"Hello, Reuben."
"Hi, Dottie," answered Reuben as Dottie caught up to him on the path. Once she had done so, they started walking together.
"How are you today?"
"I had a good day so far. How about you?"
"I had a good day as well."
"It's nice that the weather is warming up."
"Yeah, it's nice to see how things are getting ready for spring. The tree buds are swelling."
"They are less stiff than they are in the dead of winter as well."
"True, they move in the wind more. I have a question, and I hope that it isn't a bother."
"Okay," answered Reuben, and looked towards Dottie slightly.
"Are we going on dates or are we going on friendly outings?" she asked, twisting her fingers through her hair.
"I intended them as dates, as well as getting to know you better times."
"Thank you. I was confused about that. Thanks for wanting to get to know me as well."
Reuben sighed, and said, "I've got a hard question to ask as well."
Dottie nodded, and motioned for him to continue.
"Can I turn you into a werewolf?"
Dottie froze, before stepping forwards again.
"To be honest, since you told me that you were a werewolf, I have asked myself what I would answer if you asked me that question. Can I ask you why?"
"I like you, okay? I want to share my life with you, all of it. I've liked spending time with you as well, and our few disagreements have not been something to break up over."
"Are you asking me to marry you?"
"Maybe."
"According to what I've been told the steps towards marriage is, you've skipped one. So I'll say no to that for now."
"I forgot the dating part? What we've had wasn't enough?"
"Look, maybe it was enough for you, but I haven't been looking at it as a date really. I mean, sometimes its been more romantic, but I didn't know for sure, so it doesn't count. Also, you need to meet my parents, and I need to meet your family as well."
"Dottie, remember that my parents aren't in complete support of my being a werewolf?"
"And? It's polite and civil to let your parents know that there might be another generation going to happen and who it might happen with!" replied Dottie angrily.
"You mean to say that you would be willing to face my parents?" asked Reuben, whose temper was starting to warm as well.
"Yes," answered Dottie, who was angrily staring into the trees to the side.
"Well, I am not willing to let you face my parents."
"Reuben," said Dottie, suddenly solemn, "if you do not take me to see your parents some time in the next few months, I will not marry you or be willing to be turned into a werewolf."
"Dottie!"
"I am serious, Reuben. I will not be a secret from your family."
"I wouldn't keep you a secret. I would write my family and let them know that way. Maybe even put a notice in the newspaper."
"If your family relations are so strained, who is to say that they would even read your letters? No, this is something that they should know, so to make sure they know, they will be visited, even if it only lasts one sentence."
There was silence for a while as they walked. Then Reuben asked, "Why are you so insistent on meeting my parents?"
"While you meeting my parents has something to do with getting their permission, me meeting your parents has to do with honoring your family as your family, even if you do not get along."
"I get you follow a bunch of social rules in order to fit in better, but doesn't it emotionally make more sense to avoid getting hot headed over them?"
"Maybe later, but I need to meet them, even if it is to allow them to know that we are enemies face to face at least once."
"How does that fit with honor?"
"Honor means acknowledging that they are the family I will be joining to in name, even if we, ourselves, separate ourselves from them the rest of our lives."
Reuben was silent for another minute before he spoke again.
"I will think about it, but I don't agree with it now."
"Thank you."
They continued their walk after that. It was chilly still, so they didn't run and were still bundled up. They talked, but both avoided the topic of family the rest of their time together that day. It was slightly strained, but this was something that would have to be worked through.