Cappuccino in the Clouds Chapter 7
Coffee AU + Young Philinda + Christmas Hallmark movie + Meeting the Parents + Romance + Tender moments
Get caught up: Chapter 1 I Chapter 2 I Chapter 3 I Chapter 4 I Chapter 5 I Chapter 6
Chapter 7: Meeting the Parents
A few days later, Phil and Melinda were on their way to the airport, to visit her parents. Philâs nervousness showed, his eyes darting all over the place.
âPhil, chill. Itâs okay. My parents are cool.â Melinda replied, putting her hand on Philâs.
âYeah, and then I find out your mom is a SHIELD agent and that Nick is the Director of SHIELD? So now Iâm gonna be interrogated!â Phil was being slightly melodramatic as they neared the airport in their Uber.
âRetired SHIELD agent. Sheâs just a professor at the Academy now.â Melinda answered, getting ready to grab her stuff.
âAlright, alright. Whew. Iâll be fine. Everything is fine.â Phil tipped the Uber driver and then got out of the car with Mel.
Melinda smiled, looking at him. She had gotten him more Christmas gifts. While she did like Philâs style, his hipster barista outfits did need a little updating. So, she had gotten him a mid V-neck and a bomber jacket, which he wore to the airport. She thought he looked quite handsome. Phil was unsure about the V-neck, but seeing how it made Melinda happy, he didnât mind.
âYou look good, Phil. Here, one more gift. Youâll need these in Arizona.â She handed him a brand new pair of aviator sunglasses.
The two lovers took a selfie before they went into the airport. Melinda had worn her leather jacket, a v-neck shirt as well, and aviator glasses.
âNow you do look like an agent of some sort in that outfit, Melinda.â Phil had told her when she had shown up at his place earlier that day.
âWhat can I say? I look good in leather.â
âYeah you do,â Phil gave her a deep kiss.
âAlright Phil, we gotta head to the airport, donât have time for another.â Melinda had laughed, tearing herself away from his touch.
âFine.â Phil pouted, only half joking.
Mel and Phil got on the plane, and once they got settled, held hands. âI canât believe your parents got us first class. Iâve never flown first class.â
Melâs laughed, âYeah, my mom has a ton of points from traveling so much in her SHIELD days. She uses them now to fly me home.â
The flight attendant brought champagne by. Phil grinned, âWow! Free alcohol too.â
The flight went well, with Mel and Phil watching a movie on the plane. Mel had snuggled into Philâs arms, and the two had drank probably too much champagne. But Melâs parents were picking them up, so no worries on drinking and driving.
As they landed and went out to get picked up, Phil put on his new sunglasses in the bright Arizona sun.
âNot gonna lie, Phil, you look hot in that outfit. Like you are in your 30s now.â Melinda swooned.
âOh...so mid 30s is what you look for then?â Phil teased.
âNo, just you look more refinedâ
âWell I donât think you can age, Mel. Iâve seen your high school photos you showed me.â He wrapped his arm over her waist.
âGood genes account for that one.â
Phil moved his hand along her hip. âYeah, good jeans.â
Melinda rolled her eyes and blushed. âYou are so dorky.â
Before the two could share a kiss, Melindaâs parents pulled up. Phil immediately stood straight, looking like a cadet who forgot to salute his superior officer.
âGood afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. May.â Phil said, helping Mel get the luggage into the trunk.
âNice to meet you, Phil. Mrs. May stuck her hand out to shake it.
Mr. May gave Phil a stern glance, âHi Phil.â
The four adults rode mostly in silence on the way to the May residence, but Melinda was able to keep some conversation going between her parents and Phil.
Mrs. May seemed quite interested in hearing all about âUncleâ Nick, and Mr. May wanted to know all about Philâs coffee shop.
They all made it to their house and got settled in. Mrs. May showed Phil his room while Mr. May and Melinda prepped snacks.
âHereâs our guest room, Phillip. Donât feel like you have to sleep in there though,â She gave him a wink, and Phil blushed dark red.
