An Unexpected Surprise

Chapter 11

I am SO SORRY it took me so long to update. Summer has just gotten really busy, but I appreciate all of you sticking around to find out what happens in the story. 

If you have any questions, comments, theories, or suggestions, please let me know in the comments, I would love to hear them! 

Thank you and enjoy! <3 

Cal's POV.

I am filled with apprehension as I make my way down to the Nortan tarmac to greet Mare's family, both about leaving Mare, even though I know she will be in good hands with Kilorn, and about seeing Mare's family.

Things, and relationships, have gotten better between Mare's family and me, especially her parents and Gisa, and I finally feel a bit more accepted by them, but I still sense that they feel a bit of distrust or wariness towards me sometimes. Not that I can blame them. I did break her heart all those years ago, but we have both grown and changed, and we are better now, stronger, because of it.

But still, no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to fully win her brothers over. And if I am being completely honest, I can't help but be intimidated by them. Despite my position in the military, my ability, my strength, and the fact that I could easily beat them in a fight, Mare's brothers still make me feel as nervous as hell.

I have fought so hard for their approval, that I just hope someday I am finally able to get it.

When I arrive at the tarmac, Mare's family's plane has just landed, and the unloading process is about to begin.

The stairs out of the plane unfold, and Mare's father is the first to step down, followed closely by Gisa, Bree, and Tramy. I take a deep breath, preparing myself for the inevitable encounters and questions I am about to endure before walking up to meet them.

When I reach Daniel, I extend out a hand to greet him, offering him a slight smile, as much as I can muster given the circumstances and my lack of sleep. He offers me a small smile in return, and grabs my hand, pulling me into a hug.

"It's good to see you, Cal." He says, patting me on the back. "How are you holding up?"

I am surprised at the greeting, but I have to admit, it feels good to know that he is here and that he cares.

I remember feeling so nervous before I asked him for his blessing to ask Mare to marry me. I was sweating, which is unusual for me, and shaking so bad, I could barely get the words out. I knew that they didn't fully approve of me, but I also knew that Mare's parents just wanted Mare to be happy, so I wasn't sure what they would say. To my surprise, Daniel sensed my nerves, and without me even having to say anything, he put a hand on my back and said:

"My answer is yes. You have my blessing, Ruth's too."

I was shocked, my mind stopped racing, and a mix of bewilderment and excitement rushed over me.

"What? Do you really mean it?" I asked

"Well, it is up to Mare, of course, but yes, Cal." Daniel continued. "Ruth and I talked, and we would be crazy if we didn't see how happy you two made each other, how much you have changed. We would be delighted to have you as a son."

I remember the pure joy I felt that day, knowing that I had finally gotten them to see how much I had changed and tried to be worthy of Mare, that I was finally going to be able to move forward in my relationship with her.

I feel something entirely different now. Worry, concern, apprehension, guilt. A whole mix of feelings. But I give Daniel a simple answer to his question, not wanting to burden him with my troubles when I know he must be feeling many of these things himself.