tatum

You and Lukas had been together for about four months now, but it felt like so much longer in the best way possible.

You’d met around Christmas time, being introduced through mutual friends at a holiday party in Vancouver. The spark had been instant , you both couldn’t deny it. A few weeks later, he asked you out properly, and from that first date, everything just clicked.

Now, the two of you had grown so comfortable with each other it was crazy and amazing at the same time. Some couples were still shy at this stage, tiptoeing around each other with polite touches and unsure kisses.

But not you and Lukas though, you’d already fallen into a rhythm that felt natural, like you’d known each other for years. You two spent mornings tangled in his sheets, his arm draped heavily over your waist as he pressed lazy kisses to your shoulder.

You were convinced his love language after physical touch, was teasing you. It didn’t matter what the situation was, he’d do it to cheer you up after a long day until you dissolved into giggles, or he’d do it just because he felt like it.

Lukas was ready to introduce you to his parents barely a month into dating. To him, it felt like it was the most natural next step because his mom had already been excited from the first time he mentioned you. It gave him even more reasons to push for it, his enthusiasm bubbling over like he couldn’t wait to show you off to the people he loved.

It would’ve been that easy if the timing had worked out. But with hockey games, travelling, practices, and him getting traded made any trips to Germany not realistic. You were honestly thankful for the delay, because it bought you time to breathe.

It wasn’t that you didn’t want to meet his family, you did want to meet them eventually. The energy on face time calls always made you smile, and his parents seemed warm and genuine, asking about your job, your hobbies, even teasing Lukas about how smitten he sounded.

But the thought in the back of your mind stayed, what if they didn’t like you once they saw you face to face? What if his mom had always pictured him with someone from Germany with someone who understood the language fluently, fit seamlessly into their world?

Anytime Lukas brought up the fact that you’ll eventually have to meet his family in person, you groaned dramatically and buried your face deeper into whatever pillow or blanket was closest. “Do I have to?” you’d whine. “What if she doesn’t like me? Why can’t we just keep living like this, just the two of us? I’ll never have to be scared wondering if they will or won’t like me.”

“You’re just being delusional, babe” he said, chuckling at your complaints. “My mom already loves you. She asks about you every time we call, there’s nothing you have to worry about.”

“I’m not delusional.”

“Even if they didn’t like you, there’s nothing they could change. At the end of the day, you’re the one for me so it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks.” He paused, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of your head. “But I’m still sure they’ll love you.”

“But it does matter. They have to like me, or I’ll literally die from the embarrassment of not being liked by them.”

“No you won’t die.” Lukas convinced you. Lukas had no issue with dealing with your nervousness, it was totally normal, but he wanted you to know that there was nothing to worry about.

You almost managed to dodge the topic every single time Lukas brought it up. You’d change the subject or distract him with kisses until he laughed and let it go.

But now there was no escaping it and you knew deep down it had to be done, and the faster you ripped off the bandage, the sooner the anxiety might finally ease.

The plane from Boston had touched down in Munich a couple of hours ago. After collecting your luggage, Lukas called an uber, and the two of you climbed into the backseat of the car headed toward his childhood home.

Lukas reached over and laced his fingers with yours, thumb brushing soothingly across your knuckles. “I don’t know if I told you,” he said casually, “but my brother’s wife and their baby will be there too, of course.”

“Oh wow, great,” you muttered, leaning your head against the seat. “Now I have even more reasons to be nervous.”

“Relax” he chuckled, squeezing your hand. “It’s going to be fine.”

You turned to look at him. “Lukas, are you sure they’ll like me?”

He paused for a second, pretending to think it over with exaggerated seriousness. “Hm.. I don’t know. I think my mom is going to haaate you. Maybe we shouldn’t do this anymore, if I’m being honest.”

You knew he was just being annoying on purpose because he loved winding you up like this but your mouth still fell open. You shoved at his chest lightly. “Shut up, you’re so stupid!”

“No, for real,” he insisted, flashing a wide, toothy grin that made his whole face light up. He was clearly fighting back laughter.

You groaned, laughing a little despite yourself. “You know, I always thought my boyfriend would make me feel better in situations like this, but I guess not.”

“I can make you feel better later if that’ll make me a good boyfriend?” His eyebrows wiggled suggestively.

You laughed and swatted his arm. “Just stop talking.”

