Finding Solace (61 page)

 
We managed
to stay until last call was announced. Cabs were called and we all filed out.
Every one said they had a great time. Ash was awarded best performance with our
fall coming in a close second. Ash and I got in our cab and I snuggled up to
him and said, "Thank you for tonight. It was a great time."

 
"You’re
welcome, princess. And thank you for just being you."

 
He leaned
down and gave me a quick kiss. I settled into my favorite comfy place and fell
asleep. The next thing I knew, I was being picked up and carried into the
house. Ash carried me all the way to bed and then undressed me before covering
me up and wishing me a good night.

CHAPTER
48

 
It
was the weekend before my birthday and Ash had put together a barbeque at the
house for his family and mine. The two sides had yet to meet. He said it was
important for them to get along if we were going to have a forever together,
which I agreed with. Celebrating my birthday with both sides was a perfect
idea. I offered to help cook, but he would have none of that. His mother, Maria,
made all of the side dishes and brought them over while his father, Michael,
helped Ash outside with grilling the meat. My mom and dad were running ten
minutes late already, but it was far from uncommon for them to be late. Kate
was on her way too. I stayed in the kitchen watching his mother, hoping to
learn something from this woman. She is a culinary goddess. She took her time
explaining things to me and as hard as it all looked, she made it easy to
understand. I heard the front door open, so I jumped down from my bar stool to
greet whomever it was. My dad came in first with the mouth of a sailor.

 
"Holy shit, Sadie!
This is unbelievable!"

 
I gave him a
hug and whispered in his ear, "Dad, thank you, but Ash's parents are here.
Please watch your language."

 
I had no
idea Maria had come up behind me until I heard, "You have to do no such
thing. Hello, my name is Maria Williams. I am Ash's mother."

 
"It’s
nice to meet you, Maria. I am Bill and my beautiful wife, Linda must have
forgotten something out in the car. She was right behind me. If you will excuse
me for a second, I would like to go offer her a hand."

 
"It is
very nice to meet you, Bill. As far as your wife goes, Sadie and I can help
her. You just go find the guys out back and grab a beer while you’re at
it."

 
My dad
looked at me and I just smiled. I think he found a backup if he ever got tired
of my mom. Maria has that effect on people. She is just amazing.

 
"Are
you sure?"

 
"Absolutely,
now go. Sadie, please come introduce me to your mother. I'm so excited to meet
the woman who created such a blessing."

 
"I
wouldn't go that far."

 
We both
turned our heads to the new voice in the mix. Kate had walked in with my mother
right behind her.

 
"Kate,
don't you ever say something so crude again."

 
"Mom, I
was kidding around." She grabbed me and pulled me into a hug. "I
adore Sadie. She just might be my little sister someday. That is, if Ash
doesn’t screw it up."

 
"Kate!"

 
"Sorry, Mom.
I'm going to find the boys. It was very
nice meeting you, Linda."

 
I turned to
my mom, forgetting she was there. I grabbed her and hugged her tight.
"Thank you for coming."

 
"I
wouldn't miss my daughter’s birthday celebration." She turned to Maria.

 
 
"You must be Ash's mother?"

 
"Mom,
this is Maria, Maria, this is my mother, Linda."

 
Maria hugged
my mom. "It’s a pleasure to meet you. Would you like to go meet up with
the men? I can't wait to introduce you to Michael."

 
"I
would love that."

 
I found
myself following the two women, listening to my mom ‘ooh and ah’ over the house
while Maria explained what and where things were. They seemed to get along
well, which was mine and Ash’s hope from the beginning. We finally made it out
back where I passed the women and headed straight for my man. I kissed him
lovingly and then turned to watch the introductions.

 
"Michael,
this is Linda Warren, Sadie’s mother." Maria looked proud to show off her
husband. It was cute.

 
"No
need to tell me anything other than her name. Linda, I see exactly where Sadie
accumulated her beauty from. You are stunning. Bill, I feel for you, man. I've
got the same thing between Maria and Kate. It’s hard having two amazing women
around and keeping the prying eyes at bay."

 
"I will
drink to that. It sure is."

 
Kate looked
like she was embarrassed of her dad and ready to bolt.

 
"Kate,
do you want to see the new hand bag I got. I just got it in the mail yesterday
and I'm in love."

 
"Sure.
I will follow you."

 
I walked
back in the house and then turned to her and said, "I didn't really get a
new bag. I just wanted to rescue you from the conversation. You looked
miserable."

 
"Thank
you. You’re awesome. I just can't stand all the love and mushy conversation.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not against people being happy. I just had another
awful date with my boyfriend last night. He's an asshole and I don’t think I
can do this anymore with him."

 
"Then
don't. You’re too perfect to be giving yourself to someone who doesn't
appreciate you."

 
"Thank
you. It’s just, ah, I feel like I'm giving up."

 
The door to
outside opened and Ash walked in with a platter covered in steaks.

 
"What
are you girls taking about in here?"

 
"Nothing, just girl stuff."

 
"Well,
food’s ready. Let’s eat."

