"Call him!" Rhydian said for what seemed like the billionth time whilst he and Jana were setting the table.
"He's probably busy," Jana replied.
"Jana," Rhydian said, "You've already met his family. Now it's time for him to meet yours."
Jana grimaced, she didn't want Rhydian to know just how much Xander was nervous about meeting him, just how much Xander hoped that Rhydian would approved of him, "I don't know."
"Yeah, we all need to meet Hotpants," Maddy added with a laugh.
Jana rolled her eyes, they were never going to let it go.
"Please tell me you're not inviting Hotpants to our hog roast," Gwyn said sulkily, "I can't stand the idea of them two being all mushy and lovey dovey whilst I'm trying to eat."
Rhydian laughed, putting an arm around Jana's shoulders, "Come on, it'll be ok. I'll call him if you want me to."
Before Jana got an opportunity to reply Cadwr swiped her phone out of her hand and ran to other side of the room, pressing the button that allowed him to call Xander.
"Cadwr!" Jana exclaimed, "Don't you dare…"
"Is this Xander?" Cadwr asked, "Cadwr… You have to come here immediately… no, nothing serious…"
"Cadwr, please," Jana begged, trying to chase after Cadwr as the young cub darted this way and that. Suddenly, Meinir appeared at the door, yanking the phone out of Cadwr's hand.
"Meinir," Jana began, as the older girl smiled.
"Sorry, about that Xander," Meinir said in silky tone, "We would just love it if you could join us for hog roast night… That's great… Yes, and I almost forgot to mention, Jana also has some other activities planned for you two later on tonight."
Jana swore whilst Gerwyn tried not to laugh, earning a slap from Ceri.
"No she doesn't," Cadwr said confused.
"Yes, that's what I assume she meant," Meinir said, "Well I'm sure she'll be happy to discuss what she's got planned once you arrive… We'll see you soon. Take care. Bye. Now, see Jana, it was quite easy, wasn't it?"
Jana was bright red with fury, tears of rage shining in her eyes, "Meinir, how could you?"
Rhydian shook his head at Meinir, before hugging Jana to his side, "That was too far. Even for you."
Meinir rolled her eyes, "You'll probably thank me later."
"He's going to think…" Jana began, her voice betraying that she was about to cry, "I just wanted every to be perfect."
"It still will be," Rhydian reassured her.
"You said he has a sister, right?" Tom asked, "Sisters play pranks like that all time. He probably won't even make a big deal about it."
"But what if he does?" Jana asked in a melodramatic tone.
"If he tries anything," Rhydian began, "I'll bury him in the garden."
"Please don't," Jana replied, "He wouldn't hurt me in any way."
"That's good to know," Rhydian said.
BREAK_BREAK_BREAK_BREAK
Xander stared at the horizon as he drove whilst the rain fell heavily on the window screen. It seemed no matter where you went in England, you could always be sure that there would be plentiful rain.
He couldn't believe that he'd been invited to hog roast night, well admittedly Ceri had been nagging him to come over for dinner quite often. He knew why Jana hadn't invited him, she appreciated that he was nervous about meeting all of them, that he wasn't quite sure what to do in family situations like that. It had just been him and Ellie for so long now- and he was used to spending his nights watching TV, eating ready meals and reading, trying not pay attention to the quietness that dominated the flat. Of course, as soon as he and Jana found their own little place, they'd be moving in together and it would no longer be like that. He couldn't believe how quickly things were going in their relationship.
That's why he wondered, however unlikely, if Meinir's comment about Jana's other 'activities' that she had planned was more than just a joke. He didn't know quite what to say to her, he didn't want to just laugh it off in case there was anything serious about the comment, but he didn't want to make too much of a big deal about it either. He loved Jana, but she was still very young, he didn't want to rush things. And then there was her brother of course, he definitely wouldn't let anything like that happen. Xander thought about what he would do to any guy that even looked at his sister in that way, he knew that Rhydian would react in exactly the same way- well maybe he wouldn't dispose of the body in a river perhaps.
Xander pulled into the driveway and ran towards the door, trying not to get drenched in the torrential rain, but ultimately failing.
He knocked on the door and seconds later he heard a shout and then Jana opened it. He knew that she'd been crying- he could tell from the way that her eyes were red- and pulled her into his arms, placing a kiss of her head.
"You're drenched," Jana said, taking comfort from being Xander's arms.
Gwyn made a retching noise, "Have a room!"
"She means get a room," Tom explained, "Gwyn why don't you go help Ceri, yeah?"
The cub stomped her foot angrily before running off.
"Hi, I'm Tom, Shannon's boyfriend," Tom said, shaking Xander's hand, "Glad you could make it. We've been hoping to meet you for ages."
"I meant to come over sooner," Xander began, "But work's been crazy, getting some new members going our security team next week. Should be exciting."
"I'm not sure Jana will be too happy about that," Gerwyn said, "I'm glad you could join us. We've heard so much about you."
"Gerwyn," Ceri said.
"What I didn't do anything," Gerwyn replied, before reaching to grab a slice of ham.
"Hi, I'm Rhydian, Jana's brother," Rhydian said introducing himself, "And this is Maddy, my fiancé, my Mum and Dad- who you've already met, Shannon- who you know from work, Gwyn and Cadwr- the cubs. And Meinir is somewhere, she'll be here soon."
"Already here," Meinir said as she walked down the stairs, "It's so good to meet you Hotpants- sorry, I mean Xander."
Xander gave Jana a questioning amused look, "It's nice to meet you too."
Meinir smiled before walking into the kitchen, "Try to behave," she whispered to Jana.
"Xander," Jana began, "The phone call earlier, I'm so sorry."
"It's ok," Xander said, cupping Jana's cheek his hand, "Really it's ok. Meinir's just one of the awful older sister type girls."
"You could say that," Jana said, "I feel so embarrassed."
"Ellie's played some pretty bad pranks on me before," Xander said, smiling, "Sisters are just like that. Although I have to admit that I was expecting something a little more inventive than Hotpants."
Jana groaned and Xander laughed.
"It's sweet," Xander said, hugging Jana, "Most couples have pet names, my little angel."
"Little angel," Jana said, raising an eyebrow, "I guess pet names aren't really our forte."
"Bit harsh," Xander said, "It could have been little cupcake."
"Cupcake?" Jana said incredulously, "I guess little angel is ok, even if that makes me sound like a toddler."
"I'm happy with Hotpants," Xander said.
"That's good," Jana said before kissing Xander.
Rhydian cleared his throat, "Dinner is ready."