You belong here

Bella stood by the living room window, her nerves twisting into tight knots as she glanced at the clock. She'd been mentally preparing for this moment all morning, yet the thought of meeting Lucas's family felt both exhilarating and terrifying. A sharp knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts.

When she opened it, Lucas stood there, dressed impeccably in a tailored black suit, his crisp white shirt open at the collar, exuding a casual elegance that only he could pull off. He smiled, his eyes softening when they met hers.

"You look beautiful," he said, his gaze sweeping over her white dress.

Bella felt her cheeks warm. "Thank you. You don't look too bad yourself." Seeing her like that was enough to make him forget about Renato and all his problems. She stepped aside to let him in, glancing toward Rachel's room. "Rachel's at Gabrielle's for the day. I told her I had an important meeting."

Lucas nodded, his expression neutral but his eyes thoughtful. "Good. It's probably better that way, for now."

Bella grabbed her clutch, her fingers trembling slightly as she adjusted her dress. Lucas noticed and stepped closer, his hand lightly brushing hers. "Hey," he said softly, "you're nervous."

She exhaled, giving him a sheepish smile. "It's hard not to be. Meeting someone's family is a big deal… especially yours."

Lucas chuckled, the sound low and reassuring. "You're overthinking it. As I already told you earlier my parents are good people. They'll love you."

"And your aunt?" Bella asked, hesitating. Lucas's smile faltered, just for a second, before he recovered. "My aunt can be... opinionated. But she cares about me. Don't worry about her."

Bella nodded, though his words didn't entirely ease her apprehension. "You know," she said as they walked to his car, "it's not just about impressing them. It's the fact that I feel… out of place in your world."

Lucas paused, his hand on the car door. He looked at her, his gaze steady and unwavering. "You don't have to feel that way, Bella. You belong here. With me."

Her heart skipped at his words, the sincerity in his voice making it impossible to look away. She swallowed the lump in her throat and climbed into the car, letting his reassurance settle in.

As they drove, Bella found herself fiddling with her hands. Lucas glanced at her, amused. "You're really not used to this kind of thing, are you?"

She laughed nervously. "That obvious, huh?"

"Just a little." He smirked. "But it's one of the things I like about you. You're honest. Real. My family will see that too. And by the way I told them we met a month ago and we both felt a connection with each other. So after a few encounters we both decided to get married."

"Alright". The rest of the drive passed in a comfortable silence, and by the time they reached his parents' estate, Bella felt a little more prepared....thanks to Lucas's steady presence.

When they arrived at his family's estate, she was immediately struck by the warmth of the house. It was nothing like the cold, imposing mansion she had expected.The house was elegant, with manicured gardens and a classic design that spoke of wealth and tradition.

Lucas parked the car and took her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Just be yourself," he encouraged as they walked to the door.

The interior was cozy, filled with family portraits and bookshelves that lined the walls. The smell of fresh flowers and something cooking in the kitchen greeted them as soon as they stepped inside.

His mother, a kind-eyed woman with soft features, greeted them at the door with a big smile. She hugged Bella before her son can even walk towards her. Lucas looked at his mother in disbelief.

Her warm embrace was unexpected, and the ease with which she welcomed her into the fold made her feel like she was home.

"Welcome dear, it's so good to finally meet you," she said, stepping back to get a good look at her. " Hello mam" she replied back politely, making the lady frown.

"Don't call me mam. You can call me mom dear. We were shocked when Lucas told us about you suddenly that day. But now I understand why this silly boy was so eager to get married to you. Come in, come in. Dinner will be ready soon."

The warmth of her voice and the genuine affection in her eyes melted away any reservations Bella had. She hadn't expected his family to be so... normal, so caring. This man was a far cry from the image most people had of him, and it seemed that his parents were a big part of the reason why.

His father, a tall man with a calm demeanor and a firm handshake, smiled at her as soon as they entered the living room. "I'm glad you could come. We've been looking forward to meeting you."

His words were gentle, and his approval was clear. There was no judgment, no wariness. Just an open invitation to be a part of their lives.