Chapter Text
Chapter One
R. Alan Woods said it the best, “There are two things you can run and not hide from- God and a dysfunctional family". After five years of no contact with my family, other than my Grams, I am now looking at an invitation to my youngest sister’s wedding. Not sure if the shock I’m feeling because my family actually sent me the invite or because my baby sister was getting married to a man who once I called my fiance.
“You okay, love?” I heard Ben, my husband of one year, ask in his deep baritone voice bringing me back to reality.
“It’s an invitation to my sister’s wedding.” I mumble to him as I give him the invitation when I sat next to him on the settee overlooking our garden.
He can see the look of shock in my face. He looks it over then looks back at me. “You never mentioned that you had a sister.” He states.
“We aren’t close.” I expressed, leaning into him and lying my head on his shoulder.
“I see.” He looks at me for a few seconds. I already know what he is going to say next. During the time I have known Ben, I have mentioned my family once. That was right after we started dating almost five years ago. I met Ben a few days after I moved to England. I was getting myself acquainted with London, when I accidentally walked on the set of Sherlock pilot. I ran into Ben and simply asked him for directions. They just happened to be rolling film at the time.
“Why don’t you talk about your family?” He inquired.
I sighed. “I talk about Grams. But with the rest of my family, there is nothing to talk about. They stopped all contact with me when I moved here to England basically disowning me. Still not sure why, but I’m not going to dwell on it.” I lean up and place my arms around his neck. “I’m really not interested in going. I have you, your parents, Adam and Alice. You are the only family I need.” Then gave him a chaste kiss on the lips.
“I can tell when you are lying, which means you’re hiding something.” He smirked. I sighed. He was right.
I sighed deeper this time then muttered, “The man she marrying is my ex. I told you about him.”
“Ah, yes. I remember the story. What else?” Ben gives me the look telling me to go on.
So I continue, “They don’t miss me. Look how long it took them to contact me. Five years. Other than Grams, growing up they treated me as I did not even matter. I was the girl that blended into the wall. No one noticed me. No one really cared about me, not really even my ex. They told me that I would never find anyone else. I would never amount to anything. Except for Grams, they never supported me any anything I did, and they surely did not support my decision to come to England. Which was the best decision I made, next to marrying you, if I must say.”
“They contacted you for some reason.” He pointed out.
“Look at the date, its two weeks from tomorrow. I’m pretty sure that the invite was a last minute thought. Probably just to rub the wedding in my face.” I said not caring.
“So turn the cards around.” He retorted.
I was surprised to hear that come from him. Usually Ben doesn’t like confrontation, especially when it comes to family. Family is very important to him. I had to ask. “What do you mean?”
“You are beautiful, strong, confident, happy and successful playwright with two Olivier awards under your belt. You have friends that love you and have a beautiful life here. And the most important thing is that you are married to me. I love you and adore you. You are defiantly not a woman who blends into the wall. I think we should go just so I can thank your ex.” He reminded me.
“Thank my ex?” I asked confused.
“Because his loss is my gain.” He chimed smiling wrapping me tight in his arms.
“You are such a charmer. But I don’t know.” I said unassured.
“What? That I love you? Have since the day you walked into my life.” He said smiling then gave me a chaste kiss on the lips.
I gave him a quick tap on the arm and laughed. “No silly. That I know. It’s just going there and having to deal with everybody and everything.
“It would give you something to write about. Probably make one hell of a play.” He suggested.
“I guess I could. I do miss Grams a lot. I know she wants to meet you.” I mentioned.
“Then it’s settled. We’ll go so I can meet your Grams and thank your ex. I’ll have Ems rearrange my schedule and make the arrangements. It will all be fine, sweetheart.” He reassuring.
“She doesn’t have to make hotel arrangements. We will be more than welcome at Gram’s place. She has plenty of room for us. Beside if we stayed at a hotel instead of with her, we would never hear the end of it.” I responded knowing exactly how my Grams can be.
Two weeks later, Ben and I, after a hold up in customs and two transfers later, find ourselves in a rental car, and an hour and half drive toward my hometown of Cadillac, Michigan. On the way I point out the interesting points of views along our journey. (That’s a pine tree, that’s a deer -don’t let it hit the car. That’s road kill -tomorrow’s dinner. That’s a box. That’s a Walmart bag.) By the time we arrives at Gram’s, I had Ben laughing in hysterics with tears in his eyes. “We’re here.” I singsong pulling into the driveway.