~ In the beginning, I never thought it would be you ~
Chapter Thirteen: Right of Passage
I was laying around on my couch a week later, reading a book, when it was suddenly stolen from my hands and Max slid himself over me, straddling my waist.
"Well hi there," I stated, slowly. Max grinned, his hands holding himself up on the cushion on either side of my head.
"Hey there cutie," he said. I laughed a little, watching him.
"What's on your mind, baby?" I asked, watching him. Max bit his lip for a moment, cocking his head at me.
"I wanna meet your parents," he told me.
My heart stopped as I propped myself up on my elbows underneath him, pushing myself closer to him. "What?" I asked, my stomach sinking. Max nodded, watching me.
"I wanna meet your parents," he stated again. I didn't say anything for a while, just watching him, realizing how genuine he was being, how honest his eyes were as they met mine.
"Max..." I began, but he shook his head, practically begging me with his eyes to listen.
"Please, Symphony?" he asked. "From everything you say, they're a big part of your life, and I'd like to think that I am too, so I want them to know me, and I want them to know I'm taking good care of their daughter. Since you're going to see your dad tomorrow, I thought it'd be a great time for it."
I sighed, holding my hand over Max's cheek. "Max," I spoke. "You're most definitely a huge part of my life... I just don't know..."
I paused, slowly frowning as I trailed off. Max watched me, pleadingly, practically begging me with those gorgeous brown eyes to consider the idea. I finally sighed, smiling weakly.
"Okay..." I agreed, shaking my head as he grinned. "We can start off with my dad, tomorrow night."
Max's smile only grew. "Thank you, lovely," he murmured, leaning down and kissing my cheek before settling his face in my neck. I nodded a little, feeling him smiling happily and triumphantly against my skin.
He stayed there for a few minutes, before pulling away, pushing my hair from my face. "I've gotta get going," he said, grabbing my hand and sitting me up. "I'll call you tonight, little dove."
I nodded, leaning up and kissing him quickly, causing him to smile warmly against my lips. "Get here at five tomorrow night, okay?" I said. "So we can get there and have dinner. Lucas might come with."
Max nodded, grinning. "Believe me, baby," he spoke. "I'll be here earlier than five," he told me, winking cutely. I laughed a little, watching him get up, grabbing his jacket before leaning over and kissing my cheek. "I'll call you later," he told me again. "I love you, little dove."
I smiled a little. "Bye, Max."
Max grinned, waving at me as he moved towards my front door, slowly leaving as I leaned back. I absolutely adored the way my heart swelled when he told me he loved me, and it felt like every time he told me, I was getting closer to being able to say I loved him back.
I chuckled at myself as Lucas walked in, smiling at me. "Hey sweetie," he said, waving lightly as he came around the couch. "Was Max here?"
I nodded, sitting up and making room for my best friend. "You just missed him," I said. "How was your date with Sophie?"
Lucas grinned. "Perfect, as per usual," he told me. He stared at me for a moment, before furrowing his eyebrows. "Are you okay?" he asked. "You seem... off."
I sighed a little, looking over at him with hopeful eyes. "Are you doing anything tomorrow?" I asked. Lucas frowned, shaking his head.
"Nope," he told me. "Why?"
I sighed again. "Max wants to meet my parents," I told him. Lucas' face fell, watching me.
"Simmy..." he began, but I shook my head.
"I know," I told my best friend. "I told Max we would start with Dad, and we'd go from there."
Lucas watched me. "Are you gonna tell him?"
I shrugged, not meeting his gaze. "I don't know," I said, suddenly feeling very vulnerable. "Lucas," I said. "He loves me," I stated. "And I'm getting to the point where I'm almost able to tell him I love him too. It'll come up eventually, and part of me just wants to let him know why he has to hold me through these storms, why I shake when thunder claps outside."
Lucas smiled sadly. "Max deserves to know, sweetie," he told me gently. I nodded, watching him.
"And he will," I said. "He'll know."
Lucas slowly smiled, patting my arm. "You're a good kid, Symphony," he told me. "Just know that."
I chuckled, nodding. "Thanks, loser," I said. "So tell me how Sophie is and all that wonderful jazz."
Lucas grinned, launching into a story about their date this evening. Sophie had become a huge part of Lucas' life over the past few weeks, and I was thrilled for him. He was having a blast getting to know this wonderful girl that absolutely adored him, and it was putting even me in a better mood.
