Page 51 of Embraced in Ink
“I think it’s about a hundred percent right now. And one recently moved back.”
“That’s pretty remarkable.”
“We’re a close family.” She paused. “And not a cult.”
“So you say. But here I am, about to get sworn in. Do I get a robe or something?”
“No, you get ink seared into your flesh.”
Marcus looked at her and then laughed as he parked in front of her parents’ house. “You’re right, the fact that your family has a tattoo that even those who get married in receive, tells me it’s closer to a cult than you think.”
“Jerk.” She laughed as they got out of the car. Marcus slid his arm around her waist and kissed her firmly on her mouth, even as she laughed against him.
“Still a cult,” he whispered.
“There you guys are. I’m so glad you’re here.” Her mother clapped from the doorway, beaming. Okay, it seemed that they were going with the PDA and acting natural.
Because this was natural, they were genuinely getting married. They were figuring out their future. And they were kissing, touching as if they always had. As if it had always been a part of their lives.
The fact that she was still nervous and trying to contemplate what would happen next wasn’t something she would focus on tonight.
“Come in. We’re doing appetizers right now.”
Bristol frowned. “Are we the last here?” she asked.
Her mother shrugged as she came up to them, giving Bristol a kiss on the cheek, and then going up onto her toes as Marcus leaned down so she could do that to his cheek, as well.
“Yes, but Aaron was early, mostly because I think he wanted to be first to beat you.”
“Darn baby brother.”
“You know he still thinks of himself as a big brother. I don’t know, must be that little-brother complex,” her mother said, laughing.
“And yet, I’m the one with the middle-child complex?” Ethan asked as he came out to the front door.
“Come on in. We’re eating bruschetta and Caprese salad.”
“Oh, that sounds yummy, but I thought we were having roast with potatoes,” Bristol said. “I didn’t know you served those together.”
Her mom smiled. “I was in the mood. However, they didn’t have the roast that I wanted at the store, so we’re doing roasted chicken stuffed with some lemons and fresh herbs. And of course, mashed potatoes, asparagus, Brussel sprouts, glazed carrots, and then scalloped potatoes on the side.”
“I think I may just fall in love with you,” Marcus said, smiling widely. “Seriously, I’m starving.”
“Then go eat bruschetta.” Her mother narrowed her eyes at Bristol. “Why aren’t you feeding this man? You know your duty.”
Bristol resisted the urge to flip her mother off but did roll her eyes. “Yes, because I believe you when you say it’s my duty to make sure my man is fed.”
“You called him your man. I’m so excited about this.” She kissed Bristol’s cheek again and then tugged Marcus off to the food.
Her dad sidled up at that point, giving Bristol a big hug. “Ignore your mother. She likes poking at you. And you know I’m the one that made the appetizers.”
“Is that why they don’t match dinner?”
“Your mother was in the mood for a lot of tomatoes, even though it didn’t go with the rest of her theme. So, today, it’s simply food that we were in the mood for rather than a theme. We’re allowed to do that.”
“And today was the day that you didn’t allow us to bring anything for dinner.”
“No, but that’s because now that you’re all adults, we’ve switched it up so we have Montgomery dinners at all of your houses, as well, not only ours.”