Ian's POV
"I love your mom. She makes me laugh." Hailey smiled at me from the passenger seat, having just gotten off the phone with Mom.
"Good, because I don't know what I would do if you two didn't get along." I shuddered at the thought. I love my mother too much to not have the woman I love like her too. Hailey had that same amused look in her eyes that she got when she was about to tease me.
"Ian Daniels, are you a mama's boy?" She teased, clearly enjoying this newly discovered information.
"In fact, I am. Is that a problem, Hailey Medina? Miss Daddy's girl," I pointed out, jabbing back at her with a similar grin.
"Not at all." She raised her hands, still amused.
"Good. Now what did mom say?"
"She said she can't wait till we get there. Apparently, she found an old family album that she can't seem to wait to share with me."
"Oh, God, no." I sighed, already knowing exactly which album mom had found. She dug it out just to embarrass me, I swear. I am certain it will either be my baby album or my awkward middle school phase album. Frankly, I am starting to believe those are the only family albums we have. I have never seen the others prove otherwise.
"What?" Hailey asked.
"She's giving you a whole new arsenal to tease me about."
"In that case, I can't wait to see."
A couple hours more and we arrived in the driveway of the most inviting home I had ever lived in. Mom was at the door in an instant, as if she had been watching the driveway through the window the entire time. I smiled, seeing her warm, welcoming beam from the doorway. Mom had a smile just as warm as Hailey's, but only hers made you feel loved in an entirely different way. Hailey jumped out of the car first, running towards Mom, as they were now the bestest of friends. I knew they had been talking on the phone a lot more here lately, but I hadn't realized the extent of their strengthening bond until now.
My heart soared to new heights, seeing how well my mother and Hailey got along as they hugged in greeting. Mom took Hailey's hands, squeezing them and walking her inside. I felt a bit ignored as I was left behind to grab our overnight bags. However, I couldn't help the ear-splitting grin on my face, imagining them on the couch already pulling out the album. As I stepped into my old home, smelling the calming scent of lavender, I could hear laughter.
"Wasn't he just the cutest baby?" Mom cooed, clearly showing the baby album. I much preferred this one over the middle school one.
"So cute, and so chunky. Oh my gosh, look at those cheeks. Me Muero. {I'm dying}"
"Wait to see the one she has of me in a sailor suit," I chuckled as I yelled out to them, passing them as I headed to the stairs. I took them two at a time, reaching my old room, where I knew we would be staying.
After half an hour of Hailey gushing over baby me, pinching and poking my cheek in real life, Liv and Lucas arrived. Daisy and her son were in tow, having ridden together. I wondered how that drive was. Mom greeted them each with a kind smile, as if there were no other way to welcome the people at her door. She seemed to not care about whatever their past may have brought to her doorstep. To mom, they were here to enjoy a meal and that was all that mattered.
"Livie! You are glowing. Ian told me you're expecting again. Do you know what it is?"
"No, we're waiting a while," Red answered, hugging Mom back. I caught the worry in her tone and the fear in her eyes. She didn't want to know, because she wasn't sure if they would both make it. The thought brought a dark cloud to loom over me, bringing back the darkness Hailey pushes away every day.
"I'm sure it's a boy," Hailey chimed, taking my hand. It was clear she had noticed my expression change, and she seemed to understand why. I think perhaps we had the same thought as she stared at Red.
"I could see that," Mom agreed, moving to greet Daisy and the sweet baby boy in her arms, who had the same eyes as Red's- icy blue and haunting.
Mom led us all to the dining room, where we all ate and talked for hours. We laughed as we passed bread, drank wine, and ate more food. It was a wholesome moment, one we would all remember for years. It felt like we were in a movie, at the part where things lulled before they shot back up in a frenzy. Anxiety crept in me as I thought of the future, finding it harder to push those thoughts away. Between Hailey and Mom, I never dwelled on those thoughts for long, not having the opportunity. Before we knew it, it was time for Lucas and Red to leave, helping us clean up as Abi and David played in the playpen together.
"Thank you so much for coming. You know you will always be part of the family, Livie. You too, Lucas," Mom told them, patting them both on the cheek as if she were some kind of grandmother.
