Best Mistake

"You're sure I look ok?" I whispered.

We'd just gotten out of the car at Alex's parents house, and I was using the window's reflection and the street lamp to make any last minute adjustments.

"Yes," Alex sighed. He clearly seemed annoyed of answering the same question for what seemed like the thousandth time.

I moved some of my hair forward and looked over the top of the car at him. "Is this better?"

"Oh my god, Whitney," he groaned. "You look amazing. Will you please come on?"

I frowned and hurried to him, catching a quick glance of myself in the back window.

"I probably should have worn-"

I was cut off by Alex taking my face in his hands, staring me in the eyes.

"You. Look. Beautiful. Your shirt is beautiful. Your jeans are beautiful. You sandles are beautiful. Your hair, makeup, hell, your deodorant is beautiful, too. Now I'm having a really hard time fighting the urge to take you in the backseat of my car and fuck your brains out, so if you don't mind, can we go in please?"

He turned on his heel and started waking towards the door. I stared at him, speechless and shocked. I nervously looked around, hoping no one heard what he'd just said, and hurried to catch up with him.

I gently shoved him. "Don't say things like that to me right now. I'm about to meet your parents. I don't need to be all flustered and horny."

He smiled, shrugging. "Just trying to get my point across."

We got to the door and I felt my body tense up when he knocked.

"Breathe," he whispered, and I wasn't even aware I wasn't doing so.

A tall, brawny man that looked exactly like Alex opened the door. "Alex," he smiled.

"Hey dad," Alex responded, taking my hand and pulling me into the house with him. "This is my girlfriend, Whitney."

"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Gaskarth," I smiled sheepishly.

He extended his hand to me. "Peter, please."

I shook his hand, nodding, knowing the manners imbedded in my system wouldn't allow such a thing.

A short, petite woman that also looked just like Alex appeared next to Mr. Gaskarth. I quickly glanced between the two of them before looking at Alex.

"Mom, I'd like you to meet Whitney," Alex smiled.

Mrs. Gaskarth made her way over to me and pulled me into a tight hug.

"It's so very nice to meet you," she said, her English accent thick. "Alex has had nothing but wonderful things to say about you."

I smiled a little as she pulled away. "I surely hope so."

She looked down at my belly, her hands reaching out for it. "May I?" she asked.

I nodded and she rested her hands on my bump. I silently tried to encourage the baby to kick. She looked up at me, then at Alex.

"I'm so happy for the two of you." She looked back at me before saying, "Congratulations."

I thanked her and Alex slipped his hand into mine. I was pretty relieved, as his hand was almost like a safety blanket, shielding me from my anxieties.

"Dinner is almost ready. Peter, could you help me in the kitchen for a bit?" she asked, turning to leave.

Mr. Gaskarth nodded and winked at Alex and I before following her out.

"Please, Whitney, make yourself at home," she called over her shoulder.

Alex scoffed sarcastically. "Oh, and what about me?"

Mr. Gaskarth turned, a smile on his face. "You can go wait in the car, you bloke," he laughed.

"Really, Alexander," Mrs. Gaskarth laughed from the kitchen. "It's not always about you, you know. Share some of the spotlight with Whitney."

Alex looked down at me, over exaggerating a pout. I giggled and stood on my tip toes, quickly kissing him.

"Thank you," he sniffed. He gave my hand a gentle squeeze before saying, "Are you ok so far?"

I nodded. "Yeah. They're really nice. And they haven't kicked me out yet, so that's a plus."

"I'll save the 'I told you so' for later," he teased.

I shook my head, and something caught my eye on the mantle above the fireplace. I glanced at Alex before moving closer to examine it.

I giggled, covering my mouth with my hand in an effort to subdue it. In the framed picture, a young Alex of about four or five stood in what looked like a field, his face scrunched up. The puffy, multicolored sweat suit he was wearing looked a few sizes too big for him.

"Hello, '90s," I laughed.

Alex chuckled along. I scanned the other photos, stopping at one of a lady that was undeniably Mrs. Gaskarth holding a newborn in a hospital bed.

"Is this you?" I asked.

"Yeah," Alex sighed. "Don't worry though, my mom told me all babies look like wet potatoes fresh out of the womb, so it's not just me."

I laughed and gently jabbed his side. Mr. Gaskarth was soon rejoining us.

"She's found the baby pictures," he smiled, flopping down in the recliner.

The Gaskarth men started up a conversation about a basketball game and I hurried into the kitchen.

"Can I help you with anything, Mrs. Gaskarth?" I asked.

She turned to me from the stove. "No, darling, I think I've gotten it all taken care of. But please, call me Isobel."

I nodded and smiled, feeling a little guilty that my manners wouldn't allow me to obey that request either.

"I'm so happy you were able to join us tonight, and for such an occasion."

My heart skipped a beat. I didn't know there was an occasion.

"Actually, dear, would you mind setting the table for me? The plates are in the second cabinet from the right."

"Yes ma'am," I nodded.

I quickly set the table with plates, forks, knives, and glasses. Mrs. Gaskarth thanked me before I walked back into the living room and sat next to Alex.

Mr. Gaskarth excused himself and I smiled after him before turning to face Alex.

"So what's the occasion?" I asked.

