A/N: Forgive me if the whole barbeque thing seemed a little…um…unclear and/or thrown together (I guess). I thought it would work out for the story better in the long run
Chapter 12
"So what does everyone want? We have turkey burgers, pork chops, grilled veggies, hot dogs, just not beef right?" Charlie asked walking over to the grill followed by Amita
"Right" Amita answered smiling. Charlie had thrown together what was supposed to be a little party but that hadn't turned out right and he's totally fine with it "I'm so sorry this happened. I knew this was supposed to be a small party but you also opened your home to my family also"
Our home, Amita, you live here too, Charlie wanted to say but he figured since she didn't acknowledge this as their home yet…"Its not a big deal"
"It is. You even remembered that I don't like beef"
"I know that the cow is a sacred animal in India"
"I know you know but you also know that I eat beef" Amita whispered glancing behind her at her family to see if they heard but Nishad and Nivrutti were talking sports with Alan and Don and Hetal and Akuti were having a quite discussion by the koi pond.
"Well then I have a confession to make, don't tell Don and my dad, but I kinda planned to have them over"
"You what?" Amita said staring opened mouthed at her boyfriend
"I kinda planned it. I sought out your family after the ceremony. I told dad and Don to get more food, just in case we get really hungry, I was really hoping to have them over. I wanted to meet your family…I um I want to tell them about us"
"Charlie…"
"Not that we live together. Just that we've been dating and that we are thinking of living together here. If you don't want to tell them, I'd understand. I don't want to rush you, I just thought-"
"Lets do it. Lets tell them, I talked to them, they like you"
"They do?" Charlie asked relaxing slightly. If they liked him then maybe they would be more accepting of him
"Yeah. Akuti and Hetal think you're cute and Nishad and Nivrutti think that you're cool…when they can understand what you're talking about" Amita smiled, this was going to be interesting
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"That was amazing, where did you two learn to cook like that?" Hetal questioned dropping her napkin on the plate in front of her (after clearing it for the second time)
"My wife, Margaret, took some cooking classes that taught dishes from other cultures. This was the only Indian dish I could eat without having to take antacids for a week" Everyone laughed at the joke (except Amita and Charlie but no one really noticed)
"Amita, did you call Anna? She must be worried sick about where you are" Nishad asked recovering from the bout of laughter. Amita looked at her cousins but said nothing. Charlie however paled a shade and fear filled his eyes. It was easy to say 'we will tell your family tonight', it was another to actually do it and now that the time had come, Charlie was scared
"What's up?" Don asked, knowing fully well what was going on
"Hetal, Akuti, Nishad, Nivrutti, I have something to tell you" Amita spoke softly and suddenly
"Go ahead sweetie" Akuti prompted getting slightly worried. Nothing was obviously wrong and that wasn't the most comforting thing
"I um…" Amita stumbled, she looked up at Charlie who decided to save her
Now or Never "Amita and I have been dating for about a year now" Charlie exclaimed quickly
"What?" Nivrutti questioned
"Two months we celebrated our one year anniversary. That night Charlie asked me to move in with him after I graduated, well I graduated and I want your blessing" Amita spoke gaining courage the whole way
"A year?" Akuti asked
"Yes" Charlie answered
"And you want to move in together? Where?" Nishad asked
"Here. The house" Amita supplied. She was getting nervous; all of their faces are blank
"Is this what you want?" Hetal asked her face still blank
"Very much so" Amita answered
"Well then congratulations!" Akuti said smiling, standing up to give her a hug.
"I can't believe it, Amita has had a boyfriend for more then three months. She hasn't scared him off yet" Nishad joked. Then they rounded on Charlie, who seemed a little taken aback but still the happiness was shining on his face.
A/N: Sorry this chapter took so long to get out. Schoolwork has a tendency of taking up a lot of my time, (then my friends kidnapping me to go driving around doesn't help either). What happened between Charlie and Amita during last night's episode made me upset, and I was very tempted to alter the end of this chapter but I fought the temptation and left it alone. Hopefully I can get the next chapter out faster.
