Holding Her Heart by Melissa Tereze

27

Eden puther car into park, puffing out her cheeks as she cut the engine. She’d opted for a simple black pantsuit this morning when she was rummaging through her wardrobe for work, but now it felt a little too formal. She wasn’t meeting a client; she was meeting Aster’s dad. Formal wasn’t what she wanted this evening. But it was too late to go home and change; she already should have been here almost an hour ago.

All day, the anticipation had been slowly eating away at her. What if Aster’s dad didn’t take to her? She knew she was overthinking this meeting, but Eden had never been in this position before. She’d called Blair multiple times, spent the day clock watching, and then she’d moved onto the idea that it didn’t matter. It was a lie, all of this mattered, but the more pressure Eden put on herself, the more her heart pounded.

Meeting Aster’s dad shouldn’t feel this way. Eden had to get a grip.

“Okay, get out of the car.” Eden swallowed, climbing from her Mercedes as coolly as she possibly could. With her nerves on edge, she had the potential to fall over her own feet. And that wouldn’t be cool. “Right, this is going to be fine,” she muttered as she rounded her car and opened the boot. She had no idea why she’d done so; she didn’t need to collect anything from it. Just one more second, and she’d be good to go. “You have absolutely nothing to worry about.”

“Eden?”

Eden froze. Aster was calling her name, which meant that she’d been watching her mild panic from the window. “Yeah?” Eden closed the boot of her car, plastering on her best smile. “Sorry I’m late. I got caught on a call and then I hit the rush hour traffic.”

“Don’t worry. I just…noticed you’d been sitting in your car.”

Eden couldn’t lie to Aster. No chance. “I’m a little nervous. I’m sorry.”

“Nervous?” Aster opened the garden gate, a gentle smile playing on her mouth. “You’ve nothing to be nervous about. Dad already loves you, and he’s never met you.”

“All the more reason to be nervous. The last thing I need is to disappoint your dad, Aster.”

Aster reached out a hand, beckoning Eden closer. Once their skin touched, Eden’s hand securely in Aster’s, she immediately settled. Perhaps if they’d travelled here together, this wouldn’t have felt so daunting for Eden.

“I don’t want you to worry about a single thing. Dad is excited to meet you, and I can’t wait to show you off.”

Eden blushed. She wasn’t sure she’d ever get used to Aster and her fondness. Really, she was the breath of fresh air Eden urgently needed. “I…didn’t bring anything. I didn’t know what to pick up, and then I was running late, so I just headed straight here.”

“You didn’t need to bring anything,” Aster said, leaning in and kissing Eden. “So long as you’re here, that’s good enough.”

“Still, it’s rude to show up empty handed, isn’t it?”

“I don’t know. Is it?” Aster frowned.

“I suppose it doesn’t matter anymore. I’m here now.”

Aster grinned, slipping her arm around Eden’s waist as she led her up the path. Aster always made Eden feel comfortable, today was no different. “Lily couldn’t get out of work early. She’s on the late shift tonight. She asked me to apologise.”

“Honestly, that’s okay. I don’t want to overwhelm myself on the first visit. Perhaps it’s best if it’s just the three of us.”

“You’re right. I never thought of it like that.”

Aster pushed the front door open, the warmth of the house relaxing Eden further. She followed her girlfriend down the hallway, glancing to her left at the framed photographs running up the wall to the side of the staircase. When her eyes landed on a particular one, Eden smiled. Aster, as a child, was being held by a woman who looked a lot like her. She assumed it to be her mother, the resemblance striking. Eden made a mental note to bring Aster’s mother up in conversation when they were alone. Aster had never really given much information regarding her death.

“Dad?”

“Yes, love?” Eden’s stomach lurched as Aster’s dad called out from the living room.

“Eden’s here.” Aster squeezed Eden’s hip, releasing her as they stepped into the living room. “Dad, this is Eden, my girlfriend. Eden, my dad, Ted.”

“Oh, lovely.” Ted braced his hands against his chair, attempting to stand.

“Please, don’t stand for me,” Eden said, stepping closer as she held out her hand. “Lovely to meet you.”

“Our Aster has been pacing for the last hour. I think she thought you’d done a runner.” Ted laughed, winking in Aster’s direction as he shook Eden’s hand. “I told her you were probably stuck in traffic coming out of the city, but I don’t think she settled until she heard your car pull up.”

“It was a nightmare getting onto the motorway…”

“Have a seat, love.” Ted motioned to the couch, his eyes bright considering he’d been under the weather. “I told Aster she should have picked you up. It would have saved the long drive after working all day.”

“I didn’t mind.” Eden settled on the couch, placing her handbag to the side of the couch. “It’s just nice to be invited here.”

“Oh, any time.” Ted waved a hand. “Fancy a cuppa?”

Eden breathed a sigh of relief. Ted was wonderful and very calming. “I’d love one.”

