Wait, You Want Me to do What? (Les.)

[Alessandro Ricci]

Once again, Aless didn't notice her stutter or the way her cheeks flamed with the possible thought of meeting his parents. He was too excited about bringing her home and having her meet them and his puppy Bumble. He started packing things back into the old-fashioned basket. The mustard went into that spot while the ketchup became cozy right up next to it. Once the basket was packed up, he folded the blanket neatly. "Come on!" he said excitedly, grabbing her hand and lead her to the car.

He opened her door and got in himself after making sure she was settled and comfortable. His thoughts spun in circles on itself. How could this happen so fast? Was she going to like her parents? Better yet, was Mama going to know that they kissed? That he didn't permission and he could kiss her whenever he wanted. Part of him was scared of a relationship with touching and physical closeness and the other part craved it. He didn't just crave it, he needed it be done. To be treated like a normal man instead of a shy little boy.

The drive was silent. At first, he had tried to make conversation with her, but her head was somewhere else, her eyes just staring out the window. Aless bit his lower lip in thought. Perhaps this was a bad idea. "Jacelynn?" his voice was deep, and smooth. It was concern that laced his words. "Is this a bad idea? You haven't said a word since we left the lake." He pulled over, the driveway of his parents house at the tip of his car's nose. If she didn't want to go through with it, he was going to drive away. It was better to not alert his parents of their presence instead of trying to drag her out of there.

[Jacelynn Heron]

Jace just had to suck it up. This would be fine, it was just a friend meeting another friend’s parents. That was all. No reason to freak out over nothing. They weren’t getting engaged or eloping. So what if his parents didn’t really like her? They were merely casually dating. Oh who was she kidding? If his parents didn’t like her half as much as her own mother, she’d be devastated. She could keep lying to herself and say she didn’t like Les more than just a casual date, but she did and she wanted his parents to like her. If they didn’t, she had a feeling they wouldn’t last in a relationship.

She followed him out to the car, quiet and reserved as she got in. Her mind was filled with a million thoughts and she couldn’t voice any of them. Jacelynn had a feeling she’d be in desperate need of a drink after she was through with this. Going out to the club to let loose and have fun, and most importantly, clear her mind. She could still do that right? It wasn’t like she planned on having a fling while she was out, she wouldn’t do that to Alessandro. Not ever. Still, maybe it was wrong for her to go out right after meeting his parents?

With so much on her mind, she couldn’t really think of any conversation starters. The silence, though nice for her power, was uncomfortable and she was only getting more stressed out. It was probably her fault it was so quiet to begin with because of the cold shoulder she was putting out there, but she wasn’t sure what else to do. Luckily he decided to break the silence, but the sound of his voice, the tone he took on, it only made her feel worse. How was she supposed to act like everything was okay when he used a tone like that? Her eyes stayed directed towards the window for a bit, until she finally got the courage to look at him. When she did, she felt the car stop and she tensed again. “N-no, it’s not a bad idea for you to take a girl to meet your parents, but…it might be a bad idea for you to take a girl like me. Les, they won’t like me. You know how I am. And I see how you are. We’re totally different.”

[Alessandro Ricci]

How could she say that about herself? "Different?" Aless questioned. He put his hand under her chin, drawing her eyes to his. "You aren't any different than I am inside. Just because you aren't the picture perfect girl my Mama thought I would end up with, but you are my picture perfect girl. You're beautiful. Funny, smart, caring, sweet, and radiant. You make my day better. Every moment I think about you, I get this huge goofy smile on my face." He rubbed his thumb on the corner of her mouth. "I am so glad to have met you. It was a miracle that I met you!"

Aless took her hand and brought her in closer. Ever since he had kissed her, he wanted to do it again and again. He wanted to kiss her until she wouldn't let him anymore. "Please meet my parents. All you have to do is be yourself. Your personality is beautiful. My mother and father will absolutely love you." I know she will because I think I do. The silent words hung on his lips begging to be heard. The sun hit her hair and flared it to a golden yellow. It hung in her face accenting the pale skin. She was too beautiful. She was...almost Goddess like. He brought his lips to her and kissed her tender. He gave her a kiss he thought she had never had.

[Jacelynn Heron]

When he questioned her, she felt tears springing to her eyes. Why? Because he made her feel a lot of things she didn’t know and it was scaring her. “Yes, different. I’m a total freak…I mean you aren’t even a meta and I am. What are they going to say about that? I’m unnatural to normal people and metas…” That was what she always heard at least. Everyone made comments about her, thinking she won’t hear, but she does. She hears everything they say, but she plays it off like she doesn’t because it’s easier than fighting everyone.

