The One

Checotah, OK

"Oh my gosh! We're here." Carrie yelled with such excitement. I couldn't help but laugh at her cute reaction.

Our van pulled into the driveway. And there stood her parents, waiting for us to come out. Before I could say anything, Carrie was already out the door and hugged her parents.

"Babe, come out here." She yelled and waved her hand at me.

"Dear Lord, please let this be a good week." I whispered before hopping off the van.

Carrie walked up to me and grabbed my hand. "Mom, Dad. This is my Canadian boy, Mikey!" She squealed and clung onto my left arm.

"It's nice to finally meet you in person, Mike." Carole grinned from ear to ear and gave me a big ole hug.

"Oh, believe me. I'm so glad to meet you guys. Carrie has told me so many wonderful things about all of you." I said and shook hands with Carrie's dad, Stephen.

"Alright, why don't you ladies get inside, while Mike and I bring down the luggage." Stephen said as he kissed his girls on the cheek.

Oh god. This guy is gonna eat me alive. There was this awkward silence as we approached the van. "So, do you watch hockey." I nervously spoke up.

"Not really. I'm more of a Football guy." He smiled and opened the back door.

"Oh yeah! Make sense since Carrie likes it so much." I let out a small laugh. "But she's getting the hang of hockey."

"Yup, since she's spending so much time up there. She has to know rules and stuff." He let out a small laugh.

"Yeah." I nervously said and grabbed the luggage from the back.

"Look, Mike. I don't know you that well but I think you're probably one of the best guys that my little girl has ever dated." He said with pure honesty. "Carrie, she's just in much a better place ever since you came along."

"That means a lot to me, sir. Carrie means everything to me and I wouldn't ever want to break what we have together." I closed the back door of the fan and looked back into Stephen's eyes.

"I know. And I'm just glad she finally found the right guy. She deserves the best." He smiled and patted my back. "Now, c'mon in. Dinner is ready."

It felt like some weight was lifted off my shoulders. He just called me the best. I guess I was wrong. Stephen wasn't that scary after all.

•••

"So, when you first met my daughter, what was your reaction." Carole asked with a big smile and looked my way.

"Really, mom." Carrie's cheeks began to turn red and continued to eat her vegetables.

"I was so nervous to meet some who is extremely talented. I just prayed and prayed that I wouldn't make a fool of myself." I laughed and took a sip of my beer. "But once I walked into the room, her beauty had me captivated. She's the most gorgeous women I've ever seen." I confessed and gave Carrie a huge smile.

"Oh, stop it Mike." She shyly looked down at her plate of veggies.

"The man speaks the truth, Carrie." Carole gushed as she motioned Mike to continue.

"I speak nothing but the truth." I joked as Carrie whacked my leg with hers. "Yeah, but later that night we went out to the bar and eventually went bowling. And everything went smooth after that."

"Well, Carrie talks about you all the time." Carole chuckled as her daughter rolled her eyes in embarrassment. "She always gushed about your hugs and kisses."

"Mom." Carrie giggled as she softly placed her hand against the table. "I'm pretty sure he hears that all the time from me. No need to repeat it to him."

"Oh, I don't mind." I replied as Carole and Stephen began to laugh.

"Ya'll are pretty darn cute." Stephen stood up from his seat and grabbed his plate. "Well, I'm gonna go clean my shotguns."

"Really, Dad." Carrie raised her eyebrows at her dad.

"What? I'm going hunting next weekend." He chuckled and left his plate onto the sink. "Fine, I'll do them later. This old man is getting tired. I'll see ya'll in the morning." He quickly gave his wife a kissed and walked out of the dining room.

Carrie and I quickly stood up and put our plates into the sink. "Are you sure you don't need help with those." I asked as Carole began to wash the dishes.

"Honey, it's okay. I got it. Ya'll should probably get some rest." She smiled as Carrie gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"Goodnight, mama." Carrie said and grabbed my hand. She led me out of the room and led me into her bedroom.

"Wow, this is some room you got." I smiled as she whacked my arm. "Aww, look at you with your braces." I teased as she tackled me onto her bed.

"Making fun of my awkward phase in high school." She raised her eyebrows and had her hands on my chest.

"You still looked cute." I said and nuzzled my nose against her.

"Yeah, yeah." She raised her eyebrow as my hands wondered around her lower back. "Mike, we're in my parents house." She squealed as I hovered my body over hers.

I put my finger above her lip. "Shh. Keep your voice down." I said as she giggled at me. She gave me a quick peck before I attacked her neck with soft kisses.