HAPPY FOREVER AFTER

Emma was beginning to feel out of place.

They walked into the kitchen. A beautiful woman with a perfectly coiffed bob looked up from the food she had been stirring. “Sweetheart” she said as she stretched her hands towards Daniel and he came forward to give her a hug. The sense of calm that always settled on him when he was with his family wrapped around him like a warm embrace.

Though his mother and sister had lived in the house for only four years, it was home because they were there.

His mother might have initially balked at him purchasing this home for her and Alexa in one of the wealthiest neighborhoods, but there had never been any doubt about how much she adored the airy, state of the art kitchen. With its wall of windows, restaurant style ranges and cooktops, Lana had instantly fallen in love.

And it was in this room that he usually found her.

Like now.

Lana stood at the stove, clothed in her elegant gray pantsuit with crimson blouse and hair in a loose bun at the nape of her neck-and barefoot.

“Oh I’m so happy you are here” she said with her hands on his cheek. “And you brought someone with you, just like you said. What a beautiful young lady” she said as she noticed Emma.

Daniel leaned in to kiss her cheek. “Mom, this is Emma Green. Emma, this is my mom”

“Hello Mrs, Rohan” said Emma who had been perched at the door almost held in thrall by the scene before her. This was another part of Daniel. An emotional side he didn’t let out. She stumbled a little as she moved forward.

She thrust her hand forward. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Emma said.

Daniel’s hand against the small of her back was comforting.

“Welcome dear.” Lana said and pulled Emma into her arms, giving her a hug too. Emma smiled.

“And please, you can call me Lana. You have no idea how happy I am that you are here.”

“I already told her that” Alexa chipped in excitedly.

“Oh please be quiet” Daniel said.

His mother continued. “Anytime I tell Daniel to bring his girl here, he always says no… Or he says he will and then he doesn’t… And one time he didn’t even bother to come home at all”

Daniel sighed. “You still haven’t forgotten that, huh, mom?”

“No I haven’t. But I’m willing to let it go now that this young lady is here. I can’t wait for you both to tell me how you met”.

Emma stared at Daniel helplessly.

“Jared and Maddison aren’t here yet?” Daniel asked, trying to change the topic.

“Oh they will be soon” Lana replied “They called earlier. Not easy having three kids with them.”

“I will show you to your room” Alexa said taking a hold of Emma’s hands.

“And I will get our stuff from the car” Daniel said.

“She’s beautiful,” Daniel’s mom said when Emma and Alexa left. “Please tell me you are serious with this one, Dan. I want you to be with someone. Don’t you get lonely sometimes?”

“Please mom,” Daniel said. “Yes we are together but we haven’t been for too long and I don’t want you to blow things out of proportion.”

“I don’t do that”

“Oh you do” Daniel said, smiling. “You do it a lot and it’s sweet. But I don’t wanna scare her away. So please Mom, can you relax a bit and not bring up all your…. Talk about grandbabies?”

“I can’t promise you anything dear” Lana said and returned her attention to her cooking. “You know how much I want grandbabies”

Daniel groaned. “You already have three,” he said.

“Yes I know that dear. I want more”.

—————-

“Here we are,” Alexa said as they walked into a large room. “This is Daniel’s room”.

Emma swallowed. It was enchanting, dreamy and richly exotic. The huge bed was draped in silks and velvets and piled high with cushions that just invited a person to collapse into their welcoming comfort.

“Oh it’s beautiful” Emma said, looking around.

“Glad you like it” Alexa said “I will be back. Make yourself comfortable”

Emma went to the window and looked out, amazed at how beautiful the house was. A knock on the door gave her a start. She peeked through the peephole of the door and saw Daniel.

Emma opened the door and Daniel came in, carrying their stuff. He dropped it and turned to her.

“You okay?” he asked.

“Yeah. Your family is really nice.”

“Thanks. I knew they would like you” he said. “But you shouldn’t be surprised. I’m nice. Ain’t I?”

“Yeah right.”Emma said.” You weren’t so nice when we met”.

“That’s not true,” Daniel said.

“You threatened my job, Daniel”

“Okay maybe that wasn’t a good move. But you asked for it.

Emma smiled. “I still feel a little out of place though. The house is really big… And so beautiful.

“You don’t have to feel that way. You are not intruding or anything. I want you to feel comfortable, Emma.” Daniel said.

“I didn’t know we would be staying in the same room.”

“Really? Where the hell were you planning on staying.” he asked.

“I don’t know. I’m meeting your family for the first time. I just… I honestly don’t know.”

Daniel laughed, then pulled her into his arms. “Relax, baby. There’s no reason to be this worried. I’m here”.

A knock on the door interrupted them. It was Alexa. She came in after knocking, a covered tray in her hands.

“Hello again, I thought you might like something to eat. Mom’s a great cook. And I didn’t know if you could wait till dinner… None for Daniel though.” She said.

“Thank you so much” Emma smiled gratefully “That’s very thoughtful of you.”

“Yeah I’m nice like that” Alexa said.

“To certain people” Daniel said as he walked out of the room.

Emma laughed. Alexa marched forward, her ponytail swinging behind her. She placed the tray on the table and whipped off the cover. “Chicken, rice, salad and a couple of sodas.”

Emma sniffed the air. “It does smell good.”

“Dig in.” Alexa pushed the tray toward her and looked around the room. Then she plopped down in a chair and cupped her face with her hand as she planted her elbow on the table.