Chapter 38
Kendall
I opened my eyes and looked over at Elijah. I had a feeling of being excited because I was going to introduce Elijah to my mom in a little while. I quietly left the bedroom and headed downstairs to cook breakfast. I had decided to make a large breakfast as Elijah had become nervous at the thought of meeting her and I wanted no sign of his stomach rumbling in front of her.
“I see you were up before me for once,” Elijah called as he descended the stairs.
“I have been up ages, Mr. Sleepy,” I replied with a giggle.
Elijah walked into the kitchen and threw his arms around me, “What are you cooking?” he asked.
“A full breakfast, so I hope you are hungry,” I replied as I flipped his eggs.
“Why a full breakfast?” he asked.
“Today is Sunday. My mother is visiting day,” I replied.
“Oh, crap. I forgot. Do we have to go today?” he asked as he contorted his face.
“It’s better to get it out of the way, and you won’t be nervous once she gets her claws into you, did I say how much she dislikes you?” I said as I laughed.
“It’s not funny, you know that you know I don’t want to make a bad impression, and if I look like a bumbling idiot, she will think even worse of me,” he said.
“It’s hilarious, the big boss of a billion-dollar company, and my mom has him quaking in his boots,” I said with a huge grin on my face.
“You better give me an extra serving of what you’re cooking just in case,” Elijah replied.
“Seriously, she’s not that bad. She has just been influenced by the way my dad had left her before I was born,” I explained. “Oh, and she has no qualms about telling you if she disagrees with something, as she’s always telling me.
“Geez, I feel bad, it’s like a first date and meeting the parents all in one for me,” Elijah said as he walked toward the stairs, “You gonna get ready or what? I mean the quicker we get going, the quicker we can get it over with,” he said as he climbed the stairs.
I washed the dishes and followed Elijah up to the bedroom. He had already showered and was in his closet, trying to decided what to wear. I just left him to it and found it fun to watch him squirm a little.
We climbed into the Audi, Elijah had not wanted to appear too flash, so he had chosen the least conspicuous car he had. We headed along the highway and chatted about what my mother would ask him, and I could see by the look on his face he was expecting to be interrogated.
“Here we are,” I said as we turned to where my mother lived.
“Wow, cool house, but isn’t it a bit large just for her?” Elijah asked.
“Nah, she’s a dynamo when it comes to cleaning, and she enjoys the space, she hates to be confined in small rooms,” I replied.
We got out of the car as Elijah took a few deep breaths of country air, “This air smells clean, I’m now ready, let’s do this,” he said as he took my hand.
We walked up the drive and knocked on the front door. I could hear mom as she unlocked the door and poked her head through the gap.
“Hello, who is there?” she asked.
I looked at Elijah and his confused expression.
“Come on mom, let us in will you?” I said.
“Of course, Dear, I’m just playing, us old people can still have a little fun you know,” she said.
“A nice place you have here, and it’s very spacious,” Elijah said as he bit on his top lip.
“I did it all myself,” Mom replied.” I even did the decorating.”
“No way, that is so cool,” Elijah said as he cast his eyes around the living room.
Mom had actually done the whole house herself, apart from some of the bigger jobs. She had lots of time on her hands, and she was always keen on learning new things.
“I offer discounts to friends and family on interior design,” Mom said to Elijah as he examined the woodwork.
“I’ll keep that in mind for next time,” he said as he turned and joined me on the couch.
“I see you two are getting close then?” Mom aimed at Elijah.
“Yes, I like you daughter very much. She has been a great help to me since I had my accident,” Elijah explained.
“She told me you were a complete dick before.”
“Mom, do you have to?” I said quickly.
“No, it’s alright, your mom has her opinion. I’m not proud of the fact that I was a complete dick before,” Elijah answered.
“I have spent weeks not liking you Elijah, and it’s only Kendall who has convinced me otherwise,” Mom said.
“Yes, she has that effect on people, she convinced me I was wrong about myself, and I’m so glad and happy she stood by her decision,” Elijah said in honesty.
“I taught her well. I always told her to be true to herself, even if she was wrong. You have to stand by your choices,” Mom said.
“I couldn’t agree with you more, that is the way I look at things. Sometimes there’s a wrong choice, but this helps to make you the person you are, so it’s no good dwelling on the past, just learn from your mistakes I say,” Elijah said.
“Dear God, that is exactly what I had said to Kendall, have you read my book?” Mom said.
“You wrote a book?” Elijah asked.
“Of course not. I’m just joking again,” Mom replied with a chuckle.
“So, then Elijah, tell me what your plans are with my daughter…”
“I have to take things slow. I’ve learned so much about myself in such a short time, and there is no way I want to go back to the person I was before. I admit, I may have some rough days if my memory comes back, but with Kendall’s help, I’m sure I can get through it,” Elijah explained.
“I see, so you see this as a long-term relationship then?” Mom asked Elijah.
“Yes, definitely.”
I listened to Mom and Elijah chatting, and they had become oblivious to me sitting beside them. They had not even noticed I had blushed on a few occasions at their comments. I could see something between them had clicked and they started to get on like the proverbial house on fire.
“So, Kendall, I can see you sat there wondering why we have ignored you, but you should know me better than that, for one I would never ignore you and two Elijah and I were just getting to know each other,” said Mom.
She was an observant woman for her age, and she definitely showed no signs of slowing down. Elijah had lost all sense of his nerves and had not just answered Mom’s questions, he had provided her with quite a bit of insight into his background without her quizzing him.
“So, Elijah, tell me about this company of yours. Is it stable?” Mom said as she winked at me. I could see she was now playing with Elijah and her questions.
“Well, my old self would brag about the size of the company, but I no longer find any solace in doing that anymore. Now if anyone talks about it, I actually get a little embarrassed. It’s valued at around a billion dollars, or it was, before we took a major online store as their preferred carrier,” he said.
“So, you can provide for my Kendall in the years to come?” she asked.
“I do have a little nest egg tucked away for a rainy day and yes, she will be looked after just fine.”
“Well, as I can see it, Kendall has no father figure, so the duty is down to me. I take it you wish to have my blessing so you can date my daughter,” Mom said.
“Geez, Mom, that is a bit old-fashioned, isn’t it?” I commented.
“Quiet, Dear. This is between Elijah and me. I have to do it properly,” she replied.
“Yes, I do seek your blessing, for me to continue dating your daughter if you can accept,” Elijah said.
“Of course, you can. I may have been right in what I said, but I may also have misjudged you slightly as well.”
***
We headed back to Elijah’s house and relaxed for a while, we cuddled together on the couch and reflected how well the meeting with my mom had gone.
“She’s not as bad as you made out. I wasn’t sure why I was so nervous,” Elijah said.
“She was being gentle with you,” I replied. I huddled close to Elijah and looked into his eyes. “I’m very happy the way things are going, and I want to just say-“
“Go on. Spit it out, but before you do, I just want to say that I love you,” Elijah said as he held me.
“I love you too,” I answered.