Unlikely Hero (Atlanta #1) (25 page)

“Straight down to the dog in the back yard,” she smiled.
 

Monday morning at work Erin booked their flight for the very next weekend. She hoped Marcus wouldn’t care she was buying both of their tickets. He’d made one comment about money before, but she was pretty sure her buying the tickets wouldn’t be an issue. Nothing about their relationship was shallow.
 

She took a nervous breath, and clicked “confirm” on the webpage. She called her mom to make arrangements to be picked up at the Indianapolis airport and to tell her that Marcus was coming with her.

“You’re bringing someone home to meet us?! That’s wonderful, honey,” she replied. Erin smiled at her mom’s response and couldn’t wait for the chance to really connect with her parents again. She knew they’d love Marcus, too. He was so respectful of her. They would have to appreciate him for his loving dedication to her.
 

However, she couldn’t help but be worried. She would have to explain why she’d been so distant with them. Telling her parents the ugly story would be difficult at best, but at least Marcus would be there with her. She knew he’d support her while she recounted the horrible event, and he would hold her afterward.
 

Marcus was most likely right when he said she was strong enough to do this without him, but having him there would help her feel loved and safe regardless of her parents’ reaction. Her mother would probably cry and her father would probably be angry. Marcus would stay calm either way.

M~

I booked our flight for this weekend. I can’t tell you what it means to me that you’re going. I love you so much. This really won’t be much of a vacation but I’m looking forward to getting away with you anyway. We’re leaving Friday morning around ten and coming back Monday afternoon. Does that still work?

~E

E~
 

That works fine. I’ll have to pull a double one day next week, but it’s worth it. The more I think about it, the more I’m looking forward to going. I’ll get to see where you grew up and know you even better. I just hope I make a good impression on your parents. Any advice?

~M

M~

Be yourself and avoid the phrase “fucking your daughter” and you’ll do great. I know you’re nervous about meeting them, but don’t be. I’m not. I’m proud to have you as my own and have the chance to show you off. No insecurities, ok?

~E

E~

I love you.

~M

Friday morning Marcus came to pick up Erin with his biggest gym bag stuffed with clothes for the trip. He’d brought just about one of everything. He had no idea what he would need. He’d never been in a small midwest town with a family that could in no way be described as dysfunctional like his.
 

Erin rolled her suitcase out to his car and leaned up to kiss him. He pulled her in tight and kissed her lovingly for a long time there in the parking lot. He rubbed her back and stroked her cheek. His tongue moved slowly with hers while he held her. A deep sense of love was laced through the kiss.

“What was that for?” she asked when he finally eased his arms from around her.

“For you. For loving me. For wanting me in every part of your life.”

She leaned her head on his strong chest for a moment, unable to find any appropriate words in response. She kissed over his heart and let him open the car door for her. On the way to the airport Marcus admitted he’d never been on an airplane before.
 

“Never?”

“No. In fact, I’ve never gone on a vacation or even left Georgia.”

Erin was shocked at that. She was floored again by how different their lives had been. “That’s kind of sad.”

“I don’t see it as sad. It just is. My dad sure as hell didn’t take us anywhere and I’ve always had a job since the day I left his house. My jobs never include vacation time. If I take time off I have to make it up somewhere and I never really want to. It’s ok, though. I’ve got Cassie, Bill, and fighting to keep myself occupied. And now I have you.”

He squeezed her hand and smiled. By that time they were pulling up to the a parking attendant at the lane leading toward the airport’s long term parking. They were lucky enough to find a close spot. Marcus displayed their parking tag on the dash and got their bags out of the car.
 

Erin guided him through security. She’d visited her parents enough times to know her way around the Atlanta airport. They boarded the plane and Erin settled in. She laughed when she heard him let out a nervous breath.

“Don’t worry. Just wait until take-off. It’s a crazy feeling. You want the window seat? I’ve seen Atlanta from the sky plenty of times. Here, trade me seats.”

Marcus stepped over her as she scooted over. “Thanks.”

