Love, Unexpectedly

by Susan Fox

  “Which I am,” I said.

  “And we’re proud of you, dear,” she responded, giving me a warm smile.

  “You are?” I was so surprised, I dropped my fork. “You’ve never said that before.”

  “We haven’t?” She exchanged another glance with Dad. “We assumed you knew it.”

  “In my experience,” Nav said quietly, “children need to hear the words. I think it meant a lot to Kat to hear you say that.” He reached for my hand, and I squeezed his in a silent thank-you.

  “In the past I heard more criticism than praise,” I said, trying to keep my tone neutral as I gazed from one parent to the other.

  They were both silent for a long moment, then Mom spoke. “After Theresa, who always knew what she wanted to do, we worried about you. You had trouble deciding what career would make you happy. And you were so determined to do things on your own, not let us help.”

  Help? Their idea of help had sounded like disapproval and nagging to me.

  “But in the end, you worked it out and built yourself a wonderful career,” Mom said.

  I was basking in the warmth of this unusual praise when Dad turned again to Nav. “And you’re just starting your career, not to mention photography isn’t the most secure occupation. I’m sure that’s a concern to your parents.”

  I spoke before Nav could respond. “That’s between him and his parents.”

  “He’s your boyfriend, Kat,” Dad said evenly. “It’s of concern to us, too.”

  I narrowed my eyes. “Are you seriously giving us that old-fashioned stuff about the man having a higher-paying job and being able to support the woman? Get a grip. Have you heard of women’s lib? I know Mom has. I can damn—darn—well support myself.”

  I noted Merilee frowning, and quickly added, “I mean, you know, if we ever got serious about each other.”

  “But should you have to support him?” Mom asked.

  Nav opened his mouth, but I cut him off. “Dad supported you when you went to law school,” I said heatedly. “And now you make more than he does. You always told us it’s about having an equal partnership, not who’s making the most money at any particular time.”

  “Yes,” Mom said grudgingly. “So long as neither person is taking advantage of the other.”

  “He—”

  Nav interrupted me. “Rebecca,” he said firmly, “I have no intention of taking advantage of your daughter.”

  “Mom, he won’t even let me pay for pizza.”

  Theresa chuckled, and the atmosphere lightened a bit.

  “I think,” Nav said, “that quality of life is about more than simply income. It’s about how we choose to spend our time, both in our work and outside it. It’s about our values and priorities, and Kat is the top priority in my life.”

  I leaned my head against his shoulder. “Thanks. The same goes for me.”

  “You’re an intelligent young man,” Mom said slowly, as if she was weighing each word. “I suspect you’ll do well with your photography. Intelligence, passion, and a degree in business, those are a good combination. Combined with skill, which Theresa, and I assume Kat, believe you have.”

  “He does,” I said. “Please look at his website. And we’ll send you the catalog from his exhibit. It’s the week after the wedding, at a prestigious gallery in Montreal.”

  “Hmm,” Mom said.

  It was time to quit on a high note and change the subject. “Mom, Dad, guess what?” I said brightly. “Jenna e-mailed this morning. She’s on the road, heading home. She should get here Sunday night or Monday.”

  “That girl hasn’t an ounce of sense,” Dad grumbled. “She should have let us pay for her flight.”

  “She’s crazy to be driving that old car of hers,” Mom said.

  Nav shot me a questioning look, and I whispered in his ear, “A 1974 MGB. It’s a—”

  “Hey, I grew up in England; I know what MGBs are.” His soft curls brushed my cheek, and I breathed in his evocative sandalwood scent.

  As our parents carried on about Jenna’s lack of responsibility, I glanced at Merilee and rolled my eyes.

  She stifled a giggle.

  Under my breath, I said to Nav, “At least they’re off your case.”

  “They’re just worried about all of you.”

  I understood now that he was right, thanks in large part to Maggie and Tim on the train. Still, I joked, “Easy to say when it’s not your parents.”

