Page 68 of Seized by Love at Seaside
Blue smiled at Lizzie. “More than happy, Mom. And it’s all thanks to Lizzie. Lizzie, this is my mom, Andrea, and my dad, Ned.”
“Hi. It’s nice to meet you,” Lizzie said.
“We greet with hugs,” Andrea said, opening her arms. Lizzie stepped in and was surprised how comfortable and natural it felt to be in his mother’s arms and how different his parents’ greeting was from that of her own parents. “Welcome to our home.”
“Step on in here, young lady,” Ned said, arms open wide. He hugged her with a firm embrace, just like Cash and Duke had.
Blue stayed close to her, keeping one hand on her lower back, as their parents hugged each of the others and then they went inside. Ifloveandfamilyhad a scent, it enveloped her the moment she walked into their house. The house was decorated in earthy tones, and not only were family photos hung on nearly every wall they passed, but she could feel the importance of family all around her. Jackets were hung on hooks in the foyer rather than neatly tucked away. A pair of slippers was tucked on the first riser of the staircase, giving the house a lived-in feel, which she found herself wondering over. What would it be like to be part of this warm and inviting family?
There was a framed picture of Susan at a big blogger event, and she wasn’t even officially part of the family yet. Photos of Blue standing before his house at the Cape, the landscaping out front newly planted and a proud grin on his lips, were hung beside pictures of Ned and Andrea and Blue’s other siblings.
As they walked into the living room, Lizzie noticed more pictures of the boys caught midlaugh or wrestling in the yard. Pictures of Trish gazing adoringly up at Blue and Duke, or arm in arm with her father or mother. In one photo Cash had his younger brother Jake in a headlock and was grinning ear to ear. There was so much love in their eyes, and the way they touched and held each other, the laughter that was evident in so many of the pictures, made it easy to feel the positive energy of the family radiating from every single picture.
“Let’s sit in the living room and chat a bit,” his mother said.
Blue’s parents sat beside each other on the couch, and the minute they sat down Ned reached for Andrea’s hand. Lizzie loved that they were so openly affectionate, which was so different from her own parents. Even in the short while she’d been in their presence, it underscored what she already knew in her heart. She wanted to have that kind of relationship and she wanted to have the same kind of welcoming home that they did. She glanced at Blue, who was laughing about something Cash had said, and her heart felt full. She wanted those things with Blue.
Jeremy and Susan settled onto a love seat, and Susan tucked her feet up beside her, resting her head lovingly on Jeremy’s shoulder. Duke sat on the arm of the couch where his parents and Cash were sitting, and Lizzie and Blue sat together on another sofa. A thick shag throw rug covered hardwood floors, and though the room was large, with a high ceiling, built-in bookcases, and a set of French doors overlooking a gorgeous yard, it felt cozy. She knew that had nothing to do with the size of the room and everything to do with the people in it.
They talked about the flight from the Cape and her flower business, and Lizzie noticed that Jeremy and Susan were touching and whispering the whole time. Every so often Lizzie caught Blue’s mother smiling at the sight of them, and when she did, Ned squeezed her hand with a loving look in his eyes.
She couldn’t imagine her father being nearly as comfortable—if at all—if she and Blue were to be so openly affectionate. Because of that, she was keeping a little distance between them—and Blue was doing his best to keep her from doing so, drawing her closer every time she inched away.
“Lizzie, I understand that you were here for a business meeting. I hope it went well,” Andrea said as Duke took a seat beside his father. Ned reached an arm across the back of the couch, and Duke moved closer to him.
Lizzie couldn’t look away from the two men with their heads leaned toward each other as they talked quietly, Ned’s grown son tucked safely beneath his arm. She longed for the closeness Blue’s family clearly came by naturally. In this house, with love in every corner, somehow the failed meeting no longer felt very important.
She realized that Andrea was waiting for her answer and finally said, “It didn’t go as well as I’d hoped, but that’s okay. It was a pipe dream.”
Blue kissed her temple. “You didn’t need them, babe.”
“Was it a meeting for your flower business? Are you thinking of branching out?” Ned asked.
Lizzie’s stomach clenched. She really didn’t want to lie to his parents, but after coming clean to her parents and dealing with the aftermath of her father’s reaction, she didn’t want to take the chance of inciting the same type of reaction the first time she met Blue’s family, even though they seemed so accepting.
Blue came to her rescue. “It was for a baking show she has online.”
He always knew just what to say or do. His answer sounded simple enough without being a lie, but now she felt like she was making him cover for her, and that didn’t feel good either.
“Well, I’m sorry it didn’t go well, but I’m glad you came to New York. The wedding will be so busy, I wouldn’t have time to get to know you there.” His mother stood, and Ned held on to her hand. “Would anyone like a drink? I’m going to get some lemonade from the kitchen.”
“Susan?” Jeremy asked.
“I am kind of thirsty, but I’ll get it.” Susan rose to her feet, and Jeremy pulled her down for a quick kiss. Again, Andrea’s smile warmed at the sight. “Do you want one, Jer?”
“No thanks,” he answered. “I’ll grab a beer with the guys in a little bit.”
“Babe?” Blue asked Lizzie.
“I think I’ll join your mom and get a drink.” Blue smiled as Lizzie rose to her feet. “Would you like something?”
“Just you.” He stood and nuzzled against her neck. She felt her cheeks flush, and his mother laughed softly.
“Oh, it is nice to see my son so happy.” Andrea glanced at Duke. “Now, if we could only find the right woman for our eldest bachelor.”
Duke scoffed. “You have four other children you can harass, Mom.”
“Oh, please. One day Gage will open himself up to a real relationship again.” She leaned down and kissed Duke’s forehead. “You know Trish is planning on taking some time off soon. I think she’s starting to think about settling down. Cash is so busy, I have no idea how, or if, he finds time for women, and Jake? Well, a mother can always hope, but that boy is always looking for the next adventure. I don’t know if he’s ever going to truly settle down.”
