by Tri Amutia
Joshua chuckled. "Well, it is. Her husband is American, but they live in France."
"Hmmm...I see," I said thoughtfully. "And your cousins?"
"Melissa and Marissa."
Uh-huh.
"Beautiful names," I said again.
"The last time I heard, Marissa was still in college while Melissa already graduated and now works as a financial consultant. Marissa is three years younger than Melissa," Joshua continued.
I nodded. "All right. Are they...you know...the easy person to be with?"
He grimaced. "I don't know about that either, Abby. I've never met her, remember? Even after my mom giving birth to me, she just said congratulations to my dad from Skype."
I scratched my head. This is weird.
"Don't you think it's kind of...weird...that she wants to see us now?" I asked him.
He shrugged. "I can't tell you about that. Maybe if I met her, I could see what her pure intentions are."
Oh, right! He can tell you from her mind.
"My parents will come here tomorrow and we will have our dinner with my aunt's family on Saturday night." Joshua paused from drying the dishes and then looked at me. "Don't worry, we're in this together."
I chuckled and gingerly took both of his hands on mine. "I'm not worried about your aunt. It's your family that I'm worried about."
He furrowed his eyebrows. "I don't understand."
I smiled grimly. "You and your parents never met her for a long time, Joshua. I'm just worried if she said something that will offend you or your father. Besides, you both still have The Walsh's name. It's different from her."
Joshua smiled warmly and pulled me to his body. I leaned my head to his chest while he kissed my hair. "Abby...my beautiful Abby. I know about that too, dear. That's why my parents will arrive early tomorrow to discuss about that. At least if something happened, we are one family. Not that my aunt is not a family, but she cut her connection from The Walsh Clan so don't blame us if we will defend our family name."
I chuckled softly. "I understand that."
"Wait here!" He said to me and released his hug.
He walked from the kitchen while I was leaning myself to the kitchen counter. Seconds later he showed up and stood in front of me. He smiled and took my left hand. My eyes widened.
"Because we will have a meeting with my mysterious aunt, I think it's the best way if you wear your engagement ring. You can take it off when the dinner is over."
Before I could say anything, he slid the ring into my third finger. The stone sparkled under the kitchen's light and my memory wandered to the time when he gave me the ring in the restaurant's balcony.
He kissed my forehead. "I love you, Abigail Annabel Bennett."
My heart felt warmer when he said my full name. I smiled and kissed him softly. "I love you too, Joshua Arthur Walsh."
~O~
William and Farah arrived at our apartment on Saturday morning. They were so happy to see both of us. I was sure Joshua's parents must have found out about my getaway on the previous week, but they didn't say anything about that. They looked happy to see my engagement ring.
The four of us discussed what we will do for dinner...well, actually it was only Joshua and William. Farah and I just looked at both men and sometimes smiled to ourselves when we watched the similarity between them. The dinner was held in a fancy restaurant and that meant I had to wear a dress. I said to Joshua when his parents excused themselves to take their rest in Joshua's room that I didn't have another new dress. Joshua said that I just wore anything that I liked, because I still looked beautiful.
Ha ha!
When dinner time arrived, we rode with two cars to the restaurant; Joshua's parents are in their black Mercedes while Joshua and I were in his Vanquish. I decided to wear the purple dress so I could match Farah's. Joshua was very anxious and won't stop fidgeting on his seat.
"Joshua, you need to calm down," I whispered to him when we walked hand in hand next to his parents. "Everything will be fine."
He took a deep breath. "I hope so."
And then we arrived at a private room. There were four people there, a tall man with sandy hair and brown eyes, a woman with red hair and hazel eyes, a girl with light brown hair and brown eyes and a girl with red hair and hazel eyes. I instantly recognized Joshua's aunt from her strong features on her face, the legacy from The Walsh family. Her eyes were hazel, but it was the same piercing one as her brother and her nephew.
"William! Farah! Bonjour!" Carissa greeted William.
William smiled and hugged his sister. "Carissa! Long time no see. It's very nice to meet you." And then he looked at Carissa's family. "It's nice to meet you too, Martin, Melissa and Marissa."