Alex's face flushed a little and he shifted in his seat, taking my hand in his.

"My brother died twelve years ago today."

My heart fell down to my feet.

"On this day every year, I come have dinner with my parents and we just kind of," he paused for a moment. "Remember him."

"Alex," I whispered. "I so shouldn't be here right now."

He shook his head quickly. "But I want you here. They want you here, too. They wouldn't have told me to invite you if they didn't."

"But," I said, struggling to find words. "This is so private and personal. I would have loved to come meet them any day, just not today. I don't need to be here."

"Please," he whispered.

"I feel like I'm intruding on something I have no business being a part of yet. I wish you would have told me, Alex."

The sadness in his eyes was ripping my heart to shreds.

"Please," he said again. "I need you here for me."

Before I could say anything, Mrs. Gaskarth poked her head in the room and told us dinner was on the table. We both forced our smiles and I looked back at Alex, sadly shaking my head. I stood and held out my hand, helping him up.

"Isobel, you've outdone yourself," Mr. Gaskarth said as he looked down at his plate of chicken parmigiana.

She smiled, pleased with her work.

We ate in the midst of light chatter. Alex told his parents about how I was a fan of his music, and I struggled to hide the pink tinge layering my cheeks when Mrs. Gaskarth talked about it. She smiled with pride at her son.

"This was great, mom," Alex smiled when he was finished eating. I nodded in agreement.

She nodded, smiling a little. "Yes, it was, wasn't it? You know it was his favorite."

There was an obvious shift in the atmosphere, and the moment I'd been dreading arrived as Mr. Gaskarth delivered a heartfelt speech about his lost son to start off his rememberence. Alex grasped my hand under the table.

Mrs. Gaskarth stood and went to the fridge, pulling out a tray of tiramisu. She cut out a chunk and set it on my plate.

The three of them reminisced amongst themselves while I sat silently munching on my dessert. They were laughing at fun memories, so I didn't feel too terribly out of place.

"Oh, Tom," Alex sighed after telling a story about how his brother locked them both in the attic when they were younger.

It was quiet for a moment before Mr. Gaskarth nodded and said, "We miss him dearly."

The room fell so silent, I was afraid someone would hear my heart pounding in my chest. The three of them stared down at their empty plates. I wanted so desperately to disappear.

I heard Mrs. Gaskarth sniffling and glanced at her, feeling pain in my chest when I saw her crying. Alex was quickly by her side and had her wrapped in his arms as she sobbed. Mr. Gaskarth joined them quickly and I watched as they all embraced each other, mourning the loss of their loved one.

I looked away, embarrassed for still being there. I set my fork down quietly and eased out of my seat, tip toeing to the door and sneaking outside. I sat down on the step of the patio, my elbows on my knees and my head in my hands.

I couldn't bare to see them so hurt, especially Alex. It tore my insides apart to hear him cry. I sighed heavily as I tear fell down my cheek.

The door behind me opened quickly and I brushed the tear away, looking back to see Alex. He shut the door behind him and sat next to me.

He sniffed before whispering, "I'm sorry."

I shook my head, scoffing. "Don't you dare apologize. I just didn't need to be in there for that. That should have just been between the three of you."

"Sorry," he said again.

I turned my head to look at him. It took a moment for him to look at me, but when he did, his red eyes and tear stained cheeks broke me. I wrapped my arm around him and he crumbled into my chest, sobbing hard.

I didn't speak. There was nothing I could say that would make his pain go away. I just held him tight, letting him cry while I rubbed his back.

"I don't think I'll ever get over it," he mumbled.

A tear spilled out, landing in his hair. "Maybe not, but that's ok."

I had no clue how long we were sitting there. Time was irrelevant to me at that moment. The only thing I cared about was being there for him.

He sat up slowly, drawing in a deep breath. He let it out and shook his head.

"I'm still sorry, for not telling you. I should have. I could have at least warned you of what you were walking into."

I shook my head, wiping the remaining tears off of his face. "I don't care. I just want you to be ok."

He chewed on his bottom lip like he was contemplating something, but sighed and moved in to kiss me. "Thank you," he whispered.

We helped each other up and went back inside where Mr. and Mrs. Gaskarth were sitting at the table again. They apologized for their moment and I insisted they had nothing to be sorry about. I apologized for walking out, explaining that I thought the moment was too private for me to sit in on.

Alex and I were soon getting ready to leave. Mr. Gaskarth hugged me and apologized once more, and again I insisted that it was unnecessary. Mrs. Gaskarth held me close when I was saying goodbye to her.

"It was so lovely meeting you, Whitney."

"You too, Mrs. Gaskarth."

She frowned.

I swallowed hard before saying, "Isobel."

She smiled victoriously. "Get my number from Alex. If you need anything at all, please give me a ring."

I nodded, thanking her and stood by as Alex said goodbye to his parents.

He was quiet during the drive home. I didn't want to pester him, but I just needed to know he was fine.

"You ok?" I asked, massaging the back of his neck at his hairline.

He looked at me and smiled, nodding. "I'm ok. But I can't thank you enough for being there tonight. You're the only other person that's ever been there. I really appreciate you coming with me."

I smiled and laced my fingers with his as he continued the drive home.

Notes