The Imperfections

“Allowance is a little condescending, isn’t it?” I offer back. “It’s not an allowance. You’re allowed to spend whatever you want to spend, within reason. We’ll set up a joint checking account and I’ll make you an authorized user on my main credit card so you’ll have access to all the funds you need. If you need cash, I’ll give it to you.”

“That’s very generous of you,” she tells me.

“Not really. When it comes to taking care of my family, you’ll never have to worry about that. Real men take care of their wives and kids, Alyssa. You just haven’t encountered many of them in your lifetime.”

Resting her head against me again, she smiles. “Well, I’m grateful for your support, anyway. I don’t know what I want to do, I guess I’ll have to think about it.”

I tighten my arm around her. “You’ve got some time to decide.”

She tips her head back and looks up at me. “I’m gonna take care of you too, you know?”

“I know that. I didn’t mean you don’t have anything valuable to contribute. You’re better at some things and I’m better at others. We’re gonna be partners in this relationship, always working together toward the same goals. I’ll play to my strengths and you’ll play to yours, but we always have to remember we’re on the same team. You’ll never have to face anything on your own again. From this day forward, I’ve got your back, always, no matter what, and I expect the same from you.”

We’re at my truck now. I let go of Alyssa so she can wander over to her side, but she stands in front of the vehicle and doesn’t move. She’s turned toward me, looking up at me for so long I start to feel self-conscious about it.

“What?” I ask once I can’t take wondering what she’s thinking anymore.

Alyssa shakes her head, a fond look on her face. “It’s just gonna be really easy to fall in love with you.”

That eases the worry that was starting to build, thinking maybe she didn’t have the same idea of marriage I did. “I hope so,” I murmur, feeling a little bashful since she caught me off guard.

Alyssa grins and steps forward, wrapping her arms around my neck and leaning into me. “I know so.”

18

Alyssa

I have no idea how to go about introducing Brant to my family.

It should be easy, in theory, since he is hands down the best man I’ve ever encountered. Even having to announce a pregnancy on top of it, it shouldn’t be too terrible since he’s got the moral compass of a 300-year-old and he plans to marry me.

In practice, though, I’m nervous as hell. I’ve never really introduced a guy to my family like this. Once, when I was sort of seeing that jerk I gave a reluctant blow job to, we ran into each other at the same restaurant. I was there with my mom and sister, he was there with some friends, and he came to my table to say hello since it would’ve been weird to ignore me, but that’s as close to an introduction as I’ve ever come.

On top of that, I know Brant has this traditional idea of sitting down with my family over dinner, and we don’t do that here. Pappy eats at his recliner in front of the television, the kids eat wherever me or my sister can force them to sit still long enough to shovel some food into their mouths, and my mom… I can’t even recall the last meal we shared together. I do know it’s been at least a few months, and we definitely ate on the couch, not assembled around the table, talking to each other about our day.

Brant is not even remotely prepared for my family. Further proving this, he stops on the way and gets flowers to give to my mom. I had to fight with her to even get her to cancel her plans and show up. I told her it was important, but I expect she’ll still be in a pissy mood about it, so I can only imagine the flummoxed look on her face when Brant shows up with flowers.

The whole ride there, I’m quiet, worrying about the scene we’ll be greeted with. I was tempted to ask Brant to drop me off an hour or so before he came so I could make dinner myself, but he had other stuff he wanted to do before, like pick out my ring. Entrusting the preparation to my mom and sister makes me nervous, but I’m hoping for the best.

I’m wearing my ring to dinner. I don’t expect anyone will notice it until I show it off since they won’t be looking for it, but hey, if someone does, I have my conversation starter.