Page 66 of Rescuing Erin

“So we pretend to be normal?”

I was grateful her smile was back. I was fast learning that Erin’s moods could and would change with the second hand on a clock. But, mostly, I’d figured out she doesn’t like the unknown. Once she has the facts and feels secure, she could handle anything. Just like the Spartan Queen we were talking about earlier.

“I thought you wanted normal?” I reminded her.

“But so soon into our relationship? I mean who wants normal this early? I’d always heard that once a groom says I do, it really means I do not take my wife on dates or woo her anymore but who knew it could happen before the nuptials.”

“I believe the saying goes when a wife says I do, it really means I do not give blow jobs anymore.”

“Huh? That would be a shame, personally, I quite enjoy you in my mouth.”

Erin’s face lit, and I laughed at her quick comeback. All those months with her, how had I missed how witty and funny she was? I wanted to go back in time and kick my own ass for being so blind.

Chapter 23

“Mom, I’m fine. I swear. The MRI even proved it. Clear bill of health. I may resume all activities except those that could cause a head injury. Lucky for us, I have no plans to learn how to box, so I’m fine.”

I was sitting next to my mom in the private residence. On the very couch I’d cuddled to her side and bawled my eyes out after Lisa Howell told me no one was going to ask me to my senior prom because everyone thought I had a stick up my ass. The same couch I used to lay on when I had the flu, and my mom would sit beside me on the chair next to the sofa and watch me sleep. I would have known if she’d left the room, because sometimes I wasn’t asleep. I’d close my eyes and pretend, just to see if she’d stay—she always did.

“What about another MRI? When is your follow-up appointment?”

“There are no more. Today was the follow-up.”

I was done talking about my concussion. Colin had already grilled the poor doctor at Walter Reed this morning. We’d stayed almost a full hour in the man’s office after the results came back, discussing every possible scenario. I was so over people talking about my head. I felt fine and hadn’t even had any headaches or dizziness after the initial impact.

“I owe you an apology, Mom.”

“Why on earth would you owe me an apology?”

“For starters, I’ve been a pain in the ass to you and Dad over the last year.” I smiled when my mother’s lips flattened. A lady doesn’t curse, after all.

“Erin, sweetheart—”

“Mom, you know it’s true. I just want you to know I’m embarrassed over how I behaved. I also need to acknowledge I’ve been rather selfish.”

“Selfish? There is not a selfish bone in your body, dear. You give of yourself more than anyone I know. We are very proud of you.”

“No, Mama. Selfish in the way I felt about you and Dad and the time you both spent working.”

My mother’s face fell, and she looked at her lap. Damn this was not going the way I’d hoped.

“What I mean to say is, you and Dad have set an example that I could not be more grateful for. Mama, please look at me.” She lifted her tear-filled eyes to mine. “I’m blessed to have a mother who has taught me the importance of family, community, working hard, and service to others. Through your actions you’ve taught me all I need to know about being a wife and mom one day. How to be a strong person. I am so proud to call you my mama. I’m proud of you, for all you’ve accomplished. But most of all, I’m honored to have you as a friend. I won’t squander our time together ever again.”

My mother carefully patted her cheeks, brushing away her tears. I couldn’t help but to giggle. Always the lady, even in private. There would be no streaks on my mother’s face—ever.

“Maybe I should have—”

“Done nothing differently. This is on me, Mom. Me behaving like a spoiled brat.”

“Sweetheart, every daughter needs her mama.”

“And, thankfully, I had you. You were there for me every time I needed you. Any time it mattered. You have a tough job, tougher than Dad does. You’re the one that holds this family together. You support Dad in every way and give him the strength he needs to run this country. You’re a wife, a mom, and a Halloween costume designer.” I smiled, remembering all the dress-up clothes she’d made for me. “You’re a cook, a party planner, and a homework checker. I can’t even list all your jobs. And I haven’t even touched on your duties as the first lady.”

“Thank you for saying that.”

“It’s the truth.” She opened her arms, and I gladly leaned into her embrace—Clarissa Anderson gave the best hugs. They were warm and heartfelt. She’d never withheld her affection. Not from me or my father. They were demonstrative when we were in private. There was no doubt my parents loved each other deeply, and me as well.

“I love you to the moon, little rabbit,” my mom whispered and kissed my head.