I'm Not Giving Up Tonight

The Dying Light

"Give her my love."

"I will. I'll be back later."

Peggy gave him a look.

"You better be. What would her parents think."

Noel laughed.

"Probably wouldn't care. Her mam's a hippy from LA."

Peggy shook her head slowly.

"You know how to pick them."

Noel got back in the car and Frank put his paper aside.

"Flying visit today?"

Noel shook his head.

"Can you take me here?" He asked showing Frank the address.

Scarlet had given him it at the start of the holidays.

Frank looked at him knowingly.

He wanted to clear the air.

"Frank look...I know this wasn't the best idea maybe to get involved with Scarlet. I know she's like a daughter to you. But I won't hurt her. I like her. A lot."

Frank relaxed slightly and nodded.

Scarlet was covered in tinsel and glitter as the doorbell buzzed.

"Babe you expecting someone?" Her mam asked as she put her book down and looked at her father who was helping Scarlet put the tree away.

He shook his head.

"Ye didn't phone one of those deliveroo things did ya?"

Her mum shook her head.

Scarlet rolled her eyes.

"I'll get it."

She opened the door still in a tangle. Her eyes widened and she grinned. She tried to open her arms to hug him but she was all wrapped up in tinsel.

Noel laughed at her predicament.

She stood on tiptoe and kissed him firmly.

Noel pulled back a slight flush on his cheeks.

"You're here." She said.

Noel nodded.

"Is that alright?"

Scarlet nodded.

"Yeah come in. Frank get in here stop being a weirdo!"

She shouted as she peeked behind Noel.

Noel grimaced.

"He ain't happy about this you know."

Scarlet nodded.

"I know but once he sees how we are he'll be fine."

Noel nodded. He hadn't even nervous about meeting a partners parents since he was a teenager. What the fuck was this? His stomach lurched nervously as Scarlet led him by the hand into the living room. A big, handsome, strong guy with Scarlet's smile was having a playful argument with a very beautiful, glamorous woman seated in her chair reading. She was dark haired but had the same enchanting green eyes as her daughter.

They both looked towards him expectantly and Scarlet cleared her throat.

"Noel. These are my parents Liv and Stuart."

Stuart's eyes flicked between his daughter and Noel with interest. He took Noel's hand. Liv stood and surveyed Noel with interest and her brow quirked at Scarlet as she kissed his cheek in a warm greeting.