Burning Love

Meet the Thomas(es)

As we get closer to my parents house, my palms are getting sweaty, my anxiety is higher, and I'm feeling light headed. What if my parents don't like him, or what if he doesn't like them? Or the worse case scenario, what if they love him ad vice versa only for us to end up breaking up?

I'm brought out of my thoughts when Chris grabs my hand and brings it to his lips kissing my knuckles. He seems so calm about our situation which helps lower my nerves. I give him a small smile trying to push away all my thoughts.

I notice the soft look in his beautiful blue eyes and my anxiety starts to melt away. I remind myself that this wonderful man wants to be with me. In the past couple of months we've been together he has more than proven that. I smile again as we both look back out the front window.

Once we arrive Chris parks his car in my parent's driveway creating a sense of excitement in the two backseat passengers. Eli seems like he's about to jump right out of his seat and Dodger seems like he's about to leap out of the open window.

I laugh as I shake my head at their reaction. "Calm down boys. We're about to go in."

I exit the car and open Eli's door. He jumps out and starts running to the door. "Grandmom!"

He runs to my mom's open arms and the tightly embrace. "Oh, I've missed having you over on Saturdays! Too bad it's too cold for pool!"

My dad comes out the door earning an equally enthusiastic greeting from Eli. I laugh at them knowing he was just here yesterday after school.

Chris walks up behind me having gotten an overly excited Dodger out of the car. I grab his hand, smile up at him and start leading him towards my parents.

"Mom, dad, I'd like you to meet Chris. Chris, these are my parents Margaret and Joseph."

Chris extends his hand out to shake my parent's hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Thomas."

He gives my dad a firm handshake and as he's about to do the same with my mom, she pulls him by his extended hand, and brings him into a hug. "None of that! You can call me Margie and him Joe."

Chris chuckles as he nods his head with a little wink towards my mom. "Of course, Margie."

My mom beamed at him as my dad chuckled. "Shall we?" My dad motioned to the open door.

I nodded and followed behind them holding Chris' hand once again. I looked up at him with a smile as I closed the door to my childhood home. 

I could see Chris looking at all the pictures covering the walls of the hallway, almost like a museum. Each detailing moments still captured from our lives as a family.

A wide grin broke out on his beautiful face when he stopped to admire a picture of a 7 year old me, holding a big large mouth bass on a canoe with a giant smile.

"Every summer of my childhood, we would rent a cabin in the Poconos. My dad would take me fishing in the mornings. That was my first big fish, worthy of taking back and eating." I smiled reminiscing on that day.

Chris chuckle softly as I lead him to the back deck, where I could hear the rest of my family. The fall breeze cooling me down at the realization that I had just referenced Chris and Dodger, in my mind, as part of my family.

We sat down on the deck couch and Chris let Dodger off his leash. Dodger quickly made his way over to Eli, and they ran off to play in the backyard.

Chris kissed my cheek before standing up and joining my dad at the grill. I looked at them and couldn't help the wide smile on my face.

"He really loves you Frankie, doesn't he?" I look at my mom and blush at her assessment.

I chuckle, trying to slow my thundering heart, before nodding.

"What's wrong Frankie?" The worry in her eyes almost makes me break down.

"What if it doesn't work out mom? Eli is already attached, and I'm in deep... what if it's all for nothing?" I quietly say, not wanting Chris to hear my doubts. My desperate eyes search my moms calm ones.

She laughs at my concerns making me huff. She grabs my hands and pulls me closer to her. "My dear, sweet Frances, that man seems completely infatuated with you! I can tell that he will not let you go without a fight! Stop being so worried about the what ifs and enjoy what you have sweetheart. If not, I'll gladly take him from your hands."

I loudly laugh at her last comment, all my fears and doubts washing away. I hug my mom, knowing I definitely needed to hear her words. I look over at a beaming Chris standing by my dad, and can't help the butterflies that erupt in my stomach as I smile brightly back at him.

Chris POV 

I make my way over to Joe, and grab a beer before standing next to him. Joe raises his bottle up to me and clinks mine while saying "cheers."

He starts flipping burgers before his gaze meets mine. "So, you're a local firefighter?"

I nod my head with a smile. "Yeah, I'm the captain of station 49."

"Captain, impressive! You grew up here?"

"Yeah, I'm a few years older than Frankie, we were also in the other school system, which is why we never crossed paths before."

Joe nodded his head. As he continued to man the grill, we made light conversation getting to know each other. His career as an oncologist sounded stressful, sad, interesting and gratifying all at the same time.

I look over at Frankie hugging her mom and can't help the smile that splits my face in half. We lock eyes when she looks over, and smile at each other.

Joe clears his throat bringing my attention back to him. "You really lover her don't you?"

I bashfully smile while rubbing the back of my neck. "I know we haven't been together very long, but I do. I love both of them very much."

Joe smiles at me before looking out to where Eli and Dodger are running around and playing. "You're good for them. I haven't seen them both this happy before. Just, please don't hurt my Frankie. She's our only child, and Mike really did a number on her."

"Sir, I would never do anything to intentionally hurt her. I love them both and wouldn't dream of erasing their smiles."

Joe shook my hand as I deeply exhale, having let my emotions run high. He calls everyone over to the outdoor table and we sit down to enjoy our lunch.

I can't help but look around at all the smiling faces surrounding me. Our conversation flows easily and we are soon laughing and acting like we've known each other forever. My heart is so full, and my smile wide as I reach over to hold Frankie's hand. I pull her hand to my lips kissing her knuckles smiling brightly at her. I can't help but to think of them as family already. I could truly get used to Saturdays like these as a family.

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AN- Thank you for all the reads, votes and comments! I truly appreciate each and everyone of you! Hope you enjoy this chapter! Sorry for the delay, but life has gotten extremely busy, between rehearsals, concerts, and my husband and kids! I will try to update a bit more regularly, but things are about to pick up for me again. 

Please vote and comment if you so choose to! I like hearing from you! Thank you for your patience with me!