“Hi, I’m William Hansen,” said the older man, greeting her. “Call me Bill, everyone does.”
“They wanted to surprise me by coming home a few days early. Bill and Wendy usually drop the girls at the airport, but this time they wanted to come with them for a few days visit.” Jack said, trying to explain to Bella the older couple's presence.
"That's a wonderful surprise," Bella said, turning to him.
"Bill, it's nice to meet you — I'm Isabella Genovese, but please call me Bella."
Sloane and Piper filled the awkward silence by telling Jack and Bella all the details of their trip, and the fun things they’d done in California while spending time with both sets of grandparents.
Jack brought out a tray of iced tea for everyone, and they sat down on the sofa.
“So, Bella, the girls tell us you own a skincare company, and that your firm is contributing to the Diana IV mission. That must be how you met Jack,” said Mrs. Hansen.
“Yes, Ma’am.” Bella replied, telling a shortened version of events.
“I’ve heard of Bella Pelle, several of the women in my book club use your products and swear by them.”
“I’d be happy to send you products to try if you like. Let me know your skin type so I make sure I’m giving you items that will work for you. I can have those go out when I’m back in the office on Monday.”
“That’s very kind of you.”
Jack looked around the room, feeling helpless. He was happy to see Susan’s parents - they’d had a good relationship and still did - but this wasn’t how he expected to tell them about Bella. He’d been planning to tell them once he was absolutely certain of where the relationship was going.
“Well, I should go. You don’t get to see each other often and I’m sure you’d love some family time to catch up,” said Bella.
“No, Bella, don’t go - you and Primmy just got here!” implored Piper.
“Bella, please stay, don’t feel you need to leave on our account. We’d love the chance to get to know you.” said Bill.
“Are you sure? I don’t want to intrude.”
"Of course, please stay. We were thinking of ordering in — do you like Italian food? Oh, what am I thinking — you're Italian, you probably make a better dinner than we could ever get from a restaurant," Mrs. Hansen said.
I noticed she didn’t tell me to call her Wendy,thought Bella.
Dinner choices settled, Bella excused herself to use the ladies’ room, and while in there quickly used an app to book herself into the pet friendly hotel she and Primrose used before they started staying at Jack’s. She thought that would be better for everyone all the way around.
A few hours later dinner was delivered, and they gathered around the dining room table, with polite conversation going on while they ate.
“Big G’s lasagna is better than this, right Bella?” said Sloane.
“Big G?” asked Mrs. Hansen
“Yes, that’s my father. John Genovese, everyone calls him ‘Big G’.
“Any relation to that Big G from the mattress stores? That’s where we got our mattress,” said Bill.
"One and the same," Bella said with a smile.
“What a coincidence!”
They finished dinner, and Bella offered to help Jack clean up in the kitchen, while Susan’s parents and the girls volunteered to take the dogs for a walk. Carrying plates into the kitchen, Jack rinsed and loaded the dishwasher while Bella put the leftovers into containers.
“Bella, I’m so sorry. I had no idea. They arrived about 5 minutes before you, so I didn’t even have a chance to call and give you a heads up.”
“It was definitely a shock, but at the same time I understand. They’re curious and concerned about the person their granddaughters are around. I mean, didn’t Big G do that to you?”
“Yeah, he did, but I thought maybe we’d have more time before I had that conversation with them - Hell, you haven’t even metmyparents yet!”
