by Dinah McLeod
I gulped guiltily as soon as the thought crossed my mind, my engagement ring chafing on my finger. No, this was the reason I hadn't wanted him to meet her! My mother had the uncanny ability to plant seeds of doubt, and she didn't even have to be around to make them grow. Suddenly, I was angry all over again, but the truth was, I was angry at her, and angrier at myself. I always let her get to me. Nothing she'd said had seemed to upset Kevin in the slightest—I'd been so afraid that she would say something to make him change his mind about me, but the truth was, I had been equally afraid about the things she'd say to me about him. Out of the two of us, he was the stronger one, it seemed.
Tears of anger and frustration came to my eyes, but by the time they fell, they had become tears of remorse. As though he could sense the change in my mood, I felt Kevin behind me, putting a hand on my shoulder. He turned me to face him and opened his arms, which I rushed into.
"Shh. It's okay, honey. Everything's going to be all right."
"What if it's not?" I sobbed.
"It will be. Don't worry, sweetheart."
"I… how can you still… want me? After what she said?" I'd hardly gotten the words out before his mouth seized mine, taking my questions right out of the air and dispelling them with an act of love. I gave myself over to his embrace, returning his kiss with a need that surprised me. Kevin held on to me tightly, meeting my insecurity with a strength that left me feeling cherished and protected. When we broke apart, I was smiling shyly, even as tears still trickled down my cheeks.
"There," he said, wiping them away with the back of his hand. "Does that answer your question?"
"For now. I might need to hear it again, from time to time." I batted my eyes coyly, and he threw back his head and laughed.
"Come here." He took my hand and led me back to the couch, pulling me into his lap as he sat down. "Are you ready to talk now?"
"Yes, sir." I didn't really want to talk about it, truth be told, but my heart was feeling so light right now that I didn't think anything could bring me down—not even thinking about my mother.
"Why didn't you tell me your mother treats you like that? I still would have insisted on meeting her, but at least then I would have been prepared," he said.
"I was embarrassed," I said, shrugging a shoulder. "Wouldn't you be? Besides, I'm sure you have this wonderful, perfect family, and I just thought… I felt like if you met mine, you wouldn't want to marry me anymore." There, I'd said it; the one thing I was most afraid of, spoken aloud and hanging between us for several heart-stopping, breathless moments.
"Cara." My name on his lips was half-plea, half-rebuke. "I want to marry you, not your mother."
"Well, that's good to know," I said and laughed. "Because I'm sure she wouldn't hesitate to make you husband number four, given half a chance."
"Don't make jokes, honey. I'm serious. It's you I care about."
"Yeah, but admit it, you would have thought twice about proposing if you'd known about how she is," I said.
"Do I wish I'd known? Of course. But does it change the way I feel about you? Absolutely not," he denied emphatically. "In fact, if anything, it makes me want to protect you even more."
The last of my doubts fell away, and I let my breath out in an exhale I hadn't realized I'd been holding. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." He reached out a hand and traced my lips with his finger. "And as far as my family goes, while I love them very much, they're like any other family. They have their own quirks. You'll see soon enough."
"I can't wait," I giggled, nibbling down on his finger.
"Hey! Naughty girl," he scolded, tapping my mouth gently.
I smiled, saucy and unrepentant, and would have leaned in for another kiss, if his next words hadn't stopped me.
"I really didn't appreciate your attitude earlier, Cara."
"I know. I'm really sorry, Kevin. I shouldn't have snapped at you, but it's a very hard situation for me."
"If you'd told me, I could have helped you."
I wished we could go back to the playful banter we'd just been enjoying, but I knew I deserved the scolding, so I vowed to take it gracefully. "I know. I'm sorry. I'll do better next time."
"I know, but just to be sure, I think you need a reminder."
"What?" I eyed him dubiously, almost certain I knew where this was heading.
"Come on, over my lap."
My eyes widened once more. "Oh, Kevin, no! You can't, baby. I'm already sore as it is."
"I know you are, honey. Now, be a good girl and get over my knee, and we'll make this quick."
"This isn't fair!" I pouted, though I slid over his lap anyway. I suppose part of me knew it was inevitable and wanted to get it over with. I wasn't surprised to feel him raise my skirt, but when he pulled down my panties, I squeaked in protest. "Kevin! Don't!"
Seeing me crane my neck to look at him, he arched a brow at me. "Excuse me, who is administering the spanking here?"
"You." I sighed heavily. "But—" Before I could continue my argument, his hand came down sharply on my bare cheeks. "Ouch!"
"Watch that tone, Cara. That's exactly why you're over my knee in the first place."
"Yes, sir." The words were mumbled begrudgingly, and the spanking began. It wasn't long, but considering that I was already very sore, and now had not even the thin shield of my panties for protection, each spank was keenly felt. It wasn't long before I was sniffling again, but he helped me up before I'd been reduced to full-blown tears.
"Good girl," he praised, and I fell into him, eagerly burying my face in his chest and breathing him in as he kissed the top of my head. "We can't start a marriage talking to each other like that, or keeping things from each other. You understand that, don't you?"
"Yes, sir."
