Page 46 of Holiday Wishes and Tentacle Dreams
“I’m the host, Jakey. You chat with Purl and Fern.”
“Gram—”
She smacked his bicep, and although it was playful, it still stung. “I’m not so old I can’t carry over some fucking potatoes. Stay here until it’s time to do the turkey.”
Jake sighed and pasted on a smile. Doren’s parents didn’t need to see his frustration at his grandmother, who, at this moment, was pouring a rich-looking red wine into everyone’s glasses without bothering to ask if they wanted any.
Doren’s two parents stared at him. Did they feel as awkward as he did? Meeting the person your child loved—love? Was it love?—for the first time was a big deal. It was up to him,and instead of making small talk, he chose to say something meaningful.
“Thank you.”
Purl and Fern glanced at each other, clearly somewhat confused. Doren just squeezed Jake’s thigh, giving him a jolt of confidence. If this perfect human—sorry, alien—was by his side, he could do anything.
“I know it was a big deal to come here. I’m thankful you made the trip.” Jake turned to Ren, whose face was unreadable. “Especially you, Ren. Doren has told me…this is a tremendous gift that you’ve given me today, and I won’t forget it.”
Ren’s eyes held such an intensity that it felt as though all the air had been sucked out of the room. Jake maintained eye contact despite the pressure, not wanting to appear regretful of what he’d said. He’d meant it.
The scar spanning across Ren’s face, although painful-looking, gave them a ruggedly handsome look. After a moment, a small smile crept onto their face.
“I guess it was unusual. For me. But when Doren told me about you, I decided…” Ren glanced at their parents, a mischievous glint in their eye. “My brother and his bondmate weren’t planning to come, so I insisted I’d be going with or without them. They were too worried about me to let me make the trip alone.”
From his other side, Doren barked out a laugh, even as Fern and Purl glared at Ren. Purl shook her head. “We have been manipulated on all sides. Except by you, Jake. You’re my new favorite.”
Smiling at her words and relieved Purl and Fern weren’t too offended at being exposed, Jake took a sizable gulp of red wine. It was an Argentinian Malbec, and when the spice hit his tongue, a pleasant warmth spread through him.
Gram coughed as she put the last of the side dishes down and found her place at the head of the table. “Well, I don’t know what all thisdramais about, but Jake has the right idea. Let’s drink up!” Holding her full wine glass aloft, her raspy voice filled the townhouse. “To new family!”
Ren didn’t hesitate, lifting their glass and downing the whole thing. Purl and Fern shrugged in unison and picked up their glasses to take a sip. Doren did the same, even as Ren was pouring themself another drink.
Which triggered a memory of Doren’s drunk sibling on the morning he found out about all the alien stuff.
“Whatever happened to Bard?” Jake asked. “I’m surprised they didn’t come down as well.”
Uncertainty was written across Fern’s face as he responded. “I’m not sure. They’ve been pretty cagey of late. We haven’t seen them in a week. It’s not unusual for Bard to head off on their own, but this is a longer period than typical for them.”
“Bard’s fine,” Ren said, making their way through their second glass of wine at a somewhat slower rate. “They’re just dealing with a stupid crush on that…” Ren trailed off as they glanced over at their parents before finishing. “They’re working through some shit.”
“Ren!” Purl shot Ren a harsh look. “Don’t swear. We’re guests in Jake’s grandmother’s home.”
“Hold on, now.” Gram stood from her seat, queen-like as she addressed her awkward court. “First off, call me Rhonda. That’s my name. And everyone in my house can say whatever the fuck they want. Isn’t that right, Jake?”
Gram turned to Jake, her eyebrows raised. He sighed and then answered her in an exhausted voice. “Yes, you’re abso-fucking-lutely right, grandmother.”
She grinned at the response, but as she opened her mouth to continue, her kitchen timer chimed from the nearby counter.
“Time to carve the turkey!” Jake called out as he jumped up, glad to slither out of any more forced family cussing.
As he sliced the roast bird, the conversation at the table fell into an easy patter. Jake said a quick prayer of thanks. His grandmother could sometimes be too much for people, but it seemed Purl and Fern were a good foil for her.
And hedidwant them to get along. He wanted them all to be family. He hated hiding the big, alien secret from Gram, but he hoped that eventually he’d be able to bring her into the fold. It had just been Jake and his grandmother for so long. The prospect of expanding their family was an appealing one.
For him, his little family of two had always been a lifeline, and although that had saved him in many times of crisis, he wondered what it would be like for family to be more of a warm blanket, a quiet fire to return to for comfort. As much as he adored his grandmother, it had been lonely just the two of them, and if he got to have more, he’d be very grateful.
They were all still learning each other, even as he and Doren were still learning each other, but the potential was there.
The afternoon passed in a haze of food, alcohol, and delightful conversation. Although they were skittish, Jake found Doren’s parents to be warm and kind. They clearly loved their children.
The real surprise of the day, though, was Ren, who hit it off with Jake’s grandmother. It was as if when Ren left the ocean, they remembered the person they once were. Doren kept shooting Jake wide-eyed glances at whatever latest raucous story Ren was telling, or when Ren and Gram got into a “who-can-swear-the-most” match.