New Beginnings

by Megan Keith

  “Um, before we go in…” he says softly. I can just make out Seth’s features in the darkness and can see him rubbing the back of his neck. He looks worried.

  “Yeah?”

  “I didn’t actually tell my parents you were coming.”

  “You what?”

  “They don’t know you’re … coming?”

  “Fuck! Seth! Why didn’t you tell them? And why are you only just telling me now?”

  “I dunno, I just … my parents can be kinda full on sometimes. They ask too many questions and I just thought-”

  “You thought it would be better face to face? Are you kidding me? I was nervous before, but now-”

  “Last night you said you weren’t nervous.”

  “Yeah, well, that was last night! I changed my mind. Shit, can’t we just stay in a motel?” He has the nerve to chuckle. Chuckle! How am I supposed to deal with this?

  “You’ll be fine.” Seth answers my unspoken question.

  “That’s easy for you to say, you’re not the one in my position.”

  “Relax.” His hand slides under my hair and along my neck, scattering goose bumps across my skin. He cups my cheek, drawing my attention to his darkened face and away from my thoughts. His touch soothes me. “They’re gonna love you,” he whispers huskily.

  I sigh. “Of course they will. I’m completely loveable,” I kid, trying to relax.

  “Yeah … you really are.” His thumb brushes back and forth over my cheek, making me swallow thickly. The confines of the car suddenly feel a lot smaller as his eyes stare into mine.

  “That’s why I’m worried about you,” I say, in my attempt to turn this conversation around. I can’t deal with this kind of intensity when I’m about to pee my pants before meeting his parents.

  “Worried about me?”

  “Well, yeah. I mean, I’m so loveable your parents might want to adopt me.” His eyes light up with amusement. “So I worry that when this thing between us turns sour they’ll probably want to keep me instead. Then what will you do?”

  He’s silent for a long time and the smile slips from my face. The penetrating look in his eyes tells me he didn’t think my joke was funny. Why, I’m not so sure.

  “No more talk of this going sour, okay?” he insists, tugging on my neck.

  Oh. I gulp, more than a little gobsmacked, before squeaking out, “Okay.”

  He leans forward and places a tender kiss on my lips, then pulls away. “Let’s do this!” he bellows before jumping from the car. I trudge behind him, collecting my bag from the boot and following him up the garden path. My nerves over meeting his parents feeling not so important when my heart is pounding for different reasons - the strength of Seth’s words, for instance.

  Seth

  “Oh, look, the prodigal son has returned!” Dad yells from the lounge room when I duck my head in the doorway.

  “He has? Oh my!” Mum shouts out theatrically as she bounces forward and into my arms.

  “Hey Mum.” I give her a squeeze. “Dad,” I greet him over her shoulder.

  “And look! He’s brought us a gift!” Dad steps forward, holding his hand out to Bianca. “Hi, I’m Joseph.”

  Mum eyes me curiously as I step out of her embrace to stand beside B. “Mum, Dad this is Bianca… My girlfriend.”

  “Nice to meet you, Joseph.” Bianca shakes Dad’s hand and then turns to Mum who gives her a quick hug. “Hi.”

  “I’m Roxie.” She smiles pleasantly at Bianca but throws me another curious look that screams, “You have some explaining to do. I want answers.” Yeah, maybe springing Bianca on them wasn’t the best of ideas.

  I hear a shout of “Butch!” before I’m knocked backward by the force that is my sister. “Good to see ya!” We hold each other for a moment before she pulls back, eyeing Bianca.

  “Hey Tahls, I’d like you to meet-”

  “Woah! Who’s the hottie?”

  “Bianca,” I finish with a sigh. My family can be so embarrassing.

  “I’m sorry.” Bianca speaks between giggles. “Did you just call him Butch? That’s classic!” She’s doubled over when she looks at me. “You are so the opposite of that, Nerd Boy.”

  “Nerd Boy?” Tahlia asks me with her eyebrow raised and a quirk of her lips, but I quickly turn my attention to Bianca who is looking more than a little uncomfortable, even though she’s laughing. She’s clutching her belly and that’s when I remember-

  “Bathroom?” she gasps.