“Go on,” he said, glancing at Aster. “Make your old dad a cuppa. Eden’s parched sitting here.”

Aster chanced a look in Eden’s direction, silently asking if she was okay. When Eden smiled, her attention turning back to Ted, Aster left the room. “Lovely house.”

“Oh, I can’t take the credit. The girls have always looked after it. One of them is forever bringing colour scheme ideas for me to look at, but I let them get on with it. I won’t be here one day so they should do what they like with it.”

Eden’s heart constricted when Ted said that. She couldn’t imagine losing one parent, let alone both.

“And Heather was the one who picked this house when we met. I didn’t get a say so. But I’m happy about that; she picked well.”

“She certainly did.” Eden’s eyes took in the layout of the room. The patio doors at the back of the house let in a tonne of light, the evening sun bouncing off the glass as it started to descend behind the trees. Then Eden noticed the oxygen canister to the side of Ted’s chair. “How are you feeling?”

“Much better now that I’m home. I like my own things around me, you know.”

Eden nodded. “Familiarity.”

“I’m sure Aster called me fit to burn when I ruined her holiday. But I told Lily not to call her.”

“Aster was glad Lily called her. And holidays aren’t important. Family is.”

“You’re close with your family too?”

Eden would like to believe she was, and most of the time everything was okay, but her mother still played on her mind. Her dad hadn’t been in touch either, which meant that Angela probably hadn’t updated him on Eden’s love life, but everything had to come good in the end. Eden needed it to. “Sure. I’m an only child, so I was very close to my parents growing up.”

“And now?” Ted asked, fixing the oxygen tube under his nose.

“I don’t see them as often as I once did because I moved into the city, but I go home to visit whenever I have the chance. We talk often, too.”

“Good. That’s good.”

“Brews are up.” Aster carried three cups into the living room, setting a coffee down in front of Eden and a tea for Ted. “Did you want a biscuit with yours, Dad?”

“Who doesn’t have a biscuit with their brew?” Ted looked between Aster and Eden, that sparkle in his eye making Eden smile. “Eden?”

“Sure. I’d take a plate of them.” She shrugged, praying her stomach didn’t yell just how hungry she was.

And then Aster turned to face her. “You didn’t have lunch again, did you?”

“I…didn’t have time. I had back-to-back meetings until two.”

“You should have said. I would have brought you something in.” Aster shook her head and then offered Eden an admonishing look. “You should always make time for lunch, babe.”

“It was your day off. And it won’t happen again.” Eden reached for her coffee, sipping slowly as Aster sighed. She eyed her girlfriend once more. “I promise.”

When Eden glanced in Ted’s direction, he was wearing a gentle smile. “I like that. You look out for one another.”

“Aster is…” Eden paused, suppressing the huge grin she felt working its way to her mouth. The love of my life… “Yeah, we do. She’s great.”

Ted offered a single nod. “She is. I don’t know what I’d do without her. All of them, actually, but Aster is… I’m sure you know what I mean.”

And Eden did know exactly what Ted meant. He didn’t have favourites, but Aster was the one he could rely on time and time again. Knowing that only made Eden even more proud to call Aster hers. Because when all was said and done, someone who was caring and had a heart of gold was the most important thing Eden could ever look for in another person. “I do.”

Ted winked as he watched the cogs turn in Eden’s mind. She knew the look in her eyes gave away just what she felt for Aster, but Ted was a gentleman, and Eden knew her secret was safe with him.

“Now.” He cleared his throat. “Tell me all about you.”

Great! The boring life of Eden.

* * *

Eden placed the empty cups and plates into the dishwasher, smiling as she watched Aster and Ted through the kitchen window. He wanted her to check on some of Heather’s plants, but Eden had decided she would remain indoors and tidy around from their dinner. Plants and Eden didn’t go very well together; she’d never forgive herself if she killed Aster’s mum’s rose bush.

Eden had learned more about Heather’s death during dinner—a brain haemorrhage when Lily was just two years old. And now, knowing what Aster had contended with at just seventeen…Eden had a newfound admiration for her girlfriend. Aster was strong, there was no doubt in Eden’s mind about that. This family were a rock to one another, and the love in Ted’s eyes for Aster was heartwarming.

She smiled as her gaze fell to Aster, laughing with her dad as they slowly walked around the edge of the garden. This home was lovely, a real family home. Warm, inviting, a thousand and one memories adorning the walls and shelves. It was the kind of home Eden always imagined she would own someday. Now that she had Aster in her life, there was no reason why that couldn’t one day come to fruition. Aster loved her family; anyone who paid attention could see that.

Her phone started to ring in her pants pocket, but the last thing Eden needed right now was to deal with a client or someone from her staff. She took it from her pocket, prepared to send the call to voicemail, when she noticed her mum was calling her. Okay, this was a surprise. Eden hesitated, but then she accepted the call. She didn’t want to avoid her mum, even if she was a little mad with her. “Hello?”

