the park bench

t h i r t y s e v e n

t h i r t y s e v e n

"mother, father, lark's arriving in five minutes!" joanne shouted down the stairs, laughing at high's bark. "you remember what i told you?"

mr. gibson rolled his eyes. "yes, no photo albums and hardcore threatening."

"that includes you joseph!" joanne sent a stern look to her brother. "also, heather, no squealing or any of that."

"your wish is my command, soon to be birthday girl." heather called from the living room as she popped more crisps into her mouth.

the doorbell rang and the gibson family plus heather instantly put whatever they were doing down and got into the positions joanne had put them in. it was terrifying seeing joanne fretting over meeting the parents and there was new found respect in all the relationships.

"larky!" they heard from the front door. "okay, so my family plus the best friend is in the living room, so don't be creeped out if they're staring at you or whatever, i drilled it into their heads to not be annoying pricks."

the blonde let out a chuckle, happiness basically bursting from her voice. "aw, i was going to ask for baby photos-"

"yes!" joanne's mother bolted out of her position and grabbed the photo albums, ready to bombard lark. "i'm sorry, honey, but this one has to look at your frog costume."

joanne gaped as her family flooded in and manhandled lark into the living room as she laughed nervously.

"oh, dear."