YOU

6

"So how are you guys doing?" Chan asked me as I came out on the porch. Tonight was a rare night when Ember was working late and I wouldn't see her. I sat down next to Chan and took a deep breath.

"The best." I answered smiling over at him.

"You guys seem really happy." He said pulling his hood up over his head. The weather had gotten colder seeing as how it was late November.

"We are. She's coming home with me for Christmas." I mentioned staring out at the city below.

"Has she met your parents before?" Chan asked looking over at me.

"Yeah, a couple times." I nodded, "I told my mom I was bringing a girl home and she almost died of excitement. I didn't tell her it was Ember." I laughed. I'd never brought a girl home, for anything. So my mom knew it was a serious relationship from that alone. So for the first time in a very long time the whole family would be together. Usually, I had to work or didn't have time to drive home, but this year I made time. Chan, Bin, and I have been working overtime in the studio to get absolutely everything done before Christmas.

"At least you get to go home." Chan said, usually he was ok with spending Christmas in Korea. This year though he seemed homesick. He hadn't been home in about three years and I could tell it was wearing on him.

"You have time to go home, ya know." I mentioned, "That's why we've been working like crazy. To have time to go home."

"Yeah, I know." He said looking sad, "I just....I haven't told my parents that I broke up with her."

"It's been almost a year, Chan! What the heck have you even been telling them?" I said shocked.

"I know. Look, my mom had my entire life planned. She'd almost named her grandchildren. How do I take that from her?"

"Um....tell her the truth?" I said looking at him like he'd lost his mind.

"Yeah, we'll see." He said standing up, "I'm off to bed. I'll see you tomorrow." He shoved his hands in the pocket of his hoodie and went inside.

I leaned back into the chair and let my mind wander. I'd never thought I'd be brining home a girl for the holidays, not to mention that it would be Ember. It's been two months together and sometimes it still didn't feel real to me. I had convinced myself that I'd never tell her how I felt. That I would forever be silently in love with her. As much as I hated the fact that the members took bets on when I'd tell her, something about it pushed me to tell her. Now she was all mine and we both were incredibly happy.

***
DECEMBER

Driving to my parents house, I could tell she was nervous. I didn't know why, my parents already loved her.

"You're more quiet then usual." I mentioned glancing over at her.

"Not really" she mumbled wrining her hands in her lap.

"You're really that nervous?" I asked.

"Yes?" She said still looking a little off.

"My parents love you. It's not like you need to impress them." I said grabbing on of her hands and holding it.

"I know, but it's different now that we're dating. That's all. What if they liked me as your friend but not as your girlfriend?"

"They love you. Stop worrying, baby" She glanced over at me and nodded, still unsure.

Pulling up to the house, I opened up her door and she got out smoothing her skirt and pulling her sweater down making sure she looked okay.

"You look beautiful, stop worrying." I whispered in her ear as I kissed her on the cheek. She smiled nervously and looked up at me. I smiled back and grabbed her hand as we walked towards the door. I was nervous too, I didn't know why. My parents have always loved her, I couldn't think of a reason they'd not want us together.