Author's Notes: Here is the next installment. We are going to see what happens when Hiram brings his girlfriend, Arya, home to meet his parents. Thank you to everyone who reviewed, favorited, read, or followed. KK: Yeah, I thought that was kind of funny. Lol. CelestrialMoon: Thank you!
Meeting the Parents
Sixteen year old Hiram pulled into the driveway of his parents' home. His girlfriend, Arya, was twisting her hair nervously. Hiram put the car into park and unbuckled his seat belt. He smiled at his girlfriend and held her hand.
"There's nothing to be afraid of," said Hiram, soothing Arya.
Arya pushed a strand of copper hair out of her eyes. She did not seem convinced.
"What if they do not like me?" asked Arya, biting her bottom lip.
"There's no chance of that," replied Hiram, chuckling a bit. "You are wonderful. My parents will love you."
"How can you be so sure?" questioned Arya. She took her hand out of Hiram's and straightened her cerulean skirt. "I'm not that great. They might want you to date someone else."
"Arya, I am positive," said Hiram. He placed his hands on either side of her face. Hiram gazed into those almond shaped, blue eyes that he adored so much. "Even on the off chance that my parents don't like you, it does not matter. I like you. That alone is enough for me."
Arya grinned as she looked back into Hiram's jade green eyes. She knew that he was right. She was worrying over nothing. Everything was going to be alright. Hiram got out of the car and walked to the other side. He held the door open for Arya. Arya blushed and kissed Hiram on the cheek.
Inside, Tony watched the young couple from the living room window. He watched the conversation between them. For once, Tony wished that he could read lips. Unfortunately, that was one skill that he had never mastered. He was startled suddenly by a pair of hands that wrapped themselves around his waist.
"Spying, are you?" asked Ziva DiNozzo, his wife.
"More like observing, Ziva," answered Tony, earning himself a chuckle.
"Some things never change," muttered Ziva.
Tony did not answer. A frown formed on his lips.
"I cannot believe that Hiram is bringing a girl home," stated Tony. "Seems like just yesterday, he said that girls had cooties. Where did the time go?"
"I know what you mean," replied Ziva, giving her husband a squeeze from behind. "Gemma isn't too far behind her brother. She just started dating that Oliver boy from orchestra. A pity that she couldn't be here tonight."
"There will be other opportunities, I am sure. Look, she's a redhead," declared Tony, seeing Arya get out of the car. "Gibbs would approve."
"Indeed," said Ziva. They watched as the young couple made their way hand-in-hand to the door. Ziva let go of Tony. "I'd better go check on the spaghetti."
"I'll assist you," said Tony, chasing after her.
Tony and Ziva busied themselves in the kitchen. Or at least pretending to like Tony was. They heard the door open and Hiram calling for them. Ziva patted down her dress clothes and glanced at Tony.
"How do I look?"
Tony gave her a big hug.
"Great as always," replied Tony, kissing the top of her head.
Hiram entered the kitchen with Arya. Hiram was smiling broadly. Arya, on the other hand, looked extremely pale. Which was saying something because she had alabaster white skin. Ziva and Tony smiled warmly at Arya, who gave them a weak smile back.
"Mom and dad," declared Hiram. "This is Arya Pennington. My girlfriend."
"A pleasure to meet you," said Ziva, smiling at Arya.
"We've heard a lot about you," said Tony.
"Likewise, Mister and Missus DiNozzo," said Arya, still grey faced.
"Why don't we have a seat, Arya?" suggested Hiram, breaking the awkward tension. Arya nodded.
Hiram pulled out a chair for Arya. She seated herself on the chair. Her face was as red as her hair. Hiram pushed the chair up to the table and then seated himself. Tony and Ziva bustled about, pretending not to notice. The girl was obviously very intimidated by them. They were both thinking of ways to diffuse the tension. It was Tony who spoke first.
"Hiram tells us that you are quite the basketball star," said Tony, gathering plates for the spaghetti. "I played basketball myself. That and football. Could have went pro if it wasn't for an injury."
Arya blinked. Her eyes widened.
"You're that DiNozzo?" questioned Arya. "The one that played for Ohio State?"
"Why, yes I am." replied Tony, gathering silverware.
"My grandfather was a huge fan of yours," replied Arya, hardly believing her eyes. "He was so upset when you couldn't play any more."
With her back to them, no one could see Ziva roll her eyes. If someone did not stop him soon, Tony was going to spend the next hour recapping his days as a football star at school. Fortunately, Hiram butted in. He had sensed the danger as well.
"Arya has been offered numerous scholarships to play basketball in college," stated Hiram, looking at his girlfriend with pride. "Ohio State was one of them."
"Spaghetti is ready," Ziva cut in. "Everybody grab a plate and dig in."
And that is just what everyone did. Arya seemed to loosen up the longer that the evening progressed. Once supper was finished, strawberry ice cream was served for dessert. When the ice cream was devoured, Tony brought out Apples to Apples for the entertainment.
Finally around ten o clock, Hiram took Arya back to her parents' house. After saying goodbye to Hiram's parents, Arya and Hiram made their way to his car. Tony and Ziva watched the car pull out of the driveway until it was out of sight.
"That was fun," said Tony, going back inside.
"Yes, it was," agreed Ziva. "Arya is a very nice girl."
"Yeah, and she was a real looker too," said Tony. That remark earned him an elbow in the ribs. "Ow, that hurt," Tony whined.
"You shouldn't say that about her," admonished Ziva.
"What," defended Tony. "I was just saying that Hiram found a nice looking young woman. What is the harm in that?"
Ziva opened her mouth to say what exactly was wrong with that, but shook her head.
"Never mind," she muttered. "I'm tired. Goodnight."
"Goodnight," said Tony.
Tony sat down in front of the television. His eyes felt droopy, but he did not want to get up. He fought to keep his eyes open. Tony wanted to be awake when Hiram came back home. Tonight had been such a great night. He was very proud of his son. Arya was a great girl. For a first romance, Tony thought that his son could not do much better. That got him thinking about what was ahead for his son. Hiram was bound to meet plenty of other girls his age. This was a brand new, exciting chapter in his son's life. One that would bring a myriad of emotions.
The sound of a door closing brought Tony out of his thoughts. Hiram was home. Tony heard his son take his shoes and coat off. Getting up from the couch, Tony made his way to the entrance hall.
Hiram's foot was on the second step when he stopped. He looked into eyes that matched his own. Tony smiled at his son.
"She's great," Tony told Hiram.
"Thanks, dad," replied Hiram, grinning broadly. "I think so too."
So what did you think? I hope that it wasn't too cheesy. Let me know okay? I am taking requests for chapters, so if you have an idea, don't hesitate to ask.
