Charles' POV
I nervously held Eric's hand as we walked up to his father's house. What if they didn't like me? What if they thought I wasn't good enough for Eric? What if they didn't accept our relationship? All these thoughts were clouding my mind, I didn't realise I was shaking until Eric stated "it's going to be alright Charles."
I stopped walking and turned to face him. He pulled me into his chest and gave me a hug, "they would be idiots not to love you."
I smiled painfully at him, "are they...ok with...us?"
Eric smiled "well they don't know we are together but they know I'm gay, I've just never brought someone to meet them before."
"You haven't?" I asked.
Eric chuckled "no, remember I've never been in a proper relationship before you."
I buried my face in his chest "sorry darling."
Eric rubbed my back "don't worry, you were busy being your usual overthinking self."
I laughed "you know me so well."
I grabbed his hand then turned towards the house. Eric smiled at me and squeezed my hand reassuringly before knocking on the door.
It was opened by a tall, broad-shouldered man with blonde hair and the same shark-like grin as Eric.
"Alright Eric, come in," he grinned, his eyes fell onto me and he chuckled "well this is certainly a surprise."
"Hello Uncle Liam, this is Charles." He smiled.
Ah so this was the smart Uncle. I smiled at him "hello, nice to meet you sir."
He laughed then stepped aside and allowed us to enter. We walked into a spacious modern house with freshly painted walls.
"Everyone a miracle has happened." Eric's uncle called.
Eric hid his head in his hand as he led us into the living room where a crowd of people were sitting down.
"What's the miracle?" A lady asked.
She had mousy brown hair and square glasses framed her face.
"Eric's brought someone." Gasped a man with brown hair and a coffee in his hand, I'm assuming that was Sean.
"My son brought someone? Well this is a day I thought I'd never see." Eric's dad announced.
He was an odd looking man, tall and broad but with the smallest eyes ever framed by a pair of horn rimmed glasses. His beady eyes glared at me making me feel very uncomfortable.
"Who is he Eric?" An old lady asked.
Eric squeezed my hand then smiled "this is Charles, my fiancé."
The room fell silent. You could have heard a pin drop. I shifted awkward, Erik let go of my hand wand wrapped his arm around my waist. I looked up at him, unsure of what to do. He smiled down at me and pressed a kiss to my cheek. I instantly felt better. He's a miracle.
"Damn I never thought Eric would be the first to get married." A man announced.
"Sean, you seem to forget that I'm the eldest." Eric rolled his eyes.
Ah so I was right.
"And you're the most antisocial who tends to be a bit of a sociopath." The bespectacled lady spoke.
"I don't think he's a bit of a sociopath, I think he's extremely charming." I stated quietly.
Eric chuckled, "you say that as though you don't know my reputation at work Schatz."
I laughed, slightly nervously as everyone was staring at me, "very true darling."
"I'm too old for shocks like this." An old man wheezed, despite his wheeze I could clearly hear his thick Irish accent.
Eric chuckled "hello to you too granda."
"Perhaps we should all introduce ourselves." Sean suggested, "I'm Sean, Eric's cousin."
"I'm Niamh." The bespectacled young lady smiled.
"I'm Liam Gallagher, Eric's Uncle." Liam smiled.
"I am Eric's grandfather, call me Patrick." The old man smiled.
"Hello deary, I'm Erik's grandmother, you can call me Lucille." The old lady smiled.
I grinned at her, she seemed very nice. Eric was looking at her fondly, "hey grandma, nice to see you."
"It's lovely to see you too my love." She smiled, her thick New York account making me smile slightly.
A lady whom I hadn't noticed smiled at me, "Orla, Erik's aunt, pleasure to meet you." She smiled.
I nodded in greeting then smiled at the young woman who introduced herself as Lyra, Eric's third (and final) cousin.
The last person to introduce himself was Eric's father, he glared down at us and his voice sounded harsh when he stiffly introduced himself, "I am Erik's father, Connor. Now, you say that you are Erik's fiancé?"
I nodded, "yes sir."
"Sit down and tell us about yourself." He announced, his sharp eyes never leaving me.
I was starting to get uncomfortable again. I'm not normally the judging type but Erik was right, his father does seem to be a bit of a dick.
"It's alright." Eric whispered.
He led me over to a sofa and I sat down nervously. He sat down beside me and wrapped his arm around my waist comfortingly.
"Father, be nice." Eric glared.
His father played him no heed, he carried on glaring at me, "tell us your name, age, job and anything else that we may need to know."
I took a deep breath to steady my nerves before responding "My name is Charles, I'm 27, I'm from England and I'm a professor at New York university."
"A professor, very impressive, what of?" Liam asked.
"Genetics." I smiled.
"Wait, you're are you THE Charles Francis?" He gasped.
Nervously I nodded.
Liam exclaimed "oh my God, I've read all your works and I think your research is phenomenal."
I blushed, "you do?"
He nodded egarly, "oh yes,"
I beamed then asked, "Erik said you were a science expert, what field are you in?"
"I'm in medicine, I have a degree in neuroscience." He grinned.
"Wow that's extremely impressive." I praised.
"I think your work is more impressive." Liam grinned.
Eric kissed the side of my head "told you he would like you." He whispered.
"So how long have you been in the US?" Lyra asked curiously.
I chuckled "I think for about 2 years, I'm not really sure."
"How can you not be sure?" Eric's dad asked.
I forced a smile in his direction "I've trained myself to forget how long I've been in England."
Eric's father looked as though he was going to add a scathing response however Eric stepped in, "Father, this isn't something Charles is comfortable talking about, leave off."
I smiled gratefully at him, Erik brushed a strand of hair out of my face then gently kissed my nose. I chuckled.
"This is so weird." Sean mumbled.
I raised an eyebrow at him and he became slightly flustered "not-not in a bad way...I just...it's strange seeing Eric not being a cold bastard."
He flushed apologetically.
"This is the best moment ever, someone finally got Sean to shut up." Patrick grinned.
Sean glared "thanks granda you're so kind."
I chuckled weakly.
Eric grinned "I think what my cousin was so eloquently trying to say is that he has never seen me be nice to someone."
I smiled at him.
"I never knew Eric could look so sappy when staring at someone." Niamh laughed.
"Damn you Charles, you're ruining my reputation." He grumbled.
Laughing, I pressed a brief kiss to his lips, "you love me though."
"That I do Liebling, I love you very much." He murmured.