Becoming

Chapter 27

I don't like airports.

I don't like going through the process of boarding a flight, but I smile to myself once I'm settled and ready for takeoff. I turn looking at Greg who's looking straight ahead. "Are you good?" I ask opening my laptop. The flight will be two hours long, so I'm planning to watch a movie. "Yes of course baby" he smiles then closes his eyes to take a nap.

Two hours later we land and gather our belongings. I see my dad waving his hand far ahead so I run up to him like a little girl then hug him. "I've missed you, where's mom?" I smile. "I left her, she's preparing dinner" he says then looks at my side. A strange look is plastered on my Dad's face before he smiles at me again.

"Dad, this is Greg" I introduce him. They shake hands and I notice Greg is a bit tense, but he smiles at my Dad. The drive home is just me and Dad talking. Greg is quiet so I squeeze his hand and kiss his cheek for comfort. I notice Dad looking at our actions in the rear-mirror.

.....

"Oh look who it is" mom walks up to us as soon as we enter the house. I introduce Greg and mom to eachother they seem to hit it off perfectly. My parents are not strict or anything, but they  follow that "No sleeping in the same bedroom" rule before Marriage. I laugh to myself because Greg and I live together and sleep in the same bed every night, but it's their house and I respect them.

After showing Greg the room he'll be sleeping in and taking him for a mini tour around the house, we settle back in the living room. My parent's house is not very big. It's a three bedroom house, with a small kitchen, dining room and living room so the "Tour" is quick.

Boston, my family dog lays by my side so I run my hand up and down his back. "You're getting bigger Bo" I laugh while he wiggles his tail. Greg pulls out his phone and excuses himself and my Dad watches him before he continues watching the TV.

"Dad?" I eye him. Boston gets up and goes to the kitchen where mom is busy preparing tea. I asked to help her, but she told me to relax. "Yes Lise" My dad is the only one who calls me "Lise". "Is everything okay?" I ask him. "Yes of course. I'm happy you're home" he smiles then goes through the channels.

Greg comes back and tells me his mother sends greetings. Mom calls us shortly for dinner and I must say this vegan dish she prepared is delicious, Greg agrees too. Mom keeps asking Greg questions to which he happily responds to. My Dad is quiet, but I decide to not ask him what the problem is. I will ask him some other time.

After dinner and helping my mom clear the dishes. I take Greg outside for some alone time, I hear Boston following us but I don't mind. "Hey boy" Greg smiles at Boston. "We need to get a dog" he says shortly after we sit down. Getting a dog as a couple is basically like having a child. I'm not too mad at the idea though, I love dogs.

"Maybe we should" I smile at him. "Your Dad doesn't like me" he says catching me off guard. "That's not true" I say. "I'm telling you. Energies don't lie. He definitely doesn't" he looks at Boston who's playing with a bone. "I haven't bought a guy home since Mark, so I guess he's just trying to get used to it" I try to comfort him.

"You're right" he sighs. "Thanks for bringing me, I can't believe this is where you grew up. So basically little you played on those swings" he points at the swings that my parents bought when I was seven. I feel emotional as memories fill my mind. Sometimes I wish time would pause, being a child was so much easy. No stressing about bills and other adult related stuff.

"Let's get inside tomorrow is a long day" I stand up and take his hand. My Dad is still watching TV. "Anna, can I talk to Greg for a bit?" he asks. I look at him before nodding and leaving them alone. I decide to go to my parents room to talk to mom. After knocking she tells me to come in.

"Hey sweety" she smiles fixing her robe. "So Dad is having the talk with Greg"  I say closing the door. She pats the bed for me to sit. "You haven't introduced us to a guy since High School when you first started dating Mark" she starts. "You were young back then and it was a teenage love. You are a woman now and Greg is a grown man. Your dad wants to know what his intentions are" I know what she means.

"So what are your intentions with him honey, I mean is it serious?" she ask me. "I mean yes, we live together and I'm introducing him to you guys so I am serious about him" I tell her looking my graduation picture on the nightstand.

"Good, because I'm ready to be a grandmother" she laughs. "Mom I'm 23" I laugh with her. "I know, but I'm just saying. He seems like a good guy. I hope he treats you the way you deserve to be treated" she brings me in for a hug. I just smile and enjoy this moment.