by N. Natishna
“You know what Daddy is going to say, Piglet,” Kat had told me while we sat in my room.
I’d groaned and threw myself backwards on my bed. “He got over Jon’s tattoos!”
She’d kissed my forehead and struggled to get up to leave, her pregnant belly weighing her down. “You’re his baby, Piglet. He’s going to be a lot harder on your guy than he was on mine.”
She was right, too. Where Kat and my mom were the fashionistas, I wanted to go into the medical field like my dad – except I wanted to be a pediatrician. I loved kids and my extreme peppiness would work like a charm on them.
I was Daddy’s little princess, always have been, and I wouldn’t change that for the world. I’d have to work super hard to let him see that Deklan is beyond the right guy for me.
Now here I was, sitting on a chair in the living room, my parents next to each other on the couch across the coffee table from me. I’d called them in here five minutes ago and they were patiently waiting for me to speak my mind. It was just taking me a little longer than I’d thought it would for me to get up some nerve.
“Okay…Mom, Daddy; I have something to tell you.”
My mom rolled her eyes and smiled in amusement. “Yes darling, we already connected that one when you called us in here.”
My dad laughed and leaned forward. “Out with it, Princess.”
I cleared my throat and nodded. “I have a boyfriend,” I blurted. It was utterly silent as they stared at me in shock. The eeriness almost had me running out of the house screaming. My mom started tapping her French manicured nails against her chin as she studied my face, while my dad looked at me with confusion. This obviously wasn’t the conversation they were expecting.
Okay, I had to break this tension before it suffocated me.
“His name is Deklan. He’s new this year and we share the same first period class, so that’s how we met.” I sat rigidly as I looked between the two, and when they remained silent, I figured they wanted me to continue. “Well…um, he asked me out two weeks after school started…and, um, we’ve been dating since then.”
“A month?” my dad shouted incredulously, making me jump at the sudden outburst. He scooted to the edge of the couch. “You’ve kept this from us for a month?”
I opened my mouth, shut it, and then opened it again. “Daddy, please don’t be angry. I only wanted to get to know him more before I introduced you,” I tried to reason. “He works with me, and the guys love him. He’s a great guy and he treats me with so much respect. I promise you’ll love him, Daddy.”
He rubbed the bridge of his nose and deflated back against the couch cushions. My mom sighed and grabbed hold of my dad’s hand.
“Max, honey, I think we should meet this boy.”
I blanched at her words. My mom was just as protective as my dad when it came to boys. She didn’t think any guy could be good enough for her daughters. She’d thrown a fit when I told her about Cody, but now she was so calm and quiet.
Dad groaned and straightened up. “A month, Cecile, and we’re just now going to meet this guy.” He looked back at me. “I should’ve met him before there was ever a first date, Emma Clarisse.”
Oh great. He middle-named me. I hated when they middle-named me like that.
Mom stood up and gestured for him to do the same. “She did the right thing, darling.” She bent to kiss my cheek and tugged on my dad’s hand. “Since you’re bringing this up on your birthday, I take it he’s coming to the barbeque. We’ll meet him then.”
I nodded, but she was already pulling my dad from the room. “Thank you, mom!” I called after her and then sat in stunned silence.
That had to be the strangest conversation we’d ever had. Who would’ve figured that I had been be panicking for nothing. A few minutes later Kat’s head pops in the room and looks around before she wobbled in.
“I just got here and Jon will be here in an hour with TJ.” She sat next to me. “How did it go?”
I rubbed at my temples. “I honestly don’t know the answer to that.”
“That bad?”
“Dad was peeved that I’d waited so long to tell them, and mom…um, I don’t really know about her. I got myself worked up thinking they were going to blow the roof off, and it didn’t even come close to that.”
“Mom didn’t go into her ‘you’re too precious for boys’ speech?”
I shook my head.
“Well, that’s bogus. It took her months to warm up to Johnny. And Daddy even longer, especially when I got pregnant with TJ.”
I groaned. “Not helping, Sis.”