  “This way,” Mum leads her away.

  “Nerd Boy, huh?” Dad asks, folding his arms over his chest with a smirk on his face. “I like her already.” He chuckles. “She’s got you pegged.”

  “Shut up!” I give him a little shove, then collect our bags from the floor and head to my old room.

  I’m relieved to find that Mum and Dad have replaced my childhood single bed with my adult queen sized one. When I left Melbourne I got all of my furniture moved back home for storage in the shed out back. I never expected my parents to have rearranged my things, but I’m extremely grateful. Especially when I hear Bianca tentatively call my name from the hall.

  “In here.”

  A second later she appears in my doorway like a breath of fresh air.

  “We’re sharing a bed?” she asks, stepping into the room.

  “Why wouldn’t we?”

  “I don’t know. I just figured, you know, being your parents’ house and all … it might be weird. I mean, they didn’t know I even existed until five minutes ago.”

  “You know what’s weird?” I step closer to her and cup her jaw. “I’ve just realised all of my teenage fantasies have come to life.” I lean down to kiss her cheek. “I’ve always wanted to sleep with a hot girl in this room.” I kiss the corner of her mouth. “And now I get to.” I give her a hard kiss on the mouth.

  “Ahh, but who says this hot girl will put out?” she asks as I kiss her chin.

  “I do,” I reply, pulling her to me as I nuzzle her neck.

  “I may be persuaded.” Her arms wrap around me and she moans. “It might be best to wait until everyone is asleep though.” She shoves me away and I push back, burying my face in her neck. I growl against her skin. “And we can only have sex if you promise to keep the noise down.”

  “Me? I believe you’re the noisy one.” I nip her ear lobe.

  “Nah-ah.”

  “Yes.” I kiss my way back up her jaw and to her mouth, kissing her passionately.

  “Seth,” she pulls back and warns, “later.”

  I huff and then grab her hand. I suppose it’s time she really meets my parents.

  Bianca

  About three hours later, Seth growls and presses another kiss to my lips before gracing me with one of those cheeky lopsided smiles I’ve been seeing more and more often lately. He grabs me by the tops of my arms and tosses me on the bed before collapsing beside me. He rubs his hands over his face then props himself on an elbow to face me with a big grin.

  “My parents really do love you,” he says, with a large sigh.

  “Why do you look so relieved?” I can’t help but tease him. “Was there ever any doubt?”

  “No. I knew they would. It’s just … so good that everyone is getting along. Don’t you think?”

  “Yeah, it is.” I stare at the ceiling, recalling the events of the past few hours. His Mum and Dad are a hoot and Tahlia is lovely. Seth is one lucky guy, getting born into a family like his. They have so much love for one another. I turn to him with a smile. “Your family is great, Seth.”

  “You’re great!”

  “Well, duh, everyone knows that!” I joke, brushing the wetness from my eyes. I have no idea why my eyes have tears.

  “Do you?” he asks softly.

  “What?”

  “Do you really have any idea how great you are?” Seth’s intense eyes bore into mine. “I don’t think you do, B.” He runs a finger down the side of my face. “You are so beautiful. You’re intelligent, charming, witty,
smart, fun, caring … You make everyone around you feel special. Do you know how amazing that is? The way you light up a room and yet still make everyone else feel good about themselves?”

  I don’t realise I’m shaking my head at every single word spouting from Seth’s mouth until he rolls on top of me and holds me still.

  “I’m so lucky to have found you,” he whispers.

  I want to reply, argue, tell him that I’m the lucky one in this scenario, but I can’t open my mouth. Seth doesn’t ask why there are tears – silent, happy tears - rolling down my cheeks, he just collects them with his thumbs. Then his lips are on mine and all thoughts about talking are forgotten.

  Seth

  I don’t know why I’m so nervous. Bianca seemed to get along well with Mum and Tahlia last night. I have no need to worry … do I? I look at my watch again. They’ve been gone for over two hours already. I have to leave for Kev’s house in a little while. Why aren’t they back yet?

