More than a Crush

Scene 10 : Meeting the family

The next day arrived faster than I expected. The morning sun peeked through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room as I sat at the kitchen counter, sipping a cup of coffee. Zac was finishing a call in the other room, leaving me with my thoughts. My mind raced, bouncing between excitement and nerves. Tonight, I would be meeting Zac's family for the first time. His mother, his two younger siblings, and of course, Dylan, who'd already helped me pull off the surprise of a lifetime.

Zac appeared in the doorway, his usual smile plastered on his face as he slipped his phone into his pocket. "All set," he said, crossing the room and leaning against the counter beside me. "My mom's excited to meet you tonight. She said she's already planning a big family dinner."

I smiled, but the knot in my stomach tightened. Zac must have sensed my nerves because he placed a hand gently on my back and rubbed it soothingly. "Hey, don't worry. They're going to love you."

I took a deep breath, trying to ease the anxiety I'd been holding onto since last night. "I know... I just don't want to mess this up. Meeting the family feels like such a huge step."

He leaned in, his lips brushing against my temple as he spoke softly. "You're not going to mess this up. Trust me. My mom's going to love you, and so will my siblings. You've already won over Dylan, and that's no easy feat."

I chuckled at that, but the anxiety still lingered. After all, meeting the family meant something bigger than just a casual introduction. It felt like a defining moment for our relationship—like I was stepping even deeper into Zac's world, and that thought, while exciting, was terrifying.

We spent the rest of the morning relaxing together, but my mind kept drifting back to the dinner ahead. Zac could tell, and he did everything in his power to make me feel comfortable—joking, making me laugh, and reassuring me at every turn.

By the time the evening rolled around, we were on our way to Zac's childhood home. The drive was quiet but filled with anticipation. As we neared the house, Zac reached over and took my hand, squeezing it gently. "You ready?"

I smiled nervously, nodding. "Ready as I'll ever be."

I smiled, feeling a bit calmer, though the butterflies in my stomach still fluttered. Meeting someone's family was a big deal, but knowing Zac believed in me made all the difference.

When we arrived at the house, Starla, Zac's mom, was already waiting at the front door. The moment we stepped out of the car, she came toward me with open arms and an affectionate smile.

"Nora, it's so wonderful to meet you in person!" she said as she enveloped me in a warm hug. "Zac's been absolutely glowing these past few weeks."

Her words filled me with warmth, and I couldn't help but return her embrace. "Thank you for having me," I replied, a little emotional from the kindness in her tone. "It means the world to be here."

As we stepped inside, I was introduced to Zac's father, David, his wife, and Zac's two younger siblings, Olivia and Henry.

"It's so nice to meet you," I said, shaking his hand before turning to his wife.

"It's a pleasure to meet you too, Nora," David said with genuine warmth. "Zac's told us wonderful things about you."

After quick introductions, Olivia, in her sweet little voice, looked up at me. "Are you Zac's princess?"

I couldn't help but laugh at her innocence, and Zac, smiling down at his little sister, scooped her up in his arms. "She's my queen," he teased, making Olivia giggle.

We made our way inside, where Dylan greeted me with a big grin and a hug. "Hey, Nora. How've you been since last time? Any more surprises planned?"

I chuckled, grateful to see him again. "No more surprises—at least not yet."