✽✽✽
Cecile Van Buren sat on her favorite Victorian, leather chaise lounge chair and watched her husband pace their bedroom floor. She sighed and smoothed her hand down her burgundy blouse.
“Darling, you’re wearing down our carpet.” She crossed her legs and patted the spot next to her. “Come sit, so we can talk.”
He complied and she rubbed his shoulders.
“How long after Kathrynn started dating Jonathan did she mention it? It was like two weeks, right?” he asked her.
“We can’t compare the two, Max. Kathrynn and Jonathan were close friends for years before, and even then, with the way they looked at each other, we all knew it was inevitable. We might not have approved at first, but we accepted it.” She sighed and squeezed his shoulders softly. “She might not have known Deklan as long, but Emma is very much the same in this case, love.”
“Oh God, don’t say that, Cecile. She’s not ready to date! Look at that Hudson boy! That was a disaster!”
Cecile rolled her eyes. “Max, stop being dramatic. If you would just look at Emma’s eyes, you’d see what I see – a girl in love.” Max scoffed, but she kept going. “I’m serious, Maxwell. We have no say in this and you know it, that’s why you’re being so difficult. Do you remember what happened when we forbid Kat to date Jon? She didn’t speak to us for months, until we finally came to our senses.”
“What happened to my wife?” he teased. “I was expecting you to be as mad as I am.”
“I learned my lesson with our eldest. I only disliked Cody because he was disgusting and saw Emma’s money more than her beauty.”
“What if this Deklan is a troublemaker?”
“Do you not know our daughter at all? She’s like me when it comes to boys. She won’t pick a loser to give her heart to.”
Max snorted and eyed her. “What about that pompous ass that you dated before me during freshman year at the university?”
Cecile burst out with laughter. “Maxwell, baby, you know I left him in the dust for you. Don’t even go there.”
He pulled her close and kissed her passionately, leaving her breathless when he pulled back. His eyes shone with love and he reached up to run his fingers down her jaw. “Damn straight you did, and I loved rubbing it in that ass jockey’s face.”
“I love you, big man,” Cecile told him with a soft laugh. “Now, let’s give this boy a chance to prove that he’s good for our daughter, okay?”
He grunted and peered down at his miniature wife.
“Fine, but I don’t have to like it.”
✽✽✽
I was a bundle of nerves as I sat on my couch waiting for Deklan to arrive. He’d texted me fifteen minutes ago and said he was just leaving his house, so he’d be here any minute. Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, I looked over at TJ, who was frowning back at me.
“Mom said your boyfriend’s coming over,” he said with a grimace. “You guys aren’t going to kiss all the time, are you? I see enough of that at home.”
I stifled a laugh. “No worries, big guy. We’ll keep it strictly PG.”
“There’s a girl in my class who always tries to kiss me…it’s gross.”
This time I busted out laughing. “Ah, God, that was good.” I chuckled and reached over to ruffle TJ’s blonde hair. “Thanks for calming my nerves, big guy, I needed that. And trust me, your opinion of kissing will cha
nge in about seven years.”
He got up to go out to the pool as Jon and Kat walked in with their arms wrapped around each other’s waist. It reminded me of me and Deklan, and I started to get more anxious to see him. I missed him a whole lot right about now.
Unlike me and my mom, Kat was tall. I’m talking around 5’7 tall, with a slender build and a pair of killer legs. Even big with pregnancy, she managed to look amazing. Jon was a hair taller than Deklan and more muscular, because he worked out a lot for his job. His head has been the same since he was a teenager; buzz cut military style, of course.
“Are you excited for your party?” Kat asked me as they sat in the love seat. Jon’s hand immediately went to her big belly.
“Yeah, I guess. I know the girls have been in serious planning mode, so I have a good feeling for tonight.” I wasn’t going to mention the fact that if I had my way, I wouldn’t be coming home as innocent as I’d leave. I blushed just thinking about it.
“Hmm, I’d hope so. Are you wearing that outfit tonight?”
I looked down at my red sundress with a halter top, and white pumps, smoothing the sides with my palms. “No, why? Does it not look good?” I didn’t want to look bad or mismatched in front of Deklan. Sorry, but I am definitely a girl who loves to look nice. I want to impress my boyfriend, even though I know I don’t have to.