They all smiled at William.
"And this must be Joshua," She greeted Joshua. "You look just like your father."
Joshua smiled slightly. "Bonjour, Aunt Carissa. It's very nice to meet all of you."
And then Carissa turned to me. I felt Joshua's hand tensed on mine. I squeezed his hand gently, telling him that I was fine.
"Ce doit être Abby," She said in French.
From the corner of my eyes, I could see William, Farah and Joshua stiffened. I didn't have to be a mind reader to know that Carissa wanted to test me. I smiled sweetly. Well, two could play at the game!
"Oui, Madame McLaren," I answered.
All of their eyes widened, especially Joshua. Carissa raised her eyebrows. "Parlez-vous Français?"
I smiled again. "Pas couramment. Seulement les bases."
Joshua's jaw almost dropped and I pressed the urge to giggle.
Carissa laughed lightly. "Il est tres agreable de vous rencontrer."
"Le plaisir est le mien," I answered back.
Carissa laughed again and finally, she hugged me tenderly. "Tu es belle, Abby."
I chuckled softly and released her hug. "Merci."
The red hair woman turned back to all of us and gestured us to have a seat. The dinner went uneventfully. Looks like I already impressed Carissa with my French. Joshua's cousins didn't speak much, just occasionally and it was in French. Martin sometimes asks me and Joshua questions, but it never lasted in long conversations.
We had dinner in a European restaurant and I started to feel uncomfortable from the heavy food. I needed to go to the restroom just to have time for myself.
"Excuse me, but I'd like to use the restroom," I said to all of them.
"Oh, of course!" Carissa interjected. "I think I need to use the restroom too." She turned to her husband. "I won't be long." She rose from her chair and I turned to Joshua. He looked at me with worried expression, but I smiled and squeezed his hand again before I also rose from my seat and walked to the restroom.
Carissa was already using the sink when I arrived. I turned on the sink and felt the cold water in my hands.
"So, Abby, you're an editor, right?"
I smiled slightly and turned off the sink. I looked at her and leaned to the counter. "Yes, Mrs. McLaren."
She chuckled. "Please, just call me Carissa."
"All right, Carissa," I grinned.
She leaned herself to the counter too and sighed. "I'm sorry if this dinner seemed a little bit forced. I guessed this is the best time for me to meet with William and his family after I left America years ago."
She looked at me. "You are a great girl, Abby. I can see Joshua loves you so much."
I chuckled nervously. "Thank you, Carissa."
Carissa smiled tenderly. "I know you must be curious why I decided to visit my family right now."
I blinked.
"My father, Joshua's grandfather, didn't approve my relationship with Martin. It was not because of the money or things like that, but more like he knew Martin will take me to France and far away from him."
I gaped at her. "Really?" Well, it was different from what Joshua told me or maybe that was his father told him.
She chuckled. "I'm sure Joshua already told you the story. I bet you think th
at I'm cutting away all the connection from my family."
I blushed slightly. I think all The Walshs had the ability to read minds or it's just my lack ability of lying.
"But, I love Martin and now we have two wonderful children. I will never regret my decision to leave America and live in France. My father always detests the idea, even refused to say goodbye to me at the airport. William was the one who took me to the airport."
I took a deep breath. "I'm sorry...to hear that. I think William has his own reasons not to tell Joshua."
Carissa smiled. "Oh, yes. I know that because I was the one who asked him to tell Joshua the version of the story."
I furrowed my eyebrows.
"I have every intention to come back to America someday and prove to my family that I'm happy with my life. No second thoughts."
I nodded thoughtfully.
Carissa gingerly took my hands on hers. "I can see Joshua is not pleased to see me, but I can see he will listen to you. You're the only one who can tell him about my story."
"Why me? I mean, why does it have to be me? You just met me a few hours ago," I said to her.
She grinned. "I don't have much time in America, Abby. I heard from William that both of you will soon get married and I thought this is my chance to meet you and meet my family. I'm sure Joshua will listen to you."
