Played.

32: "My Dad?"

We were three hours into the flight, only one more to go. Marcus and I were halfway through our second movie; Orphan.

"That was such a disappointment." I sighed, sitting up from his lap once the movie finished.

"It doesn't deserve to be called a horror film, it wasn't scary."

"The concept was good but they could have made it so much better."

"I suggest you write a letter of complaint. Dear Mr Orphan maker..."

"Who said it would be a mister? God, Marcus, you're so sexist." I folded my arms jokingly, turning away from him.

"You said it wrong."

"What?" I turned back.

"It's said sex-y. Not sex-ist." He pulled me into his chest.

"Oh my God." I laughed, shaking my head.

The Pilot's voice burst through the intercom. He was instructing everyone to put their seatbelts on, the plane was about to land. Once he had gone, the seatbelt light clicked on.

"How are you feeling?" Marcus asked, doing up my belt.

"How should I be feeling?"

"Well, you could either be really super duper nervous because you're about to meet you theoretical in-laws, or, you could be really super duper excited."

"Theoretical in-laws? When did we get married?"

"When you agreed to solitary confinement in this aluminium box."

"Solitary confinement is alone," I mumbled. "But of course, husband, how could I forget?"

"Don't get smart with me." He tapped my nose. "But really, don't be nervous. They'll love you just as much as I do."

"And how much is that?"

"This much." He put two fingers up, side by side.

"That's slightly worrying."

"Oh, sorry. Did I say this much? I meant this much." He separated them the tiniest bit.

"That's more like it."

"Kidding, baby. You know I love you to Pluto and back. The moon's not far enough away."

I smiled. "Let's hope your family love me that much too."

I hadn't even noticed the plane had landed, and people were starting to get off. Clicking off my belt, I stood.

"Let's wait for the isles to get less busy." Marcus pulled me down onto his lap.

It wasn't even five minutes before most of the people had already left.

"Up you get, fatty." Marcus scooped me up, planting me down in the isle.

He reached up into the cabins above, pulling down our hand luggage, then looked around.

"Shit. Justin and mom have already gone. We'll have to meet them out there."

We trailed through the plane and airport, eventually ending up at the baggage recall area. Heading straight for the one from our flight, I saw Justin and Pattie, with the luggage already in hand.

"There you two are!" Pattie threw her arms around us both.

"Sorry, we waited on the plane for a bit." Marcus replied.

"That's alright, my dear, you're grown kids. Your dad's nearly here anyways."

Then the nerves hit me. I was actually about to meet the rest of Marcus' family. What if they didn't like me, then what would I do? What if I didn't make a good impression?

A ringing came from Pattie's pocket.

"That must be him, he's probably here." She put the phone to her ear. "Hi, Jeremy...okay, good...we're at baggage...alright...we're great...me too, see you soon...bye."

"Is he here?" Justin asked.

"Yep, he's just in the parking lot. We better start heading down."

As we started walking, I saw that Justin was pushing almost everything in a heavy airport cart.

"Pass me some of those." I held out my hands.

"It's okay, I'm fine."

"Seriously, Justin, I want to carry something."

"It's alright." He laughed, softly brushing me away.

"Giving me some won't make you any less macho, if that's what you're worried about."

"There." He handed me a small pile of things, grinning. "Happy now?"

"Very." I cheesed, as we approached the arrivals exit.

We stepped out through the arched tunnel, faced with tons of people standing around, waiting for friends, family, colleagues, clients. Scenes of people being reunited, hugging, crying, celebrating flashed before us. It was at that moment that I realized I had no idea who I was actually looking for.

"What does your dad look like?" I looked up at Marcus.

"My dad?" He laughed. "Oh, he's massive. And terrifying. With super musclely arms. That could easily crush tiny, little things like you. And loads of tattoos. And the most piercing green eyes. Watch out for him, he's a dangerous monster."

"Marcus, stop. You're making me scared now." I stepped away from him.

"Chill, sweetheart." He grabbed my hip, drawing me back. "I'm only messing." I felt him stroke my hair, kissing my cheek. "He doesn't have green eyes."

"Well, that's reassuring. Thanks." Note my sarcasm.

"My pleaure, sugar plum."

"Dad!" Justin shouted, abandoning the cart, and speeding toward a man from the crowd.

"Justin!" The man replied, embrassing each other tightly.

So this is Daddy Bieber, I thought to myself.

"Pattie." He dragged her into a hug with his 'super musclely arms', releasing her and hugging Marcus.

"And you, my dear, must be the beautiful Maddie I always hear about." He held his tattooed arms open, allowing me to walk into them, risking being crushed, and hug him. "Nice to finally meet you, kiddie. I'm Jeremy."

"You too, Jeremy." I smiled, as he kissed my cheek, hovering by my ear.

"I'm glad Marcus made the right choice." He whispered, pulling away.

"Right, we better get you tired adventurers home, Jazzy and Jax are waiting for you." He took the handles of the cart leading it toward the parking lot.