The Last Architects

Chapter Thirty-Seven.

 "Are you sure I look fine?" I finally broke the silence that came after five minutes of standing at his mothers front door, insisting not to knock. "And... does she know?" Frowning, I picked at my nails. It wasn't that I really cared if she did or not. If anything, I found more humor in it if Skyler's mom knew about my accident before my own...

"She knows you had a rough patch but not the attempt." He nodded and I stared at the ground, "that seems like too much to say without your consent." Skyler offered his hand once a maid opened the door, which I took as my gaze traveled around the rather eclectic home.

"Yeah... thanks. Skyler- I'm nervous." I stated directly when I couldn't hold it in anymore. I never met anyone's parents before in this type of setting... Especially right after their son had just kissed the back of my neck while holding me against the sink. Yet he acted like it was basically nothing. And maybe... It wasn't.

"Don't worry, she's nice." He spoke gently as he led me inside, but I wasn't so convinced that they were close, "everything will be fine." Skyler smiled down at me, but I paused when an older woman peeked her head out from the hallway, her long hair in braids, and her overall physical attributes giving it away instantly that this was his mom.

"You both are here! Sky, and Ema, am I correct?" She walked over, wearing what could pass as an alternative wedding dress, but regardless, she was stunning...

"Oh- yes! Ema Straka, it's so nice to meet you! Your son hardly explained you well." I laughed, extending my hand to her but nearly stumbling when she pulled me into an embrace. She was a literal angel.

"Oh, it's wonderful to meet you! Sky has spoken of you constantly," Now that was just adorable, "so I could only imagine! Please, make yourself at home. I'm Dua, and my husband-" His mom looked back, and after a second a rather typical looking man stepped out from another room, and I assumed it to be the one Skyler said she remarried. They were a beautiful couple, but I couldn't stop smiling at how Skyler had genuinely talked about me to his mother, "my husband, Kane."

I returned her smile and shook his hand, finding my eyes falling back on Skyler's for just a moment. "It's nice to meet you, Sir. Thank you both for having me, you really do have a lovely home." Clearly their tastes weren't passed down to Skyler.

"Oh, thank you." Kane smiled and I tried to stop feeling so anxious.

"Come, we made very spicy food." Oh, you had to be kidding me.

"What-!? Oh- you." I smiled up at Skyler as tightly as I could to remain civil, completely embarrassed that he'd gone so far as to mention it. "Not everything need's sharing." I whispered as we followed his mom outside.

"She asked." He whispered back and before I could make a face, his mother chimed in.

"I did, I like making sure my guests enjoy their meal." Dua pulled the chairs out on the metal gazebo, and I was slightly taken aback by the beauty of it all.

"...That's very kind of you, but I understand how it's not very enjoyable for most people, and I'm not a very picky eater." I sat down, and even if it would obviously make sense, I could feel a slight warmth spreading across my face when Skyler took his seat beside me. "But thank you, regardless."

"My pleasure, Ema. I hope Sky hasn't been such a hassle as your roommate?" I thought for a moment as she sat down, and only once the table was covered in a variety of foods the maid had brought out, did I have an answer.

"I don't think I could've had a better one, actually..." I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of making eye contact as I engaged his mother. "You should be really proud of the son you raised." I smiled, meaning each word, even if I was incapable of telling it to him.