Family Ties

Then I gently pulled her into my lap. “I forgot about baby steps. I know this is all new to you. I shouldn’t joke about it, either.”

“No, you shouldn’t.”

“I’m sorry. Do you forgive me?”

“You know I can’t say no to you.”

at least—but you can always say it.”

“But will you listen?”

She waited for more, some kind of excuse or evasion. Her brow furrowed when it never came.

“I’m sorry I mocked you,” I said seriously. “And I’m sorry I teased you about Wren. I was in a good mood and I got carried away. I didn’t mean to upset you.

“And now I’m apologizing.”

“Just like that?” she asked suspiciously.

“Yeah. I told you, I was in a good mood, even before you and Wren popped in. I like Sara. And she likes you. She wants us to be happy.”

“Well, she’s given me some good advice about you and me.”

“Like it isn’t easy being Catholic, that they put a lot of pressure on you.

Also that I need to tell you the truth about myself, that I can’t hide my past from you.”

“And tonight… she was teasing me because I said I was wrong about you.

“How I thought you were a stuck-up prude who’d never understand me.”

“I still don’t understand you.”

“I just need to remember that it won’t happen overnight. And I can’t tease you about it when you don’t immediately adjust. That’s why we need to take baby steps.”

“Exactly how much do I need to understand about you?” she asked warily.

“You have no idea,” I chuckled.

“No, I don’t. And you’re starting to make me nervous.”

“Do you trust me?” I repeated.

“Yes,” she said slowly.

“In the meantime, do you trust me enough to kiss me?”

I lifted her chin and pressed my lips to hers.

“I can’t stay mad at you,” she said after.

“Well, I need to work on not making you mad in the first place.”

I kissed her again and lingered over the quiet touch. Unfortunately, I couldn’t stifle a yawn. I thought she’d be upset, but she yawned too.

“I’m about to fall asleep in your lap,” she admitted. “But I thought you wanted to… you know.”

“You know how much I want to. But it’s late,” I continued.

“Right. To all three.”

“So, let me kiss you a few more times, and—”

“Okay, maybe more than a few. One for Sara. One for Wren. And the rest for me.”

“That’s a lot of kissing,” she said. “I thought we were going to say goodnight.”

“We are. When we’re ready. Then I’ll take Mr. Good Thing—”

“Sometimes I just call him Mr. Big.” She grinned. “Like now.”

“Okay. Then I’ll take Mr. Big to bed.