"Thank you, Cat." Red hugged her as they headed out. I watched them drive away, worried about how long I had left with Red. We are due for a one on one conversation, preferably before anything happens with her health-wise.
As I entered the restaurant, my heart raced with nerves, already cutting it close to being punctual. I raced to the hostess, letting her know I was meeting someone here. She nodded, taking me to the table. I wanted to be the first one here, but the jewelers took too long.
His eyes landed on me, clearly expressing his emotions the same way Hailey's does. In this case, he was not all that pleased. Shit. I slid into the seat before him, not bothering to look at the carefully curated table.
"I am so sorry. I hope I didn't keep you waiting long." I apologized right off the bat, even though I was only one minute late. Literally one minute.
"Not at all. Tell me, Ian. Why am I here?" He arched his brow, getting right down to business. His lips no longer curled upward in their usual friendly manner. Instead, they settled into a firm line, with his brows furrowing slightly.
"It's about Hailey," I started, unsure of how exactly I planned to do this. It needed to be done, so I am making it happen. Only it seems I am just not as prepared as I thought.
"Yes, I figured as much. What happened with her?" His brows furrowed further, almost meeting in the center to form a dark, thick V.
"Nothing, sir. She's perfect."
"Oh, well, good. You had me worried there for a moment, son." He laughed, all seriousness fading from his face instantly. His large hands patted me on the back harshly before he gave my shoulder a quick, tight squeeze.
"I am sorry, sir. I didn't mean to worry you. There's just something I would like to ask you."
"Go ahead, then. Don't be shy." He gave me a nod of encouragement, pressing me to blurt out what I needed to say.
"I am madly in love with your daughter, sir. She means everything to me. I know it's fast considering we've only been together about 10 months now, but I want to ask for your blessing. I want to marry your daughter." His silence was louder than the surrounding chatter, cranking up my nerves. Would he give me his blessing?
"Before I can give you my blessing, I need to ask you a question." My heart skipped a beat, its rhythm slowing to a near standstill. The weight of his unspoken judgment weighed upon me, causing me to wonder if I would meet his expectations. All I want is to have his blessing, to have his approval shine upon my love for his daughter.
"Yes, sir. Ask away."
"How will your relationship affect your work?" A solemn expression settled across his face once more, a clear indication of the gravity behind his question. Though it seemed straightforward, I understood it to be a loaded gun, carrying the weight of his past. His own marriage had crumbled due to his choice of starting a restaurant and not having enough time with his wife. Now he feared that history would repeat itself with Hailey and me.
"My work can be time consuming, but it would be something I would leave at work. I don't take my job back home with me, knowing too well how quickly it causes burnout. In all honesty, I look forward to sharing my work with Hailey and taking her to the charity events I plan. Thankfully, she seems to enjoy them by my side."
"And if she doesn't? If she decides that she no longer wants to go, that she hates it all?" he pressed, leaning forward with his hands clasped before his face.
"I would find another job, one where I can still give back but not have to attend the events. Mr. Medina, your daughter means more to me than anything in this world. I won't let her down, nor will I ever do anything to hurt her. She is my world, my light, my future."
He fell silent once more, his brow furrowing as he mulled over my words. The gears in his mind seemed to turn, as if he were carefully weighing his options. Had I done enough to sway him? Would he grant me his blessing, allowing me to marry his daughter and become part of their family? The anticipation was killing me, but I sat there, waiting patiently and silently.
"I like you, Ian. I hope you make my daughter happy. You have my blessing."
He beamed, grabbing my hand and shaking it fervently. A radiant smile spread across his face, illuminating the room with pure joy. The happiness in his eyes was unmistakable as he gave his heartfelt blessing, granting me the privilege to marry his daughter. It was a moment of pure bliss, a testament to the love and trust he had in our relationship.
A surge of elation washed over me, filling every fiber of my being with an indescribable joy. The weight of uncertainty lifted from my shoulder, replaced by an overwhelming sense of excitement and gratitude.
"So how are you going to do it?" He asked me, leaning forward as if it were some kind of juicy secret. I grinned, leaning forward as well to spill all the details. She's going to love it.