Nayel
"Just between the two of us, did you blackmail her into dating you?" My brother, James wiggles his eyebrows at me.
"Fuck off," I say rolling my eyes.
James chuckles, "I had to ask, she seems like the nicest girl. What does she even see in a grump like you?" James elbows me slightly.
I smile, shaking my head, "I ask myself the same thing every day"
"Stop pestering him!" My sister, Ella comes up behind me, hugging me from the side, "We all know he's always been a softie at heart. I'm glad Maria is bringing my baby brother back to us"
I wrap my arm around my sister, "Jesus, I forgot how sentimental this family is" I mutter earning a slap on my stomach.
"I'm kidding!" I laugh hugging Ella tightly and then unwrapping myself from her, "I'm going to go check up on Ria"
"You're so lovesick" James grins at me.
"Like I haven't noticed that your eyes have been wandering off to Liv this entire conversation" I quirk an eyebrow.
"Touche brother" James raises his beer-making me shake my head as I walk towards the kitchen.
I stand in the hallway as I watch mom and Maria frost cupcakes together. A smile lingers on my lips as I see them laugh and get along. I had no doubt everyone would love Ria as much as I do, she doesn't have an unloveable bone in her perfect body.
I know I shouldn't but before I could stop myself I lean in and eavesdrop on their conversation. Call me a narcissist but I just wanted to see whether they were talking about me.
Mom chuckles, "I was talking about whatever it is that you're doing to my son. I haven't seen him so bright and full of life in years. I owe you a big one sweetheart. I sleep so much better at night knowing you're by his side while he's miles apart from us. Nayel has always been reserved so I always worry the loneliness would catch up to him one day" Mom sighs sadly at the end. I can't help but feel guilty, I never realized how much my parents worry for me.
"We both take care of each other, you raised a good man," Maria says flashing my mother her beautiful smile that makes my days.
"I did, didn't I?" Mom nudges her shoulder with Ria's making me laugh silently.
"What are my two favorite ladies up to?" I ask emerging into the kitchen. I lock my eyes with Ria's quirking an eyebrow to see if she's doing okay and if she needed saving but she flashes me her smile that makes me want to get on my knees and worship the ground she walks on. God, this girl has so much power over me.
"You better pray to God your sister didn't hear that" Mom shakes her head, hiding her smile.
"I won't tell her if you guys don't," I grin grabbing the cupcake from Ria's hand and swirling my tongue around the frosting.
"Hey!" Ria squeals, "I just spent 10 minutes making sure it looked perfect" She scowls at me. I love teasing her. I shouldn't say this but I love how adorable she looks with her eyebrows scrunched and her lips puckered. One of the reasons I spent 2 years absolutely annoying the shit out of her.
"It's meant to be eaten Ria" I shrug taking a bite of the cupcake, "Ah, I missed your food Ma" I lean over to hug my mom from the side making a smile appear on Ria's lips.
"Were you the one who taught Nayel how to cook Lily?" Maria asks her as I pick up the next cupcake.
"No, this one learned everything on his own. He was independent from the day he started walking. It was almost an insult to him to ask for help. He would be adamant to do everything on his own. It's one of the things that I loved most about him and disturbed me the most as well" Mom says hugging me tightly.
"I turned out alright didn't I, Ma?" I console her, resting my head on her shoulder.
"Well" Ria tilts her head, "That's debatable" She teases me causing mom to chuckle.
"We've been here all what 30 minutes and you're already turning on me huh?" I narrow my eyes at her, shaking my head incredulously.
Ria simply shrugs, grinning at me.
"Hey, Lil" We hear dad's voice coming from the living room, "Have you seen my phone?"
"I swear this man loves misplacing things only to aggravate me" Mom shakes her head smiling to herself as she walks out of the kitchen.
"I came to rescue you but you seem to be doing alright," I say grabbing Ria's waist and pulling her to me.
"They're great" Ria flashes me a reassuring smile. I move a strand of hair away from her face. I could stare into those chocolate-covered eyes for eternity and never get tired.
"You're great," I say kissing her nose, making her giggle. I never thought I would be one of those guys who need to be around their girlfriends 24/7 and just hold them and touch them and cuddle them but when it comes to Ria, I am that guy.
Ria wraps her arms around my neck, "Are you going to be losing all your things in 20 years and aggravating me to find them for you?" Ria says jokingly but then within a second, I see her eyes widen like she's scared she's said the wrong thing. I know we haven't talked about the future in detail but all I want is to wake up next to my beautiful girl every morning until I die. Her even joking about a future with me makes my heart do cartwheels.
Ria opens her mouth probably to correct herself but I immediately push my lips onto hers, kissing her tenderly.
"Yes, I plan to annoy you till the day I die" I smile pulling away and squeezing her waist.
"Those sound like wedding vows" Ria teases causing me to chuckle, "I hope we end up as happy as your parents," She says softly moving her hands to my waist, resting her head on my chest, and hugging me.
"Me too baby, me too." I kiss the top of her head, rubbing her back. If it were up to me I'd never let her go.
.....
James and Dad were almost done with the BBQ when a car pulled into the driveway, "I'm so sorry family, I got held up at work" Jennifer walks into the house with a smile on her face. Behind her was another woman who looked slightly younger than her, she was shorter with curly brown hair and brown eyes. She was wearing glasses that made her look slightly intimidating.
"We weren't gonna start without you mom" Ella smiles pulling her mother into her embrace and then hugs the woman behind her who I'm assuming is Rose.
"Nayel, darling!" Jennifer exclaims as her eyes meet mine and she rushes to me pulling me in a tight hug, "Look at you, you're so big!" She giggles and then frowns, "You know I'm so happy you're here but I am also very crossed with you, mister." Jennifer crosses her arms around her chest, "You barely visit unless it's Christmas and you hardly ever call" She shakes her head.
"That's what I told him as well," Mom says walking into the room giving, smiling at Jennifer, and giving her a kiss on the cheek, "Hi Jen" before moving to put the food on the table.
"I'm sorry, I'm the worse but you've known me my whole life. You should know that" I shrug making Jennifer smile.
She cups my cheek, "Don't get all smart with me" She playfully threatens and then kisses me softly on my cheek, "You get more handsome every time I see you, you're a mini Ben!"
"I sure hope so, otherwise mom would have some explaining to do" I joke earning a laugh from everyone but my ears only focused on the adorable giggle behind me from my girlfriend.
"Is this Maria?" Jennifer asks approaching Ria.
"Hi" Ria smiles as Jennifer pulls her into a hug. I bet Ria is wondering how my entire family is so affectionate and then there's me.
Jennifer cups Ria's face in her hands looking at her doe-eyed, "Oh, I was always so worried about Nayel. Now I know all my children are in good hands. One of them going to be a married man so soon" Tears start to well up in her eyes.
"Jesus mom, you're going to scare the girl" James chuckles walking to her as do Ella and I.
Jennifer lets Ria go and smiles as she hugs the three of us together, "I'm just so happy all three of you are in such good places. I'm so happy we're all here together." She smiles, "Ben and Lily they turned out okay we can relax now" Jennifer screams to Mom and Dad who were on the other end of the room and I hear them laugh.
I smile moving away to greet Rose, I could imagine her feeling left out in the conversation, "Hi, you must be Rose. I'm Nayel" I grin at her.
"Lovely to meet you, I've heard so much about you from Jen" Rose grins, showing off her perfect white teeth.