by Ali Vali
“I’m an English major who happens to love poetry, so you certainly know how to romance a girl with beautiful words,” she said, leaning against her door.
“I’ve been a lifelong charmer, but now, with you, I’m going to listen to my mum.”
“What did she say?”
“My da swept her off her feet, and they had a lifetime of happiness and all that comes from that. It’s time to romance the girl, so how lucky am I to have found such a good one.”
“Words like that are binding,” she said, holding her hand out to Cain.
“Remind me to tell you what every Casey baby hears at birth, but not tonight. Get some sleep, and I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Good night.” She locked her door and exhaled. Every tomorrow thereafter sounded like heaven.
* * *
Cain arrived half an hour early the next day and seemed happy to sit on the sofa while Emma finished getting ready. She’d woken up hours before, wanting to lay everything out, including the sundress Cain had helped her pick out. It was simple but elegant, and she hoped it would pass the inspection she was sure Cain’s mother had planned for her.
“Are you okay in there?” Cain asked, and she heard the rustling of the paper Cain had brought with her. “It’s lunch, lass, not the Academy Awards.”
“It’s lunch with your family, so I want to look like something that didn’t fall off a truck. Cut me some slack. I’ve never done the meet-the-parents thing.”
“I’ve never done that either, so we’ll hold hands and get through it together,” Cain said, smiling at her. Her tan skin made the white of the thick linen shirt stand out, and that combination made Cain’s eyes bluer and more beautiful. “Trust me. Therese Casey is a tough old bird, but she’s been waiting for you a long time.”
“Me? We just met, honey.”
“Okay. She’s been waiting for me to come to my senses, cut out all my running around, and bring home a nice girl.”
“You weren’t interested in nice girls then?” she asked and laughed as she stepped back into the bedroom to put on her lipstick.
Cain followed her and sat on the bed. “I’ve met a few in my life, but the thought of being with them for more than a month made me antsy.”
“And now?” she said, glancing at Cain in the mirror.
“And now, I’d tell you the answer to that question, but I’m not sure you’re ready for it,” Cain said and winked at her.
“Try me,” she said, putting her lipstick tube down and turning around.
“I’m dying to, but you keep turning me down,” Cain joked, but stood up and took both her hands. “It’s the strangest thing. Right before we met, Mum and I had a talk, and she mentioned it was time to settle down and give her some grandchildren.”
Emma backed Cain up until she landed back on the bed so she could sit in her lap. “Try not to wrinkle this dress and go on.”
“I don’t think we’re ready for the grandkids just yet, but I’m ready for you.”
“Are you sure? Because while I don’t have much experience, when I pick someone, it’s going to be for a lifetime.”
“I’m sure,” Cain said and kissed her. “So finish getting ready and let me introduce you to my family.”
She grabbed her bag and held Cain’s hand as they walked down to the car, surprised that she was actually not only driving but was alone. She also hoped that Cain wouldn’t notice that her hand was clammy.
“Why do you look so nervous?” Cain asked as she opened her door for her.
“Are you kidding? You keep mentioning how important your family is to you, so what if they don’t like me?” She took Cain’s hand again as soon as she got behind the wheel. “I can especially tell how important Marie is to you, so I want her to like me so she doesn’t mind sharing you.” She snapped her fingers and kept Cain from putting the car in gear. “Which reminds me, I got Marie something, but I forgot it upstairs. Can you give me a minute to run up and get it?”
“Tell me where it is, and I’ll go get it.” Cain took her keys and took only a few minutes before she came back with the large bag she’d left by the door. “You could have grass clippings in this bag and she’d love it.”
“Do you think I should’ve gotten something for your mom?”
“Lass, quit your worrying. Marie’s going to love you, and so will my mother. You’ve already met Billy, and he’s in the firm like-you column.” She squeezed Emma’s thigh and smiled as they got under way. They actually didn’t live all that far apart, so it was a quick trip to the other side of St. Charles Avenue. “Remember that Marie gets confused at times, but just be patient with her.” Two of the guards opened the front gate, and Emma waved, recognizing them from the pub when they accompanied Cain.
“I’ll remember.” She smoothed down her dress for the hundredth time since Cain had come over. “Are you positive I look all right? I don’t want your mother thinking I’m not right for you.”
Cain’s smile softened her expression. “You look fabulous. At least I certainly think so.”
“I just want them to like me,” she said, positive that she sounded like a broken record.
Cain got out of the car and walked to Emma’s door. When she opened it she crouched down and pressed her palm to Emma’s cheek. “Do you think you’re right for me?”
“With all my heart.”
“That’s all that matters.”
Before Cain could say anything else, the front door opened, and Marie pressed herself to her sister’s back. “Hi,” she shyly said to Emma. “We’re going to be great friends.”
“Hi, Marie, and you’re absolutely right,” she said, smiling at the young woman who resembled her big sister.
Marie’s words proved that Cain was right. Life might have given Marie a mind that wouldn’t mature like most, but her heart had fared just fine. Emma smiled and gazed into eyes that were exactly like Cain’s, missing only the mischief always shining in her sister’s. Emma felt an instant affection for Marie, which crystalized in her mind how positive she was that she was falling in love. It was a good thing Cain had talked to her back at her apartment about how she felt so she wasn’t alone on that front.
