12

Daisy:

If I was nervous to meet Adam's family last night, I am more so now. He tells me about his family all the time, so somehow, I already knew them. But meeting them in person is a different matter. Adam came from a wealthy family. Like what he said before, they own a few hotels and restaurants around the United States. I've never been anywhere except Boston. I grew up there and probably would die there. I'm not used to meeting new people, and my nervousness heightened knowing it's my boyfriend's family I will about to meet.

"Are you okay?" Adam took my hand and kissed the back of it.

We're already on our way to New York City. I nodded and breathed heavily.

"Please tell me something about them again." I pleaded.

He chuckled and shook his head "Please baby relax. You know everything you have to know. My Father's name is Frank, my mother's name is Ofelia. I have a little sister named Abby. Baby this is insane. You're not going to take a test when you arrive, you are special already and they'll love you."

I sighed and pouted "I'm just worried."

"You don't have to, and please stop looking so cute." he glances at me and back to the road.

"Can't help it if it's natural." I shrugged.

"I know silly. How about this, I'll tell you a story about everything you'll see on the roads."

"Okay." I nodded. And started looking around. I pointed to an abandoned gas station on the other side of the road "What's the story behind that?"

"It was owned by one of my Dad's friends. He left it to his nephew a while back when his family migrated to Europe. Unfortunately, it got bankrupt, causing them to close it. It's now for sale."

"Wow, you knew a lot of people don't you." I leaned against the chair and looked elsewhere "How about that?" This time, I pointed to a flower shop called Nightingale.

His smile widens and he glances at me "That's where I bought the flowers, I gave you on your birthday."

"You went all the way here to buy a flower?!" I asked surprised.

He shook his head "No! Of course not. I have it delivered."

Our travel went on like that. I, asking so many questions and him, answering them as patient as he could. He holds my hand throughout the way and he plants small kisses on it from time to time.

"You have beautiful hands babe." He said, squeezing it.

"You've said that for the hundredth time." I rolled my eyes.

"Can't help it." He kissed it again and pointed to a curve on the road. "One more turn and we're home." He warned.

My heart started to beat abruptly again and I felt nauseous. "Oh my god." I gulped and fan myself with my hands.

Adam chuckled beside me "You're cute. Again, just relax. Just be yourself. Everyone will love you." He reminded me again.

Just exactly what he said, he turned another corner, we are met by a huge gate that opens automatically. Inside is a massive space covered in a beautiful green lawn. The driveway is a bit steep, and at the end of the driveway is an extravagant house.

"Don't tell me it's your house." I looked at Adam who only shrugged. "You never told me you're this rich?!" I complained.

"You know now." He simply said and I glared at him. "That's the reason why I love you. You're not like everyone else I meet."

"Ha! Did you also bring them here?!"

"Jealous, are you?" He flashed me that annoying grin.

"As if!" I slumped on my seat and waited for the inevitable.

The car stopped in front of the house, he parked just beside a massive fountain. He opens his car door and he was greeted by a man in a suit. They hugged each other and the man proceeded with unloading our bags behind. I watched Adam as he confidently rounded his car so he can open the door for me.

"Let's go." I took his hand and he helped me get out of the car.

"Wow," I murmured to myself. The house is huge but it's simple. It's not over-decorated which is good, it emphasizes the space and the marble floors look so clean and stunning.

"Adam?!!" I female squeaks behind us and we both look around to see a teenage girl climbing down the stairwell urgently.

"Hey, Abby! What's up?!" Adam opened his arms as the girl threw herself at him. He hugged her and even carried and turn her around as she giggles.

"I missed you!!" She held unto him for a long time.

"Missed you too," Adam said with all affection.

When they parted, Adam snaked her arm around my waist and pulled me close to him "Abby, meet-"

"Daisy, I know. Nice to meet you! I've heard a lot of things about you." She hugged me too and I returned the favor.

"Oh, nice to meet you too." I smiled over her shoulders. She let go of me and inspected my hair.

"You have beautiful hair, are you a natural curl?" She asked.

I nodded. "Yes."

"Ugh! Girls here would kill just to have hair like that. You're very lucky."

"Thank you." I felt my face heating up, and I felt shy. She's very welcoming, just like his brother.

