Meeting Dahl and Lia's family

We finally reached Lia and Laura's hometown a while later. It was a charming and quiet town from the looks of it, smaller than the one we currently lived in.

"I live a few streets away from the elementary school, let me show you." Laura said when we entered the town properly.

I nodded and let her give me directions, guiding me to her house. It was easy to find, and I parked right in front of it. I opened the trunk to give her her suitcase and Dahl hugged her before we parted ways, a hug Laura returned.

"We'll stay in touch, alright?" Dahl asked.

"Of course. You can't be the only one showing Yun around our town. I know a few nice spots too." Laura replied before looking at me. "Thanks again for driving me home."

"You're welcome." I smiled at her.

The front door opened and revealed a tired-looking but loving couple. The woman had short dark brown hair in a pixie cut and the man had greyish hair and a prominent bald spot. I could vaguely remember them from the second time I wore Laura, they were her parents.

"Welcome home, angel." Her father said, smiling. "And good morning, Dahlia."

Dahl smiled back. "Good morning, sir, ma'am. It's been a while."

"Indeed. Who's your friend?" Laura's mother asked while looking at me.

"Mom, Dad, this is Seo-Yun. A friend from college and... Dahl's girlfriend."

They both seemed surprised but Laura's father then spoke. "Oh, I see. I'm glad you found someone, Dahlia. And I hope you won't find our small town too boring, Seo-Yun."

"I'm sure I won't. I have plenty to see." I replied, holding Dahl's hand.

"How's college been?" Laura's mother asked.

"Quite well." Laura declared. "Even if we haven't gotten our results yet, we're all pretty confident."

"Good." Her father said before grabbing Laura's suitcase. "Let me bring that to your room."

"Thanks, Dad." As the three walked inside, Laura turned to face us. "I wish you two happy holidays."

"Thanks, you too, Laura." I replied, waving at her. "See ya."

I didn't think the talks we had in the car really brightened her mood, but hopefully spending time with her parents and other friends in her hometown would help her recover better.

Before getting back into the car, I took a last glance at my reflection in the rearview mirror, brushing my hair a bit.

"Do I look good enough, Dahl?" I asked.

Since it was an important day, the day when I'll meet Lia's parents for the first time, I wanted to make a perfect first impression. I chose to wear an elegant blouse and dark jeans alongside a pair of sheer socks and black loafers to give me a more classy look. Aviator sunglasses completed it.

Dahl came closer and wrapped her arms around my waist, kissing my neck. "Don't be nervous, love. You are perfect~ Where's your usual confidence~?"

I turned around and pressed my lips against hers. "Hey, it's only natural to be nervous when you're about to meet your future in-laws for the first time."

She gave me an amused smile. "True. But it is funny to see you like this."

I grinned and leaned closer. "It won't be for long~"

She caressed my cheek and smiled playfully. "Ah, that's more like you~"

Dahl and I got back on the road and I let her guide me to her family's home. It was an elegant house with a nice, well-maintained garden and two floors. I could spot a swimming pool in the back when I parked.

"Here we are." Dahl said proudly as she got out. "What do you think of my home?"

I smiled as I myself left the car. "It's a charming house. Must have been nice growing up there."

Dahl giggled. "Well, you know how Lia was before, she only started to appreciate what she had after we became one." She then muttered under her breath. "Don't try to deny it now, you admitted it yourself when we were in London."

It made me chuckle. "So, your father has his own company and your mother is a medical secretary, right?"

She nodded. "Yeah, that's right. They're both very kind, but also workaholics, so don't be surprised if they spend most of our time here working."

"Heh, noted."

We grabbed our suitcases and rang the bell. Opening the door was who I assumed to be Lia's younger brother. A teen with dark red hair, light freckles, green eyes like Lia, and wearing glasses and a shirt with an image of Naruto. His cheeks reddened slightly when he saw me, making me giggle internally.

Dahl came closer and hugged him. "I missed you, David."

"I missed you too, Dahl." He replied, smiling at her.

Dahl then took a step back and grabbed my hand. "David, this is Seo-Yun, my girlfriend."

"Ah, I-I see. Nice to meet you." He said, bowing awkwardly.