“Marie, Cain told me how much you like art, so I thought you might like this.” She accepted the bag from Cain and handed it over. When she was young, she’d loved the paint-by-numbers canvases and after looking at a few places had found a big one. “I thought it’d be something we could do together.”
“I love it,” Marie said, clapping her hands before she even took the bag from her. “Thank you, Emma.” After accepting her gift and hugging her tight, Marie headed into the house, calling for her mum.
“I should’ve brought something for lunch. It was rude not to,” she said as they followed Marie inside.
“Mum is more likely to send you home with something, so stop worrying before you pass out on me,” Cain said and followed Emma’s line of sight to the portrait in the foyer and the vase of flowers under it. “That’s my da,” Cain said and smiled as the older woman who had to be Therese Casey touched the painting as if to straighten it, even though it was perfect. “Mum, this is Emma Verde.”
“It’s a pleasure, ma’am,” Emma said in a voice so high she thought Cain was right and she’d pass out.
“I’m glad you’re here, Emma,” Therese Casey said with her hand out. After she took Emma’s hand she led her toward the back of the house. Cain followed, appearing amused after she’d gazed back at her with a panicked expression. “Tell me about your family.”
“I’m from Wisconsin, and my parents run a dairy farm. After high school I got a scholarship to come to Tulane, so I’ve been here three years studying and working until recently in the bookstore.”
“And your parents know about my Cain?” Therese asked as she tore lettuce.
Emma tried her best to answer the question without sounding like she didn’t appreciate her parents as people, but she didn’t want to lie either. Her story was stilted
and hesitant, but Therese had nodded through it, eventually reaching over and covering her hand with hers for a moment. The strain of telling it had worn on Emma, so by the time the end came, she was leaning heavily against Cain. She straightened immediately when she finished, remembering who her audience was.
“Go tend to your sister,” Therese said, and the dismissal was only for Cain. “Emma, would you mind helping me finish?” Therese asked, in case her first directive wasn’t clear enough.
“Sure.” Emma realized that she sounded anything but sure of herself.
“Give us a minute, okay?” Cain took Emma’s hand and tugged her to her feet. “She deserves a tour before you put her to work making lunch, Mum. I promise I won’t keep her long.”
The house was grander than any Emma had ever seen, but every room was comfortable and unpretentious, except for the front parlor with its multitude of family photos, Irish lace, and a bar with the most beautiful crystal glasses and decanters she’d ever seen. She ran her finger along the etching on the one closest to her. Would she ever fit somewhere like this?
“Those have been in my family for generations,” Cain said as she hugged her from behind. “My great-great-great-grandmother Rosin Casey purchased them after she established the family business in America. Every generation has enjoyed hearing her story, and we’re all grateful for her bravery in laying the groundwork for this.”
“They’re beautiful,” she said, and dropped her hand to her side. “I’d be afraid to use them, considering how special they are to your family. We weren’t poor, but we didn’t have anything like this. My dad’s family has some china they brought from France, but that’s about it. My mother never uses it.”
“Beautiful things are meant to be enjoyed, child,” Therese said from behind them. When Emma turned, Marie was standing close to Cain’s mother, smiling at her. “When Dalton was alive, we sat in here at least twice a week and shared a drink.”
“That sounds so nice, and so romantic,” she said, squeezing Cain’s arm. “Now I know where Cain learned it.”
“Dalton was the love of my life, and things like sharing a drink out of those glasses with him are the moments I miss the most.” Therese sighed and motioned her to a chair. “Cain, take Marie and yourself and wash your hands. Lunch is in thirty minutes or so.”
Cain appeared to hesitate for the same reason she’d followed her to the kitchen, but if she wanted to prove she was strong enough to defend the fact that she belonged with Cain, she had to start now. If she folded and had to have Cain fight every battle for her, they’d never have a future together.
“Go on,” she said to Cain. “We’ll be right behind you.” She closed her eyes and smiled when Cain nodded, then gave her a quick kiss on the lips.
“This is a first,” Therese said as she sat across from her.
“What do you mean?” She sat and placed her hands on her thighs, trying not to move them. Rubbing them against the material of her dress would be a dead giveaway of the nerves threatening to run amok.
“My Derby bringing someone home.” Therese smiled, and while she was an attractive woman, Emma found no resemblance to Cain in her face. “It’s a development I really like.”
“But you know nothing about this hick, right?” she asked, and Therese laughed. “Like I just told Cain, I grew up with traditions too, Mrs. Casey, only we don’t have any beautiful glasses to show for them. My father’s a farmer, and he shared with me those things you need to run a successful dairy business.”
“Only you don’t want a future milking cows, do you?”
“Not until Cain becomes interested in cheese and butter.”
“Even if your father’s cows could spit whiskey out of their teats, I still can’t picture Derby doing that,” Therese said, and laughed again. “The Caseys are a rowdy bunch, but they love fiercely and are loyal to the end.”
“It’ll take time for you to understand and believe what a gift Cain is to me.”
