Jeanmarco Revival Week Day 7 - Meet the Family
“Are you sure it’s okay with your family that I come?”
“Yes Jean, for the hundredth time. I’m not leaving my boyfriend alone on thanksgiving vacation. Besides, they’re all dying to meet you.”
Marco snickers. “Well, there’s my parents, My older sister Nessie and her husband Matt, their little girl Emma, my little brother Marius, my uncle Mickey and his boyfriend Mike… Ymir and Krista will be there.”
“How exactly is she related to you again?”
“She’s uncle Mickey’s daughter from his first marriage.”
“She… well, they got a devorce for a few reasons but… In my opinion, she was kinda crazy. Her name was Anna. Ymir doesn’t really like to talk about her.”
“That’s fair, I barely talk to my dad anymore either. He’s got issues.”
Marco moves across the floor and comes to let next to Jean on his bed. “You really don’t want to go see your mom for break?”
“Nah, I already talked it over with her. I’m not driving eight hours just to spend one day at home.”
“But you don’t mind driving for two with me?”
“Nope, I’m looking forward to it.”
Marco gives him and easy smile. “Glad to hear it.”
Stepping into the Bodt household was like stepping into another world for Jean. The whole place was decked out in autumn dicor, Marco’s father, taller and a little broader than Marco with the same dust of freckles over his nose, greeted them at the door and ushered them into the house without a second thought.
“Hi I’m Dave, Marco’s dad. Nice to meet you, Jean right?”
“Yeha, I’m Jean. Nice to meet you too.” Jean holds out his hand and Dave takes it pulling him into a manly hug.
“It’s about time my son finally brought someone home, I was getting to think he’d be alone forever!”
Marco groans shutting the door behind him. “Dad, please!”
“Go see your mother in the kitchen, she broke out the good Chianti.” Dave leads them both by the shoulds to the kitchen where they were greeted by a short, bubbly little Italian woman with a glass of wine in hand.
“Marco, baby! Welcome home!” She sets down her glass and rushes to her son pulling him into a bear hug. She pulls back and dusts off his sweater beaming.”Oh, and this must be Jean! Nice to meet you sweetie!”
Jean smiles as he’s pulled into a similar hug. “Nice to meet you too ma’am.”
“Oh no no, call me Aurora! Or mom, if that’s easier!”
“Mom, please don’t scare him off.” Marco begs.
“It’s okay.” Jean laughs. “”This is a nice change of pace from my family.”
“Would you like a glass of wine dear? Or anything else? The pantry and the fridge are stocked.”
Jean grins at her. “I’ll try some of that wine.”
Aurora pours them both a glass and tells them to go see everyone in the living room. Jean meets Marco’s little brother Marius first who is an exact carbon copy of Marco but about two feet shorter and had his nose buried in his phone. He gets a simple “hey” before being directed to Marco’s sister Nessie and her little girl Emma on the floor.
“Unko Maako!” Emma squeals in delight as she gets up from her spot on the floor and rushes to him. Marco scoops her up and kisses her on the cheek.
“Emma, this is my friend Jean. He’s going to stay for Thanksgiving with us.”
She gives Jean a bashful wave and hugs Marco’s neck. “Hi Jean.” she says hiding her face.
“Oo, you better watch out Marco, I’ve seen her give those eyes to boys before.” Marco’s sister snorts.
“And this is my sister Ness.” He says rolling his eyes.
“Hi Ness, nice to meet you.” Jean says shaking her hand. “And It’s nice to meet you too Emma. Can I shake your hand?”
Emma gives Jean another bashful smile and holds out her hand laughing a sweet little laugh as he takes it. Marco sets her down and she runs back to her mother giggling.
“Where’s Matt?” Marco asks turning around the room.
“In the garage with the other boys. Ymir Included.”
Marco shrugs. “Figures. Okay, well I’m going to take Jean to meet everyone else. We’ll be back.”
Jean waves and doesn’t miss Emma waving back at him.
“Man, your family really goes all out for these things, huh?” Jean asks falling in step with Marco.
“We’re a close family, we get together as often as we can. Mom loves having everyone over, so the holidays are big for us.”
Jean chuckles. “My family is the polar opposite. We avoid each other at all costs. Your family is great though.”
Marco grabs Jeans hand. “I’m glad you think so.”
They make it into the garage to find Ymir and who Jean assumes is Matt, Mike, and Mickey.
“Is this him?” One of them with a hat and a beer can pipes up. “Nice Job Marco! He’s got a nice ass.”
“Are you kidding?” the man next to him chides in. “I don’t buy Marco as a top for one second!”
Ymir bursts out laughing.
Marco is absolutely mortified taking a step in front of Jean as if to shield him. “Oh my god! Can you guys not? What is wrong with you?”
“Cheer up Marco! Nothing wrong with being a pillow princess!” The man in a hat stands up and holds his hands out to Jean. “I’m Mickey, Marco’s favorite uncle!”
“Nice to meet you, I’m Jean.”
“And I’m Mike! Want a beer Jean?” Mike asks holding up a can.
“I’ve got a glass of wine, thanks though.”
“Posh.” Mickey and Mike respond at the same time.
“Hi Jean!” Krista says coming over with a smile and a glass of wine in her own hand.
“Hey, you hanging out with the boys too?”
Yeah, it’s pretty entertaining.” she says smiling.
Matt stands up last offering Jean his hand. “Hi I’m Matt, Nessie’s husband.”
“More like wife.” Mike jokes.
“Haha, very funny uncle Mike.”
Marco sighs scrubbing a hand over his face. “Well, this is my family…”
“It’s nice to meet all of you.” Jean says grinning.
Ymir throws an arm around Marco and pulls him in for a nuggie “Ain’t it great to be home Marco?”
Marco shrugs her off and wipes a hand over his face.“You all exhaust me…”
Much to Marco’s relief, dinner goes extremely well. Jean seems to have a great time eating and laughing with his family. Marco’s mother talks them into spending the night and it was when they were curled up in Marco’s old bed in his childhood room Marco can laugh about his family’s actions.
“I can’t believe uncle Mike said that to me. I could totally top you.”
Jean snorts. “Yeah, and is probably love it…. your family is great. I haven’t had this much fun in a while.”
Marco grins leaning in to kiss Jean on the cheek. “They’re a bit much sometimes, but they’re family. I’m glad you had a good time.”
“Thanks for inviting me Marco.”
“Thank you for coming. This is going to sound stupid, but I was kind of scared you wouldn’t want to.”
“Why wouldn’t I want to?”
Marco shrugs burying his face into Jean’s neck. “Meeting the family is kind of a big step I guess. I didn’t know if you were ready for that.”
“Marco I… I love you. And I’m glad you want me to meet your family.”
Marco pulls back and gives him one of the most beautiful smiles he’d ever seen. “You love me?”
“Yes! I love you, and it’s cute that you’re so shy about things, but you don’t have to worry. I love this. I love you.”
Marco presses their foreheads together and leans in to press a soft kiss to Jeans lips. “I love you too Jean. Thank you.”