I made a face. "How can you be so sure? He probably will think you've brainwashed me."
Carissa giggled and then pursed her lips. "I don't think so, Abby. Besides I think you're a terrible liar."
My eyes widened and I could feel my cheeks flush.
Carissa smiled and gingerly raised my left hand. She looked at my ring lovingly. "Ah, a family heirloom. Did Joshua give this to you?"
I smiled slightly. "Yes."
And then she hugged me tenderly. "Bienvenue dans la famille, Abby."
I smiled. "Merci, Carissa."
We walked back to our table with Carissa holding my hand. She gave me a quick kiss on the cheek before she returned to her chair next to her husband. Joshua instantly held my hand when I sat back in my chair and questioned me with his eyes, but I smiled to him and he released his tense posture.
After dessert was served, we said goodbye to Carissa's family. Melissa and Marissa both congratulated me for my engagement and promised to come to my wedding. They didn't speak much with me during dinner, but their acceptance for me really warmed my heart. Carissa's husband, Martin, also congratulated me and gave us his blessings.
Finally, Carissa hugged me again for the last time. "Au revoir, Abby. Il est tres agreable de vous rencrontrer."
I smiled and released her hug. "Au revoir."
We watched Carissa family's car strolled away from the parking lot. And then William and Farah said goodbye to us too. They said they wanted to spend the time together while Joshua rolled his eyes from the statement. I didn't think I wanted to know what the meaning behind it was.
We returned to our apartment after saying goodbye to Joshua's parents. He didn't speak much with me during dinner and it made me worried. Was he angry because I never told him about my French? It's not a big deal after all; I've learned French from one of my authors when I worked with her.
Joshua drove the Vanquish at the garage and opened the passenger door for me. He still didn't speak with me and I repressed the urge to ask him. He seemed thoughtful and I sighed internally. I opened the front door and turned the light on when suddenly Joshua kicked the door shut and pushed me into the wall.
"Wha-"
He attacked my lips fiercely and I kissed him back almost automatically. My fingers knotted in his hair and he lifted me so I was straddling him. He broke the kiss and looked at me hungrily.
"You never told me you can speak French," He accused me.
I blinked; still trying to control my breathing and remembering what just happened. "Uh...one of my authors taught me," I answered breathlessly.
"But, still you never told me."
I smiled slightly and stroked his cheek. He trembled slightly under my touch. "Do you remember the story about the bundling board?"
He pursed his lips and then his eyes lit up. "Ah, the 16th century custom, yes. Why?"
I shrugged. "Well, the setting of the story is in France and some of the dialogues are in French, so I learned to speak French from my author."
He smiled coyly. "You never ceased to amaze me, Abby, and you know what? I love you so much for that."
I giggled and leaned to whisper in his ear, "Is that the only reason why you love me?"
"Of course not," He whispered back and I shivered when I felt his warm breath in my ear.
I smiled and suddenly jumped from my previous position. I kissed him briefly. "Come on. Let's go to sleep."
He grinned and kissed me back. "Je t'aime, Abby."
I chuckled lightly and leaned my forehead to his. "Je t'aime aussie, mon cher."
French Dictionary
Ce doit être Abby = This must be Abby.
Oui, Madame McLaren = Yes, Mrs. McLaren.
Parlez-vous Français? = Do you speak French?
Pas couramment. Seulement les bases = Not fluently. Only the basics.
Il est tres agreable de vous rencontrer = It's very nice to meet you.
Le plaisir est le mien = The pleasure is mine.
Tu es belle, Abby = You are beautiful, Abby.
Merci = Thank you.
Bienvenue dans la famille, Abby = Welcome to the family, Abby.
Merci, Carissa = Thank you, Carissa.
Au revoir = Goodbye.
Je t'aime, Abby = I love you, Abby.
Je t'aime aussie, mon cher = I love you too, my dear.
