Chapter 10 - The Family

Finally, Aian began to notice familiar surroundings and the GPS showed not much further to go.

He was a little nervous, honestly. It felt way too damn early to be introducing Kalvin to his parents, but apparently, everything to do with Kalvin refused to be taken slowly.

He felt like he had been thrown into a whirlwind.

“I can’t believe we are showing up in this thing,” Aian said yet again with a groan.

“I don’t understand why you are so stressed about this. As I’ve said before, don’t put so much stock in what other people think.”

“It’s not what other people think, it’s what my parents will think,” he glanced at him and warned. “You better behave.”

Kalvin barked out a laugh at that.

“Do I get a reward for being good?”

Aian looked at him wide eyed and a blush tinting his cheeks.

“Hm? Just where did your thoughts go? Your blush gives you away every time.”

“It’s only because it’s you asking that… that my mind goes there,” the young man replied with a pout.

“Oh? Do I get another confession already, Aian?”

“What?! No! Argh, you’re impossible.”

Kalvin was grinning by this point. The genuine smile softened his usually hard, cold face and made him look almost boyish.

It sent Aian’s heart fluttering. He reminded himself just how doomed he really was when it came to this man.

They finally arrived at his parent’s house and Kalvin smoothly pulled up to the curb before killing the engine.

“Don’t look so nervous. It’s going to be fine.”

“You don’t know that,” Aian played with the door handle, trying to work up the courage to just open the door and get out. “I’m doomed.”

“Did you want me to open your door for you?”

That damn smirk was back.

“Don’t you dare. I can manage by myself thank you very much.”

He watched the door to his house open wide and his mother coming down the porch steps. With a sigh, he opened the door. Kalvin followed suit.

The upwards motion of the door caught him by surprise again but he managed to get out and shut the door before he was enveloped in a bone crushing hug.

“Yanyan, darling!”

“Mom,” he returned the hug although with considerably less force. “You know, I come back often enough that it shouldn’t be this big a thing when I arrive.”

“But we always miss you, darling! You’re our only son after all,” Glyniss stepped back and Aian gave his dad a quick hug.

“Happy birthday, Dad!”

“Thanks, son, it’s good to see you again,” his father returned his hug and looked him over as he beamed at him.

“Now you must introduce us to this handsome man over here!” Glyniss smiled at Kalvin, who stood off to the side with a small smile of his own on his face.

“Uhm, this is my twin flame, Kalvin Fenellere. Kalvin, these are my parents.”

Kalvin stepped forward and stretched out his hand for a shake. “A pleasure to meet you both.”

“How polite! And please, call me Mom, you’re part of the family now,” Glyniss reached up and gave a rather amused looking Kalvin a hug.

Aian had groaned at the ‘family’ comment.

Doomed.

He was really doomed.

“And this is my husband, Milton.”

Milton settled for a firm handshake.

“Then, likewise, please call me Kalvin or K, whatever is fine.”

“That’s a very nice looking ride you have there,” Milton murmured with raised eyebrows as he glanced at the car.

“Thank you, it’s a personal favourite,” Kalvin replied politely, gray eyes twinkling with amusement.

“Let’s not stand around out here all day. Come on, everyone inside for some morning tea,” Glyniss ushered the three of them inside and Aian squared his shoulders.

It was going to be a long day.

*****

His mother had been surprisingly well behaved during the morning and over their lunch.

There had been a few teasing suggestions that earned a blush but nothing major.

Yet, she had this mischievous glint in her green eyes that had Aian rather worried.

“Yanyan, dear, did you bring those photos for Chiyo?”

“Oh yeah, they’re in my bag in the car.”

“I’m just going to start getting dinner ready. It’s going to take a little while as it’s a special dinner, so why don’t you pop over with K? She’s really looking forward to getting the photos. Oh, I’ll grab your bags if you get them out and leave them in the living room.”

Kalvin stood and Aian followed him out to the car. “Chiyo?” he questioned.

“Yeah, she lives next door. I took some photos of her grand kids when they stopped by to visit. They all live in another state so they don’t come down very often. They passed through Glury City so I showed them around a little for a day and snapped off the photos for her.”

Kalvin pulled out both of their bags and handed Aian his. “That was nice of you.”

Aian just shrugged. “I know her since I was young. She’s lived next door to us as long as I can remember and she’s always coming over with fresh vegetables or baked goods to share with my parents. She used to sneak me sweets when I was just a little boy.”

He smiled at the memory. “It was Mom’s suggestion, but I thought it would be nice to give her something back.”

Aian pulled out a small photo album from his bag before passing it over to Kalvin. “Hold this, I’ll just throw the bags inside.”

Aian grabbed Kalvin’s bag as well and ducked inside to return a few seconds later empty handed. He took back the photo album back and led the way next door.

A few knocks on the door and an answer from the inside could be heard. The door swung open to reveal a tiny elderly lady with snow white hair and a warm smile.

“Aian!”

He leaned down to give her a quick hug. For all that she looked rather frail, there was a very intelligent and playful gleam in her bright eyes.

“Hello, Chiyo, I brought the photo album for you.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful, Yanyan! But before you come in, you must introduce me to the strapping young man behind you.”

Aian spluttered while Kalvin smirked at him.

“Kalvin Fenellere, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Kalvin said smoothly.

“Oh my! So handsome and well mannered!” she reached forward and gave his bicep a squeeze. “Strong too. Is that your car there?” she asked, nodding to the flashy sports car at the curb that Aian so wanted to cover up.

“It is indeed,” the man answered, a hint of mirth in his voice.

“And wealthy enough to provide for another. You caught yourself quite the twin flame, Yanyan.”

Aian’s cheeks were burning and he wanted to sink through the ground in embarrassment. 

“Now, come in, come in,” she ushered them both inside to feed them tea and baked sweets, which Kalvin politely declined, while she went through the photo album with Aian.

“Ahh, this is such a wonderful gift! I can’t see my lovely grandchildren in person very often but at least I can see their smiling faces in picture! Speaking of grandchildren, now that you have found your twin flame, that’s something you will have to start thinking about.”

Aian choked on his biscuit. “Excuse me?” he finally croaked out.

“Well, you cannot tell me you are not sleeping with this attractive specimen of a man.”

Aian thought he might just learn if it’s possible to die of embarrassment.

“And clearly he can provide more than well enough for the both of you plus another if he is driving around in that,” she shot Kalvin a piercing look. “You seem sensible enough, I am assuming you didn’t put yourself into debt to get such a vehicle?”

Kalvin was looking highly amused at the entire situation. “Not at all.”

“Good,” she turned back to a beet red Aian. “I’m sure Glyniss would love little ones running around. You should get started soon, adoption is a long process.”

Why does everyone do this to him?