When he tilted her chin up, she almost couldn’t meet his eyes. But he made her and she felt the tears sliding down her cheeks as he spoke. Jace felt her heartbeat quicken with every word. He couldn’t mean it, there was no way someone could care about her like that. Yet she really wanted to believe him. She wanted him to mean it. “D-do you really feel that way? Because I swear if you’re lying I’ll kick you so hard,” She said with a faint smile as his thumb brushed along the side of her mouth.

He leaned in closer and she stared at his lips. Gosh did she like the way his mouth looked. She mentally shook herself and focused on what he was saying instead, wiping at her eyes and careful not to smear her makeup. “What if they don’t? They’ll make us stop seeing each other,” Jacelynn whispered with a frown. And before she could say anything else, he closed the distance between them and kissed her. It wasn’t a kiss she was used to though. It was softer, sweeter. Jace was used to being handled roughly, but she liked this way of kissing. It almost felt like it meant more. She pulled away a little, her hand cupping his jaw, “I’ll meet them, like I agreed to. But if they don’t like me, you have to promise you won’t bail on me. Promise?” She asked softly, teasing him with the close proximity, her lips brushing against his, but not quite making contact.

[Alessandro Ricci]

Aless pulled back, frowns deepening in his forehead. Was that what they really did? They left her if someone said they couldn't be together? Anger surged a little. He wanted to hurt those who hurt her. He wanted to crush their heads together. His hand clenched a little around hers. "I promise. I will not leave because my parents say so. Sides," he said pulling back and grinning, "I'm twenty three years old. If I'm listening to my parents, then there is something seriously wrong with me."

Aless got out of the car and helped Jace out of the car. He held her hand as they approached the door. "Mama!" he called into the house as he opened the door. Something white came barreling towards the door. Bumble jumped into Aless's arms. He had to let go of Jace's hand to catch her. "This...Bumble." The pitbull clearly hadn't noticed her before. He had to grab her middle to stop her from knocking over Jace. Bumble wiggled in his arms, whining and barking at the same time.

"Control your dog!" a female voice yelled from the kitchen. Aless put Bumble in her kennel in the living room and pulled Jace with him into the kitchen.

"This is where my parents spend most of their time." He gave a kiss to his mother and a hug to his father. "Mama, Papa, this is Jace." His mother turned to look at her. Her eyes narrowed.

"It's to meet you!" his father said standing up and giving Jace a hug.

[Jacelynn Heron]

Jace watched him and frowned at his reaction to her words. She hadn’t wanted to upset him, or anger him, or even get sympathy from him. All she wanted was for him to understand why she was always so hesitant. She felt his hand tighten around hers and she brushed her thumb across the inside of his wrist lightly, “There’s nothing wrong with listening to your parents, they just want what’s best for you.” It was more than she could say about her own parents. Maybe her father was different than her mother, but he was controlled by her.

She took a deep breath and took his hand as he helped out her out of the car like any gentleman would. Her fingers laced with his when he took her hand and they walked to the door. Her heart was pounding harder than she could have imagined. Jacelynn chewed on her lower lip as they entered the house and a little white ball of crazy came running towards them. When Les caught the puppy in his arms, she smiled and patted the dog’s head. “She’s so cute, my Bubbles would love someone like her to play with.”

When Jace heard his mother’s voice from the kitchen, her whole body tensed. She reluctantly allowed herself to be pulled into the kitchen and when he embraced his parents, she stuck close to the door, ready to bolt if she was instantly cursed. Who knew with parents these days? He introduced her and she waved shyly, avoiding his mother’s gaze. What she hadn’t been prepared for was when his father came to her and gave her a hug, happy as could be to meet her. “I-it’s nice to meet you, too,” She said returning the hug shyly.

[Alessandro Ricci]

Aless stared at his mother. Mama was staring at Jace like she knew her or knew who she was. No one knew who Jace was. That was the best part about being with her. It was like opening a beautiful rose. You don't know what to expect until it's completely open. "Mama, can I speak with you?" She said something in Italian to her father. He had never learned Italian from Papa. His father was too busy for that, but he spent many of his boyhood years learning something else and it was just as fun. Les frowned at his parents. His father took to Jace like a fish to water. "So, Jace, tell me about yourself," his father said, leading her to the kitchen table and getting her a soda to drink.

"Mama! What is wrong?" Alessandro asked, pulling on his mother's arm to pull her even more out of their earshots.

"I do not like the look of this one Alessandro Ricci." He glared at the wall. How could she know how radiant and funny and smart Jace was?

"Look?! You didn't even get to know her! Stop judging people before you actually meet them." He pulled at his shorts and walked back into the kitchen. "I'm sorry Papa. We should go. I gotta get Jace home." Aless's father looked slightly upset. Les pulled on Jace's arm and hurried them out the door, yelling promises to be back later to his parents. Mama stood in the alcove of the stairs, and watched them drive away.

"I'm... I'm sorry. My mother doesn't..." He couldn't find words to explain his mother.