Chapter Fifty Four
Maria stared up at him with a smile, “You’re right, we should have the grandfathers involved too. When it’s time to take the family picture, would you like me to clear off the table first?”
Dave stared down at her perplexed, “What for?”
“I figured you’d want to arm wrestle for who’s going to carry Izzy, or do you prefer flipping a coin?”
Dave gave her an angry gaze that should have made her crawl into her shell, but instead she found it hilarious, “After meeting your father, you’re not so scary anymore.”
Dave’s face eased into a smile, “I’m glad you feel that way, considering how it will be the rest of our lives.”
“What do you mean?”
“He might be my father, but he will be your father-in- law.” He put an arm on her shoulders and turned her around.
“I don’t get it?” Maria asked, as they walked to the dining table where everyone else had gathered.
“He and I are already used to not talking, but you’ll be spending all the kids’ vacations with him.” Maria stopped and looked up at him mystified. Dave pulled her to keep walking, “I don’t want our kids to lose touch with their grandparents. Just think, Thanksgiving in Boston and Easter in Mexico,” he kissed the top of her head when she paled, quietly laughing above her, “It’s going to be fabulous!”
There was no way Maria was going to be alone with either the grouch or Miguel, who is currently still on the run, why was he here anyway, taking such a huge risk?
“Good thing we aren’t getting married.” She retorted leaving a stunned Dave gaping at her as she stood between the kids at the table.
“Mama, you and…” she paused, lost for words as she stared at Miguel’s excited face, and the quiet pleading look Edna was giving her, “One of you can carry Michael while the other stands behind.” she turned to Dave’s parents. Lily looked excited but, Dave Sr. had the same hard look. There was no way she was going to spend any time alone, in their territory with those two men, “the two of you can do the same.”
Lily carried Izzy and sat in front of her Cinderella cake and Dave Sr. stood behind her, while Miguel carried Michael and sat in front of his batman cake and Edna stood behind him. Dave stood behind Maria, between their parents as they sang happy birthday to their children.
Dave leaned down to her ear, “You aren’t getting out of marrying me that easily.” He whispered.
“That’s what you think.” She whispered back before she began fussing with the kids as both grandmothers’ helped her cut the cakes.
They stood together for an uncomfortable minute while they took pictures. The tension between Maria, Dave and their fathers was quite evident. The only time they seemed relaxed and happy was when their mothers stood in between them. The party did feel torturous at times, but it was a happy one too, and they all got through it, staying away from each other.
When it was over and everyone had left, Dave was relieved to say goodbye to his father, but sad to see his mother go. Maria however was impatient for her own father’s departure, but he was still on the couch, very comfortable, talking to Michael. She stood at the doorway and watched them, unable to bring herself to break them up and send him packing.
“You have such an over powering conscience.” Dave spoke in her ear as he stood behind her watching Miguel and Michael.
“It’s not my conscience. I just love Michael too much to hurt him.” Stepping back to lean into him, “I can’t hurry him out like you did with your father.” She chuckled, resting her tired head on his chest.
“I’m an honest, arrogant ass, and I bet that’s what attracts you most.”
“I think we both know I’m definitely not attracted to that.” she weaved her fingers with his and placed both their hands across her belly, “it’s the way you are with the kids and how I always feel safe with you.”
He kissed her shoulder, then her ear, then her cheek, and finally her forehead, “I would do anything for you.”
“You could start by getting the tornado out of the kitchen.” Carol walked up to them with her purse in her hand.
“What?” Dave and Maria exclaimed, but they were both answered when Todd walked out of the kitchen with a plate of food.
“This is delicious guys. You need to give me the number of the catering company.” He spoke as he stuffed his mouth.
“How about I give you directions out my door.” Dave said.
“Not before Michael opens my gift.” he talked with his mouth half full, “He’ll definitely think I’m the best uncle he’s ever had.”
“Uncle?”
“Thanks Todd. What’s the gift?” Maria cut in, feeling the exhaustion take hold of her.
“A Wii, Nintendo and a Play Station with all the latest games.”
“You want to turn my son into a mindless drone?” Maria asked making herself more comfortable against Dave. Dave wrapped his arms around her and cradled her, feeling sorry for her, she was completely exhausted after the long day of hosting.
“I’ve played Play Station since I was a kid, look at how I turned out.” He responded holding his hands out as if he was exhibiting himself.
Maria glanced at him then turned back to Michael, “Yeah, my point exactly.”
“Well its better than the rob me sign they have around their necks.” Todd bit down on a chicken leg, “Those must have cost you a fortune, did you mortgage your house or something?”
Maria hadn’t totally agreed on the eccentric gifts the kids had got. They were cute, but too expensive. The platinum pendants had one diamond stud that sat where their initials crossed. Izzy’s was an I and a G, Michael’s was an M and a G, Dave told her Greer was going to be his name in the future so why not cut to the chase. They were too young to know their true value and could easily loose them, and she felt guilty because he had already spent more than enough on Michael. So instead of insulting him and giving the gift back, she asked him to put them away, but Dave disagreed, he wanted them to have the pendants with them all the time.
“I have to agree with Todd, there is no way we’ll be able to walk down the streets in peace.”
“So drive.” Dave said casually, “and anyway everyone had left before I gave them their gifts, if anyone is going to rob them it will be Carol and Todd.”
“Hey!” Carol and Todd whined in unison.
Maria turned to face him, “But still, I’ll be fighting thieves off to keep them from cutting off one of my babies heads just to get to those pendants.”
“Okay.” he kissed her forehead. For a moment she thought, for once she had won, but before she could glow in victory he added, “Have them wear them under their shirts.”
“Dave, Michael doesn’t have to brag to his new classmates how much his dad has, the tuition you are paying is enough to do that, and Izzy might just end up throwing it away when it’s not shinny and pretty to her anymore.”
“Maria.” he said, holding her shoulders and bending to level their eye line, “I don’t care about bragging rights or interests.” his voice was so levelled and demanding that it made Maria curious and a little guarded, “Whatever you do, don’t ever take them off and don’t ever let them take them off, okay?”
“Ah, okay.” She answered turning to lean back against him. She was worried something was up, and those pendants were a big part of it. Dave always had a good reason when he’s very insistent, she wouldn’t argue, but she would most definitely try to find out what the deal was.
“So, when are you guys leaving?” Dave asked with a tight smile, bluntly kicking Carol and Todd out.
“You are such a bad host!” Carol complained before she kissed Maria on the cheek, “Bye and get some rest.” she turned and waved to the others in the living room, “Good night.” she then turned and walked towards the door pulling Todd with her.
“Alone at last.” Dave spoke nibbling on her ear.
“Not quite.” she looked at her father, “Dave, why is he really here?”