Parents

Chapter 1 The Pickup

The morning we were picking my parents up from the airport started off like any other. We woke up, took a leisurely shower, got dressed and ready, and sat down to breakfast. I found myself pushing my eggs around my plate and staring at the clock. I was undeniably nervous. I took a sip of my juice and met Avi's concerned eyes across the table. "It turns out fine, right?" I reached for his hand.

"It does. I guess you're too nervous to eat too." My eggs hadn't made in any closer to my mouth than hers did to hers. "It's going to be so obvious that I am nervous when we pick them up. You sure you want me there?"

I squeezed his hand. "Of course I do. I am willing to bet they are nervous too. We can all be nervous together." Breakfast was apparently not getting eaten. I figured we would stop for lunch while we were out. I checked my phone for any updates from my parents. There weren't any.

"Everything alright. Did they cancel?" I didn't mean to sound hopeful. "I'm sorry. I want them to come. But I am so nervous. I've talked to them on the phone, but. Oh, this is silly. It's going to be fine. I need to stop and focus on the good. You get to see your parents. It's been too long. I'm sorry." I held tight to her hand and met her eyes over a breakfast neither of was going to eat. "You done?" I reached for her plate.

He was very nervous. "No cancellation. Their flight is supposed to touch down in two hours, I was just checking for updates. They are going to love you, I promise." I looked down at my plate. "Yeah, I'm done. We should get going soon."

"Okay. Let me get this cleaned up and we will head out." I tried my best to smile. I knew I wouldn't settle until I was with them and they were trying to accept me. In the back of my mind, I kept wondering if they thought their only daughter would be better off with someone else. If I was still with PTX I was pretty sure that they would be thinking just that.

I ran upstairs to make sure the guest room was ready for them. I knew it was, but I had to check again. I checked the towels in the bathroom and made sure everything was where it was supposed to be. I knew they already liked him, at least they told me that they did. They even thought it was really brave and strong that he had forged out on his own. I headed back downstairs to tell him that.

She raced up the stairs. I knocked out the dishes. She was just as nervous as I was and they were her parents. "Oh God, what have I gotten myself into," I muttered quietly to myself before she could get downstairs and hear me. I wanted my mom and dad desperately. Even though I was a grown man I still wanted and needed that comfort. There is nothing like the love and comfort your parents can give you. She was about to have that in her life again and hopefully, it would carry her until we got to see them again. That was all the focus I needed to get my head straight. She was nervous. It was my job to see to her needs. If I was going to marry this woman I was supposed to be strong when she needed me to be and weak and vulnerable when it was needed. We couldn't both go into this insanely nervous. She was, of course, a vision coming back down those stairs as I waited for her at the front door with her light jacket over my arm. "It turns out fine." I smile a genuine smile. "You get to see you parents again after how long now?"

Seeing him at the door ready to go and smiling definitely helped. "It's been almost a year. I think we had just gone on our first date right before I was home for a long weekend." I took my jacket from him and linked my arm in his. I reminded him that my parents had said nothing but good things about him since I told them about him. I also reminded him that he has talked to them on the phone a few times and we skyped once. "Ready?"

"Let's go get your parents." I was still a little nervous inside. She was right. A little bit of nerves was natural and a good thing. If I was lucky I'd be calling them Mom and Dad one day. "I smiled and nodded and lead us out the door of our home. The drive was actually quite pleasant. We chatted and laughed as we listened to the radio. "I want to get your mom some flowers. Do you think that is a good idea?"

The drive was comfortable and we were comfortable. "I think she would love that." We talked about what kind and remembered that there was a small place inside the airport that sold flowers. We were almost there and definitely ahead of schedule.

I worked hard to get her there early. It was important to make sure that she was. She gets so angry when we are late, then again so do I. We picked up her mother's favorite flowers ordered teas and settled while we waited for the plane to arrive. I leaned over and slipped a small kiss on her cheek. My nerves had turned to excitement.

It was nice sitting with our teas and holding hands. I was getting excited. I hoped my parents were ready for LA. I glanced at my phone and saw that it was time to head towards their gate. I tossed my cup out and reached for his hand. "It's time."

I followed her to the exit for the gates holding hands. I was no longer worried about what people saw me doing with her so long as it wasn't something that needed to be kept private. I smiled as we walked, her mom's bouquet in my hands. My hands felt cold and my head hot, as we stopped and waited, what a sweet contradiction that is. "I love you, Lizette." I squeezed her hand briefly and waited for her cue that her parents were in sight.

It was so nice to be in public and holding hands. I squeezed his while we stood waiting. My eyes lit up the second I saw them. I raised my hand and waved at them until they saw me. They approached us quickly. My mom wasted no time wrapping her arms around Avi, surprising the hell out of him, while my dad completely enveloped me in his. I couldn't stop the tears as they started to fall.

I was shocked when her mother wrapped me in a bear hug. "Oh! Hi mom!" Came out of my mouth just as she wrapped her arms around me. She held me close like a mother does her son and put me at ease instantly. I hugged her back and tried really hard not to cry, but I felt so comfortable. It was just like hugging my own momma, so the tears just started falling. I tried to hide them under the pretense of giving her the flowers we got her. "We got these for you." It was the perfect bouquet you give your mother, all bright, pink and fragrant. I smiled, happy to meet her. Then her dad was next and the nerves settled right back in. I meant what do you say? "Hello sir I love your daughter, yes we are sleeping together please don't kill me for loving your little girl that way." I was suddenly in high school going to prom again and picking the girl up at her house.

It was time to switch. Mom hugged me tightly, told me I looked too thin and cried. Dad tried to puff himself up and I could see the nerves hiding in Avi's eyes. My dad stuck out his hand to shake Avi's and Avi took it like a pro. My dad ended up pulling him in for a hug and thanking him for taking care of his daughter.

God, her family was amazing! For one split second, her dad let me sweat. I started with the tears again when he pulled me in and hugged me like he made me. Standing there with them made me wonder why I was so nervous about meeting them. Hell meeting them was likely to be the easiest part. All of the next parts would be different. We'd never had anyone stay with us more than one night. We were used to having run of the house, which usually resulted in some pretty crazy shenanigans and some interesting ones too. That was going have to stop. I pulled away and wiped at my eyes smiling like a fool. "Shall we get your bags?"

My nerves abated pretty quickly. We chatted lightly as we picked up their bags and headed out to the car. They were starving so we stopped at Avi's favorite barbecue place on the way home from the airport.

I was really enjoying myself talking to her parents. They were just a personable in person as they were over the phone. I wondered if they'd get around to the questions and which ones I would need to answer. Lunch was fun and Lizzie was so damn happy that I couldn't help but feel that way too. She did one of those cute little things she is always doing. "You're so cute." I chuckled and kissed her cheek, then turned 5 shades of scarlet, but went right on talking.

Avi was really settling into himself with my parents. I was so happy and I think he was too. He blushed when he kissed my cheek, I smiled. Lunch passed without incident and we headed home.