Made With Love ✔

Chapter 8: The Parents Visit

Lance's POV:

As soon as I my alarm rang, I hit the dismiss button, not wanting to wake Vanessa up. I threw back the covers and stretched a bit, my ankles and knuckles cracking. After that, I checked on Vanessa, making sure she wasn't too cold or too hot, didn't need to change the dressing and she didn't have a fever. Since I didn't know where she put the thermometer, I used the back of my hand to feel her forehead lightly. Her face looked so serene, an urge to kiss her came over me. I shook my head, like that would help me get rid of these thoughts. She's my roommate! I headed to the bathroom to get ready, knowing not even Hamilton was up at this hour.

When the basics had been taken care of, I tried to find a recipe that would impress her parents and was "easy mode". I figured that I should keep everything vegetarian, just in case. Mmm. After 10 minutes searching the pantry and fridge for ingredients, I found a meal planner tucked away in the back of the pantry. It was opened but had not been used.

Opening it, I saw a note from Mrs. Hale to Vanessa.

Dear Vanessa,

I got you this in hope of you losing that muffin top and the fat on your legs. Inside, are recipes that are under 200 calories and nutritiously balanced. Try this for a month and let me know how it turns out. I can't wait to see the skinny you in that bridesmaid dress for Leila's wedding. But you won't look good in it unless you lose a good 50 pounds. Aim for 50 lbs or more! -Mom

What mother tells her daughter that she needs to lose her muffin top and leg fat in the opening sentence of a note? And tells her to lose 50 or more pounds? And no "I love you's" or "hope you are having a good time". Really, I would have even taken "How are your grades?" But to tell your daughter that she's fat and she won't look good unless she drops 50+lbs.

No wonder Vanessa's so self-conscious about her weight and appearance. I flipped through the planner, finding a few good brunch recipes that even I can accomplish with my basic kitchen skills.

I chose to do a cinnamon French toast, a fruit salad, and vegetable omelets. I glanced at the clock and saw that it was only 5:50am, so I had plenty of time.

I prepped the French toast first to let it soak and then cleaned, washed, and chopped the vegetables. I know, I know, didn't I need help cutting mushrooms the other day? But I've always known how to handle a knife. I just wanted to see how thoroughly Vanessa planned on teaching us. And she smelled like cupcakes, which was a plus. After prepping the veggies and toast, I had to cut orange segments, seed pomegranates, and chop pineapple.

When that was done, I looked at the clock as it chimed quietly, signaling 6:30am. I only had 30 minutes to make sure everything was perfect! I rushed around the living room, straightening the throw pillows and anything else that looked like it was crooked. Hamilton walked out of this room, dressed in only sweatpants.

"Why are you up at the crack of dawn? And you are running around like a a madman!" He groggily told me. Vanessa's parents can't see a half-naked, improperly dressed Hamilton!

"Vanessa's parents are coming! Get in the shower and wear some proper clothing. You have 20 minutes." I urgently told him, steering him towards his bathroom.

I looked at the clock and saw that already 5 minutes had passed. I was getting more nervous by the second and was sweating bullets, only calming down when I went to check on the peacefully sleeping Vanessa. Hamilton actually had to leave for a lab at 7:10am, so it was just me and Vanessa' s folks, when they arrived that is. When I went to check on Vanessa, her pink lips were slightly open, urging me to kiss those damn kissable lips! I decided to try avoiding checking her until her parents got here, because she was making me turn to mush and I'm pretty sure her father would not appreciate that. Finally, a few minutes before 7, I set up the table with plates and utensils, making sure everything was as perfect as it could be.