Love Includes Everything - Chap 11
Meet the family of Riya and Dan....read and comment. @divine19...I would never do such a thing to Dan...:-) @Micaela...thank u so much for having this as one of ur favs. @Nicole...it was always my style of writing. I've tried n rectified it in this chap. Hope y like it.. Thanks for d help..:-)
Riya..
We kissed for a very long time and thank god it didn't go any further. when we parted Dan was looking at me as if he wanted to ask something..
"Wat is it Dani?"
"Didn't you tell anyone abt wat Jeff did to you?" and I shook my head. "Not even Susan or Casey?"
"No Dan" and he asked the reason.." I was ashamed to tell anyone Dan. But I didn't want to hide it from you coz you've got every right to know"
We spent the days together happily and the storm extended for another day than forecasted. This was the week to meet both the families. We decided to meet mine first since it would be easy for Dan to drive to Susan's in-laws from his house. He picked me up early in the morning and it was a three hour drive from the city. I had told mom that I was coming for breakfast but never told her that I was bringing my lover. I thought I would surprise them. I became a bit nervous when Dan parked his car in front of my house. He was nervous too. We stood holding hands in the front porch and I rang the bell. My aunt maria opened the door for us and after the hugging and welcoming she went inside shouting that I was home and I led Dan to the living room.
My mom came from the kitchen and hugged me..
"Hi honey..look at you..you have lost some weight" she said with a worried face and I rolled my eyes. She looked at Dan now.."honey you never told you are bringing a friend with you"
"Mom this is Daniel...don't you remember him? He is Patrick's cousin"
"Oh yes yes...I remember now...sorry Daniel couldn't recognize you" and she hugged him too.."why don't you both sit here while we get breakfast ready?" my mom smiled the 'I know everything' smile at me and I immediately knew from her expression that she has understood my relationship with Dan.
"Where is dad?"
"He has gone fishing with your uncles. I said I'll call him as soon as you come" she said and went into the kitchen as we both sat on the couch.
My brother Andrew and cousin Anton joined us sometime later and I introduced them to Dan. The three boys got along well and little Sam came running into the room. She came and stood near me and I lifted her to my lap
"Where is your mommy dear?" I asked kissing her cheeks
"Mommy in cookies" she said raising both her hands and we all laughed
"What's the festive mood here?" cousin Al came in and I introduced him too and he sat talking to Dan. I saw Dan playing with Sam now and she was giggling at whatever Dan told her. I thought he would make a great father one day. Cousin Julius, Vivien and celesta joined after sometime and there was so much laughter in the room.
"Where is my little girl in this pig sty?" came my dad's voice
"Am here daddy" I said getting up and hugged him. He lifted me a little off the ground as usual and kissed my forehead.
"Do we all look like a pig sty to you dad?" came my bro's angry voice
"Put me down dad...am not your little girl anymore and dad is just kidding Andy" I said and my dad put me to the ground.
"Isn't he Daniel?..pat's cousin?" my dad asked looking at Dan questioningly and I said yes. "how are you Daniel?..and wat brings you here so early in the morning?"..Dan shook hands with my dad saying he was fine and looked at me
"Dad..Dan and I are seeing each other...I've brought him to meet all of you" I said slowly hoping my dad would be as happy as my mom.
"Ok..welcome Daniel..u never told me you are seeing him" he said and I just smiled at him when my mom came in informing that breakfast was ready and my dad excused himself to change clothes.
I introduced all my uncles, aunts and my paternal granny to Dan and they were all smiles seeing me with a guy. Breakfast was excellent and Dan got on well with everyone laughing and cracking jokes and even my dad seemed to ease. It was full of laugher and non stop talk since each one was shooting questions to Dan and he kept on answering. Cousin Julius was a gr8 painter and was very much interested in Dan's work and wanted to know more abt it. After eating my dad said he wanted to talk to Dan in private and took him to the garden behind. I asked others how they liked Dan and everyone said he was as good as Patrick and everyone nodded their approval. My mom said she thought I would never find anyone and now was happy for me with tears in her eyes. I hugged her and went to the back porch and saw my dad patting Dan's shoulder.
Daniel...
I never felt as a stranger during breakfast and everybody kept on asking and saying something to me. I enjoyed this family a lot and everyone seemed to accept me. Suddenly Riya's dad asked to talk to me in private and I got a bit nervous when he escorted me through the back porch to their garden. It was a beautiful garden, well-groomed and the fragrance of the flowers hung in the air. These people lived in a really big house.