"Cara… I just want you to know how deeply I care about you. I would do anything for you, you know that, don't you?"
"Of course." I tilted my head up to look at him and noticed the crease on his brow—the one he got when he was deep in thought. Concerned he was still upset with me, I sat up and kissed him, soft and sweet, until the worry disappeared from his face.
Chapter Four
Kevin
I'd tried to tell her. Really, I had. More than once, I'd taken a deep breath and prepared myself to give her the news that I'd been married before. It was something I should have done long before now, I knew that. I wanted to make things right, but every time I tried, she'd look at me with those beautiful green eyes of hers and time would seem to stand still. By the time I'd remembered what I needed to do, she would have changed the subject and the moment would seem lost.
Not that I'm denying the truth. I knew I was being a coward. The thought of coming clean and possibly losing her was devastating. Just thinking about it made my heart stop and clench painfully in my chest. Still, I did try. After I'd spanked her for withholding the truth from me about her mother, I felt like the biggest brand of hypocrite. I started to tell her, trying to break it as gently as possible, but before the words could get out, she'd kissed them all away until I could hardly remember what I'd been about to say in the first place.
Tomorrow, I promised myself as I kissed her goodnight. Tomorrow is the day. It has to be.
***
Cara
"There's something that I need to tell you."
"Ooh, that sounds ominous," I said and laughed, scooting closer to Kevin on the couch. "What is it?"
"Well, actually—"
"Wait, let me guess." I tapped my chin with my finger. "The whole chef deal is a cover story. You're actually a sniper for the government."
"No, I—"
"No, you're too good a cook for it to be a cover story," I decided. "What, then? Oh, you're out on parole, but you think you might get sent back to prison?" My grin widened with each outlandish idea that struck me. "You're a secret billionaire? You have a dungeon in your basement? Come to think of it, I haven't actually seen your basement."
"Honey, please, give me a sec to—"
"You have three months to live?" My smile faded as soon as the words were out of my mouth. "That's not very funny."
"Cara."
I leaned back, surprised at the exasperation in his voice. "What?"
"Please, honey, I need you to listen. This is really important, okay?"
"Um… sure. Okay." Now that I'd noticed his pensive expression, I was beginning to feel little flutters of unease. What could he possibly need to tell me that would make him look so serious?
"Sorry, sweetheart, I didn't mean to snap at you." He gave me a smile and I couldn't help but notice how strained his voice was. "I'm just a little… stressed."
"Is it the wedding?" I asked, reaching for his hand.
"In a way. This isn't easy for me to say, Cara, so please, don't interrupt."
I nodded, the unease beginning to turn to a knot of nervousness that felt heavy in the pit of my belly. "Okay."
Now that he had the floor, Kevin didn't seem so eager to talk at all, which only increased my own anxiety. I watched as he ran his fingers through his hair, sighed, shifted on the couch and faced me once more. "I know that you and I haven't known each other very long, and the thing is—"
Just then, there was a loud rapping on the door that made me jump.
"You have got to be kidding me!" Kevin yelled at the ceiling, which wisely offered no response. "Let's just ignore it. If I don't get this out, I don't know if I ever will."
I glanced at the door, but nodded at my fiancé to continue.
"I should have told you this earlier… I feel awful about that, you have to believe me, but I was so afraid how you'd look at me after… after you knew—"
"Kevin." I gave his hand an encouraging squeeze. "No matter what it is, you can tell me. No matter what, I love you. You're the man I'm going to marry."
"Thank you, baby. You have no idea what it means to me to hear you say that. Okay, here goes. The thing is—"
There was another loud rap at the door and a voice outside called out, "Hey, Kev, you in there?"
"What the hell?" Kevin muttered under his breath, seeming even more irritated than before.
"Is something wrong?" I queried, looking at the closed door once more. "Do you know him?"
"Yeah. I'm sorry, Cara, as much as I hate it, this is going to have to wait." He let go of my hand and stood up. "From the sound of it, it looks like my parents flew in early."
***
My mind was reeling from the moment he said the word 'parents'. Sure, I'd known they were coming, but I'd thought I had another week to prepare. There was so much to do! I had to agonize over not having anything to wear, go to store after store and curse my reflection after I tried on dress after dress, bite my nails down to the quick. I hadn't even started yet!
Of course, it made me feel a little better that Kevin was not only just as surprised as I was; he didn't seem entirely thrilled about the interruption, either. Though I still wondered what he was so determined to tell me, the question faded as he opened the door and his family members poured in. There were three of them; the tall, elegant woman with silver-gray hair and high cheekbones had to be his mother. Her eyes were the same chocolate brown color as her sons', but the rest of his looks were clearly inherited from his father. Though taller than his wife by a few inches, he was stockier, with the same engaging smile and curling brown hair as his son. To see them side by side was to look into the future, and I couldn't help but smile at my future father-in-law despite my nerves.
The other was a teenage girl who was the spitting image of her mother. She was tall and reed-thin, with a narrow waist and an ample chest that immediately made me blush at my shortcomings. Her hair fell almost to her waist, and was so blonde it was nearly white and brought out the blue in her eyes. When she gave me a small, shy smile, I saw that she, like her brother, had a dimple in her left cheek—and felt myself melt. She was truly the most adorable little thing I'd ever seen.
