Happy Holidays!

↳ ᶜᵃˢᵖᶤᵃᶰ ↴

Imperfections on the road rumbled under the tires, blending in disjointed melody with the radio's subdued song. Caspian tapped his fingers on the steering wheel as he drove, each passing minute like a countdown to disaster.

Unlike going away to college, he wasn't sure this new development would feel like rolling out the red carpet and entering center stage in all his glory.

No, that part was reserved for Nia.

She sat beside him, small hand cradled in his. He feigned a calm demeanor as best he could and mindlessly stroked her warm skin. Their destination was the country club his step-dad owned, the place where Caspian had agreed to meet him for the first time, and where not only his mother, but Nia's mom would be meeting them as well.

A large family-style Thanksgiving for company executives and their guests was what the invitation had said; one that happened to include catering and required formal attire. The tie around Caspian's neck already threatened to choke him to death, if his nerves didn't get the job done first.

"This is really happening," Nia spoke, breaking the illusion Caspian had conjured in his head that they were just on an ordinary drive, on one of their typical date nights.

"Yeah," he replied. He didn't want to say more and risk sounding as nervous as he felt.

Nia flipped her hand over and entwined their fingers. Though his eyes were busy looking between the road and the GPS, he could feel her study his face. "Are you ready?" she asked.

When he swallowed, that damned neck tie pushed further into his skin. He cleared his throat. "Ready would be a hard goal to achieve, baby girl." He gave her hand a light squeeze. "But since I have you, I think I'll manage."

She returned his squeeze and sighed.

"What about you?" he asked. "Do you know if your step-dad decided to come?"

"Mom hasn't said anything." Her fingers absent-mindedly fidgeted with his, a nervous habit he'd grown quite fond of. The concern inside shifted from his worries to hers; even when they met with his father she hadn't seemed this anxious.

"To be honest, I hope my step-dad doesn't end up going. Is that wrong of me?" she asked. " I know it's supposed to be a family event and all, but not seeing him these past few months made me finally feel...better."

"Yeah well, I was hoping for the same thing." If Nia had wanted him to meet her step-dad, that would be different, but she didn't even want to be around him. And he knew her reasons. "If you're wrong, then I'm wrong right along with you, so don't worry."

She relaxed a little. "It's bad enough both our mothers are going to be there, I think both step-dads would be a little too much."

He let out a terse breath. "Don't remind me."

Turning down the last road between them and the country club, a long driveway came into view with perfect rows of aligned trees highlighting a large, white building. "Not exactly looking forward to meeting mine."

"I think it's good you're giving him a chance." Nia let go of his hand and grabbed her purse as he pulled up to the valet. "After all, he does mean a lot to your mom, and he didn't have to extend an invitation to us, or to my family."

"Yeah, but he could've also just met us over a regular thanksgiving dinner, not one where he's surrounded by a hundred people who's paychecks he signs." Showing off status and a big wallet didn't impress Caspian, and he hoped his step-father didn't expect admiration from appearances alone.

Stepping out of the car, he thanked the valet and met Nia on the other side. She sighed, siding up to him and shivering in the cold winter wind.

"Normally I'm the pessimistic one, but I think I've been rubbing off on you a little too much," she said. "If it's any consolation, meeting your father wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be."

"That's because you went into it with a blank slate." He wrapped an arm around her. "This is the man who slept with my mom knowing she was married—knowing she had a family, and still supported her lies. They can dismiss it all they want, but I won't pretend it didn't affect things."

Nia moved closer to him despite the welcoming warmth as they entered the building. A woman stood at the front of the large event room, with what he assumed was the guest list in her hands. She wore a crisp pin-striped suit and natural curls that fell in perfect ringlets. Behind her, other well-dressed guests mingled and spoke in reserved tones.

"Welcome to Dover Holdings Executive Thanksgiving Dinner. Your names?" the woman asked brightly.

"Caspian Quinten and Nia Fowler," he responded.

While the woman looked for their names, he took the opportunity to stand behind Nia, wrapping both arms around her waist and placing a kiss on her head. She put her arms over his and leaned back into him.

"You look amazing," he murmured under his breath as the woman checked off their names on the list. If nothing else came from this evening, he was beyond pleased to see Nia all dolled up.

Tonight she chose to wear a sapphire blue silk blouse, which she said complimented his eyes, and navy dress pants. His favorite part of her attire was the heart necklace she'd asked him to put on, reminiscent of their very first date. Of course, he hadn't left out thoughts of her in his attire, either. The tie that annoyed him so much was the same shade as her beautiful, vibrant hair. He'd been proud of himself for finding an exact color match, but more than anything, he was looking forward to her taking it off him.

"Wonderful," the woman looked up from the list, "I will show you to your seats. You are welcome to mingle and socialize until the dinner starts in fifteen minutes."

They followed her through a layout of several round tables, each covered in white embroidered cloth and full sets of crystal dinnerware. Caspian wondered if, all added up, the utensils, glasses, and plates at each place setting would be more numerous than the dishes to be served. He couldn't imagine each piece was really necessary— for him, a plastic fork and a take-out box would be enough.

"I don't think my mom's here yet," Nia whispered, surveying the few dozen guests that had already shown up.

"She's probably still on the way. We can watch the entrance for when she comes in. Tell me if you see her."

Nia nodded.

"Here you are," the woman motioned to two seats at an otherwise empty table, "Enjoy your evening."

He studied the folded name slip at his designated seat, picking it up as he read his name in cursive print. Next to him was one for Nia, and next to that were two empty seats for her mother and step-father. The settings to the other side of him was empty— the guests had already claimed their name slip.

