Meet the Parents

by greyeyedgirl

chapter 4

Summary: B and C are headed off to Los Angeles to meet Cristina's family, and Burke has a lingering question on his mind.

"This is a bad idea, Burke. A deadly, evil, nasty bad idea."

"Deadly?"

"The term is patricide, Burke, and it should not be illegal."

The cab driver drove around a corner, revealing a large road leading up one way, in which a large gate was visible. "This it?"
"Yes," Cristina said moodily, as Burke got out his wallet to tip him.

"Thank you for the ride." Burke said.

Cristina leaned boredly against the taxi, watching as the cab driver stepped out of the car, the trunk popping open, and then he grabbed two of the large suitcases occupying the back region of the cab. Burke stepped up to help him, self-consciously adjusting the collar of his shirt.

"Aren't you hot?" Cristina asked, pulling at the sleeve of her black t-shirt. Burke looked at her and smiled, shrugging. "A good first impression is important. We need your stepfather to like me." He grabbed two of Cristina's suitcases from the trunk.

"You can leave it on the doorstep, the butler will get it," Cristina told the cabbie, pulling a few strands of her hair. "Burke!"

Preston turned to look at her, then set the suitcases down. "I can take care of it, Cristina."

"Um, if you want to make a good impression with Saul, don't come off looking like you like to...work," Cristina said delicately. Burke raised an eyebrow, another spasm of nervousness washing over him. "Seriously? Is he tough on your boyfriends?"

Cristina shrugged. "I don't know. I never really cared much before. If he liked them or not. It wasn't really important."

Burke turned to watch her, as he headed down the driveway with the cabbie back to the car. "So he's never...definitely liked a boyfriend of yours?"

Cristina tipped her head. "I don't know. I guess not. But none of my boyfriends have been quite like you."

Burke smiled, taking his free arm and gently intertwining it with hers. "You're kidding. I thought you brought successful cardio-thoracic surgeons home all the time."

"Only on holidays and very special weekends. Come on." Cristina knocked once, and before Burke could say anything, she swung open the door, leading Burke in.

"Cristina! We were not expecting you for another hour or two!" Helen Rubenstein came bounding through the small entrance room, sending Burke an enormous-sized grin. "And Preston! My, my, so tall. Such beautiful children you two would have."

"Mother!" Cristina hissed, her face angry, as Burke gave the woman his friendliest smile. "Yes, well, someday."

Cristina turned to look at him.

"Ooooh, Preston, don't let me get my hopes up. SAUL! They're here!"

A tall, sturdy looking man with curly brown hair and sideburns came into the room, wearing an expensive sweater and pants suit. "And you must be the infamous Dr. Preston Burke. I've heard a lot about you. Very talented surgeon, I presume?"

"Oh, thank you, sir. I've heard great things about you as well. It's a pleasure to meet you Dr. Rubenstein."

Saul seemed to glance around of Burke, then turned to his wife. "Helen, have you seen Charles?"

"Yes, oh, he was upstairs, but I'm not sure now...Hold on, I get him." She leaned over the small lamp table, picking up a tiny copper bell, ringing it once. A large brassy noise escaped, and a moment later a tall man with blonde whiskers and silvering hair appeared down the long, winding stairs steps from the next room. "You called, madam?"

"Get Cristina and her boyfriend's stuff, it's sitting by the house outside. Then when you get done, come down and show them to their rooms, they must be tired, but first I want to get to know a little about Preston here." Helen beamed up at the tall, strapping man, but Cristina interrupted. "What do you mean, 'show us to our rooms?'" I'm staying in my old room, and Burke is sleeping with me."

"Uh-Cristina-" Burke tried to break in, flushing. Saul glared at him.

"Now, Cristina. You know the thought of you sleeping in the same bed as a man you're not married to makes your father ill."

"My stepfather."

"Cristina!"

Burke stood uncomfortably, looking vaguely ill. "Really, Cristina," he managed. "It's not a problem. It's only two nights."

Cristina turned to glare at him. "Burke, I'm not a child."

Burke bit his lip, his face burning under Saul's gaze. "Of course you're not. But this is your father's house."

"My stepfather's."

Burke cleared his throat, peering at her over his glasses. "All-right," he said hesitantly. Dr. Rubenstein broke in. "Cristina, you will be sleeping in your old bedroom. Dr. Burke will be in the guest room."

"Dr. Burke?" Cristina asked. Burke's dark red face darkened. "It's Preston," he said quickly and hoarsely.