Dahl leaned closer, smirking. "I know she's pretty, but she's mine, okay~? You'll find yourself a cute Asian girlfriend fast once you move to Japan, I believe in you."

He blushed more and looked away, walking back inside the house.

"You tease him like this often?" I wondered, amused.

"Well, mainly Lia, but I like doing it too from time to time."

Lia's parents came out shortly after, David most likely telling them of our arrival. Their mother was a redhead like them, I could see that Lia took most of her features from her. She had bright emerald eyes, shoulder-length red hair, and was wearing a white sundress. Despite nearing her fifties, she was still breathtaking.

Their father had really short blonde hair and light green eyes, and was wearing a casual but still classy outfit with a white shirt and a pair of denim jeans.

Dahl quickly approached them and hugged them both, a hug they reciprocated. "Hi Mom, Dad. I'm back."

"Welcome back, sweetie." Lia's mother said, smiling warmly.

Dahl then gestured at me to approach, holding my hand again. "There's someone I want you to meet. This is Seo-Yun, my... fiancee." She declared, her cheeks reddening as she said that.

This announcement greatly surprise her parents. "Your fiancee?"

I bowed politely and smiled. "Indeed. I am Seo-Yun, it's a pleasure to finally meet you. Dahlia told me a lot about you."

Dahl appeared more sheepish as she showed them the ring I got her. "I wanted to keep it a surprise."

Her mother regained her composure first, giving me a kind smile. "I see. Please do treat our daughter well, Seo-Yun."

"I give you my word, ma'am, sir." I replied confidently, placing a hand on my chest. "I'll treat her like the princess she is."

Her father finally reacted, chuckling softly. "Don't overdo it, or her more bratty side might resurface. She was a handful as a teen, you know?"

Dahl pouted cutely. "Dad, come on."

He laughed and patted her shoulder. "You know I'm joking, Lia. Come inside, lunch is almost ready."

"Thank you."

While her parents went back to the kitchen, Dahl gave me a small tour, leading me to her bedroom, where I'd be staying for the next four weeks. We walked past her brother's room, the door covered by a few posters of Saint Seiya, Dragon Ball, and Nana.

"He really is an otaku, huh." I commented.

Dahl chuckled. "He is, but he's a really nice kid."

She opened her door, revealing a cute, super girly room, with pink and white wallpapers and a bed with pink bedsheets. Not that I expected anything else coming from her after all this time. I knew just how much she loved the cutesy look.

"Really suits you." I said as we dropped our suitcases.

She giggled. "I know, I know, I'm a predictable girl. I might have been overcompensating slightly for all these years repressing my true self. But well, Lia already liked pink, and agrees that pink looks great on us."

I smiled. "Fair."

"Anyway, I'll check if my mom needs help with the cooking. Make yourself at home, love." She said, giving me a peck on the cheek. "My bed is great if you wanna try it early~ You've been driving for a while, you deserve a rest."

"Thanks, Dahl."

"I'll get you once lunch is ready."

On that, she left, leaving me alone for the time being. I looked around, seeing pictures of friends and family on the wall. There were a few from high-school, before Dahl appeared in Lia's life. I could see her class during her last year, Laura and her sitting on opposite sides of the group. Even if she was smiling, I was able to tell that she wasn't truly happy back then. Her smile nowadays was so much brighter and full of life compared to this one.

It's amusing how her life and mood only got better after being **** to share it with Dahl. I mused.

I removed my shoes and laid on the bed. It was indeed really soft and comfy, Dahl was right. I closed my eyes, wondering how Claire was doing. Even after Mother confirming that she wouldn't do anything else to her, a small part of me couldn't help but be nervous leaving her again for four whole weeks...

Mother...

Claire sometimes spoke about her and our hometown since Mother's last visit. I never dared to skin her to check what Mother did while assuming her identity, but Claire firmly believed Mother to not have any ill intent towards us, and was sincere in her wanting a truce and loving us.

Should I really meet her again...? Can I truly forgive what she did?

I wasn't sure yet, but I had planned to have a proper discussion about this with Claire, Dahl, and Lia once we were done visiting Lia's family.