You and Soap have been together long enough that it was inevitable—today, you’ll meet his family. His big, boisterous family. The thought alone sends a flutter of nerves through you. In your hand, a bottle of wine—a gift for his mother, picked out at his suggestion—feels heavier with each step you take toward the front door.

“Don’t worry so much, bonnie,” Soap says, his voice soft but certain as he brushes a lock of hair behind your ear. His lips graze your cheek in a quick kiss, a small comfort. “They’re gonna love ya. Just wait.”

He breathes in, steadying himself, before reaching for the door. The sound of the creaking wood echoes in the quiet, and you follow him across the threshold, feeling the weight of a new chapter beginning.

The moment the door swings open, the noise hits you like a wave. Laughter, shouts, clinking glasses—it’s a cacophony of voices and energy that fills every corner of the house. Soap steps inside first, giving you a reassuring squeeze on the hand before leading you into the heart of the storm.

The kitchen is packed with people—uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews—all crammed together in a whirlwind of animated conversation. Someone’s telling a loud story, everyone else laughing over one another, while a toddler tugs at Soap’s pant leg, demanding attention. The smell of food is rich and comforting, and in the corner, someone’s already strumming a guitar, adding to the ruckus.

You stand there for a moment, overwhelmed by the sheer volume of it all, the noise a sharp contrast to the quiet you’ve come from. Soap grins, his presence a quiet anchor amidst the chaos.

“There he is!!” One uncle yells “Is that my baby boy?!” His mum calls to him as she scurries across the kitchen to hug him.