Chapter 31
The Unexpected Visit and The Engagement
After the meeting with his aunt, Joshua seemed a little bit relaxed. We decided to have a lazy Sunday and did nothing; only staying in the apartment, watching movies and just cuddled each other. I told him about what Carissa told me and he seemed shock at first. But, he understood why his aunt acted that way.
"We, The Walsh men, are having a high pride. I think that was what I saw from my grandfather before he passed away. But, my father never taught me that way. Well...he tried...once, but I was too stubborn to listen to him and I was grateful for that," Joshua explained to me when we cuddled in the living room. He put the stereo on with classical music and the soft melody filled the room.
I raised my eyebrows. "I don't understand."
He sighed. "It was all in the past now and I don't want to talk about it anymore."
I was getting more curious. What could possibly cause him to be that way? I sat up straight on the mattress. "What is it?" I asked sternly.
Joshua took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of his nose. "She already ruined our lives, Abby, and I almost lost you because of her. So, please, I don't want to talk about her anymore."
I shivered.
He must be talking about the time when his parents tried to pair him up with that woman. If I remembered Carissa's story, Joshua probably would be ready to cut all of the connections from his family if his parents didn't approve of me. I trembled slightly. I understood now how Joshua will sacrifice everything just to be with me and my love for him swelled in my chest.
"Abby? Baby?"
I felt he shook my shoulders gently. I blinked and slowly raised my eyes to meet his. He looked at me with guarded expression.
"I'm sorry if I talk-"
I put a finger on his lips and he went silent. I sighed and leaned my head to his chest.
"Please, tell me what's on your mind, my dear. I promised myself not to talk about her anymore, but I'm breaking my own promise. I'm a bad person."
I smiled slightly and leaned away to look at him. I stroked his cheek while he looked at me tenderly. "I was thinking about you."
His eyebrows shot up. "Me?"
I nodded. "What would happen with you if William didn't approve of me? Will you end up like Carissa? Cutting away all th
e connections from your family? Will you be happy with your decision?"
Joshua went still for a moment before he chuckled and pulled me back to his chest. He kissed my hair. "I told you before, Abby. I'll risk anything to be with you. Even if my dad didn't approve of you, I still have my own way to live with you and hopefully I have my own ever after."
I took a deep breath. "You will forgive your aunt, won't you?" I really wished that he would.
Joshua smiled. "Of course, Abby. There's nothing to forgive. I understand why my dad told me the story and why my aunt decided to tell you."
I blinked. "Really?"
He nodded slowly and leaned his head on top of mine. "My dad did that to protect my aunt. They are apart for years and my dad didn't know when he could meet again with his sister. So, when she suddenly wanted to meet us, he was scared too. He was afraid she will speak some negative things about The Walsh family. Mostly if my aunt speaks about that in front of you."
He sighed. "I guess even my aunt can see how pure your heart is and she decided to tell you the truth. When I first saw her, I knew she is not a bad person. It's just I didn't expect her to speak French in front you," He turned his head to look at me. "And mostly I never knew my fiancée could speak French."
I grimaced while he chuckled and kissed my forehead briefly.
I leaned back to his chest and my fingers playing with the fabric of his T-shirt. I understood everything now. William loved Carissa and he protected his sister by telling some stories about her. In the process, he was afraid if Carissa changed and ended up giving a bad impression to The Walsh family. Apparently, Carissa was not as shallow as he thought. She was a wise woman and she still loves her family, even though she didn't see them often. Besides, she was still a Walsh.
"Your family is wonderful," I said slowly.
I could feel he chuckled and I raised my head to see him. His piercing green eyes stared back at me. I smiled and kissed him softly. He kissed me back deeply and hugged me tighter. I broke the kiss and said on his lips, "I love you."
Joshua smiled. "I love you too. So much."
~O~
The next day, I returned to my own schedule and so did Joshua. He still didn't receive the news from Harvard and started to apply to other university, as I suggested, even though deep inside my heart I knew he will study back to Harvard and I will support him no matter what. But, we couldn't just trust on our instinct, right? Our relationship slowly returned to normal. He didn't speak about his proposal anymore and he didn't ask me to return my engagement ring so I still wore the ring until now.