"Do you realize that this is going to be the first time I've properly been around your family?" Trish asked John from the passenger seat of the car. They were on their way to spend the day with John's family and Trish was extremely nervous.
"Hun don't worry they'll love you" John said patiently, taking Trish's hand in his own and giving it a kiss. "It's not like this is the first time you've met them or been around them ya know".
"John you can't count the trial and all. I didn't really properly speak to any of them. I spent most of my time talking to Alexis" Trish said, casting a semi worried look toward John.
"Trish don't worry Dad's family is the greatest" Jessie piped up from the back seat. Trish turned and gave a small smile to her, still not sure about everything. She was brought out of her thoughts by John pulling up into the drive and turning off the car.
"We're here" John said, smiling a perky smile and getting out of the car. Jessie got out of the car and ran inside ahead of John and Trish. She went to the back where she knew everyone would be and stepped out onto the back deck. She saw Sean bent over tying his shoe and decided to have a little fun. Jessie snuck up on him and jumped on his back. She had just gotten her grip when Sean yelled out and stood up, swinging his body around causing Jessie to almost fall off his back.
"UNCLE SEAN IT'S ME" Jessie yelled out, causing Sean to stop and look back at her over his shoulder. He bent down to let her off of his back, before turning around to look at her.
"Any particular reason you decided to jump on me?" Sean asked with a smile. Jessie shrugged and sat on the grass.
"Nope just saw the opportunity and jumped on it" she giggled at the end of her sentence and Sean rolled his eyes at her. At that moment John and Trish walked out to where everyone was.
"We're here" John yelled out making Trish blush because everyone turned to look at them.
"'Bout time man your little girls been here for about 10 minutes already" Marc called over to John from where he was setting up the bbq.
"I can't help that I'm a bum" John said gesturing to the cane he had been leaning heavily on.
"Always have been but what's your excuse for being late" Marc cracked. John acted like he was going to take his cane and hit Marc upside the head with it. Marc squealed girlishly and ran around to the other side of the grill, pretending to cower in fright.
"Trish come sit" Jessie said, motioning to where she was sitting on a picnic table, talking to Carol. Trish gulped and went to sit where Jessie had motioned.
"How are you dear?" Carol asked as Trish sat down "has my boy been treating you ok?"
"Yes ma'am" Trish said quietly "he's been treating me better than alot of my past boyfriends".
"Glad to hear it" Carol said, she then raised her voice "I'd hate to have to kick his butt". John looked over toward her as she said this, the picture of innocence etched on his face.
"Now ma" he said, hobbling his way over to where his mother was sat "you wouldn't further injure an already injured man now would you?" Carol stood up and kissed John's cheek, helping him to sit down beside her.
"How are you baby?" Carol asked John, he leaned his head on her shoulder as she wrapped her arms around him.
"I'm ok I guess. I mean other than this nagging injury that I can't wait to be well from I think things are going pretty well" John smiled up at Trish when he said this and she smiled back at him. He reached over and took Trish's hand in his, bringing it to his lips and softly kissing the palm.
"Burgers are up" Marc called out "I'll only fix plates for Jessie and John everyone else ya on ya own". John and Jessie called over their orders and Marc juggled their two plates plus his own over to the picnic table. He sat beside Jessie and she started telling him about something Muffin had done the night before.
"So Trish..." Carol said after everyone had been eating a few minutes "tell us about yourself and your life and all". Trish smiled at her and launched into the tale of her life, one she had told many times but never got tired of.
"See I told you it wouldn't be that bad" John told Trish with a smile on his face as he drove them home. They had stayed at his parents most of the day and night and were finally on their way home. Jessie was conked out in the backseat, the late hour making her tired. She had played around with her uncles until they all dropped.
"Yeah" Trish smiled "of course tomorrow you get to do it". John gulped and looked panicked, while Trish laughed at him. "Aww honey" Trish said kissing his cheek "it won't be that bad". John stuck his tongue out at her and continued driving, both of them content with the comfortable silence.
When they got home John carried Jessie up to her room to bed and he and Trish went to bed themselves, they were having to get up early to catch a flight to Toronto.