Erin watched his face from the time they taxied down the runway until the plane leveled in the sky. Wonder, excitement, and only a hint of nerves played across his face throughout lift off.

“You’re right,” he said smiling. “That’s a crazy feeling.”

Erin grinned widely at him. “It’ll be a few hours before we get there. You have time to sleep if you want. I might.”

He reached for her hand and she rested her head down on his shoulder. His head rested down on hers and they snuggled together on the plane as best they could. Marcus drifted to sleep almost immediately and Erin slept for a short while after. She stayed against him when she woke up so he could rest. She had plenty to think about anyway.

She woke him when the plane started to descend. “We’re here.”

“Here goes nothing,” he said after a yawn. “Your parents will be here waiting you said?”

“Yep. Don’t worry. They’re going to love you,” she said smiling.
 

Marcus looked down at his tan pants and golf shirt. This was his go-to outfit for Erin’s world. He really wanted to make a good impression. “I hope so.”

“Here,” Erin said, holding out her closed fist.

“What’s this?”

“Open your hand,” she said.

He held his hand out for her and watched as she dropped three pewter charms into his hand.
Hope
,
Strength
, and
Love
.
 

“I thought you might want these with you,” she said to him, smiling. “I think we both need them, but you look more nervous than I do.”

“Thanks, baby,” he said with a smile. Marcus pocketed the tokens and got their carry-on luggage out of the compartment.

They left the plane and stepped into the terminal to see her parents smiling hesitantly at her. Erin’s heart broke at that look. She hadn’t really even offered them a real hug or a warm ‘hello’ in years. Their hesitation was completely her fault. Her hand reached for his and he squeezed her fingers tightly. He understood.

Marcus watched as Erin walked straight to her parents and hugged around both of them tightly. He smiled when they squeezed her back as hard as they could. Both of them looked surprised at her greeting but their expressions quickly turned into happiness. Erin’s mom teared up with the hug.

“My baby girl,” she said lovingly when they finally let each other go.

“Hi, Mom,” Erin responded with a genuine smile. “Daddy, you look great.”

They all hugged again while Marcus waited patiently. Finally, their moment eased and Erin turned to him and reached out her hand. He took a discreet deep breath and walked over to meet Mr. And Mrs. Connor.
 

“Mom, Dad, this is Marcus Walker. Marcus, Bob and Linda Connor,” she said formally.

Marcus kept his posture tall to shake both of their hands.

“It’s really nice to meet you,” he said. He smiled politely and tried very hard to pretend he wasn’t completely intimidated by the middle aged couple. He’d never been around anyone like them before with the exception of Erin.
 

“Marcus,” her dad nodded to him.
 

Her mom took a step to him and pulled him in for a warm hug and patted him on the back. “We’re so glad to have you.”

Marcus looked over to Erin and saw her grinning widely. She mouthed the words “told you” to him and he let himself relax.

“You have an exceptional daughter,” he said to them. “And thank you for having me.”

Erin’s mom beamed at him and her father looked at him appraisingly. Marcus met his eyes kindly, not wanting to show any weakness or fear. He knew this entire weekend would be a try-out as far as her father was concerned. He hoped like hell he would pass.

Her dad broke eye contact first and Marcus felt a hint of triumph. So far, so good. The group walked toward the baggage claim and finally made their way to her parents’ Buick. Marcus loaded the bags into the trunk and tucked himself tightly into the back seat with Erin. She reached for his hand and he took it willingly. He needed the reassurance as much as she did.
 

“My house is about an hour and a half away,” she said. Marcus looked at her wide-eyed. That’s a long time to be in an enclosed space with her parents and no distractions. He steadied himself for the inquisition. He didn’t have to wait long.

“So,” her dad started, meeting his eyes in the rearview mirror. “What do you do for a living, Marcus?”

“I work for a custodial service. Right now I’m assigned to Erin’s office building. It’s how we met.”

“You’re a janitor?”

“Yes, sir,” he said without shame. “It’s steady work and keeps me humble.”

“Hmm.” Her dad said.
 

