Maya
We pull up into Conrad’s parents’ driveway. Why would he keep coming here a secret for me? Did he think I wouldn’t want to come? I haven’t seen his parents since I arrived home. My days consisted of trying to settle back in.
“Why did you not tell me we were coming here?” I laugh.
“You will understand when we get inside, my love.” He smiles.
I nod. He climbs out of the car and comes around to open the door for me. He offers me his hand, which I take, and he helps me from car. I thank him with a peck on the lips. He slips his arm around my waist and leads us inside.
“Hello, we are here.” He announces.
His mom comes rushing through, wrapping me in a tight hug. “Welcome home, sweetie. We missed you.” She gushes.
I am still surprised they don’t hate me for leaving and hurting their son. I know they understood why.
“Thank you. It is nice to be home. I missed everyone, too.”
Once we part, she hugs Conrad, and we follow her into the living room.
“Welcome home.” Chelsea greets.
I had no idea she was in New York. I glance around to see decorations up. Welcome home and happy engagement banners. Adrian, Conrad’s father, two other girls and two women are in the room. I recognise two of the guys as Chelsea and Conrad brother’s, one of the women is Eric wife. I am not sure who the other one is who is standing with Nate.
“Surprise, angel. We wanted to celebrate your return and our engagement,” Conrad says and kisses the top of my head.
The place looks beautiful. They did all of this for me. Well, for me and for us? I fight back my tears. I am not used to people caring in such ways, not until Conrad and his family.
“This is beautiful. Thank you.” I beam.
Chelsea runs over and hugs me tightly. When we have said our hello’s, Adrian and Conrad’s father came to greet me too.
Conrad takes my hand, “Come on. I will introduce you to my brother’s, finally.”
“Yes, please.”
I have heard a lot about them but haven’t yet had the chance to meet them. He takes me over to where they stand. It will be nice to do so finally. I honestly thought I wouldn’t meet them until our wedding.
“Eric, Nate, this is my beautiful fiancée, Maya. Maya, my brothers.” He introduces.
I offer my hand to Eric first. It is great finally to meet you after all of these months.
He doesn’t take my hand. Instead, he hugs me like everyone else does. “You too, Maya. I was beginning to think Conrad was making you up.” He laughs.
I giggle and hug back. I direct my attention to Nate. “It is nice to finally meet you too, Nate.”
“Yes, same. Sorry it has taken so long.” He says, hugging me too.
I say hello to Eric’s wife, Sophie, and Nate’s girlfriend, Harper. They seem lovely too.
Chelsea pulls me away after I have said hello and met everyone, leading me over to the table with the drinks, making us both a cocktail, handing one to me.
“When did you come back?”
“We arrived yesterday, but we wanted it to be a surprise.”
“It is good to see and have you around again.”
“You too.” She smiles and we clink our glasses together.
I grab a drink for Conrad, and we rejoin everyone else. Conrad slips his free arm around me, and I rest my head against him. I smile as I listen and watch everyone talk and laugh. It is a pleasant sight. I have never had so many people in my life at once. I am still trying to get my head around them becoming family when Conrad and I marry. I got used to being alone, not having any friends or family. I am grateful for them all.
****
It had been a great night. We all shared a lovely meal and drinks. His brother’s taking the time to get to know me. It has been fun, but I am a little overwhelmed by it all.
“Lets me and you go outside, get some air and have a drink.” Chelsea says, appearing at my side. There is a chance she senses I am overwhelmed.
I kiss Conrad softly and we excused ourselves. Chelsea makes us another cocktail and leads me out to the beautiful backyard. We take a seat by the pool, our feet in the water.
I take a sip of my drink and smile as I look around.
“I sensed you needed a breather.”
“Yes. It has been such a good night, and I am grateful, but I am a little overwhelmed.” I answer honestly.
We chat as we enjoy our drinks and the cool air. It is relaxing.
“Chelsea, can I ask you something?” I ask.
She turns to me and nods, “Anything.”
“I know we have spoken about it before, but will you officially be my bridesmaid? We are going to start planning and hopefully get married within the next few months if we can find the place for us in Italy.”
Her eyes go wide, she smiles brightly and lets out a small squeal, “Of course. Widening her eyes, she smiles brightly and let out a small squeal, responding, “Of course, I would be honored.”
I laugh and hug her back. “Thank you. The honour will be all mine.”
She snickers, “Sorry. I am so happy you guys want to get married soon. I can’t wait to see you both on the day. You are going to be so happy. I am here if you need help with anything. My mom will want to help too.”
“I can’t wait to marry Conrad and become his wife. Your help would be greatly appreciated. I have no idea where to start. Conrad will help too, but I know how busy he is. I know how busy you all are, but any help would be great.” I smile.
“Well, about that, I am moving back to New York with Adrian. We wanted to come home. We aren’t sure if it will be a permanent thing, but we will see how it goes. I will be on a temporary leave from work. I have people who can take care of the place for me. I am free and all yours for everything wedding.”
It is my turn to let out a squeal and get excited. “Really? That is amazing! It will be great to have you around.”
She had become like my best friend and soon enough, she will be my sister-in-law.
“I am looking forward to it.”
The conversation is quick to turn to wedding plans. It will be the main topic tonight, especially after we tell Conrad’s family the plan. We haven’t yet because we have been celebrating other things.
I am happy I don’t need to do all of this alone.
“What about your family? Will you invite them?” she asks softly.
“No, I don’t have family. I haven’t seen or spoken to them in years since I ran away. They never wanted me. I am not inviting them.” I reply.
She reaches over and squeezes my hand. “You do have a family. You have us. Your so-called family never deserved you. You deserved better, and it is their loss.” She smiles.
“Thank you. That means more than you will ever know.”
She wraps her arm around me, and I rest my head on her shoulder.
“We aren’t going anywhere.” She promises.
I believed her. Who says family needs to be blood? I can make my own. It was better than having one who couldn’t care less if I was dead or alive. And one day, Conrad and I will start our family. It is all I will need.