Page 124 of Don't Leave Me

“I figured we could plan a late Spring wedding and go to Hawaii for our honeymoon,” he smiled at me, his eyes a bit nervous.

By this time, tears were streaming down my face. He was setting the date for our wedding. This was really happening. It had finally began to sink in.

“This is perfect,” I smiled through my tears.

“For my perfect future wife,” he whispered to me, his arms wrapped around me now.

We made love on the chaise next to the Christmas tree, our neighbors probably getting a surprise if they looked out their window. The possibility turned me on even more.

* * *

It was finally time to meet Michael’s dad and sister. They were arriving at our apartment only minutes away as I applied my matte red lipstick, my heart wildly thumping in my chest. I adjusted a big chunky bracelet I put on my wrist, then eyed my outfit for the 97thtime in our full-length mirror. I decided on a long-sleeved calf-length black wrap dress and wedged heels, wanting to look like a nice, grown woman for my future family members.

Michael appeared behind me, putting his hands to my arms. “You look gorgeous.”

“It’s not too much for the ballet?” I asked, turning to face him.

“No. It’s perfect,” he assured me, his beard newly trimmed.

He wore a dark blue collared shirt underneath a black wool cardigan, black jeans and black boots.

“And we’re going to lunch at that cafe first, right?” I needed reassurance for probably the 700thtime; knowing plans and sticking to them tended to ease my anxiety.

“Yes, we’ll take a cab there,” he assured me again, nodding slowly.

“I’m sorry I’m an anxious mess right now,” I said quietly, feeling guilty about my nervousness. He was so calm and collected when he met my family.

“Don’t be sorry. Just breathe. You’re going to do great,” he smiled, then kissed me gently.

Suddenly, the elevators pinged open. “They’re here,” Michael said excitedly, taking my hand and guiding me to the stairs.

I carefully started on the first step when I looked up at and there was Michael’s sister and dad.

“Wow, what a good-looking couple that is,” Malcom said to his daughter. She smiled as she watched us walk down.

“Dad, Mel,” Michael said to them as he gave them a quick hug once we reached the bottom of the stairs, then turned to me.

“This is Hana, my darling wife-to-be,” he said proudly. “Hana, my dad, Malcom. My sister, Melanie.

“Lovely to meet you, sweetheart,” Malcom said to me and I smiled crookedly. “We’ve heard tons about you,” he went on, his accent identical to Michael’s. He was an older, somewhat heavier, and white-haired version of Michael.

“So nice to finally meettheHana,” Melanie smiled, her accent a little less heavy than Malcom and Michael’s. She was gorgeous: tall, slim, blonde, with lighter eyes than Michael’s. She looked like a model and even though she was a few years older than her brother, you would never know. She was intimating immediately, even though her eyes were warm and welcoming. She had impeccable, European style and wore flared pants with heels, a tight cardigan sweater under a leather jacket, and of course, a beret.

“It’s so nice to meet you both!” I finally let out, my smile probably way too big.

Malcom responded quickly. “Let’s eat!”

My anxiety about meeting Michael’s family faded quickly. Malcom was hilarious and foul-mouthed, Melanie was sweet and also hilarious, and their teasing Michael amused me to no end. By the time we left the ballet, Melanie took my hand in hers and leaned into me, as if to tell me a secret.

“I’ve always wanted a sister.”

My heart melted. “Me too.”

27

Chapter 27

It was a spectacularly uneventful New Years Eve, vastly different than all other New Years Eve’s spent years prior in my days living in New York City. One year,was it last year?, Emily and I got drunk in Park Slope and spent the early morning bar hopping until we finally ended up on the G train back up to Williamsburg. I wasn’t sure how we got home.

---