"Mom, Dad." Kevin turned toward me after the hugs had been given out. Was it just me, or did he seem a little nervous? "This is Cara."
"Hello." I smiled and gave an awkward little wave. I felt ridiculous as soon as I'd done it, but I didn't know what else to do.
No one seemed to notice, because no sooner than I had, Kevin's father was stepping forward to pull me into a bear hug that had me laughing and gasping for breath all at once. "In this family, we give hugs, young lady!"
I gave Kevin a quick, raised-eyebrow glance at the 'young lady' but soon I found myself hugging him back, as it seemed to be the only way to sooner free myself from his strangulating hold.
"Let me have a look at you!" he said. "Well, if you aren't every bit as pretty as Kevin said!"
"Oh, uh…" I giggled, looking to my fiancé once more, "Thank you!"
"No, I should be the one thanking you! It's been a long time since I've heard my son sound so happy." He let go of me at long last and walked over to Kevin, clapping him heartily on the back.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Cara." Though she certainly seemed more formal, when his mother smiled and offered me her hand, I found myself smiling right back. There was a warmth to her as well—and thankfully, her greeting was far less painful.
I shook her hand, admiring her French manicure and noting how impeccably she was dressed in her matching pink twinset. "Thank you, Ma'am."
"Oh, dear!" She laughed. "You have the cutest accent!"
I couldn't help but giggle in response—such a typical northerner—but I liked her just the same. "You must be thirsty after your flight," I said. "Can I get you a glass of water or a ginger ale?"
"Kevin!" she scolded, shaking her finger at her son. "You should be the one playing host, not your fiancée! A ginger ale would be lovely, dear."
"What about you?" I asked his sister, who had yet to speak. "Would you like a Coke?"
"That would be great," she replied, flashing that dimple again. "Can I help you?"
"Of course." As soon as we began walking to the kitchen, she began to talk my ear off. Her name was Amber, which, of course, I knew already, and she was a freshman in college. She was studying business at the moment, but was considering a change to art history. She also was trying to get her own apartment, though she hadn't been able to convince her parents as of yet.
"You're their baby," I told her with a sympathetic smile. "They're probably just not ready for you to leave the nest yet."
"Oh, please." She rolled her eyes dramatically. "Mom's Corgi is their baby, they hardly even notice when I'm home."
"I'm sure that's not true!"
"I had to beg them not to bring her with us!" Amber confided in a whisper. "And even then, Mom cried as we were leaving. That's why we're only staying the weekend."
"Well…" I bit down on my lip so as not to laugh, and concentrated on arranging crackers on the plate in front of me.
"That's okay, you can say it," Amber said. "It's crazy."
"I wasn't going to say that," I objected, ducking my head to hide my face. "It's… colorful."
"All right," Amber agreed cheerfully, stealing a cracker off the plate and beginning to munch on it. "It's a colorful bag of crazy."
This time, I couldn't stop myself, and before I knew it the two of us were bent over the counter, giggling like we'd known each other our whole lives.
"Are you two almost finished in there?" I heard Kevin call from the living room. Was it just me, or did he sound the tiniest bit tense? Why ever would he be? His family was wonderful.
"Come on," I told his sister, grabbing the tray of assorted crackers and cheese. "Let's get back in there."
"Okay, but don't say I didn't warn you," she cautioned, still giggling as she picked up the tray I'd put the drinks on. "They'll be talking your ear off about Daisy in no time."
***
Daisy did, in fact, come up, but I didn't mind. The conversation was light and easy and full of laughter. By the time Kevin's family left to go to their hotel, I found myself completely charmed.
> "Now, remember, dinner at six," his mother said as she gave Kevin a goodbye hug.
"We'll be there."
"It was a pleasure to meet you, young lady," his dad told me, giving my arm a light pat, for which I was grateful. I was still recovering from his earlier hug.
"I want to stay here," Amber announced, looking at me with a smile I couldn't help but mirror.
"Now, Amber," her mother scolded, "Kevin and Cara need their alone time. You'll have the whole weekend to get to know her."
"Well he gets to see her all the time," she countered, looking at her brother.
I wanted to pinch myself—I'd always wanted a real family, and now it felt like I'd finally found one. His parents were loving and kind and seemed genuinely interested in me. From the moment we got back from the kitchen, Amber had sat right between Kevin and I on the couch and had been whispering to me and acting as though we were sisters already, true sisters. As an only child, I felt near to bursting with the joy of it.
"Not this time," Kevin said before I could answer. "We'll see you at dinner."
I shot him a quizzical glance. There it was again; that tightness to his voice that I just didn't understand. He had the most wonderful, amazing family… didn't he see that? I called out another goodbye and watched as he ushered them to the door, eager to be alone so I could figure out what was eating at him.
"Are you okay?" I asked, the moment the door had closed and he came back to me.
"Yeah, sure. Of course," he replied, running his hand through his thick brown hair—though he looked anything but.
"Is something the matter?" I patted the couch cushion beside me.
"No, of course not." He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "They just surprised me, that's all."
