Mr. Almost Perfect | Completed ✔️

nine: she loves you, not nicknames

THE FIRST TIME she called him 'papi' came as a surprise.

He, at the time, had been on his phone as she was washing dishes in her kitchen. He was supposed to be helping her dry them but became distracted watching a cat video. However, when she begged him "Papi, please"... well, that had certainly demanded his attention.

His head snapped up from his phone, eyes locking with hers as her cheeks were dusted with pink. He could tell that was not planned.

But it didn't matter because, in the blink of an eye, the dishes were long forgotten. And by the time he was finished with her in the bedroom, she could neither talk or walk.

Ever since that historic moment - that occurred three days prior - he had been craving to hear those tender words fall from her lips once more. Alas... she had not; she was too embarrassed from the first time around, he'd figured.

That didn't mean he'd given up hope.

....

"So... are you ready?"

Matthew sat in the driver seat of his car, heart in hands, as he attempted to calm his erratic breathing. He cast a glance towards her, lips drawing up into an uneasy grin. "Y-yeah, I think I'll be alright."

"Of course you will."

The fateful day had come. The day Matthew was to meet her parents. Nonetheless, according to her, the term 'meet the parents' translated into 'meet the entire family'. That's just how things ran in her household apparently.

That didn't help settle his nerves.

"Hey, look at me." She prodded, cupping his face. Her finger stroked his cheek, pulling him ever closer. "You'll be just fine. You know why?"

"I absolutely do not."