Her heart was beating a little faster than normal as Sid pulled the Pathfinder into the drive. Dinner with the family, the thought had actually occurred to her, she just tried not to dwell on it. Now they were at the door and there was no turning back now. She was very, apprehensive especially after the chance meeting with Sid’s dad that morning. She had run upstairs to dress and Mr. Crosby was gone when she returned. Sid had told her not to be concerned, but she was embarrassed all the same. It was certainly not the first impression that she was hoping to make on his father.
She took a deep breath now, putting on a smile and followed him inside. Taylor was the first to greet her with a great big smile and a wink. She actually embraced Payton and whispered in her ear, “I knew he’d like you.” Payton smiled with relief. Someone in her corner besides Sid, thank goodness. Sid’s mom greeted her with a smile and a warm hand shake. Mr. Crosby smiled and nodded toward her. Payton returned his smile and blushed.
“Come with me,” Taylor said, grabbing Payton’s hand and pulling her into the other room. She took Payton into the den which was filled with all of Sidney’s trophies and awards. She was completely in awe. Taylor pointed out a few things and showed Payton some of her own awards. Her corner of the room was growing now, she explained, playing goalie for Shattuck St. Mary’s Prep school. Taylor was a chatterbox and Payton enjoyed every minute of it. She ran her finger across the name plate on one of Sidney’s trophies and caught him watching her from the doorway.
“This is quite an impressive collection, Captain,” she said with a grin.
He grinned back at her and rolled his eyes at the compliment. She stepped closer to him and gazed up into his eyes. He smiled back at her and then glanced over at his sister who was watching them quietly biting her lip. She giggled and left the room.
“I think she approves,” Payton said.
“She does.” He leaned down and kissed the tip of her nose softly. He shook his head toward the door indicating that they were needed in the other room for dinner.
Trina had made Sidney’s favorite, spaghetti. It was quite good and the conversation was pleasant. They talked of life in Cole Harbor and Payton’s business. Mr. Crosby told her stories of Sid’s childhood that made her laugh and Sidney blush.
“So,” Troy started, “what will you do this summer, Payton?”
“Well, I guess I’ll do pretty much the same as now. I do my photo shoots by appointment only, so I can set up my schedule any way I want to. I know Sid likes to come home during the summer.”
“Dad, we haven’t even talked about the summer,” Sid jumped in.
“So, you’ll still work then,” Troy continued. “What about kids?”
“DAD!” Sidney exclaimed.
“TROY!” Trina said at the same time.
“What? I mean, it would be nice to know if she wanted kids.” Troy sat back in his chair and looked at Payton again.
“Well, yes, I do want kids, but …”
“Dad, this is not a conversation we are going to have right now,” he squeezed her hand under the table. “And when we do, it’s between Payton and me.”
“What? You act like it’s a crime to want to know if I’m going to have any grandchildren,” Troy grumbled. Trina swatted his arm and shook her head.
The dinner was finished in a slightly awkward silence. Payton was embarrassed again and she could feel Sidney’s discomfort too. They’d never talked about the future. They were just together. They hadn’t felt the need to discuss the future. They were happy in the present. She never asked him if he wanted kids. She’d come from a big family. She always expected to have a big one herself. Now on the drive back to his house, she found herself wondering about him and kids and whether he would even want to marry her or even if she wanted to get married. He was holding her hand again. She looked over at him and he smiled back at her. Suddenly, she couldn’t remember what her life had been like before him or imagine what it would be like not to be with him forever.
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