"Calm down Joan." He said, taking her hand in his, "Its going to be fine."
"Fine…how can you say its going to be fine." She whispered, "What are we going to tell them about us."
"It will be fine Joan." He said, "Now let's go before your parents get the wrong idea."
"I hope you know what you are doing."
"Trust me." He said, squeezing her hand.
They walked into the house and headed for the living room. When Joan saw her parents sitting in the chairs, her stomach dropped to her feet. Slowly she let Michael lead her over to the couch. He saw down, pulling her down beside her. Will looked at Joan and Michael, not speaking. After a moment, he said
"So Michael, where did you and Joan meet?"
"I told you dad, we met at…"
"I think I want to hear Michael tell us Joan."
Joan looked at him. After a moment, Michael said
'This is going to be a disaster.'
"We met at the bookstore. I came in looking for a book and Joan helped me. We just started hanging out after that."
"Hanging out." Will said, "What exactly does hanging out mean."
"Talking, going to the park, getting coffee."
Joan let out the breath she didn't realize she was holding.
Will looked at him for a moment. He was about to say something when Kevin wheeled in from the kitchen.
"Are you guys coming back or…" he stopped when say Michael, "Who's that?"
Michael stood up, holding out his hand.
"I'm Michael, Joan's boyfriend."
He looked at his father, then turned back to Michael and shook his hand.
"Nice to meet you." He said, "I'm sorry I interrupted. I'll just get out of here."
He started to wheel out of the living room when Will said
"So Michael, what are your intentions?"
Kevin stopped, waiting to hear the answer.
"Kevin weren't you going back to the kitchen." Will said
Kevin wheeled back towards the kitchen. When he was gone, Will turned back to Michael.
"So about your intentions with our daughter."
"Dad?"
"Its all right Joan." Michael said, "Mr. Gerardi, I was you to know that I have nothing but the utmost respect for Joan and that I will never do anything to hurt her. I really care about her."
"If you care so much, then why was this relationship a secret?"
"Dad that was my choice." Joan said, "I wasn't sure what is going to happen with Michael so I kept it from you and Mom. It had nothing to do with Michael."
"Joan…" Michael said
"No Michael, I need to tell them everything." She said, her voice straining, "Michael and I met at the bookstore and we hung out. We've talked, we've went to the park and we've had coffee but that is it. Last week was the first time Michael asked me on a date and I am sorry I didn't tell you but I wasn't sure were this was going. If you want to blame anyone, blame me."
Joan didn't wait for an answer. She pulled away from Michael and ran out of the room, taking the steps two at a time until she got to her bedroom. Slamming the door, she threw herself on the bed.
A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door. The door opened and she heard her father's voice.
"Joan?"
Joan didn't respond. A moment later, the side of the bed sunk down.
"Joan, look at me."
Joan rolled over, looking at her father.
"I…I'm sorry dad. I didn't mean to keep this from you."
"Joan I can't say that I am happy about the way you did this." He said, "But you were right. Michael does seem like a nice person."
"He probably thinks I am insane."
"Then why is he still waiting downstairs for you."
"He's…he's still here?"
Will nodded. Joan sat up quickly. She started to speak but Will stopped her.
"Go."
"But dad…"
"Go Joan."
Joan slid off the bed and hugged her dad.
"Thank you dad." She whispered
"I'm still going to keep my eye on him."
"I know you will."
She opened the door and started down the steps. Rushing into the living room, she found Michael sitting on the couch. He stood up as she walked into the room.
"Joan…"
Joan threw her arms around his neck, hugging him. His arms tightened around her waist. Slowly he pulled back, looking at her.
"Are you ready to get out of here?" she whispered
He nodded and unwrapped his arms from around her waist. Taking her hand in his, they slowly started towards the door. They reached the front door and Will made it to the bottom of the stairs. Michael stopped, waiting for him to say something. Will looked him up and down. After a moment, he held out his hand. Michael shook his hand, nodding his head.
"Have a good time." Will said
"Thank you sir." Michael said
"Thanks dad." Joan whispered
Joan opened the door and they stepped outside. Will watched them walk down the ramp and across the driveway. As soon as they disappeared from sight, he shut the door.
Joan and Michael walked down the street.
"So where are we going?" she asked
"Where ever we want Joan." He said, pulling her towards him, "Where ever we want."
I know that a lot of you won't like when I tell you this is the end. Rather than drag it out and make it some long complicated thing, I decided to end it. However, I can't deny that there won't be a sequel or possibly another Joan/CBG fiction in my future. Might take a little longer to get because I just started school Monday and that is taking a little of my time.