  The word “parents” fell into a lull in Mom and Dad’s conversation.

  Mom redirected her attention to Nav. “Tell us about your parents. They live in England?”

  “They did, but recently moved to New Delhi to take care of Dad’s mother after she was widowed.”

  “Are they traditional? What do they think of you dating a white girl?”

  I felt a chill of trepidation. Nav and I hadn’t got around to discussing his parents’ likely reaction.

  “As with my career,” he said, “my decisions are my own.”

  “It sounds as if you don’t have a very close relationship with your family,” she said disapprovingly. “Any siblings?”

  “I’m an only.”

  “No wonder they had high expectations of you,” she said. “Your decisions must be difficult for them to accept.”

  “Mom.” I spoke before Nav could answer. “If they had their way, he’d go into a career he hates, move to a country that’s never been his home, and agree to an arranged marriage.”

  I gripped his hand tightly. “Nav’s a good man. His decisions are reasonable ones, and his family should respect them.”

  “Perhaps so. But—”

  Theresa broke in. “Mom, stop interrogating the man. Why do you two always do this? Couldn’t we for once have a pleasant, relaxed meal?”

  Surprised and pleased by her support, I flashed her a smile.

  I was even more surprised when Nav said, “They do it because they’re concerned and protective. You wouldn’t want parents who didn’t care who you dated, would you?”

  Theresa and I shared a raised-eyebrow look, then I said, “We wouldn’t mind if they cared just a little bit less.”

  We all chuckled.

  Mom said, “Thank you, Nav. I’m glad somebody understands.” She shot us girls a humorous look.

  I realized that this dinner was a bit of a breakthrough for my family. We’d argued as we typically did, but we had also moved to a better understanding and appreciation of each other. I liked it and hoped it would continue. And that Nav would be a part of it.

  “And since you do understand,” my mother went on, “can we get back to the subject of your parents? I’m concerned about—”

  “Mom?” This time it was Merilee who interrupted. “You’ve spent all of dinner cross-examining him. Don’t you want to hear about the dresses we found this afternoon? Including one for you.”

  “Me?” Mom said. “You went shopping for me?”

  I shot Merilee a grateful look. Whether she’d intervened to rescue me or because she figured it was time to be the center of attention, I was relieved by the change of subject.

  All the same, I, too, was concerned about Nav’s parents.

  It felt like my family was struggling toward a closer relationship, and I wanted the same for Nav. I’d like to help heal the breach between him and his parents, to become accepted as a part of the family, not make the situation worse.

  If his parents didn’t approve of our marriage, would they cut him out of their lives?

  Chapter 21

  Saturday morning, Nav woke from the dreamless sleep of exhaustion to the sound of knocking.

  Kat jumped out of the double bed they shared, grabbed a robe off the chair, and went to the door. She opened it a crack.

  “Breakfast in ten minutes,” Theresa said. “I wouldn’t recommend missing it.”

  Kat groaned, and Nav did, too.

  Dinner last night had been stressful, and he wasn’t looking forward to round two, but he was determine
d to win Kat’s parents over. They were good people, concerned for her happiness, and eventually they’d come to see he was the right man for their daughter.

  He crawled out of bed and began to get ready.

  Fortunately, when he and Kat went downstairs hand in hand, he discovered that breakfast at the Fallon household didn’t involve a lot of conversation.

  Kat’s mom scratched notes on a legal pad as she absentmindedly munched toast. Her dad had his nose in some scientific journal. Merilee and Matt debated the merits of different kinds of music for the reception. And Theresa had printed out a list and started going over it with Kat.

  Nav spread cream cheese on a bagel and stayed out of everyone’s way.

  He hoped Kat’s list of things to do would allow the two of them some together time. When they’d got to her room last night, they’d both been tired and on edge, and had made swift, sweet, and very quiet love, then immediately fallen asleep.

