A Love Story in Art

Chapter 14

As the last remnants of summer faded into fall, Karina found herself bustling around her studio apartment. The bright sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the colorful paintings that adorned the walls. Today was special, not just for her, but for SJ as well. His birthday was right around the corner, and she wanted to do something unforgettable for him.

They had recently finished their contracts with Luminaire Collective, and the thrill of their individual projects still lingered in the air. But now, the focus was on celebrating SJ, a day that marked not only another year in his life but also a new chapter as he embarked on this journey with Karina.

While putting the finishing touches on a painting, she took a moment to glance at the calendar hanging on the wall. "Just a few more days until your birthday!" she thought, a smile creeping across her face. She had been brainstorming ways to make the day special and realized that perhaps it was time for SJ to introduce her to his family. They had been together for a while now, and although he had mentioned them, she had yet to meet them in person.

As if sensing her thoughts, SJ walked in, his camera slung over his shoulder. He had been out capturing the essence of the city, and the look of excitement on his face told her he had a great day. "Hey, love! I got some amazing shots today!" he exclaimed, placing his bag on the floor and walking over to where she stood.

"I can't wait to see them!" Karina replied, setting aside her brush and turning to face him. "But first, we need to talk about your birthday."

His expression changed slightly, a mix of surprise and curiosity flickering in his eyes. "What do you have in mind?"

"Well," she said, glancing at the calendar once more, "I was thinking we should celebrate with your family. I know it's coming up soon, and I think it would be wonderful for me to finally meet them."

SJ's eyes brightened at the suggestion. "You really want to meet them?" he asked, a hint of disbelief in his voice.

"Of course! I'd love to. Plus, it would mean a lot to you, right?"

He nodded slowly, contemplating her words. "Yeah, it really would. It's been a long time since I celebrated my birthday with my family." His expression grew more serious as he added, "I've been living on my own for so long now, and it's been nine years since I was in a serious relationship."

"Nine years?" Karina echoed, her brows furrowing slightly. "That's a long time."

SJ shrugged, his gaze drifting to the window. "Yeah, it's just been me for a while. After my last relationship ended, I needed time to figure things out. I never really thought I'd find someone like you."

The sincerity in his voice made Karina's heart flutter. "Well, I'm glad you did. And I'm glad you're ready to introduce me to your family."

His face lit up again, the warmth returning to his eyes. "Let's do it! I think my parents will be thrilled to meet you. I told them a lot about you."

"What are they like?" Karina asked, genuinely intrigued.

"My dad, Juan, is a total jokester. He loves making everyone laugh, and he's always cracking dad jokes," SJ explained, chuckling. "And my mom, Amy, is the sweetest. She's always taking care of everyone and loves to cook. You'll definitely get to try her homemade cake. I'll tell her to bake a cake for me."

"That sounds amazing!" Karina grinned, her excitement palpable. "And what about your siblings?"

"I have three," SJ said, counting them off on his fingers. "Sheena is my younger sister; she's a nurse and a total sweetheart. Then there's Samantha; she's the wild child of the family and loves to travel. And finally, Sander, my younger brother, he's a tech whiz and really into video games."