Going Up | ✓

Not Going Anywhere - (27)

Not Going Anywhere. 

I take a deep breath as I step inside the doors of the extremely grand mansion, nerves jangling in my stomach. Surely after what just happened, there can't be any more surprises here for me. That has to be it.

Surely.

Ivan's arm slides round my waist as we walk through the ridiculously fancy corridor into the even more upmarket living room.

Standing in front of the roaring fireplace is a tall man who I can only take to be Ivan's father. He's not identical looking, but similar enough. His salt and pepper hair evidently used to be the same shade as Ivan's and when his gaze falls on me, I'm taken aback by the icy blue eyes he obviously shares with his son.

Next to him, is a relatively tall woman with waist length brown hair and the same eyes as her father, although her facial features definitely come from her mother.

The smile that I offer the two of them quickly merges into a frown. 'Where's Oliver?' I turn to Ivan in a panic, my eyes wide.

'He's just outside with Lillian,' Ivan's Mom interrupts my moment of fear, a smile on her face. 'I'll go and get them, shall I?'

Ivan squeezes my side. 'Poppy, this is my father, William, and my other sister, Cara. We do have a brother, Xander, but he's away at the moment.'

Squaring my shoulders, I step out of his embrace and walk forward until I'm standing directly in front of William. 'It's nice to finally meet you,' I smile warmly, offering my hand out for him to shake. 'I'm Poppy.'

He smiles brightly, shaking my hand firmly. 'It's nice to finally meet you too, Poppy. Ivan's told us a lot about you,' he tells me, a sparkle in his eye.

Ivan groans loudly from behind me. 'Dad,' he whines. 'I thought the agreement was that you weren't going to embarrass me today.'

William just smirks. 'I'm not sure I recall having that conversation.'

Before either man can say any more, the woman steps forward and smiles, opening her arms for a hug. 'Hello, Poppy. I'm Caroline, but everyone calls me Cara.'

I return her hug, kissing her on both cheeks as she does the same to me. 'It's nice to meet you, Cara.'

The fear I had earlier of none of them liking me still bubbles in my stomach like unpleasant acid, but it doesn't grip me the way it did before. They all seem lovely.

Ivan catches my eye and his mouth lifts in an encouraging smile, almost as though he's saying I told you so.

'Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!' Oliver comes rushing into the room, his face ablaze with joy. He stumbles into my legs in his excitement. 'The fountain is so cool! And have you seen round the side of the house? It's massive! There are so many trees!'

Lillian's laughter follows him as she arrives in the room, her expression almost a carbon copy of his, her bright eyes dancing.

I smile, crouching down in front of my son, brushing his hair away from his forehead. 'I'm glad you had a good time.'

'Auntie Lillian is so cool,' he enthuses loudly, unable to stop himself from expressing his happiness. 'I love Daddy's family!'

I grin, pressing a light kiss to his temple, before standing up, but not letting my hand drop from his. 'I think you should meet the rest of them, then.'

Oliver's eyes light up as he looks up at William and my heart warms at the sight of the tall man crouching down in front of him, his eyes friendly, a welcoming smile on his weathered face.