  There were things he needed to discuss with her, and that hadn’t been the time. But he didn’t want to wait much longer.

  When her family had all departed, she poured herself another cup of coffee, then came over to him where he sat at the kitchen table. “Alone at last,” she said.

  “About time.” He took the mug from her hand and put it on the kitchen table, then tugged her down on his lap and hugged her. Clad in shorts and a brief tank top, she felt warm and curvy and wonderful in his arms.

  She snuggled close. “This is nice.”

  “How long have we got? What’s on that list Theresa gave you?”

  “Visiting three caterers and going to VanDusen Gardens to check the venue and talk to someone in admin. Would you believe it? Theresa actually said I’d probably handle these things best, given my hotel experience.”

  “Sounds like things are improving with you and your sisters.”

  She nodded. “We understand each other better, and it’s nice. Hope it continues once Jenna gets home.”

  She looped her arms around his neck and leaned back to study his face. “What’s your plan for the day? Why don’t you come to the Gardens? You might find some good shots.”

  “Sure. And it’ll help me plan the wedding photos. But I need to get some laundry done, too. Either that or clothes shopping. I didn’t have time to buy many new clothes, and I’m guessing you’d rather I didn’t wear my old sweats.”

  She stroked his freshly shaven jaw. “I’d like to wash some things, too.” Then her face lit. “Hey, it’s Saturday morning. What were we doing a week ago?”

  He thought back, then gave a pleased laugh. “Laundry, back in Montreal. That’s when I hatched the train scheme.” He gave her a quick hug, then rose, dumping her off his lap. “Let’s get the wash going.” When the machine was running, they’d have a chance to talk.

  It turned out that the Fallons had a beautifully appointed laundry room. “Two washers and two dryers?” he said.

  “That way the housekeeper can do all the laundry during her weekly visit,” Kat explained.

  He’d changed into sweats and a jersey so he could wash his new clothes, and now began to toss his jeans, black shirt, white shirt, silky sweater, and Armani briefs into a machine.

  “Stop!” Kat grabbed his arm. “Let me introduce you to the concept of delicates. Not to mention, darks, lights, and colors. If you’re going to spend a small fortune on clothes, you want them to last.”

  “I knew there was a hitch.”

  She sorted their clothes—his and hers together—explaining what she was doing.

  He sighed. The new wardrobe was comfortable, and he had to admit he liked the way he looked, but his old clothes sure had been easier to look after.

  Kat set both washers to run. Then, in a gesture of sappy sweetness that went straight to his heart, she patted their tops and said, “Our first shared loads.”

  Then she turned to him, eyes gleaming. “Ever had sex in a laundry room?”

  His body went on instant alert. There was nothing he’d like better.

  Except…“I haven’t. But Kat, I want to talk to you about something.”

  “Talk?” Her eyebrows rose, then she backed him up against a humming machine and plastered the front of her body against his, wriggling suggestively. “You want to talk rather than make love?”

  Despite his growing erection, he gripped her arms and thrust her away. “Yeah. Now go hop up on a machine like you always do, so I can think.”

  Her flirtatious expression vanished, replaced by a troubled one. “Is something wrong?” Slowly she pulled herself up on a washing machine as he’d asked, her legs tanned and shapely under beige shorts.

  “No. Well…Look, how do you feel about the stuff your parents were saying last night? Like, my career and income versus yours?”

  Leaning forward, legs dangling over the edge of the machine, she gave him a puzzled look. “Didn’t you hear what I told them?”

  “Yeah, and it sounded great. But then I thought about the kind of guys you’ve gone for in the past. And what you said last Saturday night about being attracted to successful men.”

  “You’re successful.”

  “I’m just starting out, and like your dad said, it’s an uncertain business.”

  “But you love it. And you’re so talented. You’ll make it big.”

  “I hope so. But what if I don’t? What if I only manage to make a living, not become a big name?”

  Her brows drew together. “If you still love doing it, that’s what counts.”