"Come, come, Preston, you and Cristina come to kitchen, we have dinner all ready for you. I want to get to know more about this man that has managed to steal my Cristina's heart." Cristina winced but Burke tried to smile, Helen beckoning them forward. The foursome headed through a hallway into a large dining area, a table set with sparkling china sat in the center. Burke held the chair for Cristina, sitting down next to her and giving her hand a quick squeeze under the table. Cristina turned to look at him, a small smile taking over the quietly angry that had sat there before.

"So, Preston-Cristina say you from Alabama?"

"Yes," Burke said, smiling politely. "Wilmington. About an hour and a half from Montgomery."

"Do you have brothers and sisters?"

Burke continued his smile. "One of each. Ashley's four years older, and Nate is younger, he's almost thirty."

"So how old does that make you, Preston?" Saul asked, clearing his throat. "Thirty three, thirty four?"

"Thirty two."

"Quite an age difference, then. Almost six years."

Burke looked up from his plate for a second, confused, then realized. "You mean with Cristina? Yes, I suppose there is." He purposely didn't look at Cristina as he said this, already knowing she must be scowling or rolling her eyes. He slid his hand over from beneath the table, giving her leg a reassuring squeeze.

"And how long have you been dating?" Saul asked, his face calm, but sternness in his eyes.

"Just over seven months," Burke said smoothly.

"And have you talked about marriage?"

Cristina choked on her wine glass, and Burke felt his face go aflame. "A bit," he managed. Cristina glared, removing his hand from her leg without her parents seeing.

Burke turned to look at Cristina. "We're going to make sure we're ready first."

"What about children. You don't want any, do you, Cristina?"

Cristina clenched her drink glass, staring at the almost amber liquid. "Can we change the subject?"

Burke moved his hand back onto her leg, smiling reassuringly. "Well, what about you, Dr. Rubenstein? Had your practice long?"

"I hate him!" Cristina burst into the guest room just as Burke was unbuttoning his shirt to change into his pajamas.

"Asking us that stuff, likes it's any of his business. Like he even cares!"

Burke pulled a T-shirt out of his suitcase, not answering for a minute. "It did not go very well," he said finally.

"I hate him."

Burke shook his head, staring down at his suitcase. "You shouldn't say that."

Cristina stared at him for a moment, then readjusted her voice to a mocking pitch. "Oh, Dr. Burke, you cradle robbing dinosaur. Better get making babies fast before Cristina realizes it's a bad idea and makes a good-girl decision."

Burke didn't respond, just turning away as he changed. "You shouldn't be in here. It might upset him."

"Can I wear your T-shirt to sleep in?"

For a moment Burke's disappointed face was gone, and there was a flash of sparkling white. "Of course." Cristina grinned, stepping on her tiptoes to kiss his cheek before snapping open his suitcase and moved to rummage through it. Burke's head snapped up suddenly from where he'd sat down on the bed to remove his shoes, jumping up and hurriedly moving Cristina away and snapping shut suitcase. "I'll get it," he said, trying to smile. Cristina frowned slightly, looking at him, confused. "Why?"

"I...I'll pick you out my favorite one," Burke said smiling, turning Cristina around so she couldn't see. "Don't look, it's a surprise." He quickly snapped open his suitcase, rummaging to the bottom to check that she hadn't seen the ring. He let out a silent breath of relief, grabbing a t-shirt. "Here," he said, smiling at Cristina. She took it, staring at him. "Um...are you feeling okay?"

"I'm fine," Burke said smoothly, smiling. He stepped closer to her, placing his hands on her waist. "Do I get a kiss good night?"

Cristina grinned up at him, going on her tiptoes again to kiss him. "Mmmm," she said. "Here, I'll help you change into your pajama pants."

Burke laughed, grabbing her hands away from where she'd moved them towards his pants. "You have to go!" He said, grinning down at her. "Your dad already hates me, imagine how he'd feel if he found out you were in here."

"Lets experiment and find out, Dr. Burke."

Burke laughed again as she moved closer. He grinned down at her as he bent his head to kiss her slowly, pulling away a few seconds later. "Good night, Dr. Yang," he murmured firmly, still smiling as he opened his eyes. She grinned back for a second, starting to turn. "Night, Burke."

Burke spun her around, pulling her back for one last kiss. "G'night," he said laughing. "Love you," he said softly.

Cristina blushed, grinning, as she turned to go, her head down as she exited the room, the smile still lingering on her face.