natalie had never met any of your family past your mother and father, and she didn’t have much to meet. and thinking about that, the idea of taking her to italy — your home country, as is hers — over christmas to meet your family popped into your head.

you brought it up in conversation, and she dismissed it. “i’m not the kind of girl that the family likes,” natalie said, shaking her head. “your parents like me, that’s enough.”

uh, newsflash, it’s not. you tried asking her again on multiple occasions, and she just denied it every time. until you were laying in bed with natalie, facing each other, just admiring the features and beauty of the other. her hand rested on your cheek as her thumb brushed over your skin gently, and she whispered, “i wanna meet your family.”

it didn’t take much planning to book an extra plane ticket and for your aunt to get another guest room ready for the two of you, not in the same bed, as your mother insisted.

natalie was so excited, shed even packed a week early. but that didn’t mean she wasn’t nervous. what if she fucked up? said something stupid? made you mad? no, she wouldn’t ruin this.

the two of you were sat next to each other on the plane, you buckled your seatbelt and huffed, ready for the twelve hour journey. she looked over at you. “ ‘m really glad i’m doing this.”