London Boy

Chapter 22

I head down to the kitchen as they walk toward my dads study. I'm praying my dad doesn't make a scene. Ever since the Tyler situation he's been extra protective of Lexi and I. I get it but I'm nervous because this is the first time I've brought someone home since Tyler, my parents hated him from the start, I'm hoping they see what I do.
"Hey mom, need any help?" I ask sitting at the counter. "You can chop some veggies if you'd like. Wash your hands first please" she says pushing a bowl of veggies to me. "Yes mama" I say walking to sink. "Where's Tom?" She asks. "Dad kidnaped him to his study." I say nervously. "Oh. You okay?" She asks rubbing my back. "Yeah, I think so. I just really want you guys to like him. He's such a good guy and I think I-" "you think you what?" She stops me. "I don't know. I think I could see myself loving him." "Awe honey!" she wraps me in a hug. "You really are glowing around him. I seen it the second you walked into the room. You're happy?" She asks "we don't get to see each other much but yeah I'm happy, he makes me feel things I've never felt before. And I feel like I can be myself." I start chopping veggies. "And he knows about what happened?" She asks. "Yeah, the night the pictures got sent out I told him. He was so sweet and supportive. I tried to get him to leave because I felt like I was pulling him down but he refused to give up on me. He is always so attentive and any time we do anything ya know sexual" I whisper and she laughs "honey your an adult, it's not a whisper subject" we both laugh. "We haven't had sex but anytime we mess around he's always so aware and always makes sure I'm okay with where it's going and it's so sweet to know he wants me to be comfortable with everything." She smiles "That's so sweet honey." She says taking the bowl of chopped veggies. "What do you think dads talking about up there" I ask. "He has been a little skeptical of all of this since the tabloids came out, you know that, he's probably just making sure he's treating you right and wants what's best for you like we do. He does seem like a great guy. But are you prepared for what comes with his line of work? And have you guys talked about what happens next?" She asks pouring the veggies into a pan. "I mean it's not easy. The distance is the hardest part. And what do you mean by next?" Why I am suddenly feeling defensive? She was just saying how happy she is I'm happy and now she's drilling me about what's next? "What happens if you guys wanna go to the next step and live together? Or years later get married? Are you just gonna move to London with him? Is he gonna move here? He's close to his family so I don't see him moving thousands of miles away and I don't see you moving thousands of miles from us." "Mom we've been dating for 2 months. We've talked about it little bit and nothing set and stone but for now we are both happy with how it is. It's not easy but we are making it work." I hear a knock on the door. "Go get that, it's probably your Aunt Jade." Aunt Jade is dads aunt. Shes always coming over for family dinners but only on her birthday month does she expect more than normal. "We did this dinner a month earlier than normal so we are celebrating her birthday this time since the next one isn't till thanksgiving." Oh no! "Oh great." I open the door "Oh Tara sweetie! It's so nice to see you." She says as soon as I open the door. "Hi Aunt Jade" I hug her. "It's my birthday dinner, so you better be prepared." She laughs. "Aunt Jade I didn't know we were doing your birthday thing this time so I didn't prepare anything." Every single year when we do dinners near her birthday she always forces me to sing for the family. She's been doing it since she caught me singing in my bathroom when I was nine. "You can do the song you did last year!" She smiles. And I know she's serious "I'll figure something out." I smile back and retreat to my bedroom. I lay back on the bed "what am I gonna do!" I say out loud. I could just tell her I don't feel good or just bail and go home. Going home sounds like a better idea than anything. "Hey princess." I sit up and am welcomed with Toms bright smile "hey.." I say quietly. "You alright?" He says sitting next to me rubbing my back. "Yeah. It's just my aunt." "What about her?" I lay back on the bed again. "Every year around this time we celebrate her birthday, which is next month and because we did this dinner early we are celebrating it tonight. Every single year she makes me get up in front of the entire family and sing a song for her. One song usually turns into three and I'm not sure I'm feeling doing it tonight." He laughs, "Wait, your telling me you know how to sing and I've never heard you!" I laugh "yes I can sing but I don't like doing it in front of people. I'm more of a sing my heart out to my shower head type of person!" "I'm sure you'll be fine! If you've done it every year you shouldn't be worried doing it tonight." I look down "Wait, is it because I'm here? Are you worried about me hearing you?" He smiles and lifts my chin. "Baby I can promise you, I'll be here to support you even if you fall on your face and make my ears bleed" He laughs and I punch his arms. "Oh shut up!" I laugh. "I'm kidding! I'm kidding! I'm sure you sound amazing!" He says kissing my forehead "Guys! Dinner is ready" mom yells up the stairs. "You ready to meet the rest of fam?" I say as he pulls me off the bed. "After the talk with your dad, I'm ready for anything" he laughs. " I forgot to ask you how that went? What did he say? Was he nice?" He kisses me "we can talk about that later, but yes, things went good. No worries" he kisses me quickly.