Chapter 22

Her phone buzzes on the nightstand and she leans over to grab it while her hand is placed on my chest. It's probably Sophie. They text all the time and sometimes I feel bad about stealing her best friend away.

Her head dips and she places a kiss on my chest before laying her head back down. There is a shift in her mood and it worries me. "Is something wrong, baby?"

She wipes her eyes, head still down on my chest. "Looks like Sophie is going home for the holiday, so I'm going to be flying solo again this year."

This wrecks me because no one should have to spend holidays alone, especially when they have someone in their life. I know she doesn't have a good relationship with her parents right now, but she has me.

I plan on going home to Boston to my sister's house for the holiday. Lily can come too. I clear my throat, hesitating for a moment before asking, "Lily, would you like to come to Boston with me for Thanksgiving?" Her body tenses up slightly. Maybe it isn't the right time? Meeting someone's family is a big step and, lord knows, I don't want to scare her away. "You don't have to, just an offer. I don't like you having to spend it alone, baby."

She positions herself to where she can look up at me while still on my chest. "Are you ready for that? I mean, inviting me because you don't want me to be alone is one thing…"

This is moving fast for both of us and normally I would never take a girl home to meet my sister this early on, but Lily is different. Even right now, I can picture of future together, and for the first time I want her to meet my sister. In fact, she has never met any of my girlfriends since college. I sit up all the way, causing her to stir and lay down on her stomach to peer up at me. "My sister will love you just like I do… and as sure as I am about us… you meeting my sister would be a blessing."

I love this girl and even though we have only been together for a short period, I have no doubt that it's me and her against the world. She will be the mother of my children someday. She starts to cry, and I use my thumb to wipe them away.

"I just - wish my family was different, you know. They don't even know I'm seeing anyone, and if they did, they wouldn't approve."

I run my hand down my face. "Because of my age?"

She nods.

It never dawned on me that the age difference might be the thing tanks our relationship. Her father is only fifteen years older than me, and I can see how that might worry him, but Lily is important to me. No matter what, I will do everything in my power to win over her family someday.

"Listen, I am well aware of our age difference, but that shouldn't matter. Age is just a number and frankly, I don't want to imagine a life without you."

For me, my sister's blessing will mean a lot and for Lily, she might not marry me someday without her family's blessing. Even if they are on the fence right now, it's normal to seek your parent's approval for your life partner. Marrying someone they don't approve of can be disastrous to a marriage.

"My sister won't care as long as I'm happy. And when I'm around you, I can't wipe this stupid fucking grin off of my face. Everyone has noticed. You are the one for me, Lily Stevens. And every day, I'm going to prove that to you."

Tears fall again, and I thumb them away, planting a simple kiss on her lips and then pull her back into my chest.

Families can be complicated and dysfunctional, but someday her family will come around. She just has to be patient. Until then, all she can do is what she wants. This is her life after all, and the person she chooses to be with, and marry, is someone she is going to grow old with, and I hope to God that person is me.