Picture Perfect Love

Chapter 14- Meet the Folks

Lucian had never realized just how long it took women to get ready! After he had helped her look for something "presentable" to wear for over an hour, she was finally ready and they were on their way to see his parents.

Truth be told, they wouldn't care if she showed up dressed as a ghost as long as they got to meet her. Lucian wasn't one for dressing up unless the occasion called for it, so he'd stuck with jeans and a plain tee. Once he'd finally convinced her she looked wonderful, she'd hopped in one of the few pack trucks sporting jeans and a yellow plaid shirt he had told her complimented her eyes.

Kennedy knew he was full of shit, she looked like a wilted daisy, but could tell he'd reached the end of his patience and gave in to the poor guy. Her palms were sweaty and legs kept bouncing up and down with nerves as they approached the house.

Unlike the enormous pack house, Mr. and Mrs. Storm lived in a quaint little cottage deep into the woods. Smoke billowed out the chimney and a large garden grew on one side of the house. She was relieved they didn't appear to be high-end socialites, though she didn't figure there were many up here in the mountains.

As soon as Kennedy's feet touched the ground from jumping out of the truck, the front door of the house opened, revealing a couple probably in their mid-fifties. The woman, presumably his mother, had a grin on her face the size of Texas and squealed loudly at seeing the anxious look on Kennedy's face. She ran towards Kennedy with her arms outstretched and Kennedy quickly looked to Lucian for some help. No such luck.

The woman engulfed her in a hug and excitedly said, "Oh honey, it's so nice to meet you! You're even more beautiful than Lucian said!"

"Um," Kennedy replied awkwardly, "You too; but I'm having a hard time breathing," she only half-joked.

Mrs. Storm jumped back embarrassed and apologized, "I'm sorry dear, too excited. I'm Marjorie, but I insist you call me 'Margie' or 'Mom.' This strapping old fart is Lucas, Lucian's father."

Kennedy smiled at the man and responded politely, "Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Storm, I'm Kennedy."

Wrinkle lines adorned the man's face as he smiled and said, "Nonsense! Mr. Storm was my father. Call me Lucas."

He was an exceptional man, Kennedy decided. While Margie was bubbly and carefree, Lucas was honorable and a down to earth father. Both cherished the family they'd helped build and anyone could see they were still madly in love.

If Kennedy were to ever be in a relationship, it would need to be just as pure as theirs.

"Alright then," Kennedy agreed, "I hear you are the grill master, Lucas."

His eyes lit up at the compliment of his favorite hobby, "Indeed! Let's go inside and grab the food."

Kennedy walked in the front door and instantly felt right at home. Margie had the place littered with photographs, mostly of Lucian. The burning fireplace gave of the feel you only got around the holidays, namely Christmas and the walls were painted a warm honey color. Overall, everything about it made you want to cuddle on the couch with a nice book and cup of hot chocolate... well, Kennedy at least.

"Wow! I absolutely love your house Margie! It's fantastic!" Kennedy exclaimed.

Margie was happy her daughter-in-law, or soon to be, appreciated the hard work she'd put into designing her home.

"Why thank you, dear! You're welcome here anytime. Come on hon, we'll prepare the rest of lunch while the men cook the meat."

The two women walked into the kitchen and Kennedy wasn't disappointed. It was if she'd stepped foot into a real life gingerbread house! Margie had every surface of the place littered in sweets; cookies, cakes, candies and pies. It was every three year olds dream come true and Kennedy could practically see the sugar destroying her teeth and calories clinging to her thighs as clumps of excess fat. But did that stop her from wanting to shove a few dozen homemade donuts into her mouth? Nope, not a chance.