"So what time do you want me here so we can go see Dad tomorrow?" Lucas asked me eventually, kicking his feet up on my coffee table. I slowly got up, booting up my Playstation and tossing my best friend a controller.
"Five," I said. "Max'll already be here."
Lucas nodded. "And just to be clear, we're not going to see your mom, right?"
I pushed my hair from my face, blowing out a long breath. "Not tomorrow," I said. "That'll be something Max and I do alone."
Lucas watched me start up a game. "I think that's best," he told me. "Are you gonna take him to see her?"
I nodded. "Soon," I said. Lucas fell quiet for a moment as we began a game, watching as I started a hollo-mission so he could play too. Roxas was suddenly on my screen, and we were set to fight a random enemy from the random mission I'd selected.
"Are you ready for him to meet Dad?" Lucas asked. I nodded, looking over at him.
"I think Dad'll like him," I confessed. "And Max is really eager to meet him."
Lucas chuckled. "Alright then," he said. "You should call, let him know you're bringing a plus two to dinner."
I nodded as if we finished the mission, my best friend watching as I reached for my phone. I unlocked it and called my father, it ringing twice before he answered.
"Hello?" he answered, and I smiled at my dad's voice.
"Hi Daddy," I said. My father laughed, my body feeling at home.
"Hey baby girl," he greeted me. "What's up?"
I chuckled. "I have a question for you," I said.
My dad laughed. "And I have an answer."
I rolled my eyes, before biting my lip. "How would you feel..." I hesitated. "About... Meeting Max tomorrow?"
Dad was quiet for a moment, and I held my breath. "I think it's a wonderful idea," he finally told me. "I've been wanting to meet the young man who's swept my pumpkin off her feet."
I giggled. "Lucas is gonna come too," I said. "I just wanted to tell you so you could plan dinner and whatnot."
I could envision my father nodding. "Alright, sweetheart. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"
I smiled a little. "Yeah," I said. "I love you, Daddy."
My father laughed. "I love you too, baby girl."
* * * * *
His presence was absolutely, unbelievably, indescribably, intoxicating.
His lips on mine, my fingers twisted in his dark curls, his hands pressing into my side and tracing the exposed part of my tattoo on the front of my hip, just above my jeans... he was absolutely exhilarating in the way he fit against my body, his breaths and smiles stirring something inside me.
Max pulled away a little, his hand now running up my back. I opened my eyes and saw his smile, the way his body pressed against mine unreal to me. "We should probably quit," he mentioned. "Before Lucas walks in on us again."
I giggled, shaking my head and biting my lip, watching him innocently. "I'm pretty sure he'll be knocking from now on," I assured my boyfriend, my hand running up and down his chest, before stopping on his strong shoulder. Max smiled, his hand resting finally on my shoulder blade as he kissed me again against the counter of my kitchen, this kiss soft and slow, passion practically pouring from his body into mine. His kisses had me above everything, and it was a high I absolutely hated to come down from.
When he pulled away again, his hand had relocated yet again, to my neck this time. "Hey Max?" I breathed, feeling a rush run through my body. Max smiled sweetly, pecking my nose.
"Yes, baby?" he spoke, and my knees went weak. I stared up into his warm brown eyes, losing myself in their depth and color.
"I-" I was cut off as someone knocked on my front door. I huffed quietly, watching Max look back towards my living room. He turned around and kissed my cheek, jerking his chin in the direction of my room.
"Get your shoes, cutie," he winked. "I'll let Lucas in."
I nodded, dismissing my thoughts following after him before turning down the hall to my room, slipping into a pair of boots and petting Storm for a minute, before leaving the room, emerging back out into the living room with Max and Lucas. My best friend smiled, watching me shove a beanie over my head and grab my keys.
"Ready, sweetie?" he asked, jerking his chin towards my door. I grinned and nodded, letting Max take my hand as the three of us began making our way out to Max's car.
"Here, little dove," Max smiled, opening the driver's side door for me. I smiled and kissed his cheek as I got it, seeing him laugh happily as he shut the door after me. He jogged around to the passenger side as Lucas hopped into the back, all of us buckling up as I adjusted Max's seat so I could see and reach the pedals.
"Nervous?" I asked my boyfriend as I pulled out of the parking lot, noticing his leg vibrating. He looked over at me and smiled sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck.
