Carrie hadn't packed yet. Not that she was procrastinating. She was nervous. Her and Nik were flying to Sweden so she could meet Nik's parents for the first time. She sat on the end of her bed, looking at her empty suitcase. She wanted to meet them. There was never a question about that. Her sisters questioned it at first, thinking she wasn't as in love with Nik as she had claimed.
”It's not about whether or not I love Nik. You both know I do. It's about the fact I'm scared shitless to meet his parents.” Carrie said, having dinner with her sisters one night.
“If you love Nik so much, why are you so scared to meet his parents? They already know about you right?” Emily asked, taking a bite of her pasta.
“Yes.” Carrie answered.
“And they know how much Nik loves you right?” Amy asked, taking a sip of her wine.
“Yes.” Carrie answered again.
“Then there is nothing to worry about. Pack your bag, enjoy your three weeks in Sweden and stop stressing.” Emily said, leaning back and picking up her wine glass.
Their flight was leaving in less than twenty-four hours. Carrie wasn't packed and Nik knew it. He walked in and chuckled when he found her suitcase still empty with her sitting and staring at it. “It's not going to pack itself.”
Carrie looked up and, seeing the smile on Nik's face, smiled back. “No it won't.”
“Not sure what to pack?” He asked, joining her on the bed.
“Actually....” Carrie stopped, not sure she wanted to share her concerns with him.
“You're not worried are you?” He asked, turning slightly to face her. She blushed ten shades of red and he chuckled again. “What has you so worried?”
“I'm.... American.” She cringed, knowing it sounded stupid. When he laughed, she blushed deeper. “Nik....”
“You're worried my parents won't like you because you're American? Carrie....” He gently turned her face to meet his eyes. “They are going to love you. And it's not about if they like you or not. Because I like you.” He paused, letting it sink in. She playfully slapped his arm. “I'm kidding.” She raised up to hit him again. “Carrie. You know I love you. Right?”
“Of course I do. And you know I love you.”
“It's always nice to hear.” He smiled. “So don't panic. My parents will love you as much as I do. I promise.” He placed a kiss on her forehead. “Do you want me to leave you to pack?”
Carrie nodded, feeling a little better about her upcoming trip.
Nik felt a sharp pain in his chest as he set the picture back down on the dresser. He wasn't moving it. Not now. Not ever. He glanced around the room, wondering why he was packing Carrie's things. He looked down at the dresser again to see a second picture, taken right outside his parents house. At the time, he had no idea the picture was being taken. He was focused solely on the girl in front of him.
Nik had his arms wrapped around Carrie's waist. They had just gotten back from a short walk around the area his parents lived. “So... what did you think?” Nik asked.
“It's beautiful.” She said, smiling up at him. She glanced out of the corner of her eye to see Nik's mother standing in the doorway, camera in hand.
Nik pulled Carrie closer, almost instinctively. “I'm glad you like it. My parents love you.”
“Oh they do?”
