The Call

Mario went to the back and appeared moments later from the bustling kitchen with a knowing smile. He waved us over, a tray of steaming dishes in his hands.

"Here you go, lovebirds," Mario said with a wink, setting the tray down on our table. "I made a little something special for you two."

I exchanged a glance with Jasper, feeling a slight blush creeping into my cheeks. Mario had always been one to tease, but his gesture was undeniably thoughtful.

"Thanks, Mario," I said gratefully, reaching for the tray. "This looks amazing."

Mario grinned, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Enjoy, you two. And don't stay up too late," he added with a knowing look before disappearing back into the kitchen.

As Jasper and I made our way upstairs to my room, the tantalizing aroma of Mario's cooking filled the air. I couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth and contentment wash over me.

Settling onto the plush couch in my room, we eagerly dug into the feast Mario had prepared for us. The food was exquisite, each bite a delicious combination of flavors and textures that left us both feeling satisfied and content.

As Jasper and I enjoyed our meal in the cozy confines of my room, the familiar ringtone of Jasper's phone pierced the air, interrupting our conversation. I glanced over at him, noticing the steady stream of notifications lighting up his screen.

"Your phone seems to be blowing up," I remarked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.

Jasper glanced at his phone with a nonchalant shrug, a hint of annoyance flashing across his features. "Yeah, it's been ringing nonstop," he admitted, reaching over to silence the device without a second thought.

"Is everything okay?" I asked, sensing there might be more to the story.

Jasper sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's just work stuff," he explained vaguely, his expression clouded with tension. "Nothing I can't handle."

I studied him for a moment, sensing there was more going on beneath the surface. Jasper had never really been a private person, but his sudden dismissal of the calls seemed out of character.

"If you need to take care of something, don't let me stop you," I offered, gesturing towards his phone. "I can wait."

Jasper shook his head, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Thanks, but I'd rather focus on enjoying my time with you," he said, his gaze softening as he met my eyes. "Everything else can wait."

"I'm your husband now, can't you tell me?" I pouted.

"It's my mother." Jasper immediately confessed.

"I think you should answer it," I urged gently, gesturing towards his phone. "It seems like it won't stop ringing until you do."

Jasper sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "Yeah, you're probably right," he conceded reluctantly, reaching over to pick up his phone. With a resigned expression, he answered the call and put it on speaker, bracing himself for whatever awaited on the other end of the line.

"Hello?" he sighed wearily into the phone, already bracing himself for something.

""Son, I saw you in the news! You got married and didn't tell your mother?!"" his mom's voice scolded immediately, her tone carrying a mix of surprise and reproach.

With a heavy sigh, Jasper pushed back, his frustration evident in his response. "Didn't you think I was a pervert and move me out because I didn't want to marry your choice?" he retorted, his words tinged with bitterness from past conflicts.

""You're still my child! Please just meet me!"" she implored, her voice softening slightly in a bid for reconciliation.

"Fine." Reluctantly, Jasper relented, agreeing with his mother to shut her up.

""Then let's meet!"" she urged, eager to mend their strained relationship. Jasper glanced at me, seeking confirmation, and I nodded in silent agreement.

"Might as well come to Lombardi's now. Let's get this over with," he sighed, resigned to facing the inevitable confrontation.

""You can at least fake being happier!"" she chided, her words stoking his irritation.

"I'm not that good of an actor. You get what you get," Jasper retorted firmly, his resolve unwavering despite his mother's pleas.With a resigned sigh, his mother agreed to meet him in an hour, bringing their tense conversation to an end. Hanging up the phone, Jasper's shoulders slumped with exhaustion, the weight of a spontaneous family reunion bearing down heavily on him.

As I reached out to reassure Jasper, I could sense his reluctance to confront the impending situation with his mother. Despite my attempts to offer comfort and support, he seemed hesitant and unwilling to engage further. His expression betrayed a mixture of frustration and resignation, as if he simply wanted to avoid dealing with the issue altogether.

"Don't worry. Your husband will be there to help," I offered. The idea of meeting Jasper's mom felt like stepping into uncharted territory, navigating a terrain fraught with potential pitfalls and uncertainties. It was a milestone in our relationship, one that carried weight and significance beyond the usual milestones of dating.

As Travis had pointed out, meeting parents surpassed the initial awkwardness of the first dates or the nervousness of declaring our feelings for each other. It was a rite of passage, a moment where the dynamics of our relationship would be scrutinized and assessed by those who held a special place in Jasper's life.

If she even held a special place in his life.

Jasper's smile was warm and appreciative as he thanked me. "Thanks, love," he said, his gaze softening.

I glanced at him, feeling a mix of nerves and curiosity. "Is there anything I should prepare for?" I asked tentatively. "I mean, I want to make a good impression."

He shook his head gently, his smile reassuring. "Just be yourself," he replied. "I'm not entirely sure what their reaction will be, but I know they'll appreciate you for who you are if I do….. hopefully."

His words brought a sense of calm over me, despite the uncertainty of the situation.

I stood in front of my closet, grappling with various outfits, each one seemingly more unsuitable than the last. Jasper leaned against the doorframe, observing my indecision with amusement.

After what felt like an eternity of deliberation, Jasper finally spoke up. "You know, you look great in whatever you wear," he said, a playful smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

I sighed, feeling a tad exasperated. "But first impressions are important, Jasper," I insisted, holding up yet another outfit for his inspection.

He shook his head, his expression gentle but firm. "Trust me, you're fine just the way you are," he said reassuringly. "Besides, you're doing way too much for someone who probably won't even care about how you're dressed."

His words gave me pause, making me reconsider my frantic attempts to make a good impression. Maybe Jasper was right—perhaps I was overthinking things. With a grateful smile, I nodded, deciding to heed his advice and embrace my own baggy style. After all, confidence was the best accessory I could wear.

Dressed in my comfortable, casual attire, I followed Jasper out of my room and into a private dining room. The baggy pants and snug long-sleeve shirt felt like a comforting shield as we made our way to face Jasper's parents. Though my nerves were still jangling beneath the surface, Jasper's reassuring presence beside me helped to ease some of the tension.

"Jasper, why don't you seem more excited about me meeting your mother?" I asked, concern lacing my voice.

Jasper shifted in his seat, his expression thoughtful. "It's not that I'm not excited, Alex," he replied, his tone gentle. "It's just that...I've only told you good things about my family. But… well, my relationship with my parents has been quite complicated for a while."

I frowned, feeling a pang of sympathy for him. "Complicated how?" I pressed, wanting to understand.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Let's just say we've had our differences over the years," he explained cryptically. "But I promise, Alex, you'll see it for yourself when you meet her and I apologize in advance."

His words only served to heighten my curiosity, leaving me eager to learn more about the woman who had raised him. "What should I expect?" I asked, hoping for some insight.

Jasper shrugged, a hint of uncertainty in his eyes. "Honestly, I'm not sure," he admitted. "She can be... unpredictable at times."

I nodded, silently acknowledging his concerns. "Well, whatever happens, I'll be right there by your side," I reassured him, reaching out to squeeze his hand.

A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips, gratitude shining in his eyes. "Thanks, Alex," he said softly. "I appreciate that more than you know."

As Jasper's mom finally arrived, my eyes fell upon her tall, modelesque figure. She exuded an air of confidence as she entered the room, her posture erect and her movements graceful. Her presence commanded attention, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of intimidation in her presence. Dressed impeccably in a tailored suit, she carried herself with poise and elegance, her sharp features softened by a half smile as she greeted us. Despite my apprehension, I couldn't deny the striking presence she brought into the room.