Scarlett
After making the unanimous decision of having a taco night, the girls and I ran over to the store to grab the things we needed for dinner. By the time we got back to Nix and Jack's house, it was time to start cooking. Surprisingly, everyone chipped in to help make it, and with the creative touch from Mia and Lily, we ended up with the greatest taco night set up on the dining table.
"What is that smell?" My Aunt Sophie's voice echoed into the dining room as our parents walked in.
Uncle H sniffed the air. "Smells like..."
Before he could finish his sentence, Uncle T piped in. "Holy tacos!"
"Not holy tacos, just tacos," I joked. We all chuckled and greeted them.
"Well, damn guys, this is the greatest welcome home," My dad gave me a big hug.
"It really is. You kiddos are so amazing," My mom gleamed.
Aunt Sophie raised a brow. "I feel like there is a catch. Did someone get arrested?"
"What? No," Phoenix chimed in.
"Did you throw a party or break something?" Uncle T asked, watching each of our faces for any telling signs.
Jackson shook his head. "Nope."
"Interesting," Aunt Ava gave us a look like she was still a little suspicious.
Uncle H spoke up. "So, you guys just missed us that much, huh?"
"Yes, we were sobbing all weekend," Luke's words were laced heavily with sarcasm, making us laugh.
"Smart-aleck," Uncle T said.
"We wanted to surprise you guys," Lily explained.
"Yeah, and I even chopped the tomatoes," Ryder lifted his chin, smiling proudly.
My dad's brows raised. "You all got Ryder to join in? I'm impressed."
I giggled at his comment while Ryder rolled his eyes with a smile. "So, how was the weekend?" I asked.
Once our parents got settled in at the table, they told us all about their trip as we made sure everything was ready to go on the table for dinner. Uncle T sat at one end, Aunt Sophie next to him, then Jackson, Luke, me, Nix, and Mia on one side. On the other side sat Aunt Ava, Uncle H, Lily, Ryder, and my mom beside my dad on the end.
The room was quickly filled with laughter and chatter from each of us. Our parents had a few funny stories to tell as well, and they didn't disappoint. They weren't boring people at all. They always had a story or two to tell whenever they traveled somewhere. It's just who they are...kind of like the seven of us. As I looked around the table at all the people that held a place in my heart, I couldn't help but smile. I loved every one of them so much.
Those nerves were building up in me, though. I started to think about what would happen if we told them, and someone wasn't excited about Phoenix and me at all. I know I shouldn't worry myself like this or feel that way, but you never know what someone may feel towards us being together.
Just as I was becoming an overthinking mess, I felt Nix's hand comfortingly rest on my thigh. My head turned to him, finding a sweet smile on his face. That one single look instantly calmed me. It's like he can read my mind.
When we were done with dinner, I went to the kitchen to grab the churros we made for dessert.
"Hey you," Nix walked in as I flipped around to face him. It was only us now.
"Hey," I said before he leaned down, kissing me softly.
"Are you sure you want to tell them tonight?" He asked.
I looked up at him, slightly tilting my head. "Yeah, I think so. Their bellies are happy, and everyone has had plenty of Margaritas."
"As long as you want to do it, then I'm all in."
I gave him a small smile. "Honestly, I don't know if I'll have any courage at all tomorrow, so let's do it."
Nix nodded, giving me one more kiss. "Let's go then."
He took my hand before I stopped in place. "Wait," I grabbed a bottle of tequila we had on the counter and took a big drink from it. "Bleh, okay, now I'm ready."
Phoenix quietly chuckled at my nervous self, shaking his head. I picked up the plate of churros we made earlier, and we made our way back to the dining room.
Ryder's face lit up when he saw the dessert. "Yes, the part I have been waiting for."
"We made churros from scratch," Mia explained excitedly.
"And by we, she means just us girls and Luke," Lily shot the boys a teasing smile.
Jackson scoffed. "You guys kicked us out, so we had no choice."
Nix chimed in. "That's true."
"Because you wouldn't stop joking around and take the cooking seriously," I rolled my eyes playfully.
"That's true too," Ryder mumbled as I laughed.
My mom's eyes grew wide with excitement when she stared over at the churros. "Oh my god, they smell and look amazing. I will take this first batch, and you guys can wait for the next," She spoke in a joking manner as I placed the platter on the table.
Uncle T reached over to grab one. "The seven of you should cook dinner more often."
"I second that," Aunt Ava said.
Everyone began to munch on their dessert when Phoenix gave me the look. The look that meant it was time. My heart started to pound loudly against my chest.
"Ahem," Nix cleared his throat. "So, there is something we have to tell you guys."
Within a second, they all stopped eating and focused their attention on him. "Oh god, I knew something happened," Aunt Sophie spoke nervously.
"Not during churro time," My mom's face fell, looking concerned.
My dad piped up. "What happened?"
"What trouble did you kids get into?" Uncle T asked.
Nix shook his head a couple of times. "No, it's not about all of us, and it's not a bad thing. At least we don't think so."
Mom's eyebrows suddenly softened. "Oh, well that's a little bit of a relief then."
Our parents start to relax and continue to eat, still listening intently.
"Then what is going on, Nix?" Aunt Ava asked.
"Well, it's kind of about..."
"Me and Phoenix," I blurted out as he was still trying to find the best words.
Aunt Sophie's mouth partially fell open. "Wha...what about you two?"
