I wasn’t worried about it, though I have been worried about him. Garrick hasn’t said much about the situation, and I’ve never asked. I know it’s between them and I shouldn’t butt into business that my nose doesn’t belong in. Even though Chase and I aren’t particularly friends, I want to see him happy and know something has been preventing him from that.
Elaine waves me over. “Do you mind fluffing the stuffing and stirring the potatoes? I need to make sure everything else is ready so we can put the dinner rolls in to toast.”
She’s been frantically rushing around the kitchen all morning, instructing Garrick and I on what to do and when. I have some knowledge from the years helping my parents during the holidays but let her guide me on her recipes since some are different than what I’m used to making.
When I hear tires roll up outside, nerves shoot through my body. I check myself over for the tenth time since walking downstairs and feel a hand on my shoulder.
Elaine says, “You look fine, dear.”
“Is it weird I’m nervous?” They’re my parents, hardly anyone to be scared of. But this is only the third time they’ve been to California, and the first time they’re meeting my husband’s family. It seems…
Shaking my head, I blow out breath.
One—the hard part with my parents is over, so we can all enjoy Christmas together.
Two—they were willing to fly here even though they could have stayed in New York or asked us to come to them, which means they’re willing to try with Garrick.
Three—Elaine is impossible not to like. And even though Chase sometimes gives me a hard time, he’s like the brother I never wanted.
It’ll be fine.
I nod after repeating that to myself and walk over to the door, standing on my tiptoes to peak out the windows on the top and see two familiar faces walking toward the front of the house.
When I open the door and walk out, Mom and Dad each give me a once over before studying the huge house behind me.
It’s Dad who says, “This is quite the place, kiddo.”
Ushering them inside, I take their coats and hang them up as Garrick comes downstairs in the same outfit we married in. It takes me a few moments of admiring the way he fills out his clothes perfectly before Mom clears her throat.
Blushing, I walk over to the extended arm Garrick opens for me and settle into his side. “I’m sure you guys remember Garrick.”
Dad simply nods at him as he scopes out the inside of the house, as if trying to find faults with it. The first time they visited me was after I’d moved into my old apartment, and Dad went through each room wiggling furniture, testing lights, and making sure all the appliances were working and safe before giving me his approval.
Elaine walks out of the kitchen with a big smile as she sees my parents. “You must be Rylee’s parents.” She reaches out and shakes my father’s hand first, then my mother’s. “We’re so glad you could come.”
When Garrick asked how I wanted to spend Christmas, there was no pressure. He told me it was up to me whether I wanted to spend it here or back in New York. But with news spreading of my marriage, things in Liberty have been…interesting. And even though Garrick wouldn’t be the first celebrity from there, we’d definitely cause a scene with how popular he is. No amount of money could buy us a quiet holiday, so I decided it’d be better to invite people here where we’re better equipped.
Mom looks between me and Garrick before her eyes go to the interior. “It was nice to be invited. You two look lovely, and this house is…nothing like I pictured.”
Garrick laughs. “I get that a lot.”
“Was the flight okay?” I ask.
Elaine guides us all into the den where Mom and Dad take the love seat and explain their bumpy ride. I cringe when they grumble about a finicky baby on board, and how packed LAX was when they landed. I can tell their experience wasn’t exactly five stars, but they refused to let us bump them to first class or help beyond setting them up with a car and driver to take them where they need to go. They’re not even staying in this mansion of a house, but in the city at a Hilton hotel that they booked once they agreed to spend the holiday with us. They’re only staying overnight before getting a flight back to New York to spend the New Year with other family and friends on the east coast.
Garrick pats my thigh before escaping to the kitchen with his mother to finish lunch preparations, giving me time with my family.
Dad gives me the smile I always loved seeing on his face. “You seem happy, Ry. I’m glad to see that. Can’t say I’m surprised after seeing what I have of this place.”
I blush. “It’s a nice area.”
“And the house,” Mom remarks, staring at a few photos hanging on the walls. “I watched that MTV Cribs show to prepare myself for what I might walk into.”
Gaping at her, I slowly blink. “I can’t believe you watched that. That ended years ago, it’s completely out of date.” She used to watch HGTV religiously when I was growing up, always wanting to flip a house or renovate theirs based on whatever the people in the shows were doing. Poor Dad had a honey-do list a mile long that ended up being split in half when budget became an issue. She would have been better off studying those shows before coming here if she was that worried.
“And what are your thoughts?” I inquire, refraining from biting my nail like
