The second week of November found them driving to visit Carlie's family. She hadn't been back home since the move, but was happy to see her mom and grandmother. Nick was familiar with the city and looked forward to meeting her family. They arrived late afternoon. Pulling up in front of the house Nick turned off the engine and they sat for a minute. Carlie looked at him, "There's something I need to tell you."
"What's wrong."
She took a deep breath. "My gran is.. old fashioned when it comes to most things. She doesn't think that races should mix."
Nick looked at her and gave a little laugh. "Are you serious?"
Carlie gave him a look. "Very. We had a talk about it before and agreed to disagree on that topic. So, if she acts unhappy about us being together, try not to be mad please?"
He leaned over and kissed her. He sat back and said. "I love you and I want to meet your family. I know some people will have a problem with us being together and honestly, we're gonna probably see it when we go to North Carolina. My dad doesn't have a problem as you know he married a Latina. We can't care what people think." he opened the door and got out. Carlie followed. She walked around to the trunk where Nick was grabbing their bags. He held out his hand "Well, you ready?" and she interlaced their fingers. They walked up the steps and rang the doorbell. After a minute the door opened and Carlie's mom had a huge smile on her face. "You made it!" she stepped aside to let them in. Closing the door she told them that she was happy to see them and that they could take their bags upstairs to the guest bedroom. Carlie and Nick went to put their things away.
Carlie sat her bag down and sat on the bed. "I don't know why I'm so nervous."
Nick sat next to her. "Your mom seems nice."
Carlie looked at him. "Yeah she's pretty cool. It's my gran I'm worried about."
He stood up and gave her a quick kiss, "I'm sure it'll be fine. Everyone loves me." he walked into the bathroom and Carlie rolled her eyes and laughed.
They were staying for a few days so she took their clothes out and properly put them away. Putting the suitcases in the closet, she turned to see Nick in only a towel. His hair was still wet and he looked so good. He smiled at her and she shook her head, "No Nick, you're not distracting me, get dressed."
He gave her an innocent look. "What? My clothes are out here."
He walked towards her and she side stepped him and ran into the bathroom. She heard him laugh.
Carlie's mom had made lasagna and a green salad for dinner. They were drawn downstairs to the kitchen where her gran was setting the table. Carlie walked over and hugged her. "Grandma it's great to see you. I've missed you." she gave Carlie a kiss on the cheek. "It's good to finally see you." she looked behind Carlie at Nick. "And who is this young man?"
Carlie looked at Nick then back to her gran. "This is Nick. My boyfriend."
Her gran gave him a once over before replying. "Hello Nick."
Nick politely spoke back. "It's nice to meet you ma'am."
Her mom didn't say a word the whole time that exchange went on but Carlie saw her hiding a smile.
Carlie helped bring the dishes to the table and they all sat down. Her mom and gran bowed their head and she saw Nick shrug and lower his head. After grace was said, they began to eat.
After dinner they sat in the living room to talk and catch up. Gran looked at Carlie. "So what have you been doing with yourself Carlie?"
She looked away from the tv to answer her. "Working mostly. We've just moved into a house which is so much better than the apartment."
She nodded. "Is that where you met him?"
Nick looked up at Carlie.
She said. "Well no, I- hm, Nick makes videos. I saw some of his videos one day and I liked them. He's really funny and I decided to send him a message one day telling him that."
Her grandma looked at Carlie's mom. "Do you understand what she's talking about?"
Her mom smiled. "Mama, it's the way kids do things now by computer, their phone always on the internet. Nick is a good guy. Don't worry."
They talked a bit more before Carlie went upstairs.