"You look nervous Daniel" Mr. Nicholos said smiling at me
"A bit sir" I smiled back
"Ah..don't be..am not gonna do anything to you..just wanted to ask if you are really really serious abt my daughter coz I know she is. Or else she would have not invited you here" he looked serious now
"I've never been more serious abt anything in my life than your daughter" I assured him
"I've heard abt you once from pat..and you look like a well mannered person too..but I want my daughter to be happy..she was badly hurt wen she broke up with her boyfriend before though she never told the reason..i don't want her to go through it again" typical girl's dad
"You don't have to worry abt that sir..she told me abt her break up too..I promise not to hurt your daughter now or ever" I assured him again.."if you still don't believe me, am ready to do anything to prove myself"
"No need for than Daniel. I believe you" he said patting my shoulder and I turned to see Riya standing in the porch looking at us. I gave her a thumbs up and she went in smiling happily. Mr. Nicholos and I were talking abt other things before we went inside.
It was time for us to leave to my house since I informed them that i'll be there for lunch with a friend. I bid goodbye for now since we'll meet up in the evening again at the party. Riya's parents hugged me before we left.
"How did you like my family?" Riya asked as I drove
"They all were nice to me Riya and I liked your dad very much you know"
"Really?" she asked surprisingly
"Ya..I was a bit nervous wen I went with him but he made me feel like I was talking to a friend. Besides he loves you a lot" I said smiling at her
"He was always like that Dan and even my mom said she likes your way of talking and personality" and we kept on talking all the way
It was an hour drive from hers and I parked my car in the garage. I saw that Julia has already arrived with josh and even my bro kevin's car was there.
"Everyone is home" I said smiling at her and she returned the smile "ready?" I asked holding her hand and opened the door when she nodded
"Hey Riya..welcome" Julia came and hugged Riya as soon as we entered
"Where is mom?" I asked her
"Go find it yourself...I've got a lot to talk to Riya abt you"
"Don't believe whatever she says" I told Riya before leaving the girls alone and went in search of my mom. She was with kate, my sis-in-law, Kev's wife cooking something. Kate and Julia were best friends from kinder garden.
"Hey mom am home" I said hugging and kissed her cheek and she kissed mine too
"Where is your friend?...has he come or not?" she asked looking towards the living room
"He?...mom its she" I said smiling at her
"How dare you bring a she home Dan" kate smiled teasing me understanding what 'she' meant
"Don't start you teasing now itself kate. Save some for later. Come mom I'll introduce her" I took my mom with me to where Riya was talking with Julia
As soon as Riya saw my mom, she got up from the couch and looked surprisingly at my mom
"Riya" my mom smiled at Riya
"Hello Mrs. Rickson, I never knew Dan was your son" and I was surprised to see them happily hugging
"You already know her?" I asked doubtfully
"I saw her at pat's wedding..she was helping me a lot with the preparations. So is she the friend you were talking about?" my mom raised her eyebrows and before I could reply..
"Friend?..she is Dan's girlfriend mom" Julia said staring at me. My mom looked at me surprisingly and I told her that I've brought Riya to meet the family. I was again surprised to see my mom hugging Julia kissing her forehead. She did the same to me and said " am very happy today Dan. I liked her from the moment I saw her at the wedding but I never thought you would bring her home like this"
I breathed a great sigh of relief since it was very important for mother-in-law and daughter-in-law to get along very well. It was never a problem with kate and now no problem with Riya too. I introduced her to my dad, josh and Kevin. She got along well with everyone and even little noel, kev's son seemed to like her a lot. I saw julia, Kate and Riya laughing together when I was on the phone with kane. I saw Riya cradling amy in her hands and cooing to her which was a must see sight. She was looking beautiful with a baby and I imagined her with our own smiling to myself.
"Don't daydream Dan" Kev said slapping my back bringing me back to my senses.
"Am not dreaming, just thinking"
"Ya..then I know wat you were thinking"he teased me again and went wen my dad called saying "Don't blush like this wen the girls are around Dan"
Mom served lunch and it was laughter here too. Riya even helped my mom clean up after lunch. I took her to my room and showed her all my pictures from childhood till now.
"I always wanted to kiss my girlfriend in this room" I said looking down at her and she just smiled. I bent down and kissed her and the door flew open. "don't you have the manners to knock the door before coming Jules?" I mocked anger at her
"I forgot you are no more single Dan and I have enough manners to ask your permission before taking your girlfriend from you"
"Ask properly" I teased
"See how he is with us Riya..very rude and may I have your permission to take her Mr. Rickson?"
"Go away Jules. I'll bring her myself" I said shooing her out of the room
"So, do you like my family?" I asked her even though I knew wat she would say
"I like all of them Dan and noel and little amy are so cute" she said smiling and I smiled thinking at the image of Riya cradling a baby. We both went down to join the rest of the family before heading to pat's house for the party.
