Ethan and Sophie arrived at her family home, a modest yet charming house nestled in a quiet, tree-lined neighborhood.
As they approached the door, Ethan felt a mix of curiosity and apprehension settle in his chest. It was as if he were stepping into a sacred part of Sophie's lifeâa place that had shaped her into the bright, cheerful person she was.
Before Ethan could knock, the door swung open, revealing a warm smile on the face of Sophie's mother, Martha. "Sophie! Ethan! Welcome!" she greeted, her voice brimming with genuine warmth. "Come in, come in. We've been looking forward to meeting you."
"Hi, Mom," Sophie said, stepping inside and shrugging off her coat.
Ethan handed over a bouquet of flowers he'd brought along. "Thank you for having me, Mrs. Miller. These are for you."
"Do not fretâI made them," Sophie chimed in with a small smile. "Ethan wanted them special for you."
Martha beamed, taking the flowers. "Oh, these are lovely! Thank you, Ethanâand call me Martha, please." She shot Sophie a teasing look. "I wasn't fretting, dear, you're the one who gets iffy when someone goes to another flower shop, not ours."
Sophie rolled her eyes with a laugh as Martha gave Ethan a quick, welcoming hug. "You didn't have to, but I truly appreciate it," Martha added warmly.
Sophie hung up her coat and helped Ethan with his as they stepped further inside. Ethan immediately noticed how inviting the living room felt. Family photos lined the walls, capturing years of happy memories.
A soft, homey scent of freshly cooked food wafted through the air, and in the dining area, Lily was busy setting the table.
"Hey, Ethan!" Lily called out with a cheerful wave, a playful grin on her face. "So, what do you think of the Miller crib?"
"God, Lily, stop making Ethan uncomfortable," Martha scolded lightly.
"Oh, it's okay," Ethan replied with a small laugh. "That's just me and Lily's banter."
"Yeah, Mom, you should've seen them yesterday," Sophie added with a hint of exasperation. "I still have secondhand jitters. Lily did something to Ethan."
"No, I didn't! It's just my awesome personality, Sophie," Lily retorted, sticking her tongue out at her sister.
"Real mature, Lily," Sophie shot back, rolling her eyes.
Ethan couldn't help but laugh, feeling more at ease. The family dynamic was refreshingly lively and authentic. "Hey, Ethan," Sophie said, turning to him with a smile, "give me a few moments to help get dinner on the table. Feel free to look around."
"Sure, take your time," Ethan said, appreciating the opportunity to soak in the atmosphere of her home. He watched her disappear into the kitchen, her laughter mingling with Lily's as they began their preparations.
From the living room, Ethan heard snippets of their conversation.
"Sophie, can you pass me the salt?" Lily asked.
"You've got hands and legs, missy," Sophie replied in her classic big-sister tone.
"Why'd you say you wanted to help if you can't even pass me the salt?" Lily quipped back.
"Girls!" Martha's voice rang out from the kitchen, carrying both authority and affection. "Stop bickering and get everything to the table before the food gets cold."
Ethan chuckled to himself, imagining how this lively back-and-forth must have been a constant in their household.
His attention shifted to the family photos adorning the walls. One picture in particular caught his eyeâa young Sophie, standing between her father and Lily. Her father had blonde hair and piercing green eyes, much like Sophie's. It finally clicked for Ethan why Sophie's golden locks stood out so much among the rest of her family, who were brunettes. She was the spitting image of her father.
"Dinner's ready!" Lily announced from the dining room, pulling Ethan from his thoughts.
As everyone gathered around the dining table, Ethan took a moment to observe the lively and loving energy that filled the room. So this is what a family dinner was supposed to feel like, he thought. It was a stark contrast to the stiff, formal dinners he and Sophie attended at his parents' house each month.
"Ethan," Martha began as she handed him a dish of roasted vegetables, "you're even more handsome in person than I imagined. Sophie wasn't exaggerating."
"Mom!" Sophie exclaimed, her cheeks turning red.
Martha laughed softly. "I'm just kidding, Sophie. Lighten up."
"I see humor runs in the family," Ethan commented, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"I guess you could say what we lack in cash, we make up for in humor," Lily quipped with a cheeky grin.
"But seriously," Martha continued, her voice warm and inviting, "we're so happy to have you here. You and Sophie will have to come by for dinner more often. I love cooking, and the more, the merrier."
Lily leaned toward Ethan with a glint of mischief in her eye. "And I've got so many questions for you. I don't know if I'll be able to get through them all tonight."
Sophie shot her sister a warning look. "Lily, those questions better be filtered."
Martha chuckled. "Oh, they're always like this. Once they get started, it's hard to get them to stop."
As the dinner unfolded, Ethan found himself increasingly drawn to the warmth and care that seemed to flow effortlessly through the Miller household. The food was incredibleâsimple, hearty, and delicious. Martha's mac and cheese, in particular, was better than anything Ethan had ever tasted, even compared to meals prepared by world-class chefs. There was something about it that just tasted like home.
Lily turned to Ethan, her eyes sparkling with humor. "Ethan, you've got to hear about my ex. It's a story Sophie and Mom have heard a thousand times, but it never gets old. It's basically your rite of passage."
Sophie groaned, her hand over her face. "Lily, that's ridiculous. There's no rite of passage."
Ignoring her, Lily dove into her story. "So, this guy, James, thought he was the most charming man on earth. We met at a party, and he barely spoke all night. I thought, 'Perfect! Opposites attract. I'll do all the talking.'"
Martha chuckled and shook her head. "It really never gets old."
Ethan smiled, his curiosity piqued. "And then what happened?"
