*** Rafael's POV ***
"Why are you nervous?" Christian chides me as I watch for our bags on the luggage carousel.
"It's big, you know? Meeting her dad and brother for the first time." I check a tag on a bag, not one of ours.
"You've already charmed the mother and her sister and sister-in-law. Once you have the women in your corner, you're good." Christian advises.
"I don't know if 'charmed' is the right word. I was kind of a confrontational dick." I adjust his imagery.
"Yeah, but look at the good you've done. Evelyn would not be visiting Texas anytime soon if it wasn't for you calling them on their bullshit and then opening their eyes to the fantastic gift that she is. You did that and it seems to be sticking." Christian pumps me up.
We spent Christmas with my family at Evelyn's insistence since Thanksgiving was so weird. But it is now a few days later and we made a last minute decision to join Christian on his visit down to see Meagan.
Evelyn was missing her bestie so I suggested that we should take advantage of our overlapping time off and go. I didn't even mention her family, but Evelyn surprised me when she suggested spending a day or two with them. She framed it as giving Christian and Meagan some alone time, but I know my girl better.
Since Thanksgiving her relationship with her family has really improved. They have weekly video chats and Evelyn doesn't even need to liquor up beforehand to handle them. Something changed that night at my family's home. Mom chalks it up to the Baumann family magic. I asked if that meant she threatened them. She clucked her tongue, but didn't deny it outright.
"Oh boy. Double trouble headed our way. How did we ever get so lucky to find a pair like them?" Christian chuckles. Meagan has tucked herself under Evelyn's arm. The two are talking animatedly and garnering stares from folks who probably think they are a couple.
"Stop staring! It's not like I licked her yet." Meagan yells and then cackles.
Christian and I shake our heads, cracking up. Evelyn's cheeks are a bit flushed with embarassment. She looks so damn beautiful. I am already sporting a semi from the plane ride. She started teasing me, working me up under a blanket. I threatened to make her a member of the Mile High Club. To my surprise she agreed, but a bit of turbulence and some nervous flyers made that dream crumble. I was hoping we could get a bit of time alone somewhere between here and Evelyn's family home where we'd be spending a day and a half before heading to Meagan's for New Year's Eve.
"Hi Raf, did you give my girl everything she wanted or was she on Santa's naughty list?" Meagan teases, giving me a warm welcome hug.
"Jury's still out, but I gave her the benefit of the doubt and spoiled her senseless." I admit.
"How come he gets a hug first?" Christian bitches, tugging at Meagan.
"Because I like when you're extra needy." Meagan chides him.
Christian growls and hoists her small frame onto his buff body. The two start going at it as Evelyn and I hurriedly turn our attention to the carousel. Evelyn glances over. "We don't look like that, right?"
"No, babe. But we've also never spent more than a few days apart since we met." I remind her that their circumstances are much different than our own.
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Oral Care
Romance*** COMPLETED STORY *** Evelyn is stubbornly resistant to fitting her family's model of perfect, demure wife material. She flees her hometown and an unwanted relationship to pursue her career and get away from their ridicule. Following a hot resort...