The party was simple with only the family members and close relatives. Riya introduced me to her maternal grandparents and her mom's sister's family. And when the party ended I kissed Riya goodnight before we parted with our respective families but to tell the truth I wanted to take her somewhere where she'll be only my Riya.
We kissed for a very long time and thank god it didn't go any further. when we parted Dan was looking at me as if he wanted to ask something..
"Wat is it Dani?"
"Didn't you tell anyone abt wat Jeff did to you?" and I shook my head. "Not even Susan or Casey?"
"No Dan" and he asked the reason.." I was ashamed to tell anyone Dan. But I didn't want to hide it from you coz you've got every right to know"
We spent the days together happily and the storm extended for another day than forecasted. This was the week to meet both the families. We decided to meet mine first since it would be easy for Dan to drive to Susan's in-laws from his house. He picked me up early in the morning and it was a three hour drive from the city. I had told mom that I was coming for breakfast but never told her that I was bringing my lover. I thought I would surprise them. I became a bit nervous when Dan parked his car in front of my house. He was nervous too. We stood holding hands in the front porch and I rang the bell. My aunt maria opened the door for us and after the hugging and welcoming she went inside shouting that I was home and I led Dan to the living room.
My mom came from the kitchen and hugged me..
"Hi honey..look at you..you have lost some weight" she said with a worried face and I rolled my eyes. She looked at Dan now.."honey you never told you are bringing a friend with you"
"Mom this is Daniel...don't you remember him? He is Patrick's cousin"
"Oh yes yes...I remember now...sorry Daniel couldn't recognize you" and she hugged him too.."why don't you both sit here while we get breakfast ready?" my mom smiled the 'I know everything' smile at me and I immediately knew from her expression that she has understood my relationship with Dan.
"Where is dad?"
"He has gone fishing with your uncles. I said I'll call him as soon as you come" she said and went into the kitchen as we both sat on the couch.
My brother Andrew and cousin Anton joined us sometime later and I introduced them to Dan. The three boys got along well and little Sam came running into the room. She came and stood near me and I lifted her to my lap
"Where is your mommy dear?" I asked kissing her cheeks
"Mommy in cookies" she said raising both her hands and we all laughed
"What's the festive mood here?" cousin Al came in and I introduced him too and he sat talking to Dan. I saw Dan playing with Sam now and she was giggling at whatever Dan told her. I thought he would make a great father one day. Cousin Julius, Vivien and celesta joined after sometime and there was so much laughter in the room.
"Where is my little girl in this pig sty?" came my dad's voice
"Am here daddy" I said getting up and hugged him. He lifted me a little off the ground as usual and kissed my forehead.
"Do we all look like a pig sty to you dad?" came my bro's angry voice
"Put me down dad...am not your little girl anymore and dad is just kidding Andy" I said and my dad put me to the ground.
"Isn't he Daniel?..pat's cousin?" my dad asked looking at Dan questioningly and I said yes. "how are you Daniel?..and wat brings you here so early in the morning?"..Dan shook hands with my dad saying he was fine and looked at me
"Dad..Dan and I are seeing each other...I've brought him to meet all of you" I said slowly hoping my dad would be as happy as my mom.
"Ok..welcome Daniel..u never told me you are seeing him" he said and I just smiled at him when my mom came in informing that breakfast was ready and my dad excused himself to change clothes.
I introduced all my uncles, aunts and my paternal granny to Dan and they were all smiles seeing me with a guy. Breakfast was excellent and Dan got on well with everyone laughing and cracking jokes and even my dad seemed to ease. It was full of laugher and non stop talk since each one was shooting questions to Dan and he kept on answering. Cousin Julius was a gr8 painter and was very much interested in Dan's work and wanted to know more abt it. After eating my dad said he wanted to talk to Dan in private and took him to the garden behind. I asked others how they liked Dan and everyone said he was as good as Patrick and everyone nodded their approval. My mom said she thought I would never find anyone and now was happy for me with tears in her eyes. I hugged her and went to the back porch and saw my dad patting Dan's shoulder.
Daniel...
I never felt as a stranger during breakfast and everybody kept on asking and saying something to me. I enjoyed this family a lot and everyone seemed to accept me. Suddenly Riya's dad asked to talk to me in private and I got a bit nervous when he escorted me through the back porch to their garden. It was a beautiful garden, well-groomed and the fragrance of the flowers hung in the air. These people lived in a really big house.