"You're still talkative," Adam commented and it made us all laugh.

"Is that my baby boy?" A woman approaching us said. She's beautiful and she carries herself with grace and class. She looks young despite the age lines on her face.

"Mom!" Adam welcomed her in an embrace too and I saw how her eyes moistened. She must've missed him a lot.

"You get a bigger son. And who's this gorgeous lady?" She looked at me with the most charming smile and I can see where Adam got his charm.

"Daisy, my girlfriend." Adam introduced me.

"I'm Daisy Johnson Mrs. Conway. Nice to meet you." I smiled back.

And just like Abby, she hugged me too "Just call me Ofelia, and how can I not know you, my son keeps blabbering about you whenever he calls us."

"Mom!" Adam snapped that made me and Abby giggle.

Mrs. Conway laughed and swatted him "You must be hungry come and let's eat. Your father will join us later. He has to take care of something in the office."

I listened to them as they talk and as we walk to the dining room. All the while, Adam holds my hand. It's comforting, knowing that I am not alone in this. He has a great family. They seem close and they love each other. I wonder how his Dad's like.

Food was served and the four of us started eating. It's still early for dinner so I'm not sure what it's called. "Daisy, dear, what do you do?" Mrs. Conway asked.

I gulped before I answered, "I'm a photojournalist and I work for Boston News Daily for a few years now."

"That's cool. I'm really glad that you're here with us. Are you planning to stay long?"

Adam answered this time "No, we need to go back to Boston by Sunday. We both have work on Monday."

"Can't you take a leave? You can stay here until Christmas." Abby chimed.

"No sweetheart, it's late now to file a leave and I still have cases to work on," Adam explained.

"It's alright Abby, they can always come back." Mrs. Conway said.

When we finished eating, Mrs. Conway sent us on our way so we can rest before dinner. Adam guided me upstairs where his old room was. It's the last door on the 2nd floor. There's a sign "Keep Out" in front of it. I smiled.

He looked at me and caught me smiling to myself again "You and your creepy smile." He said while opening the door.

"I'm excited to see your room."

"There's nothing spec-"

"Oh my god-" I entered his room where all his old stuff is still in full display. It's like a shrine. The bed is in the middle of the room with a huge window behind it. There's a black carpet matching the black bed sheets, the pillows look so soft and comfy. There's a cabinet that held all his trophies. "Wow, there's so many of them," I said.

He just stood behind me and watches me intently "I'm a quarterback in high school, I also played basketball. I collected all my trophies to show to our future kids."

I stopped midway and looked at him "Our kids." I said.

He walked towards me and hugged me from behind, he then rested his chin over my head "Yup. I want to have kids with you whether you like it or not."

I smiled and I admire him more for considering the future with me. We just stare at his trophy collection. "Come, I'll show you something." He took my hand and guided me to another door beside the bathroom.

"Open it." He said.

"Why, what's inside?!"

"Just open it, woman."

"Okay, fine!" I opened the door hesitantly. "If there's something bad here I swear I'm going to kick your ass!"

He chuckled behind me but did not say anything. So, I opened the door, and inside is a collection of vintage cameras. My jaw almost dropped as I stared at the beautiful masterpiece in front of me. "You have got to be kidding me."

"Those are my grandfather's; he was a famous photographer in his time. He collected all those cameras. When he died, everyone in our family took the best things they can get, and I saw all of it about to be thrown away, it's his greatest passion so I hold on to it. I took it, have it cleaned, and stored them here for a long time now. You can have it."

"Oh my god- these are vintage. I- I can't take it."

He looked surprised "Why?"

"It's something of value to you and-"

"You are more of a value to me. And nothing makes me happier knowing it will be given to my woman who loves photography the same way as my grandfather. It makes sense."

I tried to think of a comeback, I am just overwhelmed with this man. It's one of my dreams to have a collection of vintage cameras in my house, and I never thought this man could give me that. "Okay."

He took my hands to him "Let's leave that here for now. Once we get married, I'll build you the perfect cabinet in our house where you can display all of it."

"Okay." I nodded. I wanted to cry. How did I become this lucky?

"Cool, now unpack your bags and take a shower. You stink." He teased, and I glared at him.