Chapter Seventeen | Nick

Cross Family breakfast is like a fucking event instead of a normal family having breakfast, but then again, when were we ever a normal family?

I sit at the larger than life table with Caitlin on my right and my parents sitting on opposite ends of the table. For as long as I can remember, they've always sat like that. My father at one end of the table and my mother on the other end. They've never sat next to each other like a normal couple, never fed each other food, and I never saw my mom sneak sips from my dad drink because she was just that comfortable around him.

No. Since I was a kid it was obvious there was no love between the two of them. Just cold air and a lot of distance. It's a miracle that Caitlin and I didn't end up as screwed up as I thought we would. Caitlin found Ryan who was able to deal with her over the top but well meaning personality and I found Talia who for some reason didn't see how truly fucked up I am.

I pray that she never did.

It was because of Talia that I was even here this morning. She insisted that I come this morning and show my face, even though I would have much rather stay in bed and have her for breakfast.

But I knew she was right. I haven't seen my mother since my first day back in town when she tried pawning me off to that brunette. She was smart enough to give me some space to cool down, but I know my mother; she would come sneaking around eventually and I wasn't sure I was ready to expose Talia to her venom just yet.

"It's so nice to have both my children here this morning." My mother smiles fondly at both Caitlin and I. "I feel like I haven't seen you guys in forever."

"Nick and I have just been so busy." Caitlin says.

"I can understand you being busy sweetheart, but your brother spends his time teaching bratty teenagers how to read sentences." My father, Julian speaks up.

I shoot him a look. He's never supported my decision to become a teacher.

"Is that what you think I do? Because I like to think I'm making a difference in these kids lives." I argue.

"Of course you are sweetheart," My mother says in a condescending tone to pacify me. "Your father is simply saying that he think your time and brains would be better suited for a job at the company, don't you think?"

"I'm actually doing what makes me happy. Can I say the same for you dad?"

"I'm one of the richest men in the world, so yes, I am happy Nicholas."

"Oh yeah, I can tell you're living the life. Gorgeous mansion, beautiful wife..." I say. "Not to mention your mistress on the side. What's her name this time or did you finally decide to stop screwing around on

mom?" I sneer.

"Nick." Caitlin warns, placing a hand over mine to calm me down.

"That's enough." My mother scolds me. "I'll have you know your father and I are very happy together despite what his actions have been in the past and despite what you may think. Now if you're done stomping your feet like a child, I'd like to go back to having a nice breakfast with my children."

Caitlin squeezes my hand and I take a calming breath before picking up my orange juice and taking a sip. I wish it was a little bit stronger, but this would have to do for now.

"Sorry mother. I didn't mean to upset you." I apologize.

"How's Ryan sweetie?" My mother asks, changing the subject.

"He's good. Everything is great." Caitlin confesses, a huge smile on her face. It makes me happy to see my sister so in love with Ryan even after seven years together. "He actually took Isabella on a breakfast date this morning. Here's a picture of them." Caitlin holds out her phone for us to see and on the screen there's a picture of Ryan and Isabella making warrior faces with a giant stack of pancakes in front of them.

"How cute." My mother gushes before she looks my way. "When am I going to see pictures of your family Nicholas?"

I fucking knew this was going to come up.

"I don't know."

"You're not getting any younger Nicholas. Don't you think it's time you meet a nice girl and settle down."

"Don't you think it's time you stayed out of my love life?" I shoot back.

She settles back in her seat, offended. "I just want you to be happy darling."

"I am happy." I tell her, honestly.

"And he has met someone." Caitlin says, taking me off guard. I turn and give her a what-the-fuck look to which she just grins in response before taking a sip of her orange juice.

"Oh really? And when were you planning on telling me about her?" My mother wonders.

"Never, actually." I admit.

"I'm curious. Who is she?" My mother looks at my sister because she seem to catch on that she wouldn't get any answers from me.

"She's a lovely girl that I think you and dad will love." Caitlin answers.

"Well then, I must meet her." My mom smiles enthusiastically. "I insist that you bring her to your father's birthday party next week."

"I'm sure she already has plans..." I try to back out, wanting to do anything other than subject Talia to my mother and her world.

"Plans can be canceled. Besides, why wouldn't you want your mother to meet the woman you're seeing... unless you have something to hide?" Her stare is penetrating, but I don't break like she hopes I do.

Something to hide? You mean other than the fact that she's my student and that I'm almost almost twice her age? Nope, I have nothing to hide.

"We'll be there." I reassure her.

The rest of the breakfast we discuss safer topics like the mother-daughter charity event my mother is looking forward to attending with Caitlin later on this month. My dad even opens up about a golf game he won recently. I'm thankful that my love life or lack of smart decision making when it comes to my career, comes up again. After breakfast, my mom makes me promise that I will bring my girlfriend with me to the party before she kisses me and Caitlin and the butler sees us out.

"You want to tell me what the hell you were thinking bringing up Talia to mom?" I demand, the second we're out of the door.

Caitlin doesn't even flinch at my tone. "I was thinking that if mom knew you had a girlfriend she'd stop trying to set you up."

"Are you forgetting how complicated me and Talia's relationship is already?"

"Of course not. Look, mom doesn't have to know the specifics. Just show up with Talia, let her see how happy Talia makes you and she'll lay off you."

"We'll see." I grumble before we go our separate ways to our car. The entire car ride back to the beach house I'm thinking of possible excuses I can tell my mom for Talia not coming and by the time I pull up to the front of the house I have no valid excuse as to why Talia couldn't come and I knew Caitlin was right. My mom would just come snooping around if I didn't introduce her to Talia.

I let myself in to find her sitting on the floor before the tv finishing up what looks like a breakfast sandwich. She wipes the crumbs of her sandwich on her pajama bottoms when she sees me approaching.

"Hey, you're back early."

"Yeah. Well, you know, we can only handle each other in small doses." I tell her before dropping a kiss to her lips.

"Sounds brutal." Talia says as she pushes herself up to a standing position. "You okay? You look tense."

"Time with my parents usually has that effect on me." I tell her before sitting down on the couch. Talia quickly takes up the space on my lap. "How do you feel about going to a party?" I ask her, figuring I ease her into meeting my parents.

"Who's party?"

"My parents." I tell her then wait for her reaction.

"Your parents? Um..." She bites her lower lip.

"Caitlin mentioned I have a girlfriend and my mom insists that I bring her to the party." I explain. "But if you don't want to or you think it's too soon, then we don't have to go." I don't know what I'd tell my mom, but she's fucking insane if she thinks I'd subject Talia to anything that she didn't want to do or made her uncomfortable.

"Do you want me to go?" She asks.

I thought about it. It would be a good opportunity to show her off and not hide her relationship. No one from my parents circle of friends would know who she really is so they'd be no harm in us being together.

"I do." I admit.

"Then I'll go." Talia relents.

"Do we need to go shopping?" I ask.

"Don't worry. I already have the perfect dress." Talia tells me with a mischievous smile.