Where you meet Lauren's parents for the first time.
"just take a deep breath, okay? they're not going to hurt you." lauren reassures.
lauren helps you out of the car. you follow the instructions she gave you, almost instantly calming down- but still sensing the prominent knot of fear and anxiety in the pit of your stomach. lauren intertwines your fingers together, leading you up to the entrance of her childhood home.
despite having been in a relationship with lauren for about an year now, you had never gotten the opportunity to formally meet and be introduced to her parents, because you were either always on the road with her, or occupied with work of your own.
the two of you had finally arranged for a date to meet her parents, and it was decided that you would do so in the form of dinner at their house.
you had asked lauren's parents over the phone if they had any requests relating to what you should contribute as a part of the meal, but they insisted that you bring nothing. nevertheless, you had picked up a bottle of wine from the supermarket, knowing it would make for a good conversation starter if things became awkward.
lauren rings the doorbell, and soon enough, the door is flung open to reveal her smiling mother.
"y/n!" she exclaims, pulling you into a soft hug, which takes you by surprise.
you wrap your arms around clara, as she gently rubs your back.
"it's nice to finally meet you! it's been too long." she comments, giving lauren an amused glare.
"you kept me away from her for a little too long, lauren." she adds humorously.
you laugh, and then reply, "you, too, mrs. jauregui. it's a pleasure to finally see you face-to-face and not over a phone call or a video chat."
she laughs. "please, call me clara. come on in!"
you hand her the packet you had been carrying along as you step further inside the abode.
"we brought some wine." you state.
she beams in appreciation. "gracias, linda."
"de nada, es mi placer." you reply fluently, and clara seems to be a tad bit on the shocked side.
"you speak spanish?" she asks, shifting the weight of the slender wine bottle from hand to hand.
you giggle. "mi amor over there taught me some," and clara shoots lauren a proud look.
lauren is still standing at the doorway, baffled, as she watches the informal conversation between you and her mother, who usually takes time to warm up to new people.
"you too, hija! come!" clara calls, referring to lauren, who then shuts the door behind her.
"where are taylor and chris?" lauren inquires curiously.
clara retorts, "well, chris couldn't make it back here from college tonight. he has some important tests coming up. taylor is at a pep rally event at school, so she'll be back only after we finish dinner. you may not get to see her tonight."
lauren hums in acknowledgement. "okay."
"so, how are you two?" clara questions.
lauren is the first to respond. "moving into the apartment went by pretty easily. it's a tiny, yet gorgeous two-bedroom. you should come visit sometime!"
you add on, "definitely! we're in a really happy place right now." lauren squeezes your hand.
you enter the living room with clara, as lauren trails behind you.
