Her's Now, and Forever

~ Chapter 21 ~

{ Kamilia's POV }

I woke up from a short nap with Rose, currently I'm snuggled up in her arms under the covers of our bed, her warm embrace is so comforting. I've gotten used to being in her arms lately, she's been off for the wholeeeee week! Isn't that so amazing? We've spent a lot of time together and had lots of fun, Rose wanted to go out today but I clinged to her like a koala so she couldn't leave. I didn't want her to leave at all, but we compromised on her only going to make breakfast and then straight back to cuddling me! Other than that, we've been in bed the whole day watching movies and tv shows. 

I think Rose noticed that I was awake again, she looked over and kissed my cheek, "How was your nap Princess?" 

She gently moved my braids out of my face and I saw her warm smile and gorgeous face.

"It was gooodddddddd!" I sang and I kissed her lips with a smile on my face.

"I'm sure it was, you were knocked out for almost 2 hours." My eyes widened, I didn't know I slept that long! 

"Oh . . . wait what time is it?" Rose laughed and checked her phone quickly.

"5:37 pm, and I know it's kinda last minute, but you remember when I brought up meeting my parents mhm?" 

"Yeah, that was a like a week ago."

"They want to meet today at dinner, is that okay?" 

"Yeah that's cool, do we have to leave now?"

"Well if we wanna get there on time, we should probably get ready right about now Princess." I whined, I didn't wanna get out of bed but I nodded.

Rose got up first, she ripped the covers off me so I became fully awake and sat up. Although we don't live together, Rose bought some clothes for me so I could stop wearing her clothes, but I'll still wear hers. Her clothes are so soft and smell like her so it's comforting. 

"Roseeee, can you pick my outfittt I don't wanna get uppp!" I whined and looked up at her.

She was in her walk-in closet, but I could still hear her laughs, "You're so lazy Kamil!" 

"Is that a yes?" I giggled.

"Of course it's a yes, you know how much I love dressing my doll." 

After a couple minutes, she came out with two dresses and two sets of heels. The first one was a light pink off the shoulder flounce sleeve A-Line dress, I already knew it was mine because I picked out that dress while clothes shopping with Rose. I was in love with that dress, the puffy and fairy-like look of it was ethereal, the other dress however, I've never seen before. It was a white puff sleeve v neck ruched dress, I thought it would look very pretty on Rose. Of course, the heels she brought out were light pink and white to match with our outfits. She put the dresses on the bed, then she picked up a pillow and hit me with it.

"Now get up and change!" She said in a goofy tone, laughing.

"Why are you attacking me, this is a hate crime!" I giggled as I covered my face.

"You know we're both POC right? Why would I hate crime you stupid?" She hit me with the pillow some more and I finally gave in.

"Okay okay, I'll get up just stop hitting me!" At this point, I was laying on the bed trying to protect myself from the pillow assault in front of me, thankfully she stopped.

She grabbed my face to kiss me and smiled, "Good girl."

Rose and I both started to undress and change into our outfits. We've reached a point in our relationship that it isn't really awkward anymore, but of course I still stare at her. I mean come on, who wouldn't stare at her gorgeous body? Once changed, she dragged me into the bathroom to style my braids. I've noticed that Rose has taken a liking to my hair, she loves to play with it and she's always curious about how I manage it. She's been respectful when talking about it, so it doesn't bother me. I've had people treat me like a petting zoo when it comes to my hair, so I'm thankful she isn't like that. But anyways, Rose put some of my goddess braids into 2 small buns, leaving the rest down, while she just did a half up-half down look on herself.

Once we were done, we left the bathroom to pick up our purses and left the house. During the whole car trip, I wasn't really nervous at all. Honestly, I was kinda excited to meet Rose's parents, from what I've been told they're really kind and accepting. I also get that vibe from the  way Rose talks to them, she's always really open and kind when talking to them. After 15 minutes of driving, we arrived at the restaurant.

It looked very overgrown and ethereal, I loved the vibe and aesthetic of it. Before you even go into the restaurant, there's a walkway under an arc of plants. I walked down it while holding Rose's hand, looking around I noticed the walkway was filled with all types of flowers and plants. It was decorated beautifully with all types of hedges and fairy lights. Not to mention, there were pretty flat stones scattered along the path. When we got to the end, there was a hostess at the front door.

"Hello ladies, may I ask what name your reservation is under?" I looked behind her and noticed the beautiful exterior of the restaurant, it was a light brown color with vines and lights sprinkled all around the walls.

"Nohemi." Rose answered .

"Ah yes, Nohemi, right this way ladies." The hostess led us to our table, but it wasn't inside the restaurant. Instead, she led us around the restauraunt and to the back, it was a secluded area with only a few tables. It was surrounded by tall hedges and gorgeous trees, there were also lanterns near the hedges so it wasn't too dark. When we got there, there were already 2 people seated at the table, I assumed those were the parents.

"Rosey, I missed you!" Before she sat down, her mom got up and gave her a big hug. Her mom was an older woman, she had long brown hair that went down her back, she was wearing a pretty light blue dress.