"You look nervous Daniel" Mr. Nicholos said smiling at me
"A bit sir" I smiled back
"Ah..don't be..am not gonna do anything to you..just wanted to ask if you are really really serious abt my daughter coz I know she is. Or else she would have not invited you here" he looked serious now
"I've never been more serious abt anything in my life than your daughter" I assured him
"I've heard abt you once from pat..and you look like a well mannered person too..but I want my daughter to be happy..she was badly hurt wen she broke up with her boyfriend before though she never told the reason..i don't want her to go through it again" typical girl's dad
"You don't have to worry abt that sir..she told me abt her break up too..I promise not to hurt your daughter now or ever" I assured him again.."if you still don't believe me, am ready to do anything to prove myself"
"No need for than Daniel. I believe you" he said patting my shoulder and I turned to see Riya standing in the porch looking at us. I gave her a thumbs up and she went in smiling happily. Mr. Nicholos and I were talking abt other things before we went inside.
It was time for us to leave to my house since I informed them that i'll be there for lunch with a friend. I bid goodbye for now since we'll meet up in the evening again at the party. Riya's parents hugged me before we left.
"How did you like my family?" Riya asked as I drove
"They all were nice to me Riya and I liked your dad very much you know"
"Really?" she asked surprisingly
"Ya..I was a bit nervous wen I went with him but he made me feel like I was talking to a friend. Besides he loves you a lot" I said smiling at her
"He was always like that Dan and even my mom said she likes your way of talking and personality" and we kept on talking all the way
It was an hour drive from hers and I parked my car in the garage. I saw that Julia has already arrived with josh and even my bro kevin's car was there.
"Everyone is home" I said smiling at her and she returned the smile "ready?" I asked holding her hand and opened the door when she nodded
"Hey Riya..welcome" Julia came and hugged Riya as soon as we entered
"Where is mom?" I asked her
"Go find it yourself...I've got a lot to talk to Riya abt you"
"Don't believe whatever she says" I told Riya before leaving the girls alone and went in search of my mom. She was with kate, my sis-in-law, Kev's wife cooking something. Kate and Julia were best friends from kinder garden.
"Hey mom am home" I said hugging and kissed her cheek and she kissed mine too
"Where is your friend?...has he come or not?" she asked looking towards the living room
"He?...mom its she" I said smiling at her
"How dare you bring a she home Dan" kate smiled teasing me understanding what 'she' meant
"Don't start you teasing now itself kate. Save some for later. Come mom I'll introduce her" I took my mom with me to where Riya was talking with Julia
As soon as Riya saw my mom, she got up from the couch and looked surprisingly at my mom
"Riya" my mom smiled at Riya
"Hello Mrs. Rickson, I never knew Dan was your son" and I was surprised to see them happily hugging
"You already know her?" I asked doubtfully
"I saw her at pat's wedding..she was helping me a lot with the preparations. So is she the friend you were talking about?" my mom raised her eyebrows and before I could reply..
"Friend?..she is Dan's girlfriend mom" Julia said staring at me. My mom looked at me surprisingly and I told her that I've brought Riya to meet the family. I was again surprised to see my mom hugging Julia kissing her forehead. She did the same to me and said " am very happy today Dan. I liked her from the moment I saw her at the wedding but I never thought you would bring her home like this"
I breathed a great sigh of relief since it was very important for mother-in-law and daughter-in-law to get along very well. It was never a problem with kate and now no problem with Riya too. I introduced her to my dad, josh and Kevin. She got along well with everyone and even little noel, kev's son seemed to like her a lot. I saw julia, Kate and Riya laughing together when I was on the phone with kane. I saw Riya cradling amy in her hands and cooing to her which was a must see sight. She was looking beautiful with a baby and I imagined her with our own smiling to myself.
"Don't daydream Dan" Kev said slapping my back bringing me back to my senses.
"Am not dreaming, just thinking"
"Ya..then I know wat you were thinking"he teased me again and went wen my dad called saying "Don't blush like this wen the girls are around Dan"
Mom served lunch and it was laughter here too. Riya even helped my mom clean up after lunch. I took her to my room and showed her all my pictures from childhood till now.
"I always wanted to kiss my girlfriend in this room" I said looking down at her and she just smiled. I bent down and kissed her and the door flew open. "don't you have the manners to knock the door before coming Jules?" I mocked anger at her
"I forgot you are no more single Dan and I have enough manners to ask your permission before taking your girlfriend from you"
"Ask properly" I teased
"See how he is with us Riya..very rude and may I have your permission to take her Mr. Rickson?"
"Go away Jules. I'll bring her myself" I said shooing her out of the room
"So, do you like my family?" I asked her even though I knew wat she would say
"I like all of them Dan and noel and little amy are so cute" she said smiling and I smiled thinking at the image of Riya cradling a baby. We both went down to join the rest of the family before heading to pat's house for the party.
The party was simple with only the family members and close relatives. Riya introduced me to her maternal grandparents and her mom's sister's family. And when the party ended I kissed Riya goodnight before we parted with our respective families but to tell the truth I wanted to take her somewhere where she'll be only my Riya.
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