Marcus kept his head held high, but his heart sank. Erin’s dad obviously didn’t approve of his job. The man probably wanted Erin to find a doctor or lawyer or someone important like most dads do. Marcus certainly wasn’t ashamed of his work, but he hoped Erin’s dad would be able to see past his occupation.
 

Anyway, he couldn’t change his career in the next hour. The time for that was coming soon, though. Marcus had plans and his future looked good. He wasn’t ready to reveal that yet, though, not to anyone.
 

Erin’s mom spoke up next. She turned and smiled to Marcus, blatantly trying to get him off the hook with her husband. “Behave yourself, Bob. They just got here. Erin, honey, how’s work going?”

Marcus liked Erin’s mom right away. She was so much like Erin: same striking green eyes and red hair, as well as warm and considerate. She looked like an older version of Erin herself. Her dad, on the other hand, was dark-haired and clear-eyed and could be described as surly. In spite of being older and shorter than Marcus, he was intimidating in his own right.
 

He hoped Mr. Connor would ease up at some point, but Marcus was glad he seemed to have safe haven with her mom in the meantime. Erin squeezed his hand and smiled at him.
 

“Work is going well,” Erin said. “Same as always. There’s never much new to talk about in accounting. Tax season is coming up too soon, like every year, but other than that I’m just enjoying the early fall cool-down.”

“You look like you’re still spending a lot of time at the gym. Did you ever do one of those 10k runs you talked about?” her mom asked.
 

“Not yet. Maybe in the spring. I haven’t thought about it much. You know me, I’m not big for crowds. I do plenty of running on the treadmill. I think I’d make it through.”

“What about you, Marcus,” her mom started. “You seem to be in good shape, too. Are you a runner?”

Marcus smiled and looked at Erin. She nodded encouragingly. Apparently she didn’t mind him telling her family about being a fighter. She had told him to be himself and she must have been sincere.
 

“No, I train at a gym in mixed martial arts.”

Erin’s dad looked up immediately with a hard look in his eyes. “You’re a cage fighter?”

Marcus met his eyes again in the mirror. “Yes, sir.”

“Hmm.”

“Bob, stop it. Marcus, how long have you been a fighter?”

Marcus told Erin’s parents the bare minimum about his fighting and training. Again, he wasn’t ashamed at all, but he was still trying to win over her father. Bob Connor probably didn’t want to hear about the violent rage he used to fuel his training or how hard he attacks in the ring to win. Coming across as a gentle, loving man taking care of his daughter certainly wouldn’t happen in that conversation.
 

Erin finally spoke up. “Daddy, how about you? How are things at the school?”

“Kids get more ornery with every passing year,” he said with a smile and a little more softness in his voice. Marcus knew in that moment that Erin’s dad was most likely a soft-hearted man except when it came to his daughter. This was going to be a long weekend. He already wished he had access to a heavy bag and a sparing partner.

Erin looked at Marcus. “My dad is Dean of Students at my old high school. Mom still stays at home, but she does lots of volunteer work.”

“Right now I’m helping coordinate getting a ‘Meals on Wheels’ service going in our town,” she said.

“That’s great,” Marcus smiled. The scene around him floored him. Here was a hard-working, loving family who saw value in volunteering and helping in the community. Erin’s dad helped shape teenagers into productive adults rather than beating them into a state of terror and anger.
 

All of this was so surreal to him. This was like a family out of some tv show. He easily saw how Erin became the woman that she was. Even with her dad’s hard exterior toward him, Marcus fell in love with her parents before they even finished the drive home. This was the kind of family every child deserved.
 

When they finally pulled in the driveway of the well-kept-but-modest house, Marcus looked around and smiled. This was all so opposite of his own upbringing and he couldn’t help but be impressed and intimidated. He hoped he would fit in and not embarrass Erin. She had told him over and over not to worry, but he couldn’t help but to be nervous.
 

Marcus carried the bags into the house which earned him a small smile from her father. Encouraged, he smiled back. Maybe her dad would see past his occupation and favorite pastime. Hopefully he would see how much Marcus genuinely loved Erin and how protective he was of her.