it, then lightly touched her back to guide her through it. The aroma of the meal being prepared hung tantalizingly in the air.
He led her through the mudroom into the wide hallway beyond. The murmur of voices could be heard in the distance, and Ben figured his family was gathered in the living room while they waited for dinner to be served.
When they stepped into the entrance to the living room, everyone there turned to face them.
TJ immediately got up from where he’d been kneeling in front of the coffee table, Lego pieces spread out in front of him. He approached them with a broad smile.
“Hi, Uncle Ben.” He lifted his hand for a high five, which Ben gave without hesitation.
“This is Amelia,” Ben said.
TJ looked at her for a long minute, his head tilted to the side. “You were at Aunt Annie’s the other night.”
“Yes, I was.”
“And you’re Uncle Cole’s niece?”
“I am,” Amelia said with a nod. “My mom is his older sister.”
“Cool!” With that, TJ returned to the coffee table.
The adults in the room converged on them, offering welcoming smiles. Well, most of them offered smiles. Julian and Jude were their usual reserved selves, shaking Amelia’s hand but not offering the exuberant hugs their wives had.
“I’m so glad you could join us tonight, Amelia,” his mom said, approaching them with graceful steps. Her smile was warm as she leaned forward to brush her cheek against Amelia’s. “You are very welcome here.”
Amelia cast Ben a quick glance before she said, “Thank you so much for having me.”
“How have you been doing, my dear?” his dad asked as he joined his wife.
“I’m doing… well, thank you,” Amelia said, clearly not sure how honest she should be. “And how are you?”
“Better than I was,” he told her. “Grateful to still be here.”
