One last time/Zauren

4.

I had to meet Lauren's parents about proposing to her. I already knew they would say yes. Well, that's what I was properly convincing myself of. They said Lauren was happy with me and they couldn't picture a better guy for their daughter. If they did for some reason say no, then I am shit out of luck... and money.

"You look scared," Lauren's father, Mike laughed. "You haven't even touched your beer. Let me guess, you need to borrow money again?" I nervously chuckled at that remembering a year ago when I asked him to loan me about a hundred bucks to pay my car insurance. "No. That's not it," I said.

"Then what? Don't tell me you knocked Lauren up and she's leaving you to do all the work." Lauren's mother, Clara walked out of the kitchen and sat down beside Mike. An older version of Lauren for sure. "So, what's going on out here?" she asked. "What'd you need?"

"I just wanted to talk to you about something.. important," I stressed the word to get my point across. "And it's got me nervous," I rubbed my sweaty palms together and took a deep breath. "Spit it out before it kills ya," Mike laughed.

"You two have done a swell job at raising Lauren to be a beautiful, intelligent young woman and I could never express how grateful I am for her. I mean.. I moved across the sea for her and made my friends join me," I explained. "I want to marry your daughter and I would like your blessing." Clara and Mike looked at each other and I couldn't make out their facial expressions because I was too busy listening to the sound of heart beating in my ears.

"You want to marry Lauren?" Mike asked again. I nodded so fast my head could've popped off my neck. "More than anything, sir."

"You absolutely have my blessing." Clara smiled.

"Really?" I let out a breath and she nodded. "Of course. You two are perfect. Mike and I got married young, I know you guys will make it."

"And you have my blessing, but you break my daughters heart and I'll serve yours on a silver platter. Got it?" Mike threatened. I nodded again.

"Absolutely. Thank you guys so much. I can't tell you how relieved I feel now. Wow. Thank you, really."

"So you got the ring?" Clara asked.

"I ordered it, it's custom made, I should have it before the house warming and that's when I intend to pop the question." Clara placed her closed hands over her heart and smiled as if my words warmed her. "You're the only guy I'll give my blessing." Mike said clinking his bottle of corona against mine.

--

"You never told me what you went to my parents house for," Lauren stated tossing some cans of creamy tomato soup into the grocery cart. "Well, I didn't think I needed to," I shrugged pushing the cart along and following her over to the cheese aisle. Lauren was going to make endless grilled cheese for the party guest. I told her to just make empandas because the grilled cheese will get cold, but she shut me up pretty quick when she informed me that she purchased a heated tray. Lauren glared at me with her piercing green eyes. "You haven't visited both my parents at the same time besides that time you asked to borrow money."

"Why are you acting like it's some turn of events?" I laughed. Lauren shrugged staring at havarti cheese and colby jack she couldn't decide and threw both into the shopping cart. "It's just not a common Zayn thing, I don't know. Ignore me work made me tired. Rub my feet when we get back?" Lauren batted her eyelashes and I made a face.

"I love you-"

"No 'buts' you love me, you do it." Lauren kissed my cheek and winked. I heard another familiar accent which caused me to turn around, there was Harry strolling along with Camila. Harry had a cart and the only contents were bananas. "What are you guys doing here?" I asked approaching them.

"Oh hey guys," Harry waved.

"I'm teaching Harry here how to grocery shop properly. We're making pretty good progress." Camila stated. Lauren looked into the cart and laughed. "Yes, amazing progress." she sarcastically said.

"Mila, do you think Dinah will stop by the liquor store later? I'm going to be busy getting everything set up."

"The parties not even for a few more days." she stated.

While the girls broke out into conversation, Harry pulled me aside. "Is the party Friday or Saturday?"

"Saturday. Lauren's finally made up her mind."

"And what about the ring?" he whispered.

"It will be ready on Saturday."

"Are you nervous?" Harry asked. "I mean have you planned what you're going to say, how you're going to say it?"

"Not yet. I think it'll just be a spur of the moment, off the top of my head kind of thing." Harry smiled for a moment and then his eyes darted from me, to Lauren and back to me. "Wow. Can't believe you're going to be engaged. That's mad." I glanced over to Lauren who was laughing about something with Camila and I grinned. "I know."