Kat shook her head and smiled. “You look great, Piglet. Calm down.”
Just then I heard the buzzing sound from the monitor in the great room. My heart jumped. I hastily stood up and hurried to the front door to punch in the code to open the gate, smoothing down my hair on the way.
“We’ll be out back,” Kat told me. I nodded and then took a second to take a serious breather. There was nothing to be worried about, so I really had no idea why I was nervous. I just prayed that my family didn’t say or do anything to embarrass me.
I took a deep breath and let it out slowly, smiling as I opened the door. When I opened it my smile turned into a frown. Deklan looked handsome as always in a long sleeved, navy blue button up top and jeans. But his face was devoid of the piercings I loved, and I had a feeling that he was wearing a long-sleeved top to cover his delicious tattoos that I have a tendency to run my hands over. Well, at least he still had his hair spiked.
I looked back to make sure nobody was behind me and then stepped outside with him, shutting the door firmly behind us.
“Why did you come here like this, Dek?” I asked him seriously, even though I knew the answer.
He grimaced. “I just figured your parents would warm to me more like this.”
”Deklan,” I groaned and shook my head. He had to be kidding me. I was mad that he’d come here not looking anything like himself…but loving him all the more, because he did this for me. Sighing, I grabbed his shirtfront and pulled him down to crush my lips quickly to his. “Okay, here’s the deal, I’m introducing Deklan, my sexy, adorable, pierced and tattooed boyfriend, not,” I gestured to his face and shirt, “this guy. So roll up those sleeves and shove those piercings back in, because you’re not stepping a foot into that house like this.”
He was silent as he stared at me, his now non-pierced eyebrow raised. My jaw clenched tight as I met his stare head on. He was not about to argue with me, not about this. I’m not ashamed of Deklan, his tattoos, or his piercings. If I was, I wouldn’t be dating him. My parents might not like it, but they couldn’t tell me not to see him. They’d know soon enough that I was crazy in love with this guy.
Finally, he sighed and reached in his back pocket, pulling his piercings out. I pursed my lips as I watched him put them back in.
“You took your sticks out too, didn’t you?”
He rolled his eyes, but smiled and nodded.
“Figures. Well, I don’t care about that. I just really love how sexy you look from the back when they’re in there.”
He chuckled as he rolled his sleeves up. When he was finished I pulled him back down and kissed his lip piercings.
“That’s much better. Now, let’s go meet the parents.”
CHAPTER 11.
I grabbed his hand and pulled him inside. Jay and Josie were in the kitchen putting icing on my birthday cake. Yummy; red velvet with cream cheese frosting, my favorite.
“Ah, Deklan, how wonderful to see you again,” Jay said with a smile that I’m pretty sure was freaking my boyfriend out. And by the looks of it, Jay knew just what she was doing. Josie winked at him and went to the pantry. I pulled Deklan to the glass doors.
“It was nice seeing you, too, Jay, Josie,” he said before we stepped out.
My mom and sister were sitting at the patio table, while my dad and Jon stood in front of the grill and TJ played in the yard with Nitro and Rocket. Everyone but TJ turned when Deklan and I walked out.
“Everyone, this is Deklan Mayfield.” I pointed towards the guys. “Deklan, that’s my dad and brother-in-law, Jon, and sitting over at the table is my mom and sister, Kat. That little rascal that’s not paying us a lick of attention, that’s my nephew, TJ.”
Jon walked up and held out his hand. “It’s good to meet you.”
Deklan returned the handshake. “Likewise. Emma has told me a lot about you.”
Jon laughed. “Oh boy, I hope not.”
Kat pushed him aside and wrapped her arms around Deklan’s shoulders, hugging him as much as her belly would allow. Deklan hesitantly returned the hug.
“I’m glad I finally get to meet the guy my sister goes on and on about.”
“Kat,” I warned and she laughed it off. My parents walked up and I shooed Kat away.