My mom and both my aunts gave each other odd looks until Nix began to talk again. "Uh, you see...we are together."
"As in a relationship...a dating relationship," An awkward smile appeared on my face.
Just then, my dad choked on a piece of a churro. "You are," He coughed loudly. "What now?"
Mom patted my dad's back as her eyes widened, and her lips suddenly curved up to form into the biggest smile. Her face was nearly identical to Aunt Sophie's. Uncle T had frozen in confusion, and Uncle H and Aunt Ava looked surprised but had smiles on their faces.
"Wait, I...what?" Uncle T said, looking rather puzzled.
"It's happening, Soph!" My mom yelled.
Aunt Sophie stood up. "It's happening!"
"I can't believe it. Finally," Mom's face was filled with joy.
Uncle T sat back in his chair. "What in the hell is happening?"
"What do you mean finally?" My dad asked my mom with furrowed brows.
Aunt Ava stood up happily next. "Oh, my goodness. You guys!"
Phoenix held my hand tightly under the table as we took in all the reactions. It was slightly overwhelming. Ryder was smiling, eating his churro as the rest of our group was laughing quietly at all the fuss.
My mom, Aunt Sophie, and Aunt Ava flew over to us, giving Nix and me sweet hugs. The three of them were bursting with excitement.
"I just knew you two would realize someday," Mom said.
Aunt Sophie nodded a few times with a smile. "And to think I almost gave up hope."
Nix arched a brow. "You guys knew?"
"Well, not about you being together, but we always had a feeling you two were hiding some feelings away. We were just waiting to see if it would ever come of anything," Aunt Sophie explained.
Mom softly smiled. "And it did! You both are just too precious. I'm more than thrilled about this."
"Really?" I sounded surprised.
"Of course sweetie," She wrapped her arms around me for another hug.
"I'm starting to think that everyone knew," Phoenix smiled.
Uncle T spoke up. "Well, not everyone..."
"Yeah, I'll agree with you there," My dad added.
Nix and I turned to face both of them. Their faces looked as if they were still trying to process it all. "How long has this been, um, going on?" Dad asked curiously.
"Truthfully," Phoenix took a deep breath. "I have liked Scarlett for a long time but didn't act on it till she made me wake up and realize what an idiot I have been being afraid of it all. She stood up to me the night we got back home and called me on my bullshit. I can honestly say that at that moment was when I knew...I knew I needed to stop being afraid. So, I asked her to be my girlfriend last night."
"Aw," Aunt Ava gave us a sweet look.
Aunt Sophie chimed in. "Oh my god, you two! I could just jump for joy right now."
"And I could just cry. This seriously makes me so happy, you guys," My mom said warmly.
The three of them gave us another round of hugs as Phoenix and I chuckled at their cute reactions.
"Well, I'll be damned..." Uncle T finally grinned as I couldn't help but smile back at him.
My eyes quickly landed on my dad, though. Of all people, he was the one I have been nervous about. "All of a sudden, I feel like I've been living under a rock," He said with a half-smile.
"So, have I," I spoke up. "I just never had the guts to crawl out of mine until recently and face what was in my heart...what was right in front of me."
Dad's face softened at my words. "Are you happy, princess?"
I looked up at Phoenix and smiled before meeting my dad's eyes once again. "The happiest."
"And what about you, Phoenix?" He asked in a serious tone.
"If I have Scar in my life or by my side, I will always be happy."
My dad slowly nods for a few seconds. "As long as you two keep making each other happy and your hearts full...then I will be here for you both."
"Really?" I nearly shouted at him, my heart filling with pure joy.
"Of course, Scarlett," He said genuinely.
"Aw, Dad," I ran over to him on the other side of the dining room, flinging my arms around him.
He let out a few chuckles. "You both are adults and a couple of the most amazing people I know. And you of all, princess, have the purest and honest heart. I know you wouldn't give it away to just anyone," My eyes start to get misty as he started to shake his head. "You just had to choose a Zeller, though, didn't you?"
The room echoed with the sounds of our laughter.
"Hey, the Zeller's are the best there is, old man!" Uncle T yelled back at him.
Uncle H raised a brow. "After the Hayes's!"
Lily rolled her eyes. "Great, here we go."
Our dads began to jokingly argue, although sometimes it ends up turning serious. I glanced down at my dad as he gave me a quick wink before I made my way back over to Phoenix. When I stood beside him, he placed his arm around my waist, kissing me on the cheek. "See? I told you everything would be fine," He said.
"I guess once in a while you're right," I teased.
He chuckled, shaking his head. My mom, Aunt Sophie, and Aunt Ava were chatting away giddily about the sudden news. A little too giddily. I don't know who is happier...my mom or me.
Ryder spoke up. "Looks like this might take a while. Who wants to go play a game or something?"
"Let's do a board game," Mia suggested.
"I'm up for a game as long as it's Monopoly," Luke said.
Ryder shrugged. "Alright."
"Yes, be prepared to get destroyed by yours truly," I smiled confidently.
Nix let out a laugh. "In your dreams, Shortcake."
My brow arched at him. "It's so on."
Lily chuckled. "I wonder who we all got our competitiveness from?"
Each of us turned our heads towards my dad, Uncle T, and Uncle H. "It's not obvious or anything," Luke said with a slight smirk.
The seven of us cleared the table before heading off to play one wildly crazy game of Monopoly. One does not go down without a fight in this giant pack, and that's all thanks to our parents.