Chapter 42

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Ready to meet the Fam!? Don't know if Danny is ;)

A small smile made its way to my face as we began driving alongside our farm field. Sure there wasn't anything there, but the memories were.

"And this," I mumbled as I flipped my blinker on and pulled into the drive. "Is the Farm." The smile on my face could not be knocked off as the house and white barn came into view.

"Wow," Danny said, eyes wide. "It's a lot bigger than I thought it would be. And you have wide open skies. Why'd you ever wanna leave?"

I smiled over at him as I shifted the car into park. "Cuz sometimes you gotta grow up and become independent," I replied as I put a hand on his knee. "Now, let's get out cuz I'm sure my mom is watching us from inside right now."

"If you say so," he shot back. He was definitely nervous, and I could see why.

"There's nothing to worry about," I told him as I leaned over and pressed a quick kiss to his lips. "They'll love you."

My heart was pounding. I was silently praying that I was right— that they'd love him and much as I do.

"Alright," he whispered. A smile made its way to his face. "All that matters is that you love me."

I playfully rolled my eyes and unbuckled. Once I was out of the car, I made my way to the back, where Clay had now jumped and was sitting by our bags. Danny met me at the back, ready to grab his stuff, but I stopped him by shaking my head.

"And three... Two... One," I mumbled.

Before he could register what was happening, my mom came running out of the house and down the steps. "My baby!!! James! You're home." She said excitedly as she came whizzing around the side of the car.

I was engulfed in a hug before I could even react. I wrapped my arms around her in return as she tightened her grip on me. "I'm so happy you're home! It wouldn't be Christmas without you!"

"Hey Ma. How are you?" I questioned as I hugged her back. She began to sway us back and forth. "I've missed you."

She pulled away from me enough to see my face. Her hands were cupping my face as she looked into my eyes. She was crying. "I'm so glad you're home." Her voice was barely a whisper. "You're so precious."

I rolled my eyes but smiled. "I'm glad to be home. I've missed you. I've missed you all."

"I'm just so glad you're home..." She trailed off before her eyes went wide. "And you brought Danny!" She instantly pulled away from me and nearly pushed me aside so she could make her way to Danny.

"Oh my goodness! Danny! It is so nice to meet you!" She said with an extremely large smile on her face. And my god, she did not lean in to hug him--no, she reached up and cupped his face, forcing him to look her in the eyes. "Oh you're so handsome! Your eyes are wonderful!"

I face palmed as a look of panic appeared on his face and in his eyes, his skin— right down to his neck turned red— blushing with embarrassment. "Mom," I whined as I grabbed a hold of her shoulder and pulled her back.

She let go of Danny and turned back with the same smile on her face. "You have such great taste in men! James! He's so handsome!" She sounded like a little girl on Christmas.

I rolled my eyes and looked back to Danny, sliding over to him. I tangled my right arm with his left one and grabbed his hand. "Danny, this is my mom," I said as I looked up at his face. "Mom, as you know, this is Danny."

"It's nice to meet you Mrs. Wells," Danny mumbled, getting his voice back. He was still unsure, but the shock was starting to wear a way.

My mom rolled her eyes and waved a hand. "Oh! That was my mother in law! Call me Terry!" The big smile was still on her face. "I'm so glad you came with Jamie! I've heard so much about you!"

That cute smile of his was back on his face as he grasped my hand a little harder. "It's nice to meet you too. I'm glad that she invited me to come with her. I've heard so much about Wisconsin and the farm."

"I'm so glad," my mom said, excitement clear in his voice. "I think you're going to love it here! I'm sure she'll be taking you out for a ride on the snowmobile, too. There is plenty to see here!"

Just as Danny was going to reply, there was a barking from behind us. I pulled away from Danny to see Sasha, my cousin Jack's dog, running toward us. "Sasha!" I said excitedly as I squatted down and opened my arms wide. She took the hint and leapt into my arms.

She let out a loud bark and began licking my face. "Oh! You've been a good girl since I left, right?" I asked. She was such a beautiful Australian Shepherd.

Next thing I knew was Danny was right up next to us, petting her soft coat and Clay was sitting by us, ready to pounce at Sasha.

That was when I looked up and saw my dad. I instantly pulled away from Sasha and moved over to him. "Dad!" I squealed as I wrapped my arms around him.

"Hey Darling," he greeted as he hugged me back. "How have you been? Was your flight okay? Clay okay with the drive?" We pulled back and he had one of the biggest smiles on his face.

"It was great," I said with the biggest smile on my face. "Everything has been great! I've missed you so much!" I moved back in for another tight hug-- there was nowhere in the world I'd rather be. Next to Danny, he gave some of the best hugs... And they'd always get me through tough times when I was younger.

"I've missed you too, darling," he replied. He pulled away from me and began walking toward Danny, mom, Sasha, and Clay. I walked beside him.

"Danny," I mumbled after a second. "This is my dad." I nodded to my dad, keeping my eyes locked with Danny's big nervous ones. "Dad, this is Danny."

"Ah," my dad said in such a flat voice I cringed. "The Patriot, Danny Amendola."

Before I could scold him, Danny spoke up--not missing a single beat. "Uh, yes sir. It's nice to meet you, Mr. Wells," Danny told my dad, reaching a hand out to shake his hand.

My dad reached out and shook Danny's hand back. "You've got a firm grip, son," Dad announced as they parted their hands.

I let out a sigh of relief-- that's a good sign.

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