Apprehensive admission

Over the next few days, you spend time thinking about proposals. Mazzy is right, you have to make them special, they all deserve a moment where you show them how important they are to you. You discuss it a bit with your coworkers at the AWIO, but mostly you get teasing and ribbing in response. It’s all good natured and without malice, but it’s not particularly helpful.

It’s Edward, unsurprisingly, who has the best suggestion. “Shouldn’t you talk to someone closer to you about this? I know you get along with your family well, you should ask your parents.”

You literally facepalm in front of him. “Of course. I haven’t even told them about this yet. Thanks, man.”

That afternoon, you leave work a bit early and head over to your parents house. You’ve visited with the girls a few times since the first visit, and they’ve been nothing but supportive of your growing family, though your dad did tease you about being greedy when you told him about Sirona. Still, their approval has been gratifying.

Your mother answers the door when you knock. “Brian! What a surprise! Just you this time? Where are the ladies?”

You chuckle. “Just me. They’re all still working. I came over because I have something serious to discuss.”

She frowns. “Come in, then. Nothing bad, I hope?”

You walk in, following her to the living room. “No, nothing bad. The opposite, actually, or at least I think it is.”

Your dad walks in, sitting down beside your mom. “Well, don’t keep your mother and I waiting, spit it out!”

You laugh. “Now I know where I get my impatience from.”

He rolls his eyes. “Right. Now spill it, Brian.”

You chuckle, and shrug. “I guess the short story is this; I want to propose to the girls.”

Both of your parents blink, caught off guard. Your mom speaks first. “Propose? Like marriage? To which one?”

You grin sheepishly. “All of them, actually.”

You explain the situation, and the solution which Rachel had put forward. You also explain how deeply you care for all of the girls, and how Mazzy advised you. When you finish, you wait, a bit nervously, for their reaction. True, they have been supportive up to this point, but this is a bit unorthodox, to say the least.

Your parents look at each other, and it’s your dad who speaks up first. He turns to you with a smile. “So, finally making the big step, hmm? I was wondering when that would happen!”

Your mother nods. “I’m surprised it took this long, honestly.”

You look at them in surprise. “I’ll admit, I didn’t expect this kind of reaction.”

Your father shrugs. “It makes sense. After all, you’re all living together, very happily. It just the next step.”

Your mother smiles at you. “And it’s clear how much you love them, and they love you. No sense in not making it official, especially if it grants the girls some more rights in the eyes of the law.”

Your dad chuckles. “Hell, if anything, I’m a bit jealous. If it were twenty or thirty years ago, maybe I could have convinced your mother to have a few monster girls join us.”

Your mother playfully smacks your father on the arm. “Jack!”

He just laughs, and your mom rolls her eyes. “He never really grows up. Brian, you have our blessing and encouragement. Make sure you treat them well.”

Your dad nods. “I don’t think you need to be told that, but I agree. Make them happy, they’re a part of the family.”

You smile and nod. “Of course I will.”