Can't Let You Go

Chapter 41

***LIAM***

Choosing to introduce Tally to my family on a weekend meant everyone had to come out to Grandfather's house. Unlike any single family home in the city limits of Alaris, this house has a two acre lot and is far enough off the beach to support a lawn and elaborate landscaping. When I was little, my grandmother spent most of her time here pulling weeds and planting things. She said it made her feel "connected." I didn't understand at the time, but maybe I can now.

"Good morning, Family." Everyone turns us as we enter the living room. "I think you've all met before, but I've brought Honey Cohen to join us."

"Good morning. Thank you for having me," she says with a sweet smile and a little wave.

My uncle and grandfather greet Honey warmly with two-handed handshakes. She addresses them both as "Mr. Hazen," but my uncle tells her to call him "Robert." Carter takes her hand and holds it.

"It's lovely to see you again, Honey. I think the last time we were together was lunch at l' abri"

"Yes, I think so."

"Pity it was cut short." He smiles.

She smiles awkwardly and glances at me.

He kisses her cheek and whispers something in her ear. He keeps his eyes on me as he does this. I suspect that if I could see his full mouth, it would be a smirk.

My mother doesn't shake her hand, but briefly clasps it in that weird way she does so that only their fingers touch.

"Ms. Bennet," Tally greets my mother

"Honey," Mother says, "I haven't seen you since the Holiday Gala. I hear you're settling in quite well, but you're not here permanently, are you?" She smiles, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes.

"That depends on the scale that you look at it. I will only be here until December, then I need to return to finish my final semester of graduate school. However, once I graduate, I'll be back in Alaris."

"So, you didn't drop out of school?"

"No Ma'am. I applied for, and was granted, a leave of absence."

"That's a relief." Mother smiles again. I thought these answers would satisfy her, but her eyes still betray a wariness.

"Brunch is served," one of the maids interrupts.

"Just a moment," I say as I step in front of the door. "Before we go in, I'd like to formally announce that I've asked Honey to marry me and she has agreed."

My uncle and grandfather both move to clap me on the back and shake my hand. They each kiss Tally on the cheek as congratulations. Carter shakes my hand stiffly, but doesn't say anything. He kisses Tally's other cheek this time, lingering again.

"I saw the ring on her finger when you entered, so I'd already assumed." Mother's aloofness cools all the warmth of the other replies. "Thank you for telling us directly."

But at least the comment solves the mystery of her attitude - she'd heard a rumor about it before I'd ever said anything. That's on me since I technically proposed a while ago and we've probably been spotted together around town.

I step aside so everyone else can move to the dining room first. I take Tally by the elbow and speak softly.

"What did Carter whisper in your ear?"

"The first time, he said, 'or you'd be standing next to me with a bigger rock on your finger.' The second time, he said, 'It's not too late to give me a test drive.'"

"Oh god. Sorry about that. And sorry about Mother, she'll warm up."

"It's fine. It will all be over soon and she can freely hate me as much as she wants."