I worked side by side with him, not that I had much to do. He’d already chopped onions and grated parmesan. When he announced it was ready, I put everything on plates and brought them to the table.
Daddy was still overwhelmed by this loud and friendly gang. I could tell by how he kept watching them banter, eying me from time to time.
“Thank you, Ian. This was delicious,” Dad said after he emptied his plate. “Isabelle, Tess, thank you too for everything you did today. I’m going to go back to my fancy bedroom and sleep. I’ve napped more today than I do in a week, but I’m still exhausted.”
“It’s been a draining day. Good night, Dad.” I was so pissed at Elliot that I wasn’t even sure what to do.
He rolled his chair with ease through the living room. I was so grateful to Dylan for inviting us here. My living room was much smaller than this one, and I would’ve had to rearrange part of the furniture so Dad could move around. The hallways and doorframes here were all newer than at my townhouse and were built more generously.
"Thank you so much for being here," I told the three of them once Dad left.
“No problem,” Ian said. “That’s what family is for.”
His words caught me off guard. Did they consider me and Dad family? I couldn’t even wrap my mind around that.
"Dylan's going to be arriving later than he thought," Isabelle said.
I looked at her abruptly. "He's returning to New York? Tonight?"
"Of course. He didn't tell you?" Ian asked.
"No, he didn’t. Why is he coming back?"
“For you, silly. He doesn't want you to go through this all alone," Isabelle said.
"Oh wow." I had no idea what to say. I felt all warm inside, and my vision was blurring. I couldn’t believe he was doing it. Suddenly I wanted to feel his arms wrapped around me tightly and bury my nose in his neck and inhale the scent of his skin. “When is he arriving?”
"I’m not sure. The only plane available was late this evening, so now he’s coming by car.”
He was coming back to support me. It still didn’t feel real.
"You guys are something else," I said finally.
"That we are. We take care of our own. Do you want to talk about what happened?" Isabelle asked.
"No, I just... I don't think there's anything to be gained by talking about it."
She and Ian exchanged another one of those glances that told me they were having a silent conversation.
“We need a distraction technique,” Isabelle suggested in a conversational tone.
I looked between the siblings and then at Tess, who just smiled.
"What are you talking about?" I asked.
"Well, there are several ways to get through a crisis," Ian said. "I usually go for humor. It's not always appreciated, but my family has kind of gotten used to it. What's your take on it?"
"I have no idea what to say." I laughed, but I was a bit bewildered.
"Okay, then. Distraction it is," Ian declared.
While the four of us cleaned the table, Ian delighted us with all sorts of stories from their childhood. He even took out Buddy for a potty break.
A short while later, we all heard the front door unlocking. I immediately rose from the couch and walked right into Dylan’s arms. He wrapped them around me tightly, holding me close.
I buried my nose in the crook of his neck, and the smell of his cologne relaxed me. I felt like I was home. He was everything I'd ever need.
"You didn't tell me you were coming," I whispered in his neck.
"Must've slipped my mind. How are you feeling? How's your dad?"
“He’s sleeping.” I pulled back and inspected him. He was wearing jeans and a black shirt. His hair was in complete disarray as if he’d been tugging at it. His eyes searched me with worry.
"Well, I think our services are no longer needed," Ian said loudly. "We’re going to be a fifth wheel soon or whatever fits the situation better."
I blushed, turning to them. "Thank you so much for staying with me. It made this much easier."
"No problem," Isabelle said. "You're family. We take care of our own."
That touched me in a way I couldn't possibly explain, but I think Dylan understood because he tightened his grasp on my waist.
"Let us know if you need anything else, okay?" Ian asked.
"Sure. Thanks, everyone." Dylan replied.
After the three of them left, he walked me to the couch, pressing his thumbs in the crooks at the side of my neck. It felt divine.
"Where did you learn to do this?" I asked him.
"I'm playing it by ear. Tell me what feels good and I’ll keep doing it."
I laughed. "That sounds a bit dirty."
"That's because it is. Come on, sit down and I'll take care of you, okay?”
That sounded like bliss. "I can't believe you’re here," I said. I sat on the couch. He was standing in front of it, one knee propped next to me.
"Of course I'm here. You need me. Where else would I be?"
“In D.C overseeing your project."
He shook his head. "No, you're more important, Mel. I'll figure out everything else, okay?"
"But how about—"
He pressed his thumb on my lips. "No, you don't get to worry about anything else tonight, okay? I'm forbidding it."
"Oh, you're forbidding it?” I shimmied against him, gasping when he pressed his hard body into me.
“Did you hear from Elliot?”
“No, and I don’t think I will. That moron. When he showed up at my apartment, he did say his business was in trouble again and he needed money. Why doesn’t he just ask for his stuff back? I’d gladly give it to him.”
"You need to relax," he said, whispering every word against the back of my neck.
"Well, I feel more relaxed because you're here," I said honestly. "You have this effect on me. It's like you're exactly what I need, no matter what the situation is."
He turned me around, pushing a strand of hair behind my ear. The corners of his lips lifted in a smile. "I'm glad to hear that. Now let's make sure you're completely relaxed tonight. How are you feeling?”
“Exhausted.”
“Did you eat today?"
“Oh, yeah. Ian cooked a delicious risotto.” I laced my arms around his neck. “And I have to say, you overstated your title of the best cook in the family.”
He pinched my ass. “Really?”
“Just being honest here. But you have plenty of other things going for you.”
“Such as?”
I swallowed hard, licking my lips. “Coming back to be here for me. Asking your family to spend the day with Dad and me.” My words were a whisper. “Thank you. This whole day was insane, but it was better with the gang.”
“I wish I was here.”
“But now you are. Oh, by the way, thank you for the flowers today."
"You're welcome. I wanted you to have something to look at while I'm away." His comment stopped abruptly, which caught my attention.
"Wait, does that mean you have another delivery planned?"