you got me in love again

Dinnertime

Maries POV:

Leah and I get ready for dinner with mum and Ben. I am really relieved that I went to dads' grave with her. I know it would have taken me a while to go there by myself. She said something to dad, but I still couldn't convince her to tell me.

"You will not tell me what you said to dad, will you?", I try one more time while I knot my tie.

"Nope.", Leah says, steps over to me, pulls the tie tighter and pecks my lips. "You ready?", she asks and seems a bit nervous.

"Almost.", I say and grab my blazer. "Ready.", I state and look over to Leah, who looks absolutely amazing in the suit I borrowed her, but still seems nervous.

"Hey.", I say as I walk over and put her hands in mine. "You don't have to worry. They will love you; I am sure.", I assure her as she nods. "Ben will probably give you the big brother talk though.", I laugh and get a smile out of her.

"I cannot blame him.", she eventually says and guides me outside.

"How is your mum like?", she asks as I start the engine.

"She is really amazing, you will love her.", I say and pull out of the driveway. "Just be yourself.", I try to assure her, since she still looks uneasy.

"I try to.", she pauses. "It is just that I want them to like me.", she confesses.

"They will. Mum and Ben just want me to be happy and I am happier than I have been in a very long time.", I say and grab her hand. "Because of you.", I finish, and Leah truly smiles for the first time this evening.

The restaurant where we meet up is not that far away from home, so I park the car, next to Bens, about ten minutes later.

"Ben seems to be here already.", I notice and point to his car.

Leah sighs and looks down at her hands. "Are you sure they will like me?", she asks again.

I take her head in my hands, look her in the eyes and nod before kissing her. "Shall we?", I say and move my head in the direction of the restaurant. Leah nods in agreement.

We get out of the car, and I instantly grab Leahs hand and interlock our fingers, beaming at her.

Leah opens the restaurant door for me, truly a gentlewoman.

"Thank you.", I say as I walk in, and she follows behind me.

"Hello, how can I help you?", a staff member approaches us.

"Hello, my brother should be here already. He has reserved a table on the name Schmidt.", I answer.

"Follow me.", she says, and we do as told.

The staffer guides us to the back of the restaurant where I see Ben, Mum and mum's boyfriend, Michael. I didn't know he would be here, but I don't mind. In the beginning, I did not like Michael that much, it was shortly after my parent's divorce that he met mum and I thought he was responsible for it. Dumb teenage me. I really like him now. He is good to mum, and she deserves to be happy. He also never tried to replace dad for us. Dad and Michael got along surprisingly good when he was still alive and Michael was there for me and Ben, and mum as well when dad died.

"Hey guys.", I say when we reach the table and hug all three of them briefly. "May I introduce you to my girlfriend, Leah?", I state and point to Leah.

Calling her my girlfriend feels amazing. "Leah, these are my mum, my brother Ben and mum's boyfriend Michael.", I declare and point to each one of them.

"My pleasure.", Leah says and offers my mum a hand to shake.

"Don't be silly.", Mum says and pulls Leah into a hug, making Leah chuckle in relief.

She shakes hands with Ben and Michael before I sit down, Leah of course, setting the chair in place for me.

"Thank you.", I whisper and blush when Leah sits down next to me.

"Nice to meet you, Leah.", Ben says. "Do you have siblings?", he begins his cross-examination early.

"Yes, I have a little brother. Jacob.", Leah answers.

"Then you will probably understand that I have to say this.", he states. "If you hurt my little sister, I have to end you.", he says in a serious voice.

Leah nods. "I don't plan on doing so.", she assures him.

"That is great. Now with that out of the way, I really enjoy meeting you.", Ben now smiles at her.

He has always been very protective over me. I guess all older siblings are of their younger ones. It is kind of funny how close we are, considering that he didn't want a sister and threw a real tantrum when our parents told him. That is at least what mum told me.

"I can only say the same thing about you.", Leah answers and begins a conversation with the rest of my family.

We order our food and Leah begins to convince Ben to watch football and to become an Arsenal fan.

"I could even get you tickets, same for you Michael, if you change your mind.", she jokes and earns chuckles from the whole table.

"No thanks Leah. I am happy as a Liverpool fan.", Michael states.

"Your loss.", she answers.

Our food arrives and my family gets to know Leah better. They really seem to get along well, which is fantastic to see. I am glad they get along well; they did not get along so good with Charlotte. Especially Ben, but he really seems to like Leah.

When our bill arrives, Leah grabs her purse but is shut by mum.

"No Way, we invited you.", she clarifies and pays for everyone's meals.

"Thank you, Ms. Schmidt.", Leah thanks mum humble.

"No need to thank me. I bet we will see each other more often, so I would like you to call me Iris.", she states.

"Thank you, Iris.", Leah smiles.

We leave the restaurant and enter the car park. Ben and I walk behind the rest and Ben uses the opportunity to pull me aside.

"I am really happy for you.", he states. "She seems like a genuinely nice person, and you look as happy as I haven't seen you in a while.", he states, smiling and hugging me.

"Thank you for saying that.", I say as I loosen the hug. "I really like her."

"I can see you do. If not more.", he smirks.

"You are annoying.", I shrug him off. "We aren't that far yet.", I admit quietly.

"But you do. I can see it.", he expresses. "And by the way. She does too.", he whispers in my ear while walking past me. Is he for real?

I shrug it off and join the others. I can think about this later.

"Marie, I will sleep at Michaels, so you can have a bit of privacy before Leah flies back.", mum declares.

"And Benji?", I ask.

"I have a place to sleep.", he grins. I have to ask him about it later.

"Okay, thanks.", I reply.

"No problem.", mum yawns. "We should probably get going. It was nice meeting you Leah.", mum says and pulls Leah into a hug.

"My pleasure.", she answers, loosens the hug and shakes Michael's hand. "Sir."

"Don't 'Sir' me, I'm feeling old.", he laughs.

"I have to drive them back, so I have to go as well. It was really nice to see you Leah but remember my words.", he jokes, then pulls her into a hug.

The three of them drive off and leave me and Leah alone.

"So, what will we do with the rest of the day.", I ask and belt on.

"I have an idea.", Leah smirks.

"I think I know your idea.", I chuckle and lean over to kiss her.