Marriage Material

I’ve noticed how affectionate they are and how their lives are focused around their family. I not only want what they have, but I also want to be a part of what they have as well. Just how Charlotte comes with me, Robin’s huge family comes with her.

“We’ve seen you two together and the three of you are a family. From the story Robin told me about how you met it seems it’s been that way since the very first second. You asked her to move in with you one minute after that.” She says it with laughter in her voice, which puts me at ease.

It crazy but true, and I have to laugh with her. She smacks her husband’s chest when he shakes his head at us. “Don’t act like that. You did the same thing.” He shrugs and doesn’t deny it. “Then you kept me pregnant non-stop after that.”

I cough to cover another laugh that tries to break free. I don’t blame the man because I understand it. I’ve been having the same thoughts about doing that to his daughter, but I keep that to myself. I want a big family. Not only because I don’t want my child to be alone if something were to ever happen to Robin and me, but because I see the joy they bring. Even if Robin’s brothers are pissing me off, I still like the fact they are protective of her.

“Well, I’ve got one more stop,” I say then stand up.

“He’s all bark and no bite,” Robin’s mom says, somehow already knowing where I’m going.

I’m not sure I agree about that. Kent wanted to punch my face in. As much as I wanted to go a few rounds with him, my anger’s cooled. This rift is hurting Robin, and I don’t give a fuck if I have to beg the man to work this out or let him kick my ass a few times. I need him to be okay with this so Robin has everything her heart desires. As her soon-to-be husband, that’s my duty to her.

“He’ll come around. I promise this is tearing him up as much as it is her. They’re brother and sister, but remember he’s a lot older than her. He took care of her, too. Sometimes they’re more like father and daughter really,” Robin’s mom says, and her words hit home.

I don’t even want to think about how I’ll be when Charlotte starts dating. If she told me she was moving in with some guy without even knowing him I’d lose my mind. I’m getting a good view from Kent’s side of things in this moment and I need to realize that Robin is important to her family and they just want what’s best for her.

“Thanks,” I tell them, and they stand up and give me a hug right before Robin’s dad surprises me once again.

“Welcome to the family, son,” he tells me, and I nod because I’m not sure I can form words right now. It’s crazy how I’ve gone from being alone to having this large group of people who care about me.

When I leave, I feel so light and happy. I’m not looking forward to the confrontation with Kent, but knowing that the rest of Robin’s family is behind me helps. When I find out Kent is at work I’m relieved. If a fight does break out at least there will be other cops around to pull us apart. We can’t get into much trouble at the police station. I hope.

I pull out my cell phone when it starts to ring. I’m a little surprised when I see Kent’s number come up and I wonder for a second if Robin’s parents told him to call me. I programed his number in my phone after he told me about the pictures. I don’t think at the time he wanted to give it to me, but he wanted information on catching the person who took the pictures more.

“Kent,” I answer as I pull up to the station. “I’m about to walk into—”

“I know who it is,” he says. “I know who took the fucking pictures.”

I end the call and rush into the station. Thank god he knows who it is. I’m sick of that shit hanging around us. I want the threat to Robin taken care of so we can carry on with our lives and put this behind us. I rush through the double doors and spot Kent immediately.

“You were on the way here?” he asks and looks as shocked as I was when he called me.

Now we can handle both of these matters: the stalker and his problem with me. I want his blessing in marrying Robin, too. I know it would mean the world to Robin if she knew he was okay with us getting married.