  “Why are you pacing?” Dad asks, looking up at me from his Saturday morning paper.

  “I dunno.” I flop back down on the couch with a frustrated sigh. “How long does it take to buy a dress?”

  Dad gives me a pointed look, chuckles with a shake of his head and then returns his attention to the paper.

  “Right.” I nod. Three women, shopping for clothes … stupid question.

  I’m not sure what I’m more worried about – the fact that the three most important women in my life are out together, getting to know one another, or that we’re running out of time to get to this wedding. I’ve showered, shaved and got my tux ready, all I need to do is change clothes, but how long will Bianca need once she gets back? What’s taking them so long? And what the hell are they all talking about?

  I’m instantly relieved five minutes later when the door opens and Mum, Tahlia and Bianca all file inside the house in fits of laughter. Mum gives me a funny look that I don’t understand, though she’s smiling so I’m guessing it’s a good thing, and then my eyes land on Bianca. She is an absolute vision. Her light brown hair is shining in the sunlight, hints of gold and red falling in large soft curls down her back, a small section is pinned on one side. She smiles at me brightly and I notice she’s wearing make-up, it looks different on her, good different; the effects playing on her already beautiful features. Mum and Tahlia make themselves scarce and I realise my legs have eaten up the distance between us and I’ve been staring at B for probably a full minute.

  “Sorry it took so long. Your mum took me to the salon.” She brushes her hair gently on the top of her head. It’s a self-conscious move and she quickly drops her hand before she messes up her hair. “She figured it’s a wedding, right, might as well go all out.” When I still don’t speak her face falls. “Is it too much? I’m not used to this kind of thing. It doesn’t-”

  I cut her off with my mouth on hers. Her body relaxes into mine and her lips open to me, allowing my tongue to sweep inside. Then Dad clears his throat behind me, from where he’s still seated on the armchair, and Bianca pulls away. I don’t let her get too far though, I keep my hand curved around the back of her neck, underneath her hair.

  “You look absolutely gorgeous,” I tell her.

  “Yeah?” She blushes and gives me a shy smile before her facial expression turns to one of teasing. “Just wait until you see the dress then.” She wriggles her eyebrows at me before spinning around and disappearing with her bags down the hallway.

  Bianca

  I’ve had the best morning. Roxie and Tahlia act more like a couple of girlfriends with each other than mother and daughter. I can’t help but be envious of their relationship, so unlike the one I have with my own mother. But I haven’t had a chance to dwell on that emotion because I’ve had way too much fun shopping with them.

  They dragged me from one store to the other, tossing dress after dress my way while regaling me with stories of Seth as a kid. When I finally found the perfect slate grey silky number, that hugged me in all the right places and fell to my ankles, I knew it was the one. My thoughts were confirmed by the gasps and enthusiastic nods I received when I exited the change room.

  Next came the shoes, which both Roxie and Tahlia agreed wouldn’t be too high after I almost fell and broke my ankle with the first pair of heels. Even though Tahlia looks like a tomboy with her multi-coloured hair, skater shoes, ripped jeans and black tank top, she sure knows a thing or two about fashion. She quickly found me a pair of strappy, Roman-style sandals that complimented the dress like a dream.

  I thought we were headed to the car after purchasing the perfect outfit when Tahlia suddenly grabbed my arm, tugging me into the hairdresser’s where I was unceremoniously shoved into a chair. Apparently I was late for the appointment I didn’t know I had. The flamboyantly gay Clive set about washing, drying and curling my hair, while his assistant did my make-up and Tahlia talked my ear off about her boyfriend Ryan and some skate competition they were both entering in a couple of weeks’ time. Roxie disappeared to do some grocery shopping soon after we arrived and came back just in time to see the ‘wedding ready’ me.

  “Doesn’t she look gorgeous, Rox?” Clive exclaimed excitedly as he spun me in the chair to face her.

  “Stunning!” Roxie replied with glee. “Seth won’t know what hit him.”

  “Yep, she’ll bring Butch to his knees,” Tahlia added with a wink.

