Page 40 of Small Moments
Chapter Thirty-Five
Rin was freaking out. She was about to meet Mike’s parents, finally home from Florida. This was a huge moment! What if they hated her? What if she said something awkward and embarrassing? What if she accidentally offended them? Then she’d fixate on it for the rest of her life and never be able to face them. It was all well and good for Mike to say that they’d love her, but would they? Would they really? Or would they justsaythey loved her because Mike loved her? Plus, she couldn’t find a single thing to wear. Nothing looked right, or felt right. Tops that used to be soft and comfortable now scratched at her skin. And pants that had once fit her well, now she questioned if they fit her too well… should she even wear pants? Would they be more approving if she wore a skirt? Maybe a dress? Argh!
Not to mention, she hadn’t thought about what they might bring. Wasn’t it customary to bring a bottle of wine, or flowers, or a pie, or – well,something? Did they have time to stop at the store?
Suddenly Mike was there and he was pulling her into his arms and kissing the top of her head. “Baby, you’re going to be fine. Whatever you wear, whatever you say, whatever you do, it’s going to be fine.” He murmured, proving just how well he knew her and the way her mind worked.
“You’re amazing. They’ll know it the moment they see you, because that’s exactly when I knew it.” He said, tilting her head up with a finger under her chin. He kissed her softly, “From the moment I saw you, I knew you were special. I fell in love with you on sight.”
Rin took a shuddery breath, her lips finally curving up into a warm smile as she cupped Mike’s face. “I love you too, but please don’t make me cry. I’m already worried without adding puffy eyes to the list.”
Mike kissed her cheek. Moving to her ear, he whispered, “I know a great way to distract you…”
His words had Rin chuckling, “We have to leave in fifteen minutes and I still need to get dressed.”
“I can be quick.” He growled, latching onto her neck with a playful bite.
“You’re never quick, and what would your parents think if we show up late all flushed and obvious?” Rin finished on a gasp as Mike’s hands slipped between the folds of her robe to caress an already pebbled nipple.
“I don’t know, but I’d love to find out.” With that, Mike sealed his lips to Rin and any thought of protest, or what she should wear, or even that she was meeting his parents, flew right out of her head.
They were half an hour late and color was riding high on Rin’s face, but if Mike’s parents were offended, or even noticed, they certainly didn’t show it. In fact, on closer inspection, the older couple looked almost as nervous as Rin had been.
Mike’s father stood as if at attention, his back straight, his feet together, and his head up like he was waiting for Rin to inspect him and find him lacking. She didn’t, at all. He was exactly what Rin had come to expect from an older wolf. Tall, around the six foot mark, his dark hair had started to gray at the temples, his body just starting to show signs of a bit of overindulgence in food. He had the same heavy brow as his son, though his eyes were brown rather than hazel, deeply grooved with laugh lines, and his skin was brown from the Florida son.
Mike’s mother, on the other hand, had blonde hair, blue eyes, and was closer to Rin’s height, barely reaching her mate’s shoulder as she stood at his side with a wide smile – Mike’s wide smile – and fidgeted. Her hands clasped and unclasped. Her feet shuffling from side to side before she finally couldn’t contain her excitement any longer, and ran at Rin with arms wide open for a hug.
Rin had to admit it felt nice when those arms closed around her. The female smelled like cinnamon and cloves, with a hint of mint. And her voice when she spoke, was sweet and welcoming. When she released Rin and stepped back, there were tears in her eyes as she looked between Rin and Mike with a warm smile and said, “Thank you for loving our son.”
Mike let out a snort, “Like I’m so unlovable they thought it would never happen.” He gave Rin a playful nudge.
His mother swatted him. “You know I didn’t mean it like that.” Then she turned wide eyes to Rin as if she’d made an egregious error. “You know I didn’t meant it like that, right?”
Rin couldn’t help but chuckle, every bit of her nervousness draining away. “I do.”
Mike lifted his nose and sniffed. “Do I smell goulash?”
And just like that, introductions were over, and they were being ushered into the dining room to eat. The meal was delicious, and conversation flowed easily as Mike’s parents spoke about their travels, and assorted friends they had left behind in Florida. Rin told stories about her parents and her childhood, and Mike filled his family in on all the latest gossip around Malsum Pass. Before Rin knew it, the night was over, future dinner plans were being made, and they were saying their goodbyes.
“You survived.” Mike said once they were back in the car with Rin steady behind the wheel.
Rin smiled. “I like your parents.”
“And they love you. I knew they would.”
“You were right, I had nothing to worry about.” Rin chuckled.
Mike sighed and laid his head back against the headrest with a pleased smile on his face. “I’m just glad Mom didn’t decide to whip out the old photo albums. There’s some pretty embarrassing stuff in there.”
“Is there?” Rin asked slyly.
“Yup. I apparently had a stage when I thought my peter was going to fall off so I had to keep hold of it.”
Rin burst out in a round of merry laughter. When it finally wound down, she gasped out, “I’m half tempted to turn the car around and ask to see those.”
Mike let out a chuckle, “Oh, I’m sure you’ll see them eventually. We’re going to spend a lifetime together, so I have no doubt Mom will get around to it.”
A lifetime together. That sounded unbelievably nice. Images of her future stretched out before her… their wedding, children, anniversaries, birthdays, and school pageants, dance recitals, sporting events, graduations, all of those wonderful moments, both small and large. And some day, their children finding their own place in life, building careers, getting married, maybe giving Rin and Mike grandchildren and seeingtheirentire lives as an open road of opportunity before them.
Rin startled as she felt Mike’s finger wipe away a tear she hadn’t realized she had shed. “Rin, what is it? What’s the matter?”
She sniffed and let out a little laugh, “I’m just happy. So happy with you,” she breathed. “I love you, Mike. We have so many moments to look forward to.”
