Lemon Cake (Naughty Desserts)

Rider

hauled in the last of the groceries, finding that his mom was already putting away the frozen foods. Soon she would be ordering him to chop vegetables. Though she did her best to hide it, she was nervous to meet Gemma and her family. Admittedly, he knew it was a big step, but it felt right, and he was looking forward to everyone coming together. They hadn’t had a single win since Jacksonville, and ’s mood had been terrible. He needed this break just like he’d needed it before. His mother had arrived late on Monday, but between work and being too exhausted to talk in the evenings, they’d hardly had any time together.

Gemma had been his rock during this mess of a season. She never missed an opportunity to make him smile. Some evenings, he’d come home to find her with a home cooked meal and all the cuddles he could possibly want. Others she’d send him flowers or other small gifts to lighten his mood. hadn’t realised that he loved receiving flowers just as much as he loved giving them.

“I hope I can tell them apart,” his mother muttered, organising the remaining groceries by dish .

“You’ll be fine. They tend to dress differently.”

“But their names are so similar.”

“Mom, it’s okay.” He pulled her into a hug, engulfing her small frame in his. “Everyone will be nervous but once the introductions are made, everything will be fine.”

“It’s the first time you’re introducing me to a woman.”

“I’ve introduced you to all my girlfriends!” he corrected, releasing her from his grip.

“Highschool flings. This one seems serious.”

“It is.”

“Marriage serious?”

groaned and scrubbed a hand over his face. “Why does everyone keep jumping to marriage?”

“I’m not saying right now but… where is this going?” Then, with the knowledge that only a mother could have, she smiled up at him and rested her hand on his arm. “I won’t make you say it. I can see the answer in your eyes.”

While his mom cooked, he made sure to clean up after her alongside tidying the rest of the house. Not that it was particularly needed, but he needed to pass the time. Early afternoon, his guests finally arrived.

When he opened the door, Gemma smiled up at him with a floral knee-length dress and a bouquet in her hands. He reached for the flowers, but she twisted out of his grip. “Not for you,” she giggled, reaching for his neck to kiss his cheek. “For Angela.”

He stepped aside and took the dish that Gina held in her hands. “Come in. Make yourself at home.”

“Mom, this is .” A woman stepped forward, who could have been a triplet to the other two. “, this is my mom, Mandie.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Mandie.” With his free hand he shook hers before turning to his own mother and making the introductions

“It is nice to meet all of you.” His mom gave each of the women a hug—as always when she met new people—and then turned to Dan. “I heard you’re a great helper in the kitchen. Would you like to help me with the turkey?”

“You’re smaller than I thought,” Dan said in response. “ is a giant!”

Gina seemed mortified, but his mom only laughed. “He really does say whatever he thinks, huh?”

“I wonder who he got that from,” Mandie muttered.

Gemma, as if she lived there, had already found a vase and was arranging the flowers on the countertop—and loved to see it. “I think he takes after all of us.”

“That’s not a bad thing,” said dreamily. “Drinks?”

“Gemma’s driving so we’ll have wine,” Gina announced.

“And I made some punch for Dan.”

filled everyone’s glasses and then found himself giving a house tour once Dan demanded to see the home gym. Everyone obsessed over the custom bathtub, and again over their new photos Ellie had taken.

Dan had the honour of carving the turkey and insisted that sit next to him. For once, he was relieved that no one requested putting the Thanksgiving Day football game on. He had a blast sharing that special meal with everyone.

While the mothers went outside for some fresh air, insisted on cleaning after putting a movie on for Dan. Both mothers seemed to love gardening, so they ventured into his sad excuse for a garden.

“This was nice,” Gemma hummed, leaning her body against his. “I think our moms are getting along really well.”

“Yeah, gossiping about my dying plants. I think even my grass is holding on for dear life.”

She laughed and stretched to her tiptoes, pulling him down for a kiss. “That’s something you and I can work on together. Maybe two not so green thumbs can add up to something good.”

“I’m sure we’ll get a lot of tips and tricks along the way. We do know two professionals after all.”

When it came time for the guests to leave, scooped a sleeping Dan up from the couch and carried him to the car. While Gina made sure he was strapped in properly, Mandie swept into a hug.

“It was lovely to meet you.” And when she was sure her daughter wasn’t listening, she added, “You two are a great couple.”

Before Gemma got into the car she pulled down for one last kiss. “I love you.”

“I love you too. Drive safe and text me when you’re home.”

“Or what? You’ll come check on me?”

“Don’t sound so hopeful,” he chuckled, stealing another kiss before stepping back and waving them off.

“Such a beautiful family,” his mom hummed, disappearing back inside the house.

went into the kitchen, fussing with the remnants of the turkey and trying to fit the leftovers in the fridge like a bad game of Tetris.

“I want you to keep this safe.”

He turned from the fridge, to find a small jewellery box being thrust in his direction. Raising his eyebrows, he hesitantly took it. “Mom—”

“Your father gave it to me when he knew I was the one. I would like you to hold on to it.”

He stared down at his mother’s engagement ring. She still wore her wedding band, but he’d only seen her take that ring out for special occasions. It was made to fit a sleek finger, thin not to be bulky with a gorgeous blue gemstone that sparkled in the light like the ocean on a sunny day.

“I know you’re not ready now, but I want you to have it for when the time comes.”

He wanted to protest, to tell her to take it back. Then, it hit him: this was her way of showing her approval. She thought that he’d made a good choice. had known from the first date that Gemma was the one, but in his own mind he hadn’t wanted to rush it, brushing any mentions of a proposal aside. Holding his mother’s ring, he knew he didn’t want to give it to anyone but Gemma. He knew that when the time was right, he would ask her to wear it, promising her his soul and love—forever.