"I missed you too Mom, I'm glad we could make it." After she spoke to her mom, she went around to the table her dad was sitting at and gave him a side hug.

"I reckon that's the girl you've been telling us about?" His eyes darted towards me and I shot a smile at him, he seemed like a kind but serious man. He was middle-aged, just like the mother but with short black hair, wearing a black suit. 

"Mhm, she is." Rose and I both sat down, I know I should be focusing more on interacting with her parents but this restaurant looks so fancy. You could see your own reflection in the utensils and the menu was so nicely decorated.

"So tell us about yourself, what's your name?" The father asked.

"It's an honour meeting you Mrs. Rose's Mom and Mr. Rose's Dad! My name is Kamilia, I'm 19 years old and I'm currently in college working on a medical degree, but I hope to work as a professional dancer and actress one day." I didn't really know what to say, but Rose was rubbing my back to ease my anxiety a little.

"You don't have to call us that, It's far too formal. My name is Nohemi, and his name is Arlo." Nohemi laughed and pointed to Arlo as she introduced him.

"I apologise." I spoke, I didn't wanna mess up this interaction.

"No worries, I suppose we should order our food now." We all picked up our menus and I began flipping through the pages, everything sounded so good, and they even had pictures of the courses! I thought it was amazing. I ended up ordering spicy shrimp tacos and a glass of iced water, Rose was a little indecisive though. I helped her with her order, she was looking through all the pages before I convinced her to pick just 1 entree, a kimchi rice bowl with a peach tea.

Once our waitress came by the table, all 4 of us told her our orders. I noticed that Nohemi ordered dragon sushi rolls with a coke and Arlo ordered a tofu and broccoli stir fry bowl with an iced water as well. The waitress wrote down our orders and quickly walked off.

"You know, you must be one special girl. Rosey hasn't spoke about anyone the way she does with you since that one the time she had her first crush in middle school." Nohemi said and I could tell Rose was embarrassed.

"Mom, this dinner isn't to embarrass me in front of my girlfriend." Nohemi laughed and Rose's face was red.

"Honey she's right, Kamilia you seem like a lovely person and I'm glad my daughter met you. I trust that you have her best interest at heart, but do know if you hurt her there will be hell to pay." He said with a straight face and strict tone, he's kinda intimdating, I take back what I said about him seeming like a kind man. Rose glanced over and mouthed, "I'm sorry that's just how he is, don't worry." That made me feel a little better, and the cheek peck she gave me as well.

While we waited for our food, Rose's parents just told me many stories about her. I could tell Rose was burning up from embarrassment but I really didn't mind, I thought it was wholesome how well her parents knew her and how bonded they were. In a way, I was kind of jealous but I'm happy for her. The waitress quickly came back with our food and we began eating. In between bites, her parents would ask me other questions. Some were a little . . . personal and weird? But it wasn't that serious, overall I'd say it was a pretty good time. Besides her dad's protectiveness, the dinner was overall lighthearted and goofy. Once we were done eating, we said our goodbyes and Rose left a tip while her parents paid the bill. 

While walking through the arc again, I had an amazing idea.

"We should take pictures, we look gorgeous and this would be the perfect background Rose!" 

"That's a good idea, wait here I'll see if the hostess can do it." She moved her hand away and walked over to the entrance, quickly coming back with the hostess. Rose gave them her phone and told them to stand at a specific place.

Then she came back to me and we started posing, we took 5 pictures. One was a side view, we were kissing each other's lips and she grabbed my face. The next one, we were laughing and smiling next to each other. The third one I looked into the camera as she kissed my cheek. Finally, the last one was us walking down the gorgeous arc holding hands. The hostess gave Rose her phone back and she thanked them, giving them a tip before we got back into the car and drove home.

I checked my phone and saw how late it was, it was about 9 pm and I was very tired. I put my phone down and stared out the window, as we drove through the city there were so many pretty neon lights. That's why I like the night better, everything looks so gorgeous at night. I think I zoned out in my thoughts for a little as I slumped against the passenger door.

"Hey, are you okay? You haven't said anything or got on your phone or whatever." Rose darted her eyes towards me before she quickly refocused them on the road.

"Yeah, sorry I zoned out." 

"It's alright, what do you think of my parents?" 

"They're really cool and nice, but your dad is kinda scary and intimidating. He kinda made me anxious, but I know he said that because he cares for you." I didn't wanna lie to her so I just said my honest thoughts.

"I understand, my dad's just really protective of me since I'm his only child. Don't worry though, he wouldn't do anything bad." I felt a little better hearing those words come out of her mouth.

Rose parked the car and we were finally home, we got out the car and brought our things in. We both changed into our pajamas and cuddled all night in bed. It only took about two movies and I already yawning.

"Goodnight princess, I love you." She said softly before she kissed my cheek.

"Goodnightttt, I love you moreee!" I said sleepily.

"You win this time, only because I'm too tired to argue back." She laughed and we both began to doze off.