“Does she make you happy?” Angela asked quietly.

“I’m sorry?”

Angela cleared her throat. “Your girlfriend. Does she make you happy?”

Eden’s eyes strayed to Aster again, complete bliss settling in her chest. “Incredibly.”

“Then that’s what matters,” Angela said. “That she makes you happy. Because you’ve never been happy, Eden. Not really.”

Eden rested against the counter, crossing her legs at the ankles. “You’re right. I haven’t. But I’m still angry with you for how you spoke to Aster, Mum.”

“I’m sorry. You have to understand that I wasn’t expecting this. And I know I could have handled it better, but I am happy for you, sweetheart.”

Eden narrowed her eyes. “But are you? Really? I don’t want you to tell me what I want to hear if you have any issues with this. I know it was probably a shock, but I didn’t deserve the way you spoke to me. Or how you showed up at my apartment.”

“I am happy. And she seems…nice.” Angela didn’t sound overly convincing, but Eden wasn’t particularly bothered. In an ideal world, she’d have her parents’ blessing, but it was neither here nor there if they chose to support her or not. Aster wasn’t going anywhere, and Eden would do everything she could to ensure that. “She certainly stood her ground when it came to you. I admire that.”

Eden grinned. Nobody usually stood their ground where her mother was concerned. “She did. She’s got my back, and I’ve got hers. I’m actually at her parents’ home right now meeting her dad. He’s lovely. He’s a hugger; I like that.”

“Oh. That’s nice.”

“We’ve just had a cuppa and a light dinner.”

“Maybe you could join me and your father one day for lunch. With Aster too, of course.”

Eden’s brows rose with surprise. She’d love to reintroduce Aster to her mum. It couldn’t possibly be any worse than last time. “I’m sure we can arrange something in the next few weeks.”

“I’d like that.”

“Right, well, let me speak to Aster tonight when we get home. I’ll have a look in my diary and see what events we have coming up. Can I let you know?”

“Home?” Angela quizzed.

Eden winced. If only it was home for them. “Slip of the tongue. Aster doesn’t live with me.”

“Right. Well.”

“But she will…one day.” I hope. “We haven’t been together long, so it’s not something we’ve talked about. But I’m sure when the time is right, it’ll happen.”

“Well, if she loves you, I’m sure that day will arrive, my love.”

“Okay, well, I’ll call you tomorrow with some dates.” Eden loved that her mum appeared to be on board, but she wasn’t getting ahead of herself.

“Fantastic.”

Eden relaxed her shoulders, sighing. “And Mum?”

“Yes?”

“Thanks.” Eden paused. “For giving me the opportunity to be happy with who I choose to be happy with. She really is great. You’re going to love her.”

“Do you love her?” Angela’s question caught Eden off guard, silence settling between them. “Eden?”

“Honestly? Yeah, I’m pretty sure I do.”

“Then I’m sure I’ll love her too. Call me tomorrow. I’ll let your father know we’ll have company soon.”

“Okay. Bye, Mum.”

Eden stared down at her phone, unable to comprehend what had just happened. Okay, her mum shouldn’t have reacted how she did in the first place, but she also hadn’t expected her to come to terms with it so soon either.

“Everything okay, babe?” Aster shocked Eden as she appeared in the doorway. “Did you have a work call?”

“N-no. It was my mother. She…wants to meet you again.”

Aster shrugged. “Sure. Free whenever you need me to be.”

“Really? I mean, I wouldn’t blame you if you weren’t keen on the idea. She wasn’t exactly pleasant to you the last time around.”

“Babe, I understand that it was a surprise for her. But I’m not worried about how she feels about me. I only care that you’re happy with me. Everyone else is…not really my concern.”

“You’re amazing.” Eden held out a hand, pulling Aster towards her when she took it. “Are you coming home with me tonight, or do I have to let you go after such a lovely evening with your dad?”

“You like him?” Aster’s eyes brightened. Why she thought Eden wouldn’t like him was a mystery.

“Of course. He’s lovely.”

Aster relaxed beside Eden, mirroring her position as she leant against the counter. “I knew you’d love him. Well, I hoped. He’s just always so down to earth. But I’ve never brought anyone home to meet him. Not like this, anyway. It was always just an in passing kinda thing, you know?”

“Then I’m glad I’m the one you did this first with.”

Aster nudged Eden’s shoulder, grinning. “He really likes you. He didn’t stop talking about you once we got outside. And that means everything to me.”

“Me too. Now, should we have another cuppa with him before we head off?”

“If you needed to get back, that’s okay.”

“Um, Ted and I have things to talk about. You do your own thing, but I’m having another cuppa with him.”

“Incredible,” Aster whispered, squeezing Eden’s hand. “You really are.”