Fail to Love by Maci Dillon

 

The Gataki Feast

 

“There is no such thing as a broken family. Family is family, and is not determined by marriage certificates, divorce papers, and adoption documents. Families are made in the heart. The only time family becomes null is when those ties in the heart are cut.” ~ C. Joybell

 

 

SEAN

 

“You did learn the Kalamatianós, yes?” Raven blindsided me with a question I didn’t understand as I exited the Uber outside her parents’ home at the base of the mountain on the Gold Coast hinterlands.

Taking her hand, I assisted her from the vehicle and pretended like I wasn’t at all nervous about attending a family event. It had nothing to do with Raven or her family, it was the idea of being surrounded by people who cared for one another.

It was a foreign concept for me. Professionally, I delivered babies into the world, played an important role in the healthy beginnings of a new family, but in my personal life, family moments were a jaded and painful past memory.

“The what now?” I half-assed chuckled. “I didn’t realize I had to research and take notes.”

Raven giggled. “It’s okay. I’ll teach you.”

“Teach me what exactly?” Now I was officially worried about what I’d gotten myself into.

“It’s a traditional Greek dance, and we do it at every family gathering.”

I forced myself to contain a neutral facial expression despite the churning in my gut.

Dancing? I’d pass.

She knocked me playfully with her elbow. “I can almost hear the cogs in your mind churning over. Before you humiliate yourself and offend my family, it’s not an option. Everyone must perform the circle dance. It’s simple, and it will be over in a flash.”

I groaned inwardly and nodded as we walked through the gates.

One night.

I can do this.

Before our arrival was announced, Raven took my hand in hers, and I immediately perked up. How bad could great food, a loving family, and dancing be with Raven by my side?

“Sis,” Dimitri yelled from the back veranda.

A tall, athletic man jogged toward us, eyeing me up and down. As he reached Raven, he wrapped her in a tight hug. “Dimitri, this is—”

“Yes.” He turned to me. “You must be the hot doctor Mama has been raving about. Sadly, my sister and I are thick as thieves, yet she has never mentioned a boyfriend.”

Instinctively, I wrapped my arm around Raven’s waist and pulled her to me. “It’s nice to meet you, I’m Sean.” I smiled and offered my hand. Tentatively, he shook it, his grip tighter than necessary. “Timing is everything. I’m sure you can appreciate us wanting to be sure of our relationship before announcing it to the world.”

I mentally slapped myself, unsure why I felt the need to explain or why I offered that response at all. Raven visibly flinched at my side, and Dimitri wasn’t sold. Thankfully, Miah interrupted the stand-off, throwing her arms around him. We wandered over to the rest of the family mingling in the backyard, where a large wooden table was centered and filled with platters of food and bottles of wine.

My stomach rumbled. I hadn’t eaten since the ballet last night.

“Hello, dear,” her mother rushed over to Raven and swarmed her with love before she greeted me with a glorious smile and wrapped Kassidy and Miah in a hug. “So happy you all could make it. And Sean, welcome to the family.”

I smiled graciously as Raven tried miserably to hide her chuckle as we were swept away to be introduced to the twenty-plus family members busy chatting and laughing. Raven’s father, Nikos, was tall and balding with a strong handshake and a warmth about him I had never experienced in a father figure.

Over the half-hour and a glass of wine, I became more at ease. I had never been privy to a welcome quite like this one. Raven and I moved from group to group until I was sick of hearing my own words about myself. It was no struggle being close to Raven, my hand always in hers or resting on her lower back. I stayed connected the entire time, and hell if I did not want the night to end.

She was like an addiction. The more I had, the more I wanted. Fake relationship be damned. A desire to be part of this large family overwhelmed me.

“Don’t you love the matching outfits?” her mother remarked, joining us as we chatted to Raven’s favorite cousins. Her words, not mine. I chuckled lightly.

I’d love anything Raven wore. Or didn’t wear.

“What can I say, we’re the perfect match.” Is it possible to blush at your own choice of words? I gushed with emotion and was wrapped up in the moment.

Stop me now before I embarrass myself.

And I didn’t miss Raven’s what-the-fuckside glance.

Cousin Rita agreed, “Perfect indeed.” I sensed she was referring to more than our matching olive fabrics or our relationship.

Raven swatted her playfully, “Behave, Ri-ri.”

“When are you two moving in together?”

“Mama,” Raven answered, her tone clipped. “We aren’t… we’re taking things slow. No need to rush.” Tension rolled off Raven’s shoulders, but she kept it well-hidden beneath her smile and bright eyes.

“Nonsense, love, true love has no bounds.” I was beginning to understand Raven’s concern with our façade. Her family had certain expectations neither of us was prepared to live up to. At least not immediately or in a timely enough fashion to suit them.

“Sean, I hope you won’t be taking our daughter to live in Brisbane with you. It’s too far away.”

“Oh, look.” Raven pointed. “Papa’s famous roasted tomato meatballs have been served. Sean, you really must try them. His family was well-known in Greece for generations for their personal touch on this dish.”

I appreciated the diversion, but I think it was mostly Raven wanting to escape the inquisition.

Dimitri and Miah intercepted us on our way to sample the glorious food my body was starved for. “Looks like you fit right in, doc.”

If I were to ever fit into Raven’s life, establishing a good rapport with her brother was important. And I’m not winning any points so far.

“You have a wonderful family. You’re both very lucky.”

He offered me a beer, and I happily placed my wine on a nearby stool to accept it. All men should bond over a cold brew. “So, how long have you two been seeing each other?” he asked. “Miah wasn’t interested in offering any details which, given her love of gossip, made me hideously suspicious about you two.”