  “You honestly mean that? You don’t want some…NASCAR winner, or Bollywood producer?”

  “I want you.” Her mouth quirked into a grin. “Preferably with the nice clothes and smooth-shaven face.”

  He smiled, but he still wasn’t convinced. “Thursday night, when we were dreaming about our future, we agreed we wanted to live in Montreal. But we didn’t talk about whether we’d buy a house.”

  He leaned back against the machine across from her. “We didn’t talk about how we’d afford a house.”

  “I told you about the down payment I’ve been saving.”

  “Kat, I—”

  “Stop. Don’t pull that macho pride thing on me. I won’t marry a chauvinist.”

  “Sorry. I’m really not. Blame my mum for the way she raised me. She had pretty old-fashioned views about male and female roles.”

  A shadow crossed her face, and he rushed on. “I did hear what you said about an equal partnership. I want that. And here’s the thing: I do have that trust fund.”

  “You said you wanted to make it on your own and not touch the trust fund.”

  “I needed to do that to prove I was independent. That I wasn’t a spoiled rich kid. And I’ve done it. Now we’re talking about our future, Kat. As a couple. Our home, our kids.”

  Slowly she nodded. “Independence is good, and so is investing in the future. Okay, that’s something we’ll take into consideration. Along with how to use the money I’ve saved.” A warning tone had crept into her voice.

  “Deal.” He held out his hand, finally reassured.

  “Deal.” She shook it firmly.

  Then he stepped toward her, lifted her hand to his lips, and gave it his best seductive kiss. “Did someone mention sex in the laundry room?”

  She freed her hand. “Now I have a question.” Her serious tone told him it wasn’t about sex.

  “Shoot.”

  “Will your parents be really upset? They want you to marry an Indian woman.”

  He shrugged. “They have to accept that it’s my life and I make my own decisions.”

  She sighed. “I don’t want them to hate me.” She reached out and caught his hand again, holding it tight. “Nav, I’ve seen how tense you get when you talk about your family. And you know I’ve had issues with my parents and sisters. But things are improving for me, and that feels really good.”

  “I’m happy for you.”

  “If there’s some way I can make things better rather than worse with you and
your family, I’d like to do it.”

  Was there any hope that he and his parents would have anything more than a strained relationship?

  Well, he had a pretty good idea of one thing that would go a long way. With his free hand, he touched her cheek. “You can give them pretty brown grandchildren.”

  A smile flickered. “I have every intention of doing that. But it would be nice if your parents would be happy about our marriage and accept me now. Not just when I produce a baby. Can you try to explain to them?” she said. “Like, not just announce it, but help them understand that we really love each other?”

  “We don’t do so well with that kind of conversation. They get their backs up.”

  Her lips twitched. “And you don’t, I suppose.”

  He thought about it. The sharp words, and the way he and his dad would stalk off in opposite directions. The way his mom would nag at him over and over about the same damned things, and he’d refuse to listen.

  “Maybe I do,” he admitted. “Yeah, okay, I’ll work on better communication.” Was it possible that, as well as believing children should obey their parents, his were genuinely concerned about his welfare, as Kat’s parents were about hers?

  He studied his beautiful Kat with her troubled expression. “They should be pleased I’m getting married,” he told her. “And once they meet you, you’ll win them over.” He made a rueful face. “As I hope to eventually do with your folks.” Though he had to admit, at least her parents didn’t seem to give a damn that he was Indian.

  She nodded. “We’ll persuade both our families. Once they see how happy we are together, they’ll come around.”

  Oh, yes, he and Kat had some struggles ahead of them. But, as he studied her sitting on that washer, tanned legs swinging gently, he was confident they’d work things out together.

  “Nav?” She tugged him closer. “Sex in the laundry room?”

  “There’s one hell of a good idea.”

  Her legs lifted to wrap around his hips, pulling him up against her, and she tugged his head down for a kiss.