"So our first stop is coffee, right?" I asked as I took a selfie and sent it to our group chat.
"Of course, love, I know how cranky you are without your caffeine," Patrick grinned, glancing at me just long enough for me to stick my tongue out at him. He chuckled as he focused back on the road, and I checked the GPS to make sure our route took us to a coffee shop. The ride turned out to be much prettier than I had expected. None of the trees had begun to change color, but I wanted to do this drive again when fall came. It would be beautiful with all the changing colors, and I wanted to share it with all the guys.
After we stopped for coffee, I snapped a picture of us with coffee in hand and sent it to the guys. We got back on the road, and our next stop was a little town not far off the interstate. The anxiety over meeting more of Patrick's extended family had abated as Patrick pulled into the little town, and I was bouncing in my seat like a little kid by the time we parked.
Patrick caught my hand, pulled me over to the cute welcome sign for the town, and snapped a picture of us to send to the guys. We explored the main street. When I spotted a cute little inn, I squeezed Patrick's hand. "I want to come back here too," I told him. The town was quiet, but the shops were open, and the people were all friendly. We went into a bakery that also sold breakfast and coffee and came out carrying bags of pastries for later.
The minute I spotted the bookstore, which was the main reason for stopping here, Patrick let out a good-natured groan as he held the door open for me. We spent way more time in the bookstore than I intended, but I was having fun. While the city was great, it was always loud and busy with people everywhere. This little town was just the opposite, and while it might be a little too slow and quiet for me, I still loved it.
I was practically skipping back to the car. I had gotten surprises for each guy, and Patrick had even found a few books for himself. I offered to drive, and Patrick updated the guys on our stop while I got us back to the interstate. They didn't respond right away, but they were all probably busy. It took another two hours to get to the small coastal town where Patrick's family beach house was, and I switched out with Patrick since he knew where he was going; plus, I wanted to look at the ocean.
Patrick parked in a charming cul-de-sac with only three houses, all backing up to a private beach. The house he led me to was at least two stories and had an enormous front porch that extended well past the door. It was painted a cheerful shade of yellow with white trim and an actual picket fence around the front yard.
I stared at it all and almost couldn't move any closer. I swallowed.
Patrick covered my hand with his. "Breath," he murmured. "My parents love you, and so will the rest of the family."
I glanced at him, giving him a small smile as my earlier nerves surged to the surface. The front door opened, and Shannon and Connor stepped out, both wearing huge smiles. It was too late to back out now.
This was one of the moments in my life I would treasure. My hesitation and anxiety gave way to happiness when Shannon hurried down the sidewalk to greet me, wrapping me in a warm hug. I relaxed into her as she squeezed me with one of the best mom hugs I had ever had. Connor gave me a nod as he stepped around us to help Patrick with our bags. We stepped inside the house and spotted Patrick's other dad lounging in the living room, all cheering at a televised sporting event.
"You guys made good time from the city," Michael said from a recliner where he sat with his leg still in a cast.
"Well, we would have been here earlier," Patrick told him. " But someone wanted to stop at a bookstore." I looked down at my feet, blushing, but glanced up at Patrick when he yelped and stepped away from his mother, who had smacked his
arm.
"Don't you make fun of Emmy. Besides, your grades would have been much better if you had spent half as much time reading as she does."
It was Patrick's turn to blush as he grumbled," My grades were just fine; I graduated, didn't I?" He then pulled me to his side and kissed my head.
"Sorry, love, I didn't mean to embarrass you." I smiled, linking my hand with his and squeezing it, letting him know I wasn't upset.
"Come on, Patrick, let's take this stuff up to the guest room while the girls chat," Conner said. Patrick squeezed my hand before taking one of the bags from his father and following him upstairs.
I was startled when loud shouts came behind me, but Shannon shook her head. "Men, I swear," she laughed. I smiled as she took my hand and pulled me into the kitchen.
Patrick joined us a few minutes later, just as his mother told me about the stew she had been slowly cooking all day.
"You will meet my older sister, her husband, and the kids tonight; they will join us for dinner. My other two sisters and their families will be here tomorrow, but don't worry; not all are staying here," Shannon assured us. I nodded as Conner joined us in kissing Shannon before turning to us.
"The party is pretty informal. We have a couple of bounce houses to keep the kids busy, and we are having the food catered. The party should be over by five, and then we will have a quiet family dinner with just us and a little quiet time." He went around the island, resting his hands on our shoulders, but focused on me.noveldrama
"This is your family, and we want you to be a part of it. We know it's got to be overwhelming for you, but we are all hoping these get-togethers will be a more normal thing-holiday visits with all of you and all the craziness that goes along with it." I nodded, feeling tears sting my eyes, and I reached out for Patrick's hand, unconsciously needing his support.
"I would like that," I told Shannon and Conner, but there was a commotion by the front door before I could say anything else.
"Oh, that must be Kelly and Joey with the kids," Shannon said, moving toward the front door.
"Ready for round one?" Patrick asked, standing up from the stool beside me and helping me down.
"I hope so," I told him, taking a deep calming breath.