Love in the ER

CHAPTER 19

It had been a month since Oliver began courting Paris, and everything felt like a dream. They had grown closer with each passing day, spending time together both inside and outside the hospital. Whether it was quiet dinners, long walks after their shifts, or just simple moments of shared laughter, their relationship felt effortless—perfect, even.

But while Paris felt the joy of being with Oliver, the whispers around the hospital never seemed to stop. Some people smiled and congratulated her on their relationship, genuinely happy for them. But there were others—the ones who cast judgment without knowing anything about her. Rumors circulated, calling her a gold digger, someone who was only interested in Oliver because of his family's wealth and status.

At first, the comments had hurt more than Paris wanted to admit. She had worked hard to build her own career, and the idea that anyone could think she was with Oliver for the wrong reasons gnawed at her. But every time she mentioned her worries, Oliver was quick to reassure her.

"Don't listen to them, Paris," Oliver had told her more than once, his hand gently resting on hers. "They don't know you, and what they're saying isn't true. You're with me because you care about me—not because of who I am or what my family has. That's all that matters."

His words were comforting, but still, today was different. Today, she wasn't just Oliver's girlfriend; she was about to meet his family.

As she stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her blouse for what felt like the hundredth time, her nerves started to creep up on her. What if his family believed the rumors? What if they thought she was after his money, his name, his status? Oliver had assured her that his mom and sister, Sofía, were excited to see her again, but Paris couldn't help but feel anxious.

"This is the Salameda family," she whispered to herself, running a hand through her hair. "I need them to like me. I need them to see me for who I am."

She took a deep breath and grabbed her phone, texting Clara for a final boost of encouragement.

Paris: Heading to meet Oliver's family today. Any last-minute advice?

Clara: Girl, you've got this. You're amazing, and if they don't see that, it's their loss. But trust me—they'll love you.

Paris smiled at Clara's message, feeling a little more at ease. She hoped Clara was right.

A little while later, Paris found herself standing outside the elegant Salameda estate, her heart racing as she took in the grandeur of the home. Oliver was by her side, his hand resting gently on her back as they approached the front door.

"You nervous?" Oliver asked, glancing at her with a soft smile.

Paris exhaled, nodding. "A little. I just want to make a good impression. I don't want them to think..."

Oliver stopped walking, turning to face her fully. "They're going to love you. Trust me. My mom's been talking about meeting you for weeks. And Sofía? She hasn't stopped texting me about it."

Paris chuckled softly. "I hope so. I just don't want them to think I'm with you for the wrong reasons."

Oliver's expression softened as he reached for her hands. "They won't. I've already told them about you—about how smart, kind, and hard-working you are. You have nothing to prove."

Paris smiled, feeling a bit more confident as Oliver squeezed her hands. "Okay. Let's do this."

The door opened, and Mrs. Salameda, Oliver's mother, greeted them with a warm smile. Sofía, his younger sister, peeked out from behind her, practically bouncing with excitement.

"Paris!" Mrs. Salameda said brightly, stepping forward to hug her. "It's so lovely to finally see you again. Oliver hasn't stopped talking about you."

Paris's nerves eased slightly at the warmth in her voice. "Thank you, Mrs. Salameda. It's really nice to be here."

"Oh, please, call me Lucía," she insisted, waving a hand. "We're all family now, aren't we?"

Sofía stepped forward next, grinning from ear to ear. "Paris! I'm so happy you're here! I've been dying to see you again."

Paris couldn't help but smile back, Sofía's energy contagious. "It's great to see you too, Sofía."

As they made their way inside, the welcoming atmosphere of the Salameda home put Paris at ease. The walls were lined with family photos, and the house felt more like a cozy haven than a grand estate. Lucía and Sofía were nothing like the cold, judgmental figures Paris had feared. They were warm, genuine, and clearly excited to welcome her.

Dinner was a lively affair, filled with laughter and conversation. Lucía asked Paris about her work at the hospital, genuinely interested in her career and how she balanced everything with caring for her grandmother. Sofía kept chiming in with stories about Oliver, teasing him relentlessly about how smitten he was.

Paris felt herself relaxing more and more as the night went on. Every worry she'd had before walking into the house started to fade. They didn't see her as a gold digger. They saw her for who she really was—someone who cared deeply for Oliver, someone who was dedicated to her work and her family.

When the dinner came to an end, Lucía gave Paris a kind smile as they stood in the foyer, preparing to leave.

"We're so happy to have you in our family, Paris," Lucía said, her voice warm and sincere. "I can see how much you and Oliver care about each other. And I can tell that you make him happy."

Paris smiled, her heart swelling with relief. "Thank you, Lucía. That means so much to me."

Sofía grinned, hugging Paris tightly. "Come back soon, okay? I need more girl time!"

Paris laughed, returning the hug. "Definitely."

As Paris and Oliver walked back to the car, the cool evening air brushing past them, Paris felt like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

"Told you they'd love you," Oliver said with a teasing grin.

Paris rolled her eyes playfully but couldn't hide her smile. "Yeah, yeah, you were right."

Oliver chuckled, slipping his hand into hers. "Thank you for coming tonight. I know you were nervous, but... this means a lot to me."

Paris smiled, squeezing his hand. "It means a lot to me too. Your family is wonderful, Oliver. I was so worried, but they're amazing."

Oliver's eyes softened as he looked at her, the warmth between them undeniable. "And now they know how amazing you are, too."

Paris blushed, looking away, but the happiness she felt was impossible to hide. For the first time, she truly felt like she was part of Oliver's life—both at work and now with his family. And despite the rumors swirling at the hospital, she knew one thing for sure: they were stronger together.