 
Kate and I
got the plates and silverware out and set the dining room table. Maria came in
with side dish after side dish. My mom helped her bring in even more dishes.
How much food did we possibly need? This feast could feed an army.

 
"Maria,
this is way too much food."

 
"No
dear. Left overs are fantastic. Nothing will go to waste."

 
"I know
,
Linda and I will take anything you’re willing to send with
us."

 
Kate jumped
in. "Mom, I definitely want some."

 
"Mom,
it’s Sadie's birthday, I think the bulk of it needs to stay here, for her to
have."

 
"You
all are acting like this is crack cocaine. It’s just food."

 
A gasp was
heard around the room. Ash looked at me and said, "Sadie, take it back. My
mom’s cooking is not just food."

 
"Alright
seriously, you guys are acting ridiculous. It is only..."

 
Ash shoved a
fork full of something in my mouth. I had no choice but to chew. Oh my God.
Baked ziti with a crunchy parmesan coating hit my taste buds. Heaven was in my
mouth, truly. I finished chewing and then said, "Whatever is left over of
that, is mine." The whole table erupted in laughter. We all made our own
plates and said grace before we ate. Ash’s steaks were delicious, as was
everything else that was offered. I was so stuffed when it was all said and
done. Ash practically had to roll me out to the couch. I wasn't alone. My
parents were not used to eating like that either, and were just as miserable as
I was. Ash’s family had no problem functioning afterwards. Apparently, you have
to build up a resistance to Maria's cooking. Eventually, my mother and I
waddled into the kitchen to help Kate and Maria box all the leftovers up to
send home with people. There was a football game on too that occupied the boys,
leaving us women in the kitchen talking.

 
"So
Sadie, what are your plans for your business? Do you want to open your own shop
one day?"

 
"Maria,
I would love to. But that is a lot of responsibility and I'm not ready for that
yet.
Someday maybe, but not now.
I feel like I rarely
get to see Ash as it is. He's so busy between school and the fire house."

 
"My brother
has always dreamt of being a firefighter. When we were kids, he was one for
Halloween. He didn't take the costume off unless it was bath time. He even
slept in it."

 
"Sadie
did the same thing with her Cinderella costume. I had to replace it three times
and sneak the new one in after baths. She would wear them until they fell
apart."

 
"Well
then, that explains why my son refers to you as his princess."

 
"
Maria, that
was a long time ago. I don't live in a make
believe world anymore."

 
"No,
but that little fireman is hell bent to give his princess anything her heart
desires."

 
We all
laughed. Maybe I still did want my happily ever after and Ash was waiting to
make his dream into reality also.

 
"Maybe
you’re right. We are still the same little kids waiting for our dreams to come
true."

 
Kate looked
at me and said, "It’s happening right now. You just have to open your
eyes."

 
Eventually
we all called it a day. Our parents got along so well that they made plans
without us to meet up for dinner and drinks. Kate promised to call me so we
could do the same. Ash and I said our goodbyes and then we went to the kitchen
to clean up any leftover mess.

 
"I
think that went awesome."

 
"I
agree completely. Best birthday barbeque ever. Thank you, honey. I loved
it."

 
"You’re
more than welcome but you know you still have your surprise coming up."

 
"You’re
just plain mean! When? When do I get to find out?"

 
"Tomorrow morning, actually."

 
"Really?"

 
"Yep."

 
"I'm going
to bed now. I will see you in the morning."

 
I ran up the
stairs, changed my clothes, brushed my teeth, washed my face and jumped into
bed. I looked at the clock and it was only 7:30. I didn’t care. This surprise
of Ash's had been looming over my head for almost a month. The sooner I
slept,
the sooner morning would get here. I had almost
fallen asleep when I smelled something amazing and it was coming closer. When
it came into the bedroom, I recognized it immediately. My mom’s apple pie. Ash
had brought me pie. I opened my eyes to see my gorgeous man holding a large
bowl of hot apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream to top it off. Screw
sleep. I wanted that bowl.

 
"Is
that for me?"

 
"Well
it was, until I saw that you were sleeping. I'm sorry to bother you. Go back to
sleep."

 
He turned to
walk away when I screamed. "Don't you dare leave with my
pie.
"

 
He turned
around with my bowl sticking out.
"Your bowl?"
As he waved it around.

 
"My bowl!"
I jumped out of bed and tackled him for
it. "That is my mom’s pie. Hand it over."

 
"Fine, psycho.
Take your pie." He held out the
bowl and I snatched it out of his hand. "And you said we acted crazy. Like
food was cocaine. Ring a bell?"

 
"Um, Uh."

 
"What
was that?"

 
"You
have never had my mom’s pie. Eat."

 
I shoved a
bite in his mouth. And his eyes rolled into the back of his head.

 
"Ring a
bell?"

 
"I have
an idea. I know a better way to eat this."

 
"Best
idea ever!"

 
We had the
stickiest mess to clean up when we were done, but it was worth every sheet we
threw away. And the morning is just around the corner. Woo
hooo
!