You pulled up in the driveway of the charming house just as the sun was beginning to set. The uber came to a gentle stop, and Lukas quickly hopped out, grabbing both suitcases from the trunk with ease. You thanked the driver softly before stepping onto the gravel path beside him.

The front door swung open almost immediately, revealing a small group of smiling faces. His mom spotted you first, stepping forward with open arms, her expression warm and inviting. “Hi, darling! Come here,” she said, pulling you into a hug. “You’re even more beautiful in person. Lukas didn’t do you justice at all.”

Heat rushed to your cheeks. “Thank you so much,” you hugged her back. Her being so inviting, instantly calmed some of your nerves.

She moved on to hug her son tightly. Lukas grinned, then slipped right back to your side, his hand finding yours. “Everyone, this is y/n,” he said proudly. “Y/n, this is my dad, Martin.” You shook his dad’s hand politely. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Reichel.”

Next came his older brother Thomas and his wife Sarah. They both greeted you with easy smiles and hugs. Then his sister Theresa, who immediately pulled you into a side hug.

Inside, the house was cozy and lived in, with family photos lining the walls. “Your home is lovely,” you complimented, glancing around. They waved off the praise modestly and ushered everyone into the living room.

The evening unfolded better than you had dared to imagine. Conversation flowed naturally over dinner, as they asked about how you and Lukas had met from your perspective, you shared bits about growing up in Vancouver, your job, and what it was like adjusting to Boston.

After dinner, you and Lukas settled on the couch in the living room, his arm draped comfortably around your shoulders as you talked quietly about tomorrow’s plans. The house was peaceful now, the baby asleep upstairs and the rest of the family scattered.

“Oh, there you two lovebirds are! I was looking for you,” his mom said with a bright smile as she entered the room. She was holding a thick, well loved photo album and a blue folder tucked under her arm.

“Hi,” you replied warmly, sitting up a little straighter.

“We’re here,” Lukas answered, already sounding suspicious.

She settled on the couch right next to you, ignoring her son’s wary expression. “Gotta show y/n a few stuff,” she said, opening the album with clear excitement. Lukas’s facial expression immediately went in “oh no”, his eyes widening as he recognized the book.

The first pages were filled with baby pictures, round cheeks, messy hair, and the biggest toothless grin you’d ever seen. “Aww, Lukas” you cooed, unable to stop yourself. “You were so cute as a baby!”

His mom beamed and flipped to more pages. “Look at his first day of kindergarten,” she said, pointing at a photo of tiny Lukas in a bright backpack, clutching his mom’s hand. Another picture of him on the ice, in tiny skates, hockey stick almost bigger than he was.

She launched into an embarrassing story about how he once tried to impress a coach at the rink by skating backwards and fell right on his face. “Mom!” Lukas groaned.

“No, no, tell me more,” you laughed, patting his leg. “Lukas wanted to be funny this morning by joking with me, so go on.”

His mom laughed delightedly and kept turning pages, showing more photos while sharing sweet stories. You were completely charmed. “Could I get copies of a few of these?” you asked at one point, pointing to your favorites.

“Of course, darling,” she said, opening the blue folder which held even more prints. “His kindergarten teachers always said he was the most talkative child in class.”

“Oh, I bet he was.” you grinned, glancing at Lukas. “He still might be the most talkative person I know, but I love listening to him, so I don’t mind at all.”

His mom nodded. “Exactly! There was this one time-”

“Okay, Mom,” Lukas cut in quickly, standing up and gently pulling your arm softly so you rose with him. “I’m getting pretty tired. You want to go upstairs now?”

You smiled apologetically at his mom. “Thank you so much for showing me these. Goodnight.”

She waved you off with a happy smile. “Goodnight, you two. Sleep well.”

Lukas kept his hand on your lower back the whole way up the stairs, muttering about “can’t believe my family’s betraying me” while you tried not to laugh.

When you made it to his childhood room upstairs, Lukas closed the door behind you with a soft click. He didn’t waste a second and pulled you gently against his chest, one arm wrapping around your waist while his other hand tilted your chin up.

Being taller, he always made you look up at him like this. “So.. do you like my family?” he asked, hazel eyes searching yours.

You nodded, warmth spreading through your chest. “Mhmm. I really do, they’re amazing.”

You rose up on your tiptoes to press a quick, sweet kiss to his lips. But as you started to pull away, Lukas chased the kiss, capturing your mouth again. Then another and another. Soft, playful popcorn kisses scattered across your lips, the corner of your mouth, and your nose until you couldn’t hold back a bright smile.