"A little," he admitted. "I mean, it is my girlfriend's dad," he reminded me. "It's kind of a big deal."
I chuckled, my hand reaching over and resting on his knee. "Relax, baby," I soothed. "You'll be fine."
Lucas laughed from the backseat. "Dad's chill," he told Max. "So long as Symphony's happy, he's not gonna have a problem with much of anything."
Max shifted uneasily in his seat, causing me to squeeze his knee in comfort. His hand fell over mine, lacing our fingers together and bringing them to his lips, kissing the back of my palm. He took a deep breath, before smiling over at me, leaning forward and turning his music on for the ride. He relaxed a little as I stroked my thumb along his knee, singing gently along to the music in the comfortable almost silence.
By the time I pulled into Dad's driveway though, Max was nervous again. He hesitantly followed Lucas and I out of the car, standing there for a moment as my best friend went ahead of us. "Hey..." I said, coming around the car to him. "Max?"
My boyfriend looked at me, trying his best to relax "Sorry..." he said. "I'm coming."
I smiled assuringly, offering my hand. He slowly took it, intertwining our fingers together and trying to smile back. "You ready?" I asked, pulling him close to me. He nodded a little, kissing my forehead sweetly.
"Yeah," he said, squeezing my hand. "Sorry," I apologized.
I chuckled, leaning up and kissing his cheek, lingering against his skin. "It's okay, baby," I assured. "You're alright."
Max nodded a little, his other hand reaching out and squeezing my hip. He let me slowly guide him towards the front door, behind Lucas, nodding at my best friend to knock on the door.
"Daddy!" I grinned as my father opened the door. Max let go of me so I could throw myself into my Dad's arms, feeling him laugh lightly as he squeezed me in his embrace.
"Hey baby girl," he smiled, setting me down. He hugged Lucas as I stepped back against Max, letting his hand fall on my hip. His slightly tense body relaxed a little, making me chuckle lightly as Lucas pulled away.
"Daddy," I spoke, turning to face Max and putting my hands on his chest. His hand found my hip, making me smile. "This is Max." I introduced, slowly looking up at Max. "Max, this is my dad..."
My boyfriend put on a brave face and grinned, taking my father's outstretched hand in the one that didn't hold tightly to my waist. They shook, and from how it looked Dad wasn't trying to break Max's hand.
"It's a pleasure sir," Max greeted. Dad laughed, smiling.
"So you're the one who's attempting to steal away my daughter," he teased, beckoning us inside. Max and I laughed, moving as one as I we stepped inside after Lucas, watching as my best friend threw himself on Dad's couch. I chuckled and guided Max to follow, noting how he sat more rigorously than he normally would. I ran my fingers up and down his arm as I kicked my boots off and curled into his side.
"You guys want anything to drink?" my dad asked, making his way to the kitchen. "Dinner will be ready in about fifteen minutes."
Lucas thought for a moment. "Sprite!" he called to my dad. I nodded.
"Me too, Daddy," I said. "One for Max, too."
I looked up at my boyfriend as Dad called something back, relocating my hand to cup his cheek. I guided him to look at me, though he avoided my gaze.
"Hey..." I whispered. "Look at me, Max."
It took him a moment, but Max finally looked at me, causing me to suck in a deep breath, suddenly seeing how shattered their brown color seemed. "What's wrong?" I breathed, watching him carefully. Max gave a weak smile, shaking his head at me.
"Nothing, lovely," he whispered. "I just didn't quite think this through, exactly. Give me a second or two and I'll be perfect."
I frowned. "You know you can talk to me, right?"
Max nodded, his smile becoming a bit more genuine by the second. "And we will talk about it," he promised, kissing my cheek. "Just as soon as I get you back to your place later tonight and we can talk alone."
I nodded, meeting his soft, loving gaze. "I..."
I trailed off as my dad came back into the room, sitting in his comfy recliner and setting our drinks on the coffee table. He smiled warmly at Max, and Max smiled back, relaxing further into the couch behind him and letting me cuddle into his side again. Dad began an easy conversation with me and Lucas for a moment, mostly revolving around the shop, before he looked at Max,
"So what do you do, Max?" my dad asked, watching he and I interestedly. Max looked up, his fingers sliding through mine.
"I'm an actor," Max admitted. "And a musician. I act on a show for NBC."