"Caspian," a tender voice spoke from behind him. "I can't believe you came, and in a suit no less. I never thought I'd see the day you grew into a man."

Instinctively he reached for Nia's hand, and turning with a polite smile, replied, "Hi, mom."

Wearing an elegant red designer cocktail dress split down one thigh, she embraced him with a delicate hug as if he, like the dinnerware, was made of expensive crystal. Caspian reached one arm around her and returned the gesture.

"I'd like you to meet my girlfriend, Nia." He turned the attention to her, and felt his smile grow. "Nia, this is my mother."

"Mrs. Dover, nice to meet you." Nia stretched her hand out, which his mom clasped with both of hers. Seeing them together, he could see his own mother's elegance mirrored in Nia. Wealth had nothing to do with how both of them glowed.

"Likewise, dear. You seem quite..." her eyes took in Nia's attire, "...humble. I'm sure it was no easy task to get my son looking so sharp."

Nia's eyes hardened, but her smile stuck firmly in place. "Nothing of the sort. I think Caspian looks good in whatever he wears."

"Oh yes, that's quite sweet of you. Well then," his mom continued, turning back to him. "I'm happy you found such a lovely young woman."

"There you are." A tall man came up to stand beside his mother and placed a hand at the small of her back.  He had a sharp widow's peak and an even sharper designer suit.

Caspian recognized the man from pictures, but the aura of importance was enough to distinguish him as both CEO and sponsor of this event. "A pleasure to finally meet you, Caspian."

"Indeed." Caspian shook his step-father's outstretched hand, stiff from formality.

"I very much look forward to getting to know you both." His step father's lips moved, yet the same smile stayed cemented on his face. "Now, if you'll please excuse us, we have to greet a couple more guests before the dinner commences."

"I'll be back to catch up over dinner," his mother quickly said, looking both him and Nia in the eyes before turning away to greet the other guests with her husband. Caspian watched them begin the same process of greeting, handshakes, and small talk at another table.

"Well, that wasn't entirely bad," Nia spoke from beside him. "They seem very suited for this kind of thing, at least."

"Yeah, that's one way to put it," he agreed, and bent down to give her a kiss. "I'd still prefer if it was just us two, but maybe I could make an exception for your mother."

The introductions went as he'd expected. To his mom and step-father, he was just another guest. He didn't mind it all that much. Even though there was still a large hurdle between him having a functional relationship with either of them, this small effort had to count for something.

That's what he learned after talking to his dad last night.

It was the first time his father hadn't sounded bitter about the divorce. Caspian had told him just how serious he was about Nia—not that it wasn't plain to see— and fully expected to be met with disapproval for their relationship. Given the previous advice he'd received, and the fact he was still young and in school, he was prepared to just come out and tell his father what he was going to do, not ask for advice.

But his father didn't say anything negative about Nia or Caspian's intentions with her. Instead, he told Caspian to cherish Nia's smile. He recounted how, long before his ex-wife's infidelity, he'd noticed she stopped smiling.

She began to work later and longer hours, eventually coming home to sleep and repeat the process. So Caspian's father did the same, and eventually forgot about her smile, losing his along the way. He said now he regretted not making an effort, even a small one, to see her smile more often. Life accomplishments meant very little if there was no one around with whom you cared about to celebrate.

That's why, even though there were a few more pressing things Caspian could be concerned about tonight, he focused on appreciating small joys. Like his mother's embrace and the pleased look in her eyes when she met Nia. Like them all being here and meeting as family, even if it wasn't his favorite environment.

"That's her," Nia whispered, a bounce in her voice. "My mother's here." Waving one arm in the air, she caught the attention of a woman who could very well be Nia fifteen years in the future. Board-straight shoulder-length hair and pale blue eyes found him through the crowd, robed in a simple black dress and gold jewelry. She hadn't changed much from the photo he'd seen in Nia's room.

Caspian smiled and nodded in her direction, raising a hand as well. Luckily, it seemed she hadn't come with a man in tow. That meeting would be postponed for another fateful day. After greeting the woman at the front and following the same check-in process, Nia's mother made her way over to them.

"My beautiful girl." She took hold of Nia's shoulders, and giving her a loving smile, pulled her daughter in close. They hugged and then she turned to Caspian, surprising him with a hug of equal fervor. "I've heard many good things about you, young man. Seems you've made quite the impression on my daughter."

"Mom, please," Nia protested, face tinting a shade darker.

"What?" her mom asked. "I'm telling the truth. Doesn't he know by now how head-over-heels you are?"

Caspian chuckled. "It's always good to get confirmation." He reached out and grabbed Nia's hand, wanting to express how much he cherished her. "I've been looking forward to meeting you."

"This is quite the event," her mom mused as she took in the arrangements. "Caspian, it was your father's company that put this together?"

"My step-father," he corrected.

"Right, Nia told me that. You two have a lot in common." She hesitated, then cleared her throat. "I apologize Rob couldn't make it, he wasn't in the right state for such an occasion...but I'm sure you'll meet him someday." The smile on her face was the same Nia wore before they got together, a sad acceptance, but confident and resolved all the same.

The crackle of a microphone interrupted their conversation. "Ladies and gentleman, our dinner shall commence momentarily. Please return to your assigned tables so we can receive a short message from Mr. Dover, then begin the feast our chefs have so wonderfully prepared."

Caspian pulled out Nia's chair, and she flashed him a dazzling smile before he took a seat beside her, ready to squeeze out all the embarrassing childhood stories he could from her mom throughout their three course meal.