“Hello.” My grandmother walks to the front door. “I’m Olivia, please ignore my husband and son, they seem to have forgotten their manners.” She forces a smile at them. “Come in.”
I slip my hand in Matthew’s as I wait for them to walk in. “Sofia,” Viktor says, coming over and giving me a big hug, “so nice to see you again.” Very different from how my family treated Matthew, which will be discussed when we aren’t in front of so many people.
I drop Matthew’s hand to hug him, and he moves aside as Matthew’s mother comes to me. “Hi,” she says and she looks like she’s blinking away tears, “you are beautiful as always.” She takes me in her arms and hugs me. “Do you remember Karrie, who is married to Matthew senior?”
“Did you just call him senior?” Max says, laughing and shaking his head. “That’s a new one. I think we should put that on your business card.” Matthew glares over at him.
“Allison is married to Max, and Zara is married to Evan.” I nod at the woman, and by the time the introductions are done with all the women, I’m ready for a nice stiff drink.
“Shall we go into…” I start to say and then look at the number of people in my home. “I want to say kitchen but I don’t think it’s big enough for all of us.”
“Oh, please,” Allison says, “we are used to too many people and small spaces.” She looks around the house. “You have a lovely home.”
“Did you guys know they are living together?” my father asks, and my eyes go big. I silently look around, hoping the ground opens up and swallows me whole.
“What?” his uncle Matthew gasps. “You can’t live with her.” He looks over at Matthew. “You have to marry her.” He shakes his head. “Did we not teach you anything?” he mumbles.
“Oh, here we go,” I hear Zoe say, then she looks over at my mother and grandmother. “I apologize for anything that my brother, husband, or brother-in-law says.”
“Same,” my mother says to her.
“I guess this settles it,” my grandfather says, standing next to Uncle Matthew, “you can’t live with each other.”
“That settles nothing.” Matthew puts his hands on his hips and looks over at my grandfather and his uncle. “I’m buying us a house, and we are moving into it, married or not married.”
“Buying a house?” my father questions. “She has a house, this one.”
“But it’s not our house.” I stand next to Matthew, a united front. “So we are getting our house and—”
“And,” his uncle Matthew says, “getting married.”
“What is it with you and getting married?” Zara asks him. “It’s the twentieth century.”
“Shall we move to the kitchen?” my mother suggests. “I brought some sweets,” she says, then looks at my father. “Can you go get them?”
“My mother is the owner of Hazel’s Sweets,” I say and the women all gasp.
“I’m obsessed with the lemon cranberry scones,” Zoe declares.
“Well, you’re in luck. I brought extra,” my mother says and then looks over at the guys. “Why are we all standing here watching?” She looks at my father and then my grandfather.
“Do you want me to tell Charlotte how we behaved today?” my grandmother Olivia threatens them. “Perhaps we can FaceTime her on that shiny new iPad you got her.” They look at each other before turning to walk out of the house.
“Go help.” Zoe points at the men. “And be nice.”
“I’ll be back,” Matthew says, kissing my lips and he walks out.
“I’m going to go and get things going in the kitchen,” my mother and grandmother inform us.
“If it’s okay,” Zoe says, “can we have a moment?” She looks at me.
My mother and grandmother both look at me, not sure what to do or say. “Of course,” I finally say nervously, wanting to vomit all over the place. “Let’s go in the office.” I point over to the closed door right in front of us, opening it, and stepping into it.
“This is so pretty,” Zoe compliments, stepping in, and I close the door behind us. “Can we sit?” she asks, pointing over at the big white plush love seat.
“Of course.” I nod, walking over to the couch and sitting down. My hand on my leg trembles just a bit. “I’m sorry if I stutter or I’m nervous.”