When I met you

Chapter Fifteen

I've been trying to calm my nerves ever since Chris called to remind me of his grandma's birthday and little family get-together. I mean I can be weird at times and I worry that I'll seem out of place with them. Even now as I stand in front of Chris's house ready to ring the bell. I'm praying I don't regret this.

I'm trying so hard not to feel guilty about not telling my Dad about this whole thing. I ring the doorbell making a silent promise to explain everything to him after tonight.

"Hello dear." A lady who I'm assuming is Chris's mother says to me as she opens the door. She smiles brightly at me and it's so easy to see the resemblance.

"You must be Joanna. We've been expecting you, well Chris more so than the rest of us." She says and I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face. She hugs me and tugs me in.

"Come on in." She leads the way. So far I haven't said anything to her so I rack my brain to come up with something.

"You must be Chris's mom." Seriously Joanna Martins that is what you came up with?.

"Yes I am. You can call me Helen."

"You're so beautiful." I almost regretted it once I said it, I mean It's true she is beautiful with warm brown eyes that seem to draw you in but I think I'm making this whole thing more akward than it already feels. Yikes

I'm a little bit surprised when she starts laughing. She stops walking and turns to face me.

"Why, you are so sweet. I almost blushed." She takes my face in her hands and I feel nostalgic. It's moments like this where I miss my mom so badly.

"Thank you and you are beautiful too. Come meet the rest of the family." The wave of awkwardness soon passed but as soon as we walked into the dinning room all eyes fell on me. Well I guess we are back to akward.

Everyone stopped talking and just stared at me, assessing me. I tried not to fidget under their scrutinizing gaze.

A quick look around had me marvelled. The dining room looks beautiful. It's fair-sized and a little bit old fashioned but that only added to it's exquisite look. Dinner was already served and I took in the faces that stared back at me. It was easy to spot Chris's father seated at the far end of the table. I know I thought Chris looked like his mom but looking at his dad now, it's like looking into the future and seeing an older version of Chris. Helen led me to a chair at the table as she introduced everyone to me.

So far I've met Helen's sister, Kaycee and her husband, Marc. Chris's grandma who had a smiled plastered on her face, she seemed elated to be here and why wouldn't she it's her birthday and she spending it with her family what more could you ask for. I wished her a happy birthday and she thanked me.

Joey sat across from me and he looked so cute with his big brown eyes, staring at me in curiosity. I winked at him and he smiled shyly. They all seemed nice, smiling and saying their greetings except Chris's dad who just stared at me, making me feel uneasy. I haven't seen Chris since I came in. I was just about to ask Helen when he came down the stairs.

The look of surprise and relief that washed over his features almost made me laugh. He walked over and sat beside me, giving me that billion dollar smile.

"You came." He whispered softly.

"Seems like you'd have haunted me in my dreams if I didn't." I said and he chuckled as I stifled a laugh of my own.

"You look gorgeous." He complimented me and I couldn't help the blush that crept into my cheeks.

"Thank you." I'm actually happy I came, I thought to myself.