‘Now what on earth gave you that impression?’ he asked.
So, it was a happy end for the seaman who had found his mermaid after all. Although, as superstitious folk might say, the sea is a cruel mistress.
Menage Romance
Passion
Suzie felt so nervous she thought she might be sick. She was not good around large groups of people, especially ones she did not know. But Jared was so gentle and patient with her. It had been three months to the day since they started dating, more than a year since they met and she had put off meeting his family for too long. In any case, it was time to bite the bullet and go to the family cabin. Suzie could not break up with him to get out of it (not that she wanted to), but it would make work awkward for sure. Working in a small office, she was unsure about dating a colleague and had insisted they remain friends. But as time went by, he grew on her and they both wanted to be more than friends. Now they were at the meet the family stage, except she did not have a family and was unsure how to act around one.
“You ready to go sweetie?” Jared knocked on her bedroom door.
“Okay,” Suzie replied. “I have never been camping so I did not really know what to pack.”
“I cannot believe you have never been camping. No worries, it is a big cabin so just like a house in the woods. It gets a bit cold at night but I will keep you warm.” Walking over to her he wrapped his arms around her and she could smell his cologne. She breathed him in, enjoying how safe she felt in his arms.
“It must be a big cabin if everyone in your family is coming,” Suzie said quietly into his chest.
“Yeah, it has a bedroom for each of us. Mom and Dad wanted all five of their boys to be able to come whenever they wanted and have their own space. Now Jason and his wife have the main floor bedroom. Jeremy and his wife have the other main floor bedroom. You and I will be in the basement and I think Jeff and his girlfriend will have the other room down there. Then Johnny will be in the bedroom upstairs, closest to Mom and Dad. I know it is a lot for you but they will love you.” Jared turned her to face him and kissed her forehead.
She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his mouth closed. Picking her up he brought her closer to him and she wrapped her legs around him. Jared moaned and bit her lip.
“We have to go.” He growled his discontent. “Or we will never get there before dark. I just want to stay there with you all weekend.”
“I am sure we can find a quiet spot to be alone,” Suzie said and winked.
“Oh yeah. No way am I sharing you all weekend,” Jared replied and he started kissing her again.
On the way to the cabin, Jared went over who everyone was that was going to be there, again. Suzie was terrible with names and with five brothers with “J” names, she constantly forgot. There was Jason the oldest, married with a one-year-old son and a five-year-old daughter. His wife was Melissa. Next came Jeremy who was married to Tracey, she was pregnant with twins. Jared was the middle brother, older than his twin brother Jeff by five minutes. Jeff was also bringing a new girlfriend, though no one knew her name. And the youngest brother was Johnny. Jared’s mom and dad were retired lawyers and lived for their boys, and Jared said there would be plenty of food and beverage.
“So, this will be the first time everyone meets Jeff’s girlfriend too. Nice to know I am not alone,” Suzie said.
“You are adorable when you are nervous.” Jared looked over from the driver’s seat, grabbed her hand and pressed it to his lips before returning his gaze to the road. “You will have fun, I promise.”
“I know I just always feel strange at big family events. I don’t have much practice. A weekend away with you will be nice regardless. Just no talking about work. Deal?”
“Bad meeting today?” Jared asked and then quickly backtracked. “I mean, look at that sunset.”
Suzie smiled, leaned over and kissed his cheek.
When they arrived, it was dark. The lights in the house were on and there were people everywhere. Suzie gave herself a mental pep talk, reminding herself to treat them like a large group of co-workers, or clients. This would be her first weekend with a family of any sort and it was a three-day weekend.
“Come on,” Jared said after he parked his car. “Let’s go in, I’ll get Johnny to come help me with the stuff once we say hi to everyone.”
Walking up the path, with forest on either side, the house unfolded in front of them. It was the biggest cabin Suzie has ever seen. Huge log beams supported three stories and a wraparound deck above and below. It was gorgeous. As Suzie stood gaping, Jared pulled her around the side of the house towards the back door. Around back was a deck the size of their entire workplace. It had a spot to BBQ, a spot to eat, a lounge area and a hot tub.
“Sweet, I didn’t know they put the hot tub in already. Good thing we packed our swimsuits,” Jared said as they reached the door.
Before they could open the door, Jared’s mom stepped out and grabbed him in a tight hug. She looked even kinder than her picture and with her grey hair, glasses and apron she looked like an illustration of a grandmother; except she had a wine glass in her hand instead of a plate of cookies.
“Suzie, dear. So nice to meet you. Let me have a good look at you before you get mixed in with the hoard.” She hugged Suzie and held her at arm’s length, smiling. “Jared has told us so much about you. Are you ready to come in and meet everyone?” She hooked one arm around Suzie and pushed Jared into the house.
Immediately inside the door, a young girl ran up to Jared shrieking, “Uncle Jared, Uncle Jared! Fabien is in bed but I got to stay up to see you.” And she jumped into his arms. Jared threw her up in the air and caught her, then spun her around the room. At the large table in front of them sat three brothers and two wives; thankfully it would be easy to keep them apart as Tracey was very pregnant. The brothers though all looked very similar. Suzie was sure she could tell which was Johnny as he looked younger, wore a black hoodie and earphones. Jeremy and Jason looked like older versions of Jared; they all shared the same sandy hair and deep brooding eyes. Wow, Suzie thought, this was a family of gorgeous boys.
Jared’s mom, Helen was about to start introductions when the front door opened on the far other side of the open living space on the main floor. At the same time, the basement door opened and Jared’s dad walked into the room.
“The party’s here!” a voice boomed.
Looking up, Suzie saw a tall, dark-haired woman enter the room. She wore a short dress, high heels and had bright red lips. Behind her, the other brother, Jeff, stomped in.