“Deklan,” my dad said gruffly and shook Deklan’s hand. “I’m glad to finally meet you…after such a long time.”
“Daddy,” I said with fake sweetness and then scowled at him. “We talked about this.”
“Excuse my husband, Deklan. Maxwell gets touchy when it comes to his daughters,” Mom said and hugged Deklan just as Kat did. I gave her a grateful look and then went back to scowling at my father. “It really is good to meet you.”
“Thank you Mrs. Van Buren,” he replied with warmth. “And I’m sorry we kept this from you, but we thought it would be best if we got to know each other more.”
I looped my arm through his and pulled him toward the table. “I already explained, Dek. Just ignore my dad.”
In return, my dad grunted and went back to the grill with Jon.
As they grilled, Mom and Kat asked more about Deklan. He hesitated when they asked about his parents, but told them without going into detail – his dad being in prison for murder mostly. It didn’t matter to me if Deklan kept that to himself or not, although I knew he didn’t want to talk about it. He told them about Molly and how close they were. I told them that they could meet her some other time.
Everyone took to Deklan better than I thought they would…besides my dad, but I expected that. TJ admired his sleeve tattoo and then went on to brag about all of his dad’s tattoos. Jon told Deklan that whoever worked on it had nice craftsmanship. I was so proud of my family for making him feel comfortable and welcome. Even Nitro and Rocket came up to his side for him to pet them. My dad might need some time, but I knew he’d come around.
When it was time to eat, we all sat together and the table conversation was nice, humorous even. We talked about the party that me and Deklan were leaving here for soon, and Kat brought up the disaster that was my fifteenth birthday. I groaned as she retold the story and everybody cracked up at my expense.
“That was about the worst day of my life,” I grumbled. “I really hope tonight will be the opposite of that.”
Deklan reached over and laid his hand on top of mine. I looked up into his warm, smiling face. “It will be, I’m sure of it.”
Kat chuckled around her glass of juice. “Yes, I’m sure it will.”
I made a face at her to shut her up. I’d told her about what I wanted from Deklan on my birthday. She’d advised me to think hard about it, and not rush it. She said to
make sure the love I feel was real and I was certain of it. I was completely sure of it, no matter how hard I thought about it. I wanted this tonight.
Jay and Josie brought out the cake with the number ‘18’ candle lit in the middle. I licked my lips and rubbed my hands together as everyone chimed in on ‘Happy Birthday’ to me. When they were finished I closed my eyes and wished for tonight to go well before blowing out the candles.
I devoured two large pieces of delicious red velvet cake before pushing my plate away.
Mom broke out the presents when we were all done and I bounced in my chair like an anxious child. My family never disappointed when it came to gifts. Last year all I really wanted was for the family to take a vacation trip, and my parents put us on a cruise to the Bahamas just months from then.
I opened my parent’s gift first. They handed me a long envelope along with my birthday card. After reading the card I opened the envelope and pulled out an airline ticket. My mouth gaped open as I read the destination: Paris, France. I quickly looked up excitedly at my parents.
“Are you serious?” I squealed. I’ve wanted to go there to see the Louvre Art Museum since I was in the eighth grade. My dad flipped when I’d asked him, because he thought it’d be dangerous if he wasn’t there. And Dad always worked, so we never went.
My mom was smiling widely. “We figure you’re about old enough now to go.”
I looked at my dad with surprise. “You’re really letting me go by myself?”
He frowned. “No, not alone. We just didn’t know how many to get, so we bought one for now. It’s a five day stay during your Christmas break. Everything will be set up as soon as you tell us how many friends you’re taking. There will be rules, of course. You will not go off by yourself, no staying up late and doing God knows what, and also -”
I cut him off by hugging him hard. “Thank you, Daddy! I love you so much!”
“Love you too,” he grunted in response and I let him go to hug my mother.
“Now, don’t listen to your father, Emma. We trust you to be careful.”
I nodded and plopped back down in my seat, looking excitedly over at Deklan. “I’ve been dying to visit the Louvre Art Museum! We’ll be staying five days, so we’ll be able to do all kinds of things! Isn’t that exciting?”