More Than Love (NG3)

24 - The dinner

The dining room looked perfect. Laney wanted to tell her mother that Sasha wouldn't judge and Jake wouldn't notice. Paper napkins weren't good enough for Maureen. Pressed linens sat at each place along with the special silver and china. The kitchen smelled delicious, with her mother's glazed chicken and freshly baked bread. Laney feared her mother would intimidate Sasha by appearing too perfect.

Laney and Skylar had successfully convinced Maureen to let Skylar and Hari join them for dessert.

Skylar's argument worked. "You should get to know them without us causing a distraction."

Laney knew her sister wouldn't want to talk about her parent search. She had plans to meet with her birth mother's niece, but she had learned enough to know her mother wasn't a nice person. Laney kept reminding her how lucky she had been to be raised by their mom and dad, and said, "Look on the bright side."

Laney focused on the bright side that both Sasha and Jake were decent people. Jake might have backed out, but Laney pulled from her bag of tricks she had used to manipulate her daddy for years. Jake had just found out she was his daughter, but he fell for them. Selfishly, she wanted to see Jake and Sasha together.

With their arrival imminent, she regretted coercing Jake. Maybe her unease was from the nervous energy coming off her mother. Maureen had fixed her husband's collar three times.

"Dear, it's fine." Paul took her hands to steady them. "Everything is perfect."

The doorbell rang, and all three jumped like it was the fire alarm at school.

Laney said, "I'll answer it."

On the other side of the door, Sasha stood dressed in a flowery summer dress. She had a necklace Laney recognized as one of her own designs.

They exchanged a brief hug before Laney stepped back and let her in. Her parents stood in the front hall. Maureen's hands covered her mouth.

After the introduction, she said, "You look like her."

Sasha said, "Her eyes aren't mine."

Paul said, "Come in. It means so much to get to know you."

Sasha smiled. "I want to thank you both for loving her and taking care of her because I couldn't."

Maureen cried, "We're so grateful to you, more than we can ever express."

Sasha hugged Maureen, and Laney wiped her eyes.

Paul said, "You're part of our family. Now, how about a drink?"

Sasha smiled. "Some water would be nice."

Maureen said, "We have wine."

Sasha smiled. "Okay."

Laney saw Jake's car pull up. She smiled and stepped outside to meet him on the front walk.

He smiled at her. "Hi, Kid... Lane." His smile grew wider as he winked.

His smile was contagious, but her worries sobered her quickly. "Please, for my parents... um, Paul and Maureen, let your feelings stay out here."

He looked around. "And ruin these beautiful gardens."

Laney smiled. "Mention them to my mother and she'll love you."

"I'll be charming."

He looked nice, with Dockers and a navy collared shirt to complement his blue eyes. Would Sasha find him handsome? Jake would have to be blind if he didn't find Sasha attractive.

She stood on her toes and kissed his shaved cheek. A smile spread across his face.

"Just smile like that. Come on."