21 Meeting Wang's Chinese-Italian Mix Family

They walked into the restaurant, and Changying was greeted with hugs and kisses finally remembering she had been here before on that first night she had gone out with Wang. She smiled at the owner, "It's so lovely to see you again," she laughed as he kissed both her cheeks loudly. She was shown to a large table, and her eyes widened as she realised the lunch would be bigger than she imagined.

Her eyes searched for Wang, but she couldn't see him yet. Standing at the end of the table each person stood and hugged her and kissed her cheeks like a long lost friend, she barely took in any names as she froze in place her arms going through the motions of each embrace.

"Come sit with me," a bubbly brunette girl called out as she stood awkwardly beside Jack as everyone finished hugging her. Changying smiled and moved toward the chair Jack closely behind her. "I know it's a little over whelming to meet your boyfriends family, so we kept it small," the girl chattered away, and Changying assumed this was Baozhai, Wang's sister.

"This is small?" Changying asked incredulously.

Jack interrupted the chatter, "Take a breath now and then, Maryann, let someone else get a word in." Changying took the opportunity to rummage in her bag for her phone, checking that Wang hadn't tried to ring or text her, but it was blank of anything new.

Jack whispered, "He's probably picking up Baozhai, she notoriously late," he grinned.

"Thanks," she turned to Maryann and whispered, "I didn't catch anyone's name could you run through them again, slowly for me, please? And maybe what relation they all are?"

Maryann laughed, "Well the boys are brothers, and the girls are sisters," she laughed at the look of wonder on Changying's face, "Except Jack, of course, he's a cousin but we love him like a brother." Maryann ran through the six other names with little anecdotes about the person. "There are two more older brothers at home on the farm Papa, and Baozhai and Wang and another sister who is in Italy at the moment."

"Twelve! There are twelve of you?" Changying was amazed.

"Three sets of twins sort of blew that out a bit, but yeah, nice big family," she grinned. "What about you?"

"I'm an only child, it's been just me and my mother for years now," Changying said quietly. "No extended family that we see regularly either, this is a little overwhelming."

"I can give you some of my cousins I have a gazillion of them, take Jack, he's nice enough when he isn't lecturing me," she poked her tongue out at Jack who scowled at her.

"Hey Romey, swap seats with me, I need to talk to Ben," Jack smirked and stood up leaving Changying surrounded by strangers. Antipasto platters and wine arrived along with a variety of breads, and Changying smiled nervously as her glass was filled up and she was passed the platters to choose from.

Romey smiled as he sat beside her and grabbed a platter, "Have more," he said quietly, this bunch won't even leave crumbs for Wang and Baozhai." She took the tongs he offered and helped herself to a little more.

"Actually," Changying said, "I was here once before, with Wang, they had this amazing cheesy garlic bread, do you see any of that on the table?"

"Might have to pry it away from Lucy but I will see what I can do," he laughed, "If she bites my finger like last time, you have to kiss it better."

Changying giggled, "Oh let her have it, I am sure if I ask they will make another one."

He raised his voice, "Lucy if you don't share that bread, Changying is going to order more." Ben stopped scowling at the now quiet Maryann long enough to turn his glare on Lucy who pushed the basket across the round table toward Changying. "We'll order some more anyway," he winked at his sister and offered the basket to Changying.

"What have you done little brat," Romey reached behind Changying, to poke Maryann in the ribs.

"Dated the wrong boy," she lowered her voice, "How was I supposed to know Jack would be at the club on a week night and see me?"

"There are only one a few families that could make Ben frown like that, better go and promise him your soul if you don't want him to tell Papa," Romey said seriously.

"Fine!" She scraped her chair back and flounced over and tapped Jules on the shoulder who vacated his chair for her.

Jules took the seat on the other side of Changying, "Baozhai is later than usual. Wang must be freaking out at her which would make her go slower on purpose."

Changying giggled at the thought of her controlled Wang freaking out, and the image of him storming into her apartment last night flashed into her head.

Romey refilled Changying's glass, "No worries, gives me time to get his girl drunk and steal her away."

Changying laughed again and took a sip of the wine, she was slowly relaxing, "If he doesn't come soon I might just take you up on that offer."

Jules pouted, "Hey, his name is Romeo because he gets all the girls, I am a much safer bet."

"Aren't you twins?" Changying looked between them, "I bet neither of you two have problems getting girls."

"See what happens when you so late Baozhai, the valentine brother's try and steal my woman," Wang's voice boomed from behind her.