The Wright One

DAVID

So I knew she would be amazing. When I walk into the kitchen I am not even close to surprised to see Jasmine, Megan and my mom laughing and enjoying themselves like they are a real family. Their aprons are covered in flour and other foods. But they look amazing to me. My family. I can’t wait to add to it. I have already decided that I will marry Megan, I just have to convince her.

When Megan sees me her eyes light up. She runs to me and leaps in my arms. “Your family is amazing.” She says as I swing her around.

“I told you they would love you.” I kiss her lips. It’s chast because my mom is in the room, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting more.

“Yeah, but you know why it was a little hard for me to accept.” She shies away. I do know. Her mom is a piece of work. She called a month ago and Megan was so happy to tell her that we were together. Her mom just lectured her for an hour on how to keep a man because Lord knows that he would never be interested in her for her. It took me two days to convince her that I loved her for her and her mom was full of shit. Apparently her mom did that all the time. I suggested that we just not take her calls. But Megan sighed and said ‘it is my mother.’ I don’t really give a shit. Megan is great and if her mom can’t see that, then maybe her mother needs to hit the road.

“Well, honey, that all changes now. You see that right?”

She nods with a grin on her face. “Yeah, I do.”

“Good.” I kissed her again. I look at the other women in the room. “We better get to that parade soon or Dad is going to be fuming.”

They all start stripping off their aprons. It’s adorable to see them all like this. They hang them up so they can use them again when they get back. They put a few things in the fridge and cover up some other things. Then we are all out the door.

When we get to the parade dad is looking pleased as punch. William and Isabelle are both in the parade this year. He has his camera around his neck, ready to document the whole thing. Justin is already by his side. He looks like he is on the beach and not on the side of the street. He pulls his glasses down. “Hey Megan, come sit by me.”

I laugh and pull her back. “Get your own.”

Justin laughs too. “Damn, I thought I would give it a try. But I know how much she loves you. I knew it was a long shot.”

We take up most of the rest of the seats. One seat remains. Megan points at it. “Where is Luke?”

“He always comes at the last minute. All of them late nights. I wish he would get a real job.” Dad grunts. He makes it clear anytime that Luke is brought up how much he is disappointed in him. It’s actually kind of sad.

A shadow falls over all of us. “Well, glad to hear it Dad.” Luke keeps his face totally straight, but I can tell how much Dad’s words hurt him. He always feels like he is competing for Dad’s affection, but I know Dad really does love him. He just doesn’t express it enough to Luke. I guess by the time he got to Luke he was just worn out, or whatever, but Luke should feel it a little bit more.

Megan stands and puts her hand out to Luke. “I’m Megan, I have been looking forward to meeting you.”

Luke smiles. “Well at least someone in this family is glad to see me.”

Justin looks hurt, but it is all in jest. “Glad to see the pretty girl rates higher than your brothers.”

Jasmine glares at Luke. “How dare you say that? Now I won’t talk to you for a week, if you are lucky.”

Luke sighs. “You know I didn’t mean you Jasmine.”

She shakes her head. “Nope, you lose.”

Luke gets a grin on his face. He comes up behind Jasmine and tickles her sides. She starts laughing uncontrollably. People are staring but I don’t think Luke cares. “Do you forgive me yet?”

“Yes.” Jasmine laughs.

Luke throws his arm around her. “Good, I would hate to piss you off.”

They were usually the closest since they are the closest in age. Whenever they had problems they would go to one or the other. Luke looks up at Megan. “It was nice to meet you.” He gives her a pleasant smile.

Megan smiles and takes the seat next to me again. She leans onto my shoulder. I don’t know how I got this lucky, but I am sure the luckiest man in the world.