Forewarned

As you pull into your parents driveway, you’re surprised to find that you don’t feel at all nervous. You don’t spend long wondering about why, because Mazzy, excited as ever, practically drags you and Ellie out of the car. Ellie looks nervous, but that’s to be expected. If you’re honest, the only worry you have is explaining that both girls are with you. As is Dakota.

You knock on the door, and you hear your mother’s voice from inside. “Come on in!”

The three of you walk into the house, and you hear your mom’s footsteps. From the doorway leading into the kitchen she comes out, a big smile on her face. In her early fifties, she looks great for her age, though her hair has started to fade to grey at this point. She hesitates when she sees the halfling and the goblin at your side, but only for a moment.

“Well, you weren’t kidding, were you?! Come here, give your mom a hug!”

You smile and hug her, and after a moment, she steps back, looking at Mazzy and Ellie. “So! Introductions. I’m Theresa, Brian’s mom. His dad is Jack, he’s outside grilling some burgers. Everyone likes burgers, right?”

Mazzy giggles. “Of course! I’m Mazzy! A halfling, if you didn’t guess.”

Your mom smiles. “Well, I hadn’t, but now I know. Nice to meet you, Mazzy. And who are you?”

Ellie blushes, squeezing your hand. “E-Ellie. Ma’am.”

“Oh, please. Theresa is fine. Or just Terri! So, I’m sure there’s a story here, but we’ll wait until you meet Jack. I must say, Brian, these two are both very pretty!”

You chuckle. “They are. I’m very lucky.”

Your mom nods. “I have a confession. That awful neighbor of yours, Helen, sent us a letter. It was a whole rant about how you were some kind of degenerate, shacking up with a monster. Well, of course your dad and I looked into it, and we read up on these ‘monster girls’.”

You shake your head. “I should have known she’d do something like that. The woman is a menace.”

Your mom smiles. “She should know better than to bother. It’s not like I would turn on my own son or anything, and looking into it only confirmed my guess. Everything we read seems wonderful, even if the whole ‘harem’ thing is a bit strange to me. And look at you three! You’re adorable!”

Mazzy grins. “Of course we are!”

You laugh. “And so humble. So, you’re not upset about any of this?”

She smiles. “Of course not. After the whole thing with Kelly, we just want to see you be happy. Are you happy, Brian?”

You nod. “Happier than I’ve ever been.”

Mazzy and Ellie both smile at you, and your mom laughs. “And I can see I don’t need to ask about you two! If you’re all happy, that’s what matters. I do still want to hear your story, though!”

You have to admit, you’re a bit surprised by how readily your mother accepted the girls. You knew your parents were intelligent, open minded people, but they’re still older. You expected your father to shrug and tease you about being ‘greedy’, but you expected at least a little pushback from your mother. It seems that Helen actually did you a favor here, by getting them to look it up.

You still need to tell them about Dakota, and the girls plotting to add more to your little family, but that can wait. You figure explaining it once will be plenty. For now, the easy acceptance lets you breathe easier.

Your mom smiles, and gestures for you to come inside. She leads you into the house, and sits you down at the table. “Your dad will be in soon. Just relax, I’ll go warn him. He’ll probably be jealous!”

Mazzy giggles as your mom walks away, heading into the back yard.