As Dad Sanders, puts his hand on my shoulder and spins me around to the group gathering, I shrug at Melanie and see her wince knowing what is about to happen.
An older woman heads straight for me, she keeps herself looking well, age has settled a little on her now and she wears it prim and properly. There is not doubt this is Mom Sanders.
"Ma'am," I say taking her hand between both of mine and gently holding them. "It is a pleasure to finally meet the woman who created such a beautiful daughter."
She glowers at me for a moment, then a smile spreads on her lips. "You might do," she says and then is joined by Melanie. "Why are you keeping such a well mannered boy away from us Mel?"
I volunteer an answer quickly, "We keep her very busy at the office, she is so focused and hard working that I am sure our dates and get togethers have been on her back burner."
"If you asked me, and I know you will," Mom Sanders says, "it is time for this young lady to get hitched and start giving me some grand-children."
"I agree." I say flatly.
Melanie gives me a dangerous look as I am wheeled away.
Then I am introduced to the twin couple. It is rather shocking and they all look so alike and I can tell they are in their own little world. I do not give them much more than a cursory glance before getting face to face with Robert.
He is taller than I imagined and shows the charisma many a woman would be drawn too, even some of the guys I know that swing that way. "You sticking to the rules." he asks me bluntly.
"Of course." I tell him. Where would we be without rules.
"I know you lawyer types, words are your game so do not think you can bend things here to your own wants."
"Nice to meet you Robert." I tell him as I am then surrounded by rug rats and Marcy and Stephanie both proud to show off their brood.
My mind is swimming by the time I meet the younger girls of the family. "This is Nelli and Amaya. I am sure you will not have much time to get close to them, right?" Dad Sanders asks as he sees my appraising look of the young girls.
I take a last look at the dark Mexican girl Nelli who is shy and demure her black hair hiding her face as she is trying to get away from my gaze. Then I turn it to Amaya, and am shocked to see she has pink hair!"
She wriggles her nose at me takes Nelli's hand and runs off giggling.
"You are right about that." I tell him, nothing worse than giggly girls!
"I know if my little Mel girl brought you here, you must be special to her. I am going to let you know though my man, you are not sleeping in her room with her."
"No sir!" I say quickly. "We have not come to that part of our relationship yet."
"Yet?" he asks.
"Right, look we both have careers and I enjoy her company both at work and at the bar too okay. We knock them back we chat and we part most of the time going to our own homes. I have never stayed at her place, she has never stayed at mine. I know the rule of your family and I plan on keeping it. I value her very much, sir."
His gaze is reading me like a book but I do not flinch from it.
Soon we are all gathered together.
Taking Melanie's hand in mine I squeeze it and whisper so far so good sweetheart.
She surprises me with a kiss on the cheek and a mumbled, "thanks."
"Only thing, I can not figure out," I say to her as we sit down. "Where is sister number 7?" |