“Derby is my first-born and has so much responsibility resting on her shoulders after her da was killed. I worry about her even though she’s never given me reason to. That job goes to her brother Billy, who seems to worry me all the time, but he’s your biggest fan and the one who pushed the most when hardhead decided not to talk to you.” Therese stood and poured a little of her sherry into two glasses and handed her one. “That boy of mine is a menace, but he loves his sister and seems to think you make her happy.”
“I give you my word she’ll be safe with me, and more than anything I want a life as long and as happy as you had with Mr. Casey.”
“Do you love her?”
“I do,” she said without hesitation.
“Have you told her that?” Therese asked with a widening smile.
“Not yet, so I hope I don’t lose points for telling you first,” she said and laughed. “Cain is my first love, and if I can convince her, she’ll be my last. If you hit perfection right off, you don’t have any reason to keep looking.”
Therese held up her glass and tapped it against hers when she did the same. “If that’s true, then Rosin’s glasses will be in good hands.” Emma nodded at the small approval. “Remember your pretty words, Emma, because if they have no foundation, you’ll have to pay a price that might be too steep for you, and one you might not recover from. Do we understand each other?”
“Yes, ma’am,” she said, and hesitated. “It’s crystal clear.”
* * *
“You okay?” Cain asked when she got back to the kitchen and caught Emma alone for a moment.
“You have a great mother, and I’m fine,” Emma said, putting her arms loosely around Cain. “Don’t pout, mobster. She really was nice.”
“Okay, but tell me if this is too much for you,” Cain said and kissed her as if she wasn’t worried they were in Therese’s kitchen.
“Ooh, I’m telling,” Billy said in a singsongy voice.
“Get out of here, goofball,” Cain said, not letting her go. “You’re just jealous.”
“Emma picked too quickly, because clearly I look much better drenched in beer than you,” he said, rocking on his feet.
“You didn’t have a chance,” Emma said, standing on her toes and kissing Cain’s cheek.
“Damn, Emma, you don’t have to rub it in,” he said and hunched over when Therese slapped the back of his head.
“Don’t curse the guest, Billy Dalton Casey,” Therese said, pointing to the dining room. “Go sit and try to act like you weren’t raised by wolves, the both of you.”
“Emma, you want to come sit by me?” Marie said, and Emma gladly took Marie’s hand. “I love my present.”
“If you want, I could help you.”
“Did you hear that, sister?” Marie said, sounding extremely thrilled that Emma seemed to like her.
“I heard, and if Emma helps you, maybe you can make her some cookies and teach her to play checkers.”
Lunch was nice, and Emma liked how much Cain’s family laughed together. She saw how compassionate Cain was with every one of them, so she meant every word she’d told Therese. She didn’t need months to know what was in her heart, so once she’d helped Therese clean the kitchen, she took Cain’s hand and walked out to the backyard. On Sundays, Therese let the help have the day off, so she didn’t want to leave her to do all the work.
“Oh,” she said when Cain led her to the rose garden close to the house.
“Mum’s pride and joy. Some of these plants go back a few generations, and all of them came from clippings of the first bushes Rosin and Delaney Casey brought when they purchased their first house in New Orleans.” Cain sat on the bench at the head of the garden. “One rainy day I’ll tell you the story of my two grandmothers from ages ago who started the family business.”
“Sounds like an interesting story as full of history as those plants,” she said, pressing into Cain when she put her arm around her.
“I grew up listening to the history of my family, and a lot of it revolve
d around the relationships instead of what we did to make money. Rosin and Delaney are part of that history, so even though it was years ago, no one ever looked upon them any differently than my da and mum.”
She closed her eyes and nodded. “The relationships are the most important. Business is business, but the great loves in our past make those stories you tell your children so special.”
“Do you like kids?” Cain rubbed her fingers along the length of Emma’s arm, then back down.
“As in having some or in general?” She moved so she could look at Cain’s face.
“Both, I guess. All those stories my parents told me didn’t really register, since I paid attention only to the business parts.”
“But now it’s different?” she said, placing her hand over Cain’s heart.
“I’ve never brought anyone home to meet my family, especially Marie. If they didn’t come back, she wouldn’t understand that it didn’t have anything to do with her. But then I’ve never met someone who I think is a perfect fit—someone who I see still by my side when I’m old and cranky.” Cain smiled and pressed her hand to her cheek. “You’re the answer to everything I thought didn’t exist.”
“I love you,” she whispered, and Cain smiled so widely she thought her cheeks would hurt if she held her expression too long.
“I love you too,” Cain said before she kissed her. “Before we take that next step, though, you and I need to talk about the unromantic business side. You shouldn’t commit to what you don’t know.”
“That will come with time, so let me enjoy the next chapter of the story we tell in the future.” She combed Cain’s hair back and then traced her eyebrows. “Thank you for bringing me here to tell me. You’re right that we haven’t known each other that long, but you’ve completely changed my life. I never thought I’d find someone who makes me this happy, and your family only completes that picture of what life could be like.”
“What exactly were you worried about?” Cain asked, and they both turned their heads when the loud laughing inside broke their peace, so Cain moved them to a more secluded spot.