Chapter 9

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"Mum! Dad!" Ana ran towards her parents at the airport, her brother and his girlfriend trialed behind them. When she reached them, she embraced them both as the tears fell from her eyes. She hadn't done much makeup that day because she knew she wouldn't be able to hold them back.

"God I missed you all so much," she turned to her brother and embraced him before finally pulling Megan into a hug. "How are you all?" Ana looked towards her mum to see she too had shed some tears.

"We're good, so happy to be here," her dad picked up their bags as they all started to walk towards the exit of the airport.

"I've got a taxi waiting for us, I don't have a car yet." Her dad gave her a disappointed look.

"I told you a car was the first thing I wanted you to get! I don't want you to be getting taxis or, god forbid walking everywhere." Ana grinned.

"Dad, I'm fine. Plus, the roads are always so busy! It's actually much easier to walk." Her father gave a disapproving shake of the head.

"We'll have a look at some cats whilst I'm here."

The family arrived at Ana's apartment 45 minutes after they left the airport. In theory, it should only be a 15 minute drive. But the New York traffic was ruthless.

"Wow! Anastacia, it's gorgeous!" Ana knew her mum would love what she'd done with her apartment, it was both of their styles. Her dad preferred more minimal interiors.

"It's very.. busy. Are you a hoarder?" Her dad mumbled, causing her mother to whack him on the arm.

"No. Dad, I'm not a hoarder, this is just how I like my apartment to look."

"I like it sis, it's got character. Right Meg?" He looked towards his other half. The two of them had been together to 8 years now, they were very happy.

"I love it. It's amazing, the view is just breathtaking Ana." Ana smiled towards her sister in law to be. They weren't engaged but they might as well have been.

"I like it, it's home." Ana couldn't help but notice the look of sadness that crossed her mums face momentarily. She knew how hard it was for her to be so far from her daughter. But the look didn't last long.

"Well, we're staying just down the road, so we'll walk up and drop out nags and all come back for dinner and a catch up?" Ana nodded, whilst pouring herself an apple juice.

"Do you want me to come with? Do you need help with the bags?"

"No don't be silly, we'll only be 10 minutes, I don't want to waste a single minute." Ana laughed lovely.

"Okay mum, I'll see you lot soon."
The 4 of them left Ana's apartment. Ana had offered to have the taco drop them at the hotel instead of her apartment so they didn't have to lug their suitcases down the street, but her father was adamant that it was safer for the four of them to walk the distance rather than Ana. Typical dad.

Whilst her family had left, Ana started to prepare dinner. She wasn't an amazing cook, but she knew how to make a chicken pasta bake. It was her favourite meal and had become quite the expert when it came to that. As well as beans on toast and an English breakfast. Ana convinced herself that that was an adequate meal plan for each day. But she should probably expand her expertise.

After 10 minutes, just like her mum had said, there was a knock on her door again. She walked up to it and opened it, expecting to see her family standing there. Instead it was Neal.

"Neal!" Ana stepped aside to let him in. "What are you doing here? Your anklet!"

Neal entered the apartment and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek.
"I spoke to Peter, he said that for one night, I could lose the anklet." Ana felt her heart swell. Neal had asked Peter so he could spend time with her and her family.

"Aw Neal, thank you! This is amazing!" Excitedly, she pulled Neal into a hug, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck as his arms went around her waist. His hand came up to hold the back of her head affectionately.

"Uhum" the two of them seperated when someone cleared their throat at the door. When Ana looked toward it, she saw her family standing there. Her brother and dad had a their lips in a grim line whereas her mum and Megan had a childish grin spread eat to ear.

"Guys hey!" Ana cleared her throat and stepped away from Neal, putting some distance between them. She was still close enough that he reached and placed his hand on the small of her back. "This is Neal. My friend that I've made here. I've told you about him."

Ana's mum almost squealed with excitement. "Neal! It's so lovely to meet you, Ana had told us so much about you. You are much more handsome than she described though!" She had reached Neal by this point and pulled him into a bear hug. Neal accepted it and chuckled as he held her.

"It's lovely to meet you too Lillian!" Neal pulled away from Ana's mum and turned his attention to the men stood a few feet from him. Ana's dad was a similar height to Neal but her brother stood much taller than him. Neal held his hand out to her father.

"Sir, it's lovely to meet you." George took Neal's hand and Ana noticed how hard he shook it, she almost flinched but Neal wasn't fazed at all. Instead seemed to return the firm shake. After they separated, Neal also offered his hand to Ana's brother before giving Megan a small peck on the cheek. Ana couldn't help smiling, Neal was so charming, she knew she'd win all of the over by the end of the night, even her dad.

"Shall we sit? Dinner is almost ready." The 5 of her guests nodded before moving over to the dining room area.

"What have you made hunny?" Ana's mum asked.

"Chicken pasta bake," Ana's voice was echoed by each of her guests, apart from Neal, followed by a chorus of laughter. Neal looked at her in confusion and shock. She rolled her eyes in response.

"It's all I know how to make." That was enough for Neal to join her family in laughter.

"But I can eat all of this by myself if you'd rather?" That shut everyone up.

"No!"
"It's perfect!"
"I'm sure it's delicious"

It was now Ana's turn to laugh. "That's what I thought."

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