Lily's grin widened. "So, after a few weeks of texting and hanging out, he invites me to meet his family. We get to his house, and everything's super quiet. His mom greets me by signing. I thought, 'Wow, he never told me his mom was deaf.' Then I meet his dad and sister, and guess what? They're all deaf."
Sophie, already struggling to contain her laughter, chimed in. "Wait for itâshe hadn't figured it out yet."
"Right," Lily continued, her cheeks pink with embarrassment. "So, they were all super sweet, but then it hits meâI haven't heard him say a single word. Not once. Turns out, he was deaf too."
The entire table burst into laughter, Ethan included. Sophie was laughing so hard she had tears in her eyes. Seeing her so carefree and happy made something inside Ethan stirâan unfamiliar, but welcome, sense of warmth.
"She dated him for a whole month and never realized he was deaf," Sophie said, barely managing to hold back her laughter.
"Lily, I don't know what to do with you," Martha said, shaking her head with an amused smile.
"I still don't know how I didn't notice," Lily admitted, her own laughter mingling with the rest.
As dinner wound down, Martha stood to clear the dishes. "Ethan, you're welcome here anytime. We've really enjoyed having you."
"Thank you, Martha. I've enjoyed being here," Ethan replied earnestly.
Sophie and Lily exchanged a knowing glance, their smiles wide. "We'll clean up, Mom. You relax," Sophie said, taking the plates from her mother's hands.
Ethan stood to help, but Sophie gently shook her head. "You're a guest tonight. Just relax."
He nodded, settling back in his seat and watching as Sophie and Lily cleared the table with practiced ease. After the cleanup, they all moved to the living room, which was cozy and inviting, with comfortable chairs and a warm fire crackling in the fireplace.
Martha brought out a tray of homemade apple pie and coffee, the sweet aroma filling the room.
*******
As everyone settled in, Martha caught Ethan's eye and gestured for him to join her in the kitchen.
"Ethan, can I have a word with you?" she asked gently.
Setting his cup down, Ethan nodded. "Of course."
The chatter and laughter of the living room faded as they stepped into the kitchen. Martha leaned against the counter, her expression soft yet serious. Ethan could sense the weight of what she was about to say.
"Ethan, I wanted to talk to you about Sophie," she began, folding her hands. "There are some things you should know about our family."
Ethan stood quietly, his attention fixed on her as she continued.
"Sophie's father was an extraordinary man. When we first got married, he was running his family's business. But when Sophie and Lily came along, he realized he hated being away from them. He wanted to spend time with his girls and be part of their everyday lives, so he decided to leave the business and start a flower shop."
She smiled wistfully, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "At first, I thought he was out of his mind, but seeing him finally get to spend time with the girls, teaching them girls about flowers, seeing their bond growâit was worth it."
Martha paused, her expression tinged with sadness. "He was very sick for a long time. His medical care was expensive, and it drained everything we had. We accumulated a lot of debt trying to give him the best care possible, but it still wasn't enough."
Ethan felt his chest tighten. "That must have been incredibly hard on all of you."
"It was," Martha admitted, her voice trembling slightly. "But we did what we had to. He was worth every sacrifice. Sophieâshe took on so much during that time. She worked tirelessly to help us stay afloat. She's carried so much on her shoulders, more than anyone her age should have to."
Ethan felt a pang of guilt and admiration. He had known about the family's financial struggles, but hearing it from Martha gave it a new weight. "I didn't realize just how much she's been through," he said quietly.
Martha nodded, her tone gentle but firm. "Sophie is incredibly strong and resilient, but she's also sacrificed so much. I'm grateful for what you've done for our family, Ethan. Your marriage to Sophie has given her a sense of security that she hasn't had in a long time. But I need to ask you something."
Ethan met her gaze, his expression earnest. "Anything, Martha."
"Please, take good care of her," Martha said, her voice trembling slightly. "She's been through so much already, and she deserves to be happy. I see the way she looks at you, and I know she cares deeply for you. I just want to make sure she's loved and protected."
Ethan felt a lump form in his throat. "I promise, Martha. I'll do everything I can to take care of her and make her happy. She means a lot to me."
Martha's lips curved into a soft smile, and a tear slipped down her cheek. "Thank you, Ethan. That's all I needed to hear."
They returned to the living room, where Sophie and Lily were laughing at something on the TV. Ethan's gaze softened as he watched Sophie, her face glowing with happiness. He felt a newfound determination take rootâhe wanted to be the person who could shoulder some of her burdens, who could make her smile like this every day.
As he sat down beside her, Sophie turned to him with a curious look. "What did you and Mom talk about?"
Ethan shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Just getting to know each other better."
Sophie tilted her head, a knowing smile crossing her face. She didn't press further, and the evening continued with more laughter and conversation. But Ethan's mind lingered on the conversation in the kitchen, and the weight of his promise.
That night, as they drove home, the quiet hum of the car engine filled the silence. Ethan reached over and took Sophie's hand in his. She glanced at him, her eyes wide with surprise, but her lips curved into a pleased smile as she gently squeezed his hand.
"Everything okay?" she asked softly, her voice almost hesitant.
Ethan's grip on her hand tightened slightly. "Everything's perfect," he replied, his tone sincere. "I just wanted you to know I'm here for you. Always."
Sophie's eyes softened, her heart skipping a beat at the sudden warmth in his words. But, in true Sophie fashion, she couldn't let the moment go unteased. "Gee, Ethan, if you keep being nice to me like this, I might get the wrong idea."
Ethan smirked, glancing at her briefly before returning his eyes to the road. "Get the wrong idea," he said boldly.
Her cheeks turned bright red, and she looked away quickly. "Don't mess with me, Ethan!" she said, her voice high-pitched with embarrassment.
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