  Clive leaned over and whispered in my ear, loud enough for all to hear mind you, “I’m shocked Roxie gave up her standing ‘cut and colour’ appointment for your hair and make-up, sweets. She must think the world of you to do that.” He straightened up and continued, “Next time though, we need to put some honey highlights in your gorgeous hair. Okay, sweetie?” He didn’t wait around for an answer just flamboyantly spun away to greet his next appointment. I was in shock as I made my way to the register to pay, and then completely floored when I was told that my bill had already been taken care of.

  I’d argued with Roxie about the cost the whole way to the car. I’d even tried shoving money at her but gave up after she said, “I haven’t seen Seth much since he moved. I miss him.” She was teary at the time and it made my heart ache. She really did miss him. They all did. I wonder if my mother would miss me like that if I were to ever move cities. “All I want is for him to be happy and I can tell you make him that, Bianca. Just let me make this day special for you both.”

  And now I stand, facing the full length mirror in Roxie and Joseph’s bedroom while Seth gets ready in his old room. I guess Roxie thought it would be extra special for me to make a grand entrance or something, when she instructed me to get ready in here. I turn back and forth, taking in my appearance as my dress swishes near my ankles, the unevenly cut layers at the bottom of the dress allowing glimpses of my new shoes. Someone taps on the bedroom door and I give my face one more looking over in the mirror. The smoky eyes that greet me there are alive with wonder. How did I end up here? Was it really such a short time ago that I wrote Seth off as being a boring office worker? Someone I wasn’t interested in at all? And now I can’t imagine not having him in my life. Being here with his family, too, it feels like home.

  When I open the door I’m greeted by the most handsome sight I’ve ever seen. Seth. His black fitted tux and pale blue tie make him look as sexy as sin. The intensity in his chocolate brown eyes, as they look me up and down, make my body tingle and when they meet mine, and he whispers, “Stunning,” my eyes water with happiness.

  “You look gorgeous, honey!” Roxie meets us both at the bedroom door. She grabs my hand and pulls me out of the room, forcing Seth to take a quick backwards step. “Turn around.”

  I give them a little spin and my cheeks heat with self-consciousness.

  “You’re going to overshadow the bride,” Seth says as his eager eyes trail my body.

  “Stop. Don’t make me cry. You’ll ruin my make up.” I go to give him a little shove but he quickly grasps my hand and entwines our fingers, trapping them against his ch
est.

  “Come on you two. I want to take some photos before you leave.”

  We spend the next ten minutes posing for the camera, in the lounge room, backyard, front garden, basically wherever Roxie tells us to. With the way she’s fussing it kind of feels like we’re about to attend a high school formal, except there’s no cheesy limo waiting to pick us up. I lose my inhibitions because Seth can’t take his eyes off me. He barely speaks just keeps staring and it’s such a confidence boost. It’s like he’s sweeping me off my feet with his eyes alone. I’ve never felt so good about myself, or so content and excited about where a relationship is headed, but Seth makes me feel that: so grounded yet flying high.

  Seth

  The whole way to Kev’s house I have to force my eyes to remain focused on the road. It’s incredibly difficult when all they want to do is look at the beauty in my passenger seat. And when I’m looking where I’m supposed to be, I am overwhelmed by her scent. The intoxicating perfume she is wearing is putting my senses into overdrive.

  We stop at a red light and I’m once again drawn in her direction. I lean over and peck her on the side of the neck before grabbing hold of her hand. Something about the colour of the dress she is wearing makes her incredibly blue eyes even bluer today.

  “You’re acting weird,” she says when I fail to look away.

  “Am I?”

  “Yep. Are you nervous?”

  “Why would I be?”

  “Maybe because you have best man duties to attend to. Or maybe because you’re about to watch your best friend marry your ex-girlfriend.”

  The car behind me toots its horn and I step on the accelerator. I haven’t allowed myself to think much about Kev’s wedding. I thought I’d be insanely jealous of him, not because of Beck but because he was living the dream, acquiring the wife and kid, and happy family life that I’ve longed for. Instead I feel kind of numb. I’m happy for them both, sure, but not much else. My thoughts are too constantly drawn to Bianca lately to really care.