Dad nodded thoughtfully. "I thought you looked familiar," he commented. "And a musician?" he said, and Max nodded. "Has Symphony played the piano for you yet?"
Max grinned a nodded. "Oh, yes sir," he said. "She's crazy talented."
Dad laughed. "Always has been," he bragged. "Ever since her mother taught her when she was seven."
I rolled my eyes lightly at my father, listening to him brag on me. Max just smiled, kissing my cheek and letting my head rest on hi shoulder. "I hope you like chicken Parmesan," my dad said to Max. "I wasn't quite sure what to make."
My boyfriend laughed genuinely, his fingers tracing my knuckles. "In all honesty," he spoke. "I like almost all food in general."
My dad grinned. "Good man," he praised.
A timer went off in the kitchen, making Dad sigh over dramatically. "Symphony," he addressed me. "Would you mind helping your dear old dad out by going and taking that out of the oven?" he asked. "Set the table too?"
I raised my eyebrows, seeing through his game, but nodding anyway. I reluctantly separated myself from Max, kissing the top of his head and squeezing his hand. "Honesty," I murmured to him, and he barely nodded, looking up at me with warm brown eyes and smiling sweetly. I stood and shot my dad a 'please don't scare my poor boyfriend' look, and gave Lucas a 'mediate this entire ordeal' kind of look, before making my way to the kitchen.
I took my time getting the pan out of the oven, moving slowly and listening intently in hopes to hear some of the conversation, to no avail. I sighed slightly, giving them plenty of time to talk as I moved lazily, grabbing plates and waltzing over to the table, setting them out carefully and going next for silverware. I set out knives and forks, placing the salt and pepper at the center of the table, before trying to listen again, leaning against a chair for a moment. I still couldn't hear anything, and I didn't know to be scared or reassured with the silence, but I went about setting the table, putting some chicken Parmesan on each plate and setting the dish on the stove again. Just as I got done, I looked up to see the three most important people in my life waltzing into the kitchen, laughing and talking and joking.
I felt myself relax as I smiled, noticing my father clapping Max on the back. I took that as a good sign, watching Max slowly cross the room to me.
"Hi there, cutie," he greeted me quietly, kissing my hair and grinning. I chuckled, looking up into his brown eyes.
"Hi, baby," I said, watching him. "How'd it go?" I asked discreetly. Max smiled assuringly at me, chuckling.
"It went well," he said. I nodded, slowly, before looking towards the table.
"You guys ready to eat?" I asked, smiling as I gestured towards the food. They all nodded, Dad and Lucas eagerly taking their seats beside each other on one side of the table. Max slid my chair out for me before taking his seat, pushing me in and dropping a sweet kiss to the top of my head before finally sitting down beside me.
"Hey Simmy?" Dad spoke, beginning to eat. "Have you given any thought to what you might want for Christmas?"
I frowned slightly, picking up my fork as I realized the holiday was only a few weeks away. I shrugged, noting the careful attention my boyfriend began paying to the conversation. "Not really," I admitted. Lucas smiled a little.
"You better get on that, sweetie," he said. "The men in your life have to figure out what they're gonna get you."
I rolled my eye laughingly, watching Dad lean back in his chair with a thoughtful look in his eyes. "Well," he said. "I've had my eye on this charm for your bracelet," he admitted. "I know I don't normally give them to you for Christmas, but I really like this one and don't wanna wait."
Max furrowed his eyebrows, looking down at me. "Bracelet?" he questioned, hesitantly. I smiled, slowly rolling up my sleeve to expose my charm bracelet with all the elephants on it.
"This," I said, showing it to him. "Dad got it for me when I was younger, and he's gotten me a charm for every birthday since then, and ones for special occasions," I explained. "There's a couple from Lucas too."
Max's long fingers looked through them, chuckling a little as he noticed them. "They're pretty," he smiled. Dad and Lucas laughed, watching Max.
"To be fair," Lucas spoke. "It probably won't be long until you start adding to the collection," he said. "It's kind of like a right of passage for important men in Symphony's life."
Max nodded thoughtfully, kissing my forehead. "Good to know," he stated, going back to his food. I smiled a little, before following suit, letting simple conversation take over. Dad asked about Max's career, basic interests, if he was liking the dinner, things like that. Max was polite and appeared to be having a great time, and it wasn't cripplingly awkward as I'd been afraid; it was quite easy, the way the topics flowed and ran together. I loved it.
