That much, I’m beginning to believe. Not that Ella and Scarlet have ever been anything less than kind and sweet but accepting me as a true member of the family is another story. Loving me from afar and maintaining that feeling while hanging out for a week are two different things.
And Xander? I still have to pinch myself whenever we have a warm exchange during one of his video calls with Quinton. It’s become easier to feel natural while chatting, but being in person is another story.
“Scarlet’s dying to go shopping with you.” Quinton offers an easy smile that warms me from the inside out. I love seeing him like this, so easy and relaxed. The thought of me getting along well with his family makes him happy, which of course, makes me happy. It’s enough to make me want to try as hard as I can to be the wife he needs. A wife who fits in with the people who mean so much to him.
“I’m going to have to get used to that, too,” I admit.
“To what?”
“Being able to go shopping and get whatever I want.”
“You’ve been able to do that for months. Anything you want to order.”
“I know, but actually going to the store and being able to touch things and decide if I like them first? I haven’t been able to do that in so long.” And never with the unlimited budget, Quinton assures me I have at my disposal. I want to pinch myself over that, too. I’d better be careful, or I’m going to end up bruised all over.
“Does it make you happy?”
“Being able to go shopping with your mom and your sister? Sure. I’m looking forward to it.”
“That’s all that matters. Relax and enjoy yourself. That’s all anybody wants you to do.” He kisses me again, harder this time. “Be yourself. Everybody already loves you.”
I don’t even realize my smile falls until Quinton frowns while looking at my lips. “What did I say to make this happen?” He reaches for my face and lets his index finger brush over the corners of my mouth.
“You said everyone loves you…” By everyone, he means everyone from his family. “I still haven’t heard from my mom.”
“Can I ask you something? You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”
“Of course, I’ll tell you.” I can’t imagine anything I would want to keep from Quinton.
“Why have you not asked Brittney to find your mother?”
I suck in a ragged breath, looking out the window instead of at Quinton’s face. Of course, I have thought about that as well. Brittney could probably track her down in no time if I asked her to.
“Honestly… I don’t think she wants me to find her. I think she didn’t want to be my mother anymore. Maybe she never really did. When I look at your mom, I can see her love for you in her eyes. I can see how much she cares for you and Scarlet. It’s there in everything she does, every gesture, every word. My mom never looked at me that way. She never cared for me like that, and I never even realized it until now.”
“I’m sorry, Aspen.”
I shake my head. “There is nothing to be sorry about. I didn’t know any better growing up. I didn’t feel unloved back then, but now, I just don’t want to search for someone who doesn’t want to be found.”
“Makes sense.” Quinton smiles, showing off his straight white teeth just when the limo stops. “I’m glad you know you are loved now.”
If I needed any proof of that, Scarlet delivers it by launching herself at me the moment Quinton opens my door. “Finally! You’re here!”
“I’m here, too,” Quinton reminds her, wearing a wry smile.
“Sure, sure. You’re old news.” But she gives him a playful nudge. “I guess it’s nice to see you since, without you, we wouldn’t have Aspen.” She puts an arm around my waist and leads me inside. “Let’s find Mom. Are you hungry? We were thinking about going to lunch before heading out to shop.”
She’s like a whirlwind. “Yeah, that would be great. I’m up for whatever you want to do.”
“Here they are. The newlyweds.” Ella hugs Quinton before turning the light of her smile on me. I wouldn’t be so bold as to call her mom unless she wanted me to, but she’s definitely starting to feel like a true mother to me. It’s almost like getting a second chance at a family.
“Quinton, you stay close by,” she warns him before we leave for the afternoon. “We have dinner reservations this evening, so I’ll need you ready.”
“I thought we were having dinner at home tonight.”
“No, we thought it would be nice to go out since a reservation was available this evening.” She kisses his cheek before taking me by the hand. “Come on. We have a lot to do.”