Miah gasped, and Dimitri’s serious expression lightened, a small grin tracing his lips.

“Give me the low-down,” he whispered, motioning for us to take a walk off to the side away from the festivities. Raven bit her lip nervously, and I could tell Miah wanted to be anywhere but here. I must ask Raven if there was anything between Miah and Dimitri later, as they appeared to be quite smitten with each other if the hidden glances and outrageous smiles shared between them were anything to go by.

Once we found ourselves deeper into the backyard in the lush surrounds of ferns, garden lilies, and stone statues, Dimitri raised his eyebrows at Raven. “Well?”

“Well, what, Dimitri? I’m sorry you’re hurt that I’ve not mentioned Sean before, but—”

He cleared his throat. “Yes, it’s the but I’m waiting for, Raven. Spill.”

Attempting to alleviate the pressure for Raven, I jumped in, “I think the world of your sister, she’s smart, beautiful, and ambitious, not to mention sassy and a little over the top.” I laughed, and Dimitri nodded with a smile.

“Hey, I’m right here.” She swatted me and looped her arm through mine.

“Don’t get me wrong, man, I don’t deny you two have chemistry, but I know Raven. Men love her, but she’s never been interested in anything casual, let alone keen to bring a man home to the family.”

Well, aren’t I the luckiest motherfucker on earth? I smirked to myself.

“I’m almost thirty, Dimitri. Things change.”

Yeah, I couldn’t argue with her about that. I barely recognized myself since I met her.

“Mama told me she visited you and found Sean in your apartment. My guess is, forgive me if I’m wrong…” he chuckled, “… you finally had an adult sleepover, and Mama busted you. Am I right?”

Miah snickered, and I did my best to cover my laugh with a cough, afraid to witness Raven’s reaction. This brother of hers was good.

“Fine, Dimitri. You win.”

“Ha, I knew it! You sneaky little bitch, bringing a one-night stand to a family gathering.” He tsked and shook a finger at her. She grimaced slightly before glancing at me with an I-told-you-so attitude written all over her face.

“Actually, we are dating, and as I mentioned earlier, I’m very fond of your sister. She means a lot to me, and you’ll definitely be seeing more of me in the future.”

“Oh?” Dimitri was unsure how to respond. I was certain he’d be asking questions of Raven when they spoke in private next.

“I met Raven in December through Chloe, actually.” I glanced at Raven, who seemed content with avoiding my gaze. “I’ve not been able to stop thinking of her since.”

I was bummed when Will and Chloe said they were away this weekend. It would’ve been easier with Will here. At least then, I wouldn’t have been the only fresh male blood to talk about.

“Dinner is served,” someone hollered from the crowd.

I had mistakenly assumed the table full of food when we arrived was dinner. But there appeared to be another table with warm dishes beneath the veranda.

“Okay, good chat. Now let’s go eat.” Raven happily whisked us away toward the food.

I was in heaven with all the meaty goodness and fresh foods. I went back for seconds and thirds. Nursing my full stomach which threatened to explode, I was unprepared to be whisked out into the yard with every other person there.

“Phew, that was intense.” It was my first time backyard dancing, but the circle dance, yeah—I can’t even pronounce the name of it—it was a lot of fun, even with two left feet.

We spent the evening laughing, chatting, telling jokes, and I may be a little guilty of making some of the aunts and older cousins swoon. But hey, we were all having fun. Raven even appeared to be more relaxed since Dimitri was in the know about us.

Raven’s father, Nikos, was a lovely guy—loyal and protective of his family with a bubbly nature I appreciated. He and his wife, Demetria, owned a Greek restaurant on the coast and prepared everything from scratch. Almost all their ingredients were home-grown on their beautiful small acre block.

After a few hours of mingling and feasting, many remained dancing on the makeshift dance floor. I opted for another beer when Nikos saw an opportunity to get to know me.

“What prompted you to go into medicine, Sean?”

“My father was a cardiac surgeon. One of the best in his field. I guess you could say it’s in my genes.” Talking about my father was never easy, but I wasn’t about to lie to the man or reconstruct the truth.

“He must be proud of you following in his footsteps.” I considered my response as Raven and I hadn’t exactly discussed my family in too much depth.

“Unfortunately, he wanted me to go into the cardiac field. When I decided to specialize in obstetrics-gynecology, he was less than accepting. He saw it as a weakness studying the female form.”

Raven squeezed my leg. “That’s awful, I’m so sorry.”

Nikos frowned. “Sorry about that, son. As a man who’s seen his fair share of loss due to complications with pregnancy and reproductive health, I value your work tremendously.”

I smiled. “Thank you, sir. It means a lot.” And it did.

“What about your mother. How did she feel about your career choice?”

At this point in the conversation, I’d have been happy to be whisked over to the dance floor.

“My mother left us when I was only fifteen. I’ve never heard from her since the day she walked out. I don’t even know where she is or if she’s still alive, for that matter.”

Nikos put his hand supportively on my shoulder. “I’m sorry, son. There will be other times to discuss the tribulations of our lives, I’m sure. I don’t want to ruin your first evening with us bringing up painful memories. Why don’t we break open the port and have a few shots?”

When he left to fetch the port, Raven moved to sit on my lap.

Her eyes were filled with emotion.

Not pity. More like understanding.

She took my face in her hands and lowered her lips to mine in the most sensual kiss of all time. My heart wept at the sincerity of her touch.

I never wanted this night to end.

Whatever this was with Raven, if it were to end, I didn’t think I’d survive.