Joe and I have been dating for a few months now. We've grown closer and closer but we still haven't had sex. I wanted to but I wasn't gonna do that unless I was sure it was right between us.
Right now we were on our way to meet Joe's parents. I was finally gonna meet them and I was super nervous. Meeting them is a big step in a relationship and most of the parents I've met don't really like me because I'm too open about my life. I look at it this way, I haven't done anything in my life I regret so I'm not gonna hide it. Well, except for the stuff with my father.
We landed in Pensacola and got a rental car. When we got in I sighed. "Are you okay?" Joe asked.
"Yeah." I paused. "No. I'm nervous Joe. What if they don't like me?"
"They're gonna love you. You know why? Because I love you." he said.
I smiled at him. "Thanks."
***
We showed up at a house and Joe parked the car. My nerves were going crazy at this point. I bit my lip and then I felt Joe grab my hand. "It's gonna be okay. I promise." he said.
"I know I'm just still nervous." I said.
"Come on. Maybe you'll settle down once you meet them."
We got out of the car and walked up to the front door. I held on to Joe's hand and arm while we walked. It was very clear that I my nerves were out of whack. Joe knocked on the door and a woman answered.
"Hey mom." Joe said giving her a hug.
"Hi my baby boy. How are you?" she asked.
"I'm good." he said. He looked at me and then back at his mom. "Mom, this is Katie, the girl I've been telling you about."
"Oh yes. She's a lot more beautiful than you described her Joe." she said.
"Thanks." I said as she gave me a hug. I guess this family likes to hug.
"Well, come on in. You have a little girl that's been waiting to see you." His mom disappeared inside.
Joe looked at me and took my hand in his. "Are you okay now?" he asked.
"A little. There's still more family though, I'm guessing." I said.
"Yeah. But don't worry. If my mom liked you the rest is a piece of cake." he paused and kissed me. "Come on. Let's go. I want you to meet Joelle."
My nerves were really acting up once he said that. His mom was the hardest to get past? I highly doubt that. I'm thinking the next person I meet will be the hardest.
We walked in and Joe started calling for Joelle.
A little girl ran inside from the backyard to Joe. He picked her up and held her close. I couldn't help but smile. He was so good with her and it was an amazing picture to see.
"JoJo, I want you to meet someone." Joe said.
Joelle looked at me and smiled so wide. "You're Katie." she said.
"Yes. I am. I'm guessing you've heard about me or something?" I asked.
"Yeah. But I also saw you on TV with my daddy. You're very pretty in person."
I smiled. "You wanna know a secret?" I asked.
Her eyes lit up. "Yeah." she said coming closer to me.
"You're more beautiful than anybody." I said.
She smiled at me and then threw her arms around me. I looked up at Joe shocked. I didn't expect this so soon. He smiled down at me and I put my arms around her hugging her back.
***
I've almost met Joe's entire family. His dad, Sika, loved me and so did his mom, Lisa. His brother, Matt, sisters, Summer and Vanessa and I all hit it off pretty well. We talked about a lot. From Joe's childhood to Joelle. Right now, I was in the backyard with his two sisters, at the patio table talking about Joelle's mother.
"She's nothing but a bitch. When we first met her she acted like she owned the whole world. I wonder, to this day, what the hell Joe even saw in her." Vanessa said.
"Yeah. That's why we were a little hesitant when we heard that we were gonna meet you but when you walked through the door we got a good vibe. You're good for our brother." Summer said.
"Thank you." I paused. "So Joelle's mother just up and disappeared?"
"Not exactly. Joe didn't tell you?" Vanessa asked.
"He just said that she left when Joelle was born." I said.
"Well, that's kind of true. She left and then she came back and then Joe kicked her out. He's had full custody of her since she was three."
"What happened?" I asked.
"Joelle's mother used to hit her and she had a drug addiction so she would pay more attention to the pills than Joelle. She only came back to be with Joe and let me tell you, he did not take his time with her. He went faster than anything. I would have said he was in love with her but I don't think he ever really was. He didn't look at her the way he looks at you." Summer said.
"How does he look at me?"
"With his heart." they both said together.
I smiled and then heard the patio door open. Joelle came running out with Joe trailing behind. They raced to the playground in the backyard and Joe pushed Joelle on the swing. I just watched them with a smile on my face. Joe was a really good father.
"So does Joelle know who her mother is?" I asked.
"She knows. She doesn't like her. In fact, she hates her. She hasn't trusted any girl with Joe but with you, I don't know, I guess everybody has a good feeling about you." Vanessa said.
"Really?" I asked.
"Yeah." she said.
"I don't know how anybody could do that to their child. It's sad, really." I said.
"Have you been through it or something?" Summer asked.
"Sort of. With my father. I don't really like to talk about it with a lot of people." I said.
They were quiet and I went back to watching Joe and his beautiful daughter with the biggest smile on my face.
