No Such Thing As A Hollywood Ending

chapter 26

Henry and Lucy stood nervously in front of the restaurant, their breath fogging in the cold air as they waited for their parents to arrive. The restaurant was closed for the day, so it was the perfect time to show their families what they had built together. But this wasn't just about showing off the place—they had a much bigger, much more uncomfortable conversation to have, and both of them were dreading it.

"Are you ready for this?" Lucy asked, her hands fidgeting as she glanced over at Henry.

Henry shrugged, his usual calm demeanor betrayed by the tension in his shoulders. "Not really," he admitted. "But we have to do it, right?"

Lucy nodded. "Yeah, we do. I just... I don't even know where to start. Who wants to have this conversation with their parents?"

They both exchanged a grimace, knowing all too well how awkward this was going to be. It wasn't just about the restaurant—they were about to tell their parents about their relationship, specifically that part of their relationship. They weren't kids anymore, but still, this wasn't the kind of thing anyone looked forward to talking about with their family.

Moments later, their parents arrived—Lucy's dad and Henry's parents, smiling as they approached the restaurant. Lucy's dad was the first to speak, his eyes wide with curiosity. "Well, look at this place," he said, stepping up to the door. "You two really did something special here. To be honest, I am surprised this is doing as well as it is."

"yeah, well, it's because of how famous henry's book has gotten. So I guess I should thank you for making me look into that as a way to get money for the initial start up of the restaurant."

Henry's mom nodded in agreement, while his dad gave an approving look. "I'm impressed. You kids have really done a great job with this."

They all filed into the dimly lit space, the warm glow of the overhead lights casting a soft ambiance around the room. The tables were set neatly, everything in its place. It was quiet, and for a moment, the pressure of what Henry and Lucy were about to discuss seemed distant, hidden beneath the pride of showing off their accomplishment.

Lucy forced a smile as they guided their parents through the restaurant, explaining how things had been going since opening day. They pointed out the kitchen, the seating arrangement, and even the blue trays stacked against the back wall. Their parents were enthusiastic, complimenting everything.

But then came the part Henry and Lucy had been dreading.

They sat down together at one of the tables, the tension palpable as Lucy tried to find the words to start the conversation. She glanced at Henry, who gave her a subtle nod.

"So," Lucy began, her voice hesitant, "there's something else we need to talk to you about. It's... kind of important."

Henry cleared his throat, adding, "Yeah, it's something we've been meaning to tell you for a while, but we weren't sure how to bring it up."

Their parents exchanged curious looks, clearly sensing the shift in the mood. Lucy's dad raised an eyebrow, leaning forward slightly. "What's going on?"

Lucy took a deep breath, deciding to just rip off the bandage. "Henry and I... we've, um... we've slept together."

The words hung in the air for a moment, heavy and awkward. Henry's mom blinked in surprise, while Lucy's dad crossed his arms, a serious but not entirely unexpected look on his face.

Henry spoke up, his voice steady despite his nerves. "We wanted to tell you because... well, it's not something we're hiding. We've talked about it, and we've been careful. We've been using protection and everything."

There was a long, uncomfortable pause. Lucy's stomach twisted in knots as she waited for the inevitable parental disappointment. But then, something surprising happened.

Lucy's dad let out a sigh, shaking his head slightly but with a small smile. "Well," he said, his tone more casual than Lucy had expected, "it sounds like you two are being responsible about it. You're using protection, and you're obviously old enough to know what you're doing."

Henry's mom nodded, her expression softening. "I'm glad you felt comfortable enough to tell us. It's important that you're open about these things."

Henry's dad, who had been quiet up until now, finally spoke. "Look, no one enjoys having these conversations," he said with a faint grin. "But the fact that you're being mature about it says a lot. You're both becoming adults, and as long as you're being safe and respecting each other, that's what matters."

Lucy stared at them, stunned. She had expected so much worse. Angry lectures, judgment, maybe even disappointment. But instead, there was understanding. Relief washed over her, and she couldn't help but smile, even if it was a bit awkward.

"Thanks," Lucy said quietly. "I just... I wasn't sure how you'd react. I know this isn't the easiest thing to talk about."

Her dad chuckled softly, leaning back in his chair. "It's never easy. But you're my daughter, and I trust you. You've always been smart, Lucy. I know you wouldn't do something like this without thinking it through."

Henry nodded in agreement, glancing at his parents. "We've been careful," he said again. "And it wasn't something we rushed into without talking about it first."

His mom smiled. "Good. That's all we can ask for."

The tension that had gripped Lucy's chest slowly began to melt away. She exchanged a look with Henry, feeling a sense of relief and solidarity between them. They had faced this together, and their parents' reactions, while awkward, had been far better than they had feared.

As the conversation shifted back to the restaurant and future plans, Lucy found herself feeling more at ease.