Chapter 56

Shirley

There’s no way this is happening. I’m dumbfounded as I stare at Keith’s mother, seeing she has the same golden gaze that is currently widened with bewilderment as she blinks at Keith and me.

I know how this looks to her - it looks bad. Well, actually it isn't necessarily bad, but she’s probably getting the wrong idea from this scene. Keith and I both dressed up, sharing Thanksgiving alone? Again, it looks intimate and there’s probably a million thoughts swirling around in her head.

“What are you doing here?” Keith finally asks calmly, getting up from the table. He goes to his mother, giving her a simple hug as she begins to bounce back a little. She embraces her son, giving him her attention as I also stand.

“We were trying to surprise you,” his mother confesses. “We didn’t want you to be alone for Thanksgiving, but it seems that’s not an issue.”

She looks at me again, but her gaze isn’t cruel and neither was her tone. It’s clear that she isn’t bothered by my being there, making my heart settle a little as she even gives me a smile.

“Mom,” Keith steps in then. “This is Shirley Creed. She -“

“Oh, Shirley,” his mother says kindly. “It’s lovely to meet you. Thank you for keeping our son company while we were gone.” She comes to me then, taking me by surprise as she gives me a hug. Blinking at Keith as I take in his own shock, I do my best to hug her back.

“It’s nice to meet you too, ma’am,” I say as we both pull back.

“Oh,” the woman begins, shaking her head and scrunching her nose. “There’s no need for formalities. Please - call me Ruth.”

I nod back at her, also trying to match her smile as she squeezes my hand. However, she’s then looking over her shoulder, calling out.

“Arthur! Come in here!” she throws out, and I realize she’s beckoning her husband into the room. It causes a tingle through my skin as I hear distant footsteps.

But soon, those steps grow closer until an older gentleman walks into the room. It takes me by surprise how much he resembles Keith - with his same wide set shoulders, black hair, and strong jaw. However, his hair has gray peppered throughout the strands and there are wrinkles next to his eyes and on his forehead.

“We have a guest,” Ruth says happily as soon as Arthur’s gaze lands on me. However - just like his wife - he flashes a smile.

“Well, welcome,” Arthur says, his voice full of contentment. Only, his attention strays as he gets to Keith’s side, raising an amused brow at his son before he bumps him.

And I quickly realize it’s a sign of approval. Oh Goddess - they think they’re meeting their son’s new girlfriend.

Again, Keith’s and my eyes meet, and I can tell that we’re both aware that we need to right our wrongs as we slowly breathe. But I’m unable to confirm how to react before Ruth is speaking once more.

“What a wonderful meal you prepared, Keith,” she says, moving toward the table as she addresses the dishes laid out. “You’ve finally perfected the turkey.”

“That’s because you kept me up until 3 a.m. last year, lecturing me on the importance of ‘basting,’” Keith responds. His comment causes both of his parents to chuckle, his father even giving him a pat on the back.

“Well, it looks delicious,” his mother says with a nod as Keith draws closer. As he stops near her side, she even reaches up and gives her a little pinch on the cheek. The whole action makes me want to laugh - enjoying the sight of the Alpha bearing a little mother’s love.

“How was England?“ Keith asks once she’s released him, his palm coming up to rub over the spot she’d squeezed.

“Wonderful!” Ruth exclaims then. “Oh, Keithy. I really wish you could have been there. You should have seen the food, people, everything. And the plays we saw - delightful!”

“Your mother made us see the same show twice in one day,” Arthur chimes in then. “I think she had a crush on the lead actor.”

“Arthur,” Ruth teases as she shakes her head. “We both know I was too distracted by the costumes to be swayed by his looks.”

“Sure, sure,” her husband says in reply, giving a disbelieving chuckle.

“Shirley,” Ruth turns to me then, causing me to blink. “I’ll have to show you the pictures I took. It rained most of the time, but it made everything look so beautiful.”

Ruth’s invitation brings a smile onto my face - one I realize I can’t control. So I nod.

“I’d love that,” I tell her.

“Have you ever been to England?” she asks, still pleasant.

“I haven’t,” I admit. “Sadly, I haven’t done much traveling, but I hope to go one day.”

Ruth hums in reply. “Keith hardly travels either,” she mentions, looking toward her son. “Maybe you should go together.”

Once again, Keith and I are left in a fit of awkwardness as neither of us knows how to respond. However, that doesn’t seem to be a problem as Ruth then moves onto another subject.

“Keith, are you getting enough sleep?” she asks, patting her son’s cheek this time. “You know how important it is to get a full night’s rest.”

“I do,” he confirms, fully meeting his mother’s eyes. And as I watch him, I almost feel the wind is knocked out of me. Behind his gaze is so much love and compassion for the woman before him…proving just how strong their bond is.

It causes contracting emotions to flood through me as I watch them. As I watch all of them. The sense of closeness they all have…of acceptance…unconditional love. The warmth inside of me admires it more than I can explain while a cold chill also meets me, reminding me of the absence of these circumstances in my own life.

“Oh, Arthur,” Ruth jumps topics again. “Tell Keith about the soccer match we saw.”

“They call it football there, mom.”

“I know, but still. You should have seen the way these guys -“

More thoughts continue to swirl around me as I watch the scene play out, witnessing the family’s reunion. And though they’ve done nothing but make me feel welcome, I suddenly feel the need to give them privacy.

“I’m sorry,” I say. “I’m quite tired and think I’ll excuse myself for the night and head to bed. But it was so great meeting you both.”

The three of them turn to look at me - both of Keith’s parents gazes filled with understanding while Keith’s own seems a little concerned, questioning.

“Oh, good. You’re staying the night,” Arthur says with a genuine smile, as he shares a look with his wife. Meanwhile, both Keith and I seem like we’re trying not to grimace as we run into another roadblock.

“Don’t sorry, Shirley,” Ruth says then, clearly delighted. “We won't keep Keith too long. He’ll be in soon.” She then follows her words with a clear and purposeful wink.

Oh Goddess. They think we’re sharing a room.

Despite my need to correct them - I don’t. Neither Keith or I do as I just give one last nod and begin to walk out of the room. I feel a little self conscious as all of their gazes follow me, and then as I round the corner - I hear Keith’s parents voices again.

“Keith!” his mother hisses with excitement.

“Well done, son,” Arthur comments.

“Oh, she’s so beautiful,” Ruth chimes in.

My back is straightened as I cross those final feet, finally entering my room. As I close the door quietly behind me, all I can do is picture Keith, wondering what his reaction is as he’s left to deal with his parents’ alone. Especially as I hear his mother’s final words.

“I know we’ll love her just as much as you do.”