Something in the Way You Move [O'J]

Jessie's Parents (part 2)

Jessie's POV

After a moment of waiting, my mum pulls open the door and pulls me into a world-famous bear hug. "Jess! It's so good to see you again!" she cries, holding me at arms length.

"It's so good to see you, too, mum!" I say, laughing. She pulls me in for another hug. After she lets me go, she turns and looks at Danny. "So you must be Daniel, then?"

"Yup! And you can call me Danny, if you want, Mrs. Cornish," he replies, extending his hand.

"Oh, none of that, now, Danny!" she says, waving his hand away and pulling him for a hug. "Call me Rose!" He looks startled for a second before he regains his composure and hugs her back. What can I say, my mum's a hugger!

"And who's this lovely little lady?" mum asks as she and Danny stop hugging and notices Callie.

"Rose, this is my daughter, Callie," Danny introduces her.

"It's very nice to meet you!" Callie chirps, stepping forward so she stands between me and Danny.

"The pleasure's mine, dear!" mum says. And they hug. "Now come in, come in all of you before you catch your deaths!" She ushers us inside and has us set our bags down in the front hall. "Your father will be down any minute, Jessie. He forgot to set an alarm today and, well, you know how he is with waking up and whatnot! Now then, you three make yourselves comfortable, settle down and warm up while I make some tea for all of us, yeah?"

We nod in response and she bustles off to the kitchen. "So you're still alive, Danny," I tell him. He's clearly freaking out over meeting my father (which, I have to admit, is adorable), and my father isn't one to go easy on nervous people. Especially when he knows they're nervous.

"I'm still alive but I'm barely breathing," he sings quietly, more to himself than anything else.

"Just try to calm down, okay? Dad won't go easy on you, especially if he knows you're nervous. I don't know why."

At this, Callie curls into his side and whispers, "You'll be fine, Da. I know it."

Danny almost instantly relaxes and kisses the top of her head. "I hope you're right, sweet pea." She's about to reply when the thundering of footsteps downstairs cuts her off.

"Dad!" I cry, running to greet him.

"Jessie!" he cheers, kissing my cheek and pulling me into a massive hug. He messes up my hair playfully (the privilege of which he is the sole owner) and lets me go. "So have you brought your...ah..."

"My boyfriend?" I ask. The grin slowly fades from his face and he becomes serious. He nods once sharply. "Yes, he's here. He and his daughter are in the living room." His eyebrows raise in surprise when I mention Callie. "Yes, he has a daughter. She's adopted," I murmur, lowering my voice.

"Why did he adopt her?" he questions, equally quiet.

"You can ask him yourself once she's off doing her own thing." He nods and walks towards the living room. "And dad?" He turns and gives me an expectant look. "Don't give him too much shit, please?"

"I have to give him some, at least, to make sure he's a good choice," he states.

"I know, I know! But this one's different. I haven't felt like this when I brought any of the others home..."

He studies me for a second. Then he sighs reluctantly and says quietly, "Fine. But only because you feel like you do." I smile and we head into the living room.

"Danny, this is my dad. Dad, this is Danny," I introduce them. Danny stands up and the two of them shake hands.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Cornish," Danny says pleasantly.