You Make Me Feel Home Again

Long Haul

"Hey Barry," Caitlin piped up quietly while they were cuddling and watching some TV together after only waking up half an hour ago. It was a Sunday and they had nothing planned for the day so they just decided to stay in bed for a while.

"Yeah," Barry replied, smiling down at her as her back was leaning on his chest, his arms around her his chin resting on her the top of her head.

"Well, my dad is calling me in an hour or so and I was wondering if maybe you wanted to meet him. You know, how much he means to me and I really want him to meet you and it is probably safer this way because I've never actually brought a guy home to meet him. Well, I'm not actually bringing you home but you know what I mean. I know that he'll warm up to you even if it's not straight away," she explained, trying not to make it seem so bad.

"I would love to," he replied, kissing the top of her head. He was nervous to meet her father and he knew that it was a big deal. e saw a long and happy future with Caitlin and they were in a serious relationship. It was never casual. It had always been love since the day they became an item and now as their relationship got more and more serious things and formalities just like this are the next step. Not to mention, how close they are. 

What if her father didn't like him and it was a complete dealbreaker for her? 

What if she broke up with him over it?

He couldn't think like that. Barry knew that she loved him and that was that. It was a fact. Plain and simple. Nothing would change that and nothing could get in the way of that. No matter what they would still be together. 

...

An hour past and the nerves started to build up inside of both of them, this had to go well. It was a big deal and it certainly mattered and could also contribute to their future together. How could their relationship survive when Caitlin's father, one of the people she cared about most, disapproved of their relationship?

Soon the ringtone of her laptop started to chime, Caitlin took a deep breath and answered the call, biting her lower lip in anticipation.

"Hey dad," she greeted with a smile, she could see her father with a confused expression as he analysed the screen in front of him. More specifically, the young man beside his daughter.

"Hey, sweetie. Who's this?" he replied, cutting straight to the chase.

"Erm, dad this is Barry. My boyfriend," Caitlin introduced the two trying to sound calm and collected while dying of worry inside.

"Hi... sir," Barry greeted awkwardly, not really knowing what to say. He'd had girlfriends before but none ever got to a level such as this. None were love. None required him to meet parents, fathers particularly. 

"So, how's life in Utah?" Caitlin asked, trying to change the subject.

"It's good. Not much has changed. I'm working on getting the money for your second year so you should be fine. But where are you staying at Christmas? Are you staying at the university?" he replied.

"She's saying with me and my parents," Barry replied and Caitlin nodded with a smile. They had discussed the subject only a few days ago and they had agreed that Caitlin would stay with him and his family for the holidays. It was close to the campus and they wanted to stay together as much as possible. Besides, she didn't really have any other options as she couldn't afford to stay anywhere else other than her dorm room or his.

"Okay... Well, how is it on your side?" he asked.

"Great. I miss you and Utah but it's great here. I have finally achieved what I thought was possible and learned my way through the city without getting lost, with the help of Barry of course. The classes are wonderful and I've made loads of friends and I met Barry and we fell in love..." she replied happily, trying to make Barry look as good as possible in front of her father so he wouldn't hate him.