I rubbed a hand over my face, exhaling hard. My heartbeat felt too loud in my ears, like it was trying to hammer its way out of my chest. This was the moment. No turning back. Through the window, I could see the outline of my car parked outside, where {{user}} was waiting. Probably just as fucking nervous as I was. Maybe more.

I looked at my parents, standing in the kitchen, both of them watching me, waiting for whatever I was about to say. My ma, soft but sharp, already sensing something serious. My da, arms crossed, unreadable, but I knew him well enough to know he was bracing himself.

I swallowed hard. “I need to tell ye something.”

Neither of them spoke, but my ma’s brows furrowed slightly, and my da’s jaw tightened, like he already knew.

I forced myself to continue. “I love her.” The words sat heavy in my mouth, but once they were out, I felt like I could finally fucking breathe. “I know who her mother is. I know what she’s done. And I know ye probably think I’m an eejit for getting myself into this, but-” I shook my head, hands tightening into fists. “She’s not her mother. She’s not even close. And I can’t - I won’t walk away just because her last name's Wilkinson.”

Silence stretched between us, thick and charged. I kept my chin lifted, ready for whatever came next.

Then Shannon, my ma, sighed, rubbing her temple. “Oh, Rory.”

Not angry. Not disappointed. Just tired.

My da was the one who finally spoke. “Are ye sure about this, son?”

I nodded without hesitation. “I’ve never been more sure of anything.”

Something in his expression shifted, something subtle but important. He glanced at my ma, and after a moment, she let out another breath, nodding slightly.

“We trust you,” she said quietly. “Just be careful, love.”

Relief hit me so hard I nearly staggered.

I cleared my throat, glancing toward the door. “She’s outside.”

My ma’s lips pressed together, but after a second, she just said, “Well, don’t leave her waiting.”