Like You Mean It

Tennessee Nights

Meeting Chris' family over Christmas was fun. The fact they included me into all their family traditions really made me overjoyed. Now, it will more than likely be a total 180.

My parents are strict military people. Our family is made up of decades of military servicemen. My brothers, father, grandfather, uncles, etc have all been in the military, working their way through the ranks. And the women were taught to be military spouses.

I'm hoping they won't try to break up my relationship with Chris over that. I was already married to someone in the service, and my heart would not be able to take losing a spouse that way again. Plus, I'm way too deeply in love with Chris.

I tried to explain all the little details to Chris as to how to address my dad, and my grandfather, as well as my brothers. We will no longer be in the civilian world, we will be in the military world. He seems to have understood all of it, and even seems a little too relaxed about meeting my family, while I'm nervously sweating bullets.

We make it to Ft. Campbell in our rental car, and I tell the guard at the entrance gate all my information. He phones it all in, and once he gets the all clear, he hands me a visitor pass, and lets me in the army base. We drive by military buildings and soldiers training.

Chris seems to be taken by everything he sees. I look fondly at where I lived for a large majority of my life. We soon pull up to my parents' base house.

I park the car and notice the door already opening. My mom stands at the door with a wide grin on her face almost bouncing in place with excitement.

I smile at her as I make my way over to her. "Oh, my baby! You're home! How were the flight and the drive? Do you want to lay down for a bit? Your dad won't be back until later."

I chuckle softly as she hugs me tight. "Calm down mama!"

She laughs and dismisses me. "I've missed my baby girl, I can act however I damn well please."

I quirk an eyebrow at her as she mischievously smiles at me. We burst out laughing together before we hug once again. I look over at Chris, who has already taken our bags out of the car, and smile.

I walk over to him and pull him over to my mom. "Mama, I want you to meet my boyfriend, Dr. Chris Evans."

"Well, well, well, you are a handsome one, aren't ya!" I cover my face with my hand as I notice my mom checking Chris out. "How did my Charlie snatch you up?"

"It was more me who snatched her up, she's amazing." He lovingly looks down at me and softly kisses me. My cheeks are burning red and I can't control the smile on my face.

"Well, it's nice to meet you Chris. I'm Molly Harris." My mom extends her hand out to shake Chris'.

"It's nice to meet you as well Mrs. Harris." My mom looks impressed at him.

"I see Charlie has been preparing you for this visit." Chris blushes as he rubs the back of his neck.

"I didn't want to offend anyone ma'am." My mom smiles warmly at him.

"Well, you're off to a good start! Now, come on inside and warm up! It's cold out here!" I laugh at her over the top personality.

"It was colder in Boston mama, I think we'll survive." She shakes her head at me unimpressed.

"Oh you hush, come on in and make yourselves at home. Your daddy has the basement all set up for Chris and Mike to share. John and James have their rooms set up for them and their kids, and your room is all ready for you. Except Amy is going to be joining you in there. She requested to share a room with aunty Charlie." I smile at the thought of my sweet 6 year old niece.