What I loved even more was the gentle nod my father sent me that told me he approved.
* * * * *
I stood on Dad's the back porch, watching the sun slowly sink down beneath the horizon, staining the sky shades of dark purples, bright pinks, oranges, and soft yellows. I smiled a little at the warm hues, tilting my head slightly at the water color painted sky.
"Hey..." I turned to see Max stepping out on the porch, shutting the glass sliding door behind himself. I smiled in greeting, watching him come up behind me and lay his red leather jacket across my cold shoulders.
"Thank you," I whispered, feeling his arms slowly encase me. He nodded a little and kissed my temple, pressing my back against his front and resting his chin on the top of my head.
"It's so pretty," he breathed, burying his face in my red hair. I couldn't help the chill that accompanied his presence, the warm, fuzzy butterflies that took refuge in my stomach from the fast pace of my heart.
I nodded a little, turning in his grip and pressing my forehead against his. Max let out a soft breath, watching me adoringly and holding me tightly. "You're so warm," I giggled, letting him hold me flush against his body. He laughed lightly, kissing my lips for a moment, before nuzzling his nose against my cheek.
"Thank you for letting me meet your dad, little dove," he whispered. "I feel better knowing he likes me."
I cupped his face in my hand, watching him sweetly. "Baby, what would make you think my family wouldn't like you?"
Max smiled sheepishly, shaking his head. "Um..." he paused, frowning and hesitantly meeting my gaze. "Adeline," he answered quietly. "Her... Her parents absolutely hated my guts, and I was so afraid-"
I shook my head, resting my thumb lightly on the edge of his mouth, stopping his words. "Max..." I murmured sweetly, resting my forehead to his again. "I'm not Adeline."
Max let out a small bitter laugh. "Oh, I know, baby," he assured. "That's why it's scares me so bad," Max admitted to me softly. "I love you," he told me. "I don't want something so trivial as the disapproval of your dad to make that hard for you to return."
I smiled a little, kissing his nose. "That's not how I work, Max," I told him gently. "That's not how my dad works... If I'm happy, then my father doesn't care if you're begging for money in the streets."
Max gave me a little smile, nodding and biting his lip. "I know," he murmured. "I've just gotta get used to it, is all."
I nodded, my breath suddenly catching and my body suddenly reacting to everything I felt for Max in one sudden moment, and I couldn't help stopping him from pulling away. I watched him stare at me for a moment in confusion, before his eyes widened at surprise at my next statement.
"... I love you."
Max didn't move for a long few moments. His eyes desperately searched mine, as if waiting to find any trace of doubt that would crush the happiness that you could see he so badly wanted to let out. Max suddenly smiled, satisfied that I was being genuine and holding my face in his hands.
"Oh, little dove..." Max whispered, a grin spreading across his face. "Oh my God..."
I smiled a little, nodding. "I love you," I told him again. Max just kept grinning, his eyes slipping closed as he swiftly pressed his lips against mine, kissing me deeply and holding me so tightly against his warm body. The cold wind that'd been nipping at my cheeks and ears disappeared around us, unable to notice anything but the feeling of Max's soft lips against mine, the way he clung to me as if my words and body would drift away if he let me go.
We were both breathless when we pulled away, our grins from ear to ear. "I love you too, my sweet Symphony..." he murmured gently, his warm breath on my skin. "I love you too."
I giggled, letting him hug me close as he smiled gently to himself. My heart fluttered warmly as he kissed the top of my head, squeezing my shoulder.
"Hey guys..." Lucas spoke, making us look away from each other for a moment. "Dad's got cheesecake."
Both of us smiled, though didn't make to move any further from Max. Neither did he, and Max noticed, looking over at my best friend.
"We'll be there in like, two minutes, Lucas," he told him, smiling. Lucas nodded and chuckled lightly, turning around and leaving Max and I alone again. My boyfriend looked down at me, biting his lip.
"So..." he trailed off. "Would you maybe say that again?" he asked, sheepishly. "I just adore the sound of it."
I laughed a little, kissing his nose. "I love you," I said again. Max grinned, squeezing my waist.
"I love you too."
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So I don't even think I have a schedule anymore XD
I have to write this quick and upload quicker, but I hope you guys like it and vote and comment and all that fun jazz that makes my day happy :3
I love y'all!
-Casey