Melinda popped in her head, âOh mom, what did you say to Phil?â
Melindaâs mom laughed, âOh, nothing.â
Melinda took Phil by the hand. Let me show you my room. Melindaâs room was just as it was like when she moved out at 18. It was simple, like her apartment, but there was a spot with all her medals and awards from school and sports.
âYeah, we can sleep in here or in the guest room, whichever you want. I think my parents put you in the guest room just to not presume anything.â Melinda felt slightly embarrassed about the whole thing.
âNo, no itâs totally cool. Besides...your mom knows whatâs up.â Phil blushed again.
âOf course she does, Phil. She was a SHIELD agent. And my dad is just...old fashioned. But his wife isnât. So it all works out.â Melinda led Phil back out to the living room, where the parents were sitting.
The day went by fairly smoothly, with Phil only being grilled a bit by Mrs. May, and only a few embarrassing comments by Mr. May.
Melinda and Phil were walking through the neighborhood as the sun began to set. âYour parents are awesome, Mel.â
Melinda chuckled, âReally? They grilled you and embarrassed you in the same conversation.â
Phil squeezed her hand, âNo, itâs okay. Itâs just, nice to be around older adults again. They care for you, greatly. Iâm willing to suffer some scrutiny and embarrassment to have your hand.â
The sun began to set over the hills, and Melinda leaned into Phil, just like they had on their first date night.
âI feel like weâve been dating forever.â Phil replied, feeling so comfortable with Melinda pressed against him.
âIt some ways, it doesnât feel real. But I think itâs because we were friends before we started dating.â Melinda answered, coming to that conclusion the other day.
âYeah, thatâs true. You did come into the shop nearly every day for 7 months.â Phil laughed, realizing now how much Mel had been crushing on him all this time.
âAnd it still took you that long to ask me out!â Mel punched him slightly in the arm.
âTrue, but this did turn out well. I mean...Christmas day was the best day of my life.â Phil kissed her gently on the neck.
âMmm, youâre right. Alright, Phil, letâs get back to the house. Thankfully...my parents go to bed early.â Melinda touched his lips with her finger.
âOh good.â The two came back to the house, with Mr. and Mrs. May already putting the final touches on dinner. They all ate together, and Phil smiled.
âThank you for having me over. This is the first family dinner Iâve had in a long while. I...Iâve missed it.â Phil was trying so hard not to cry. It had been nearly lost in his memory the last time he had dinner with two parents.
Melinda began tearing up, as well as Mr. May. Melindaâs mom smiled gently.
âSorry for getting emotional.â Phil felt embarrassed, but Melinda put her hand on his back.
âNo, son. Donât be. I lost my parents when I was young too. This is why it was so hard for Mellieâs mom and I. I would be so afraid sheâd lose her mom young, like I did. But she made it. So every day, we appreciate what we have.â Mr. May said seriously. Phil had touched a soft spot on Mr. May.
The rest of the meal was spent quiet, everyone contemplative. Melinda and Phil picked up all the dishes and said they would clean up.
âDoing okay, Phil?â Mel said as she set her hand on his lower back.
âYeah, doing fine now. Just happy and somber at the same time. If that makes sense.â Phil shrugged as he began to wash the plates.
âYou know, never feel embarrassed about talking about your feelings. Thatâs one thing I learned from my dad. My mom had to shut off herself a lot when I was growing up, because of the things she saw as an agent. But my dad was able to pull her back out of the wreckage every time.â Melinda answered, remembering when her mom couldnât even hug her. There had been a mission in Bahrain. Something happened there. Melâs mom never shared about it. Mrs. May shortly retired after that, and became a professor.
âThanks, Mel. Itâs great to see your parents. Iâm really glad I decided to come.â Phil and Mel finished cleaning in relative, with Phil humming a song and Melinda loading up the dishwasher.
Late evening fell, and Mr. and Mrs. May went to bed promptly at 9 pm. The parents had left some drinks and desserts out for Phil and Mel.
âLooks like we are alone at last, Phil,â Melinda had wrapped her arms around Phil.
âMmmhmm. Been a long day. But a good day. And an even better night.â Phil said, before he pulled Mel in for a long kiss.