It's Better This Way(76)

“Now, that’s a wise daughter,” Laura said as she entered the room. She came to stand at Eddie’s side and offered a tenuous smile. “I’d like to welcome you all to our home.”

“Thank you,” Marie said.

“And, Hillary, congratulations on your engagement.”

Her cousin stiffened and, after a tense moment, gave a slight jerk of her chin. “Thank you.”

“When do I get to meet Blake?” Uncle Eddie demanded. “If he’s going to marry my daughter, then I want to have a heart-to-heart chat with that young man.”

Laura looped her arm around her husband’s elbow. “Baby steps, Edward. Baby steps. Hillary will introduce him when she’s ready and not before.”

“Right,” he said and nodded. “I need to remember baby steps…tiny baby steps, a little at a time.”

“I’m Carrie,” she said, since it didn’t seem anyone wanted to introduce her.

“Welcome, Carrie. The three of you look enough alike to be sisters,” Laura commented.

“We hear that a lot,” she said, and they did. The family resemblance was strong.

“Come in, please,” Laura said, as she ushered them into the living room. It was tastefully decorated, but nothing like what Aunt Julia would have done with the place. Laura wasn’t nearly as talented as Julia in that area.

The fireplace mantel held family photos of Laura with her sons, and there were individual photos of Hillary and Marie, and then a couple more with her uncle and his daughters.

    Carrie wasn’t the only one who noticed the framed photographs. As if he was reading their minds, Uncle Eddie said, “And, no, I didn’t put those up today. They’ve been on that mantel every day since Laura and I moved into this house.”

At the mention of Laura’s name, both Hillary and Marie turned their attention back to the other woman. Carrie didn’t know what they wanted, and they seemed to be waiting for her to speak.

Laura sat on the chair arm with her hand resting on Eddie’s shoulder. “I realize all of us started off on the wrong foot, and I want to apologize for the things I said and did that drove a wedge between you and your father. He loves you both very much.”

“Have you apologized to our mother for the things you said and the things you did to her?”

Laura’s cheeks filled with color. “I have, and the classy woman that she is, Julia has forgiven me. It was a stressful time and I behaved badly. I’m hoping you’ll find it in your hearts to forgive me as well. And if you’re willing, I’d like a second chance.”

No one spoke, and Carrie worried what would happen next. Finally, when Carrie was convinced all Julia and Laura’s efforts were to come to naught, Marie spoke.

“I’m willing to try.”

Uncle Eddie looked to Hillary. “And you?” he asked.

Carrie heard the yearning and the angst in his voice, as if he was afraid and hopeful at the same time.

Hillary nodded. “If my mother is willing to let go of the past, then I guess I can, too.”

    “Thank you,” Laura whispered.

Carrie wasn’t sure, although she thought she might have seen the other woman blink away tears.

“One thing I want to get straight, though,” Hillary said, her voice stern. “I refuse to have anything to do with your two sons.”

Uncle Eddie barked out a laugh.

“It isn’t funny, Dad.”

“Right. It wouldn’t be if Michael and Adam hadn’t said the same thing about you two.”

Hillary wasn’t amused. “You should know there’s not a snowball’s chance in hell that the four of us will ever be on good terms. No offense, Laura, but your sons are…” She couldn’t seem to find the right word.

“Barbarians,” Marie supplied.

“No offense taken,” Laura said. “When it comes to protecting me, my boys turn into alpha males. Normally they are regular pussycats.”

“You mean alley cats, don’t you? Feral ones.”

Laura was good-natured enough to laugh. “You could say that. No worries, girls, Michael and Adam are as eager to stay away from you as you are of them. Perhaps one day—”

“Don’t count on it,” Hillary said.

Seeing that this line of talk could lead down avenues full of potholes, Carrie asked, “Is there anything I can do to help with dinner?”

“Thank you, Carrie, I have everything ready to serve.”



* * *



—

    To her surprise, the meal went well, the conversation centered on Hillary, Marie, and the wedding. Just as dessert was about to be served, Uncle Eddie looked at Hillary.

“If you want to exclude me from your wedding, I understand. What’s important is that you and Blake are happy. I love you and am so very proud to be your dad. My prayer is that now that we’ve broken the ice, so to speak, we can move forward. Laura has promised to help me keep my foot out of my mouth, and I’ll try my hardest to be the best dad, father-in-law, and, hopefully one day, grandpa possible.”

Carrie noticed Hillary struggling to swallow as her eyes filled with tears. “I’d like you to be at my and Blake’s wedding more than anything, Dad.”