hard | daniel seavey

chapter thirty-eight

   My leg shook nervously as we drove to Daniel's parents house. Today was Thanksgiving, meaning I would meet Daniel's family. I had already met Anna and spent time with her at the boys house, but it was Daniel's parents that worried me. I looked out the window, lost in thought, when a hand rested on my thigh.

  "Stop doing that, you're making me anxious." Daniel joked and rubbed his thumb on my thigh lightly. "Seriously though, are you okay? You've been quiet the whole drive."

  "I'm fine, just nervous." I turnt my head to look at him, his eyes focused on the road.

   "They're going to love you, I promise. I talk about you all the time, they practically know you as much as I do." Once we reached the stop light he turnt his head and looked at me, giving me the smile that always seemed to relax me. "And you look beautiful as ever, may I add."

   "Oh shush," I laughed, leaning over the console and kissed Daniel's cheek.

   About 5 minutes later, we pulled into the driveway of Daniel's parent's. As we walked in, Daniel and I argued about whether or not they would like me for about the 5th time today. He held the small of my back as we walked into the dinning room. His mom and one of his brothers were bringing in plates of food already. His mom stopped and her face lit up.

  "You must be Madison!" She said excitedly, walking over to me and wrapping her arms around me. I was taken a back a bit but hugged her back. "It is so nice to finally meet the girl Daniel's been rambling about for months."

  "Mom," Daniel whined like a baby, his cheeks growing red. She reached up and pinched his cheeks.

   "It's nice to meet you too, Mrs. Seavey." I said and laughed at Daniel's growin redness.

   "Please, call me Keri." She smiled kindly before leaving the room to grab more plates.

   "Moms not wrong, Daniel talks about you alot." Tyler nudged Daniel's side. Daniel looked at him sternly and pulled me to him.

   "Where's Dad and Christian?" Daniel asked while his mom came back into the room. She motioned to a door in the corner of the dinning room. Daniel took my hand and led me to the door. When we walked in, it seemed as if it were some sort of entertainment room. Much like Daniel's bedroom, instruments were scattered everywhere. His dad and other brother stood in front of the tv, watching whatever football game was playing.

   "C'mon he totally could've had that!" His dad yelled at the tv. Christian shook his head, focused on the players running across the field. Daniel cleared his throat, making them both turn.

"Dad, Christain, this is Madison." He said proudly, snaking his arm around my waist.
   
  "About time you bring her over here. You would think after all the times he's talked about you, he would've brought you over sooner." Daniel's Dad laughed and side hugged me.

  "Hey, dinners ready," Anna's blonde hair popped through the door. She smiled at me and waved. "Hi, Madison!"

   We all sat around the table, me sitting beside Keri and Daniel. She held out both her hands and closed her eyes. I placed one of my hands in hers and the other in Daniel's as Jeff prayed over the food. I grew up spending most of my time in youth groups and learning about Christianity, but my family was never too religious. So seeing Daniel's family use this as a way to connect in a spiritual way was amazing to me.

   We all ate the amazing food Keri had prepared while talking about random things. It went from Why Don't We's album, Anna finishing school, my job and school, and so on. There was never a dull moment inbetween converations and I loved it. After we finished eating, the boys all ran off to finish watching the last quarter of the game. I offered to help Keri clean while Anna went upstairs to finish something for school.

  "Madison you really don't have to help," Keri said as I brought in a few plates from the dinning room.

   "It's the least I could do." I smiled at her and began running the sink. As i washed dishes, she told me stories from when Daniel was younger, some from when he would perform in Portland and others from when he was still in school. By the end we were both in laughing fits.

   "I also wanted to say this while Daniel was out of the room," She said quietly and looked towards the door to see if anyone were coming. I finished washing the last dish and placed it on the drying rack. She came over to me and placed her hand on my shoulder. "I remember the day he first told us about you, he was really smiley and giddy. Then he said 'I met this girl' with the biggest smile on his face. Ever since then, he's been the happiest I've ever seen him. So thank you for coming into my son's life. And thank you for changing him for the better."

  Her words sunk in as she spoke. I knew Daniel talked about me around his family, but not like this. My heart swelled at the thought of it.
  
   "I love your son very much, and I can say he's defienetly done the same for me."

  The sound of the door closing behind us cause us both to jump and look back. Jeff and Daniel stood in the doorway of the kitchen, confused looks on their faces.

   "What's going on here?" Jeff smirked and sat at a bar stool.

   "Girl stuff." Keri shrugged and sent a wink my way. Daniel came over to me, placing his hand on my back.

   "I hate to leave the party early, but the boys are flying in early tomorrow morning for a finale meeting for the album." Daniel pouted, placing his head ontop of mine.

   "Don't keep her away from us again, Daniel." Jeff joked and nudged Daniel's arm. We all said goodbye and Daniel and I were off.

  "So, what were you and my mom really talking about?" Daniel stopped, holding onto my waist. My arms snaked around his neck as I shrugged.

   "Girl stuff."