After five long months of dating, Hallie got up the courage to tell her parents that she had a boyfriend.

Mason and Cassie weren't too surprised. Their daughter was after all, a grown woman.

Mason was a deep orange lizard, with two fronds, two arms and four legs, and a red tail. His eyes were amber colored.

Cassie was more of a light pink color. She had one frond and four arms and four legs. She was the one that had a purple tail and some purple and blue striping as well. Hallie clearly got more looks from her mom. Cassie also had beautiful sky blue eyes.

Mason did want to look out for his daughter's well being. He did begin to question her about what he was like.

"Well, to many, to the outside eye, Randall Boggs can seem to be like a big jerk, as I've heard many call him. But to him, it's more of a protective barrier. He was used so many times when he was younger and he hung out with the wrong crowds. One fraternity in college and a loss in the scare games did change him from a nice person to what I just described. He just doesn't give his trust easily to someone. He can have a short temper, but he has a good sense of humor. He always tries to be like a gentleman with me. I get to see the side of him that no one else does." Hallie described him.

"If you think he's alright with you, that's all we ask. Can we meet him?" Cassie asked.

"I'll get it arranged with him. Now that we've been dating for over five months, he should be more open to it, but he is a very busy person too. His job is somehow stressing him lately. I wish I knew what it was."

"He should perhaps slow down and take a vacation." Mason said.

"I don't think he can afford it. But I'll run it by him. I'll let you know when it's arranged with him. More than likely, a Saturday will be best, because that's when he takes a day off from his job to hang out with me."

"Okay. Just let us know." Mason said.

…..

On Monday, when she was at work and Randall came in for his lunch, Hallie asked him if he would like to meet her parents. She admitted that she had told them of him and they wanted to meet him.

It wasn't too much of a surprise to him. It was only agreed on that after they had dated for awhile that she would tell them they were dating.

"I could meet them this Saturday if you want me to." He said.

"That's great. Thank you."

"No problem. Well, I have to be off now." He said and went to go eat his lunch elsewhere. Where it was, was a mystery.

…

That Saturday, as promised, Randall met up with her and they went out to Hallie's parents' house. He could see why she loved farms, as the place was a farm. A small one with lots of trees around and a few animals.

They went inside and Randall was introduced to Mason and Cassie.

Cassie could see from his looks that he was indeed an attractive male lizard. Mason was more reserved. This guy would have to prove himself that he was worthy to date his little girl.

"So, Randall, how would you describe yourself?" Mason asked.

Randall was nervous talking to the older male. "Well, I went and graduated from Monsters U from the scaring program. I work at Monsters, Inc as a scarer. I'm a hard worker. I had good grades in school. I like mechanics. I do try new things for Hallie and most of them turn out to be fun. I've always been a city guy. I don't drive because my eyesight is kind of bad. But I see that I try to give Hallie good times. I listen to her and she listens to me. She's my best friend." He explained the best he could.

"Do you have any family of your own?" Cassie asked.

"I have an older brother who's married and they have a son. My nephew almost looks a lot like you, Sir. But I have issues with them. I don't visit with them."

"What about your parents?"

"They died when I was seven. I was in foster care for a good portion of my childhood before my brother was able to raise me the rest of the way. He was quite controlling."

"How old are you?"

"I'm 30."

They continued talking about what they did for a living and finding out other interests. Soon, the girls left the room to start dinner. Randall felt awkward just sitting in here with Hallie's dad. It seemed like the older male was trying to stare straight through him.

Randall clasped his lower hands together, something he did when he was younger. He rarely did it now, but only did it when extremely nervous.

"Mr. Norman, Mason, I truly do care for Hallie. She makes life fun for me."

"You better treat her right. Too many males have always not treated her right in the past."

"I know the feeling. A lot of girls and other people used me a lot too and hated me. But yes, I promise I will treat her right." Randall vowed.

In the kitchen, Hallie asked her mom what she thought of him.

"He is an attractive male. I say you won in that department. And though he is a hard worker, there just seems to be something about him that he seems to be hiding."

"You just don't know him well enough yet, Mom. You'll see. He's good for me. I tend to bring out the best in him."

"Just be careful."

"I know, and I have been."

"You haven't, you know, have you?"

"Mom! No!"

"Have you talked about marriage?"

"No. Not yet anyway. We've mainly just concentrated more on getting to know each other and finding out activities to do together away from work. But not of what you asked about. But maybe we'll talk about it soon."

Cassie only wished the best for her daughter. She did want Hallie to be happy.

Soon, dinner was ready and Randall sat next to Hallie and her parents sat next to each other. Meat mostly was served, but there were some other foods as well.

Randall felt he hadn't eaten this well in quite awhile. When it was just him usually in the evening at home, it was just microwave dinners. When he and Hallie were together, they usually ate out.

"I see where Hallie gets her amazing cooking skills. From her amazing mom." Randall gave Cassie a complement.

"Thanks, Randall." Cassie said.

"I used to love baking cupcakes when I was younger, but I don't do that so much anymore. Been too busy."

"You should try it again. Make some for us sometime." Cassie said.

"He's baked a few times with me and his cupcakes are incredible." Hallie said.

"I'd be happy to." Randall said. "What flavor?"

"Whatever your best is."

"Chocolate it is then." He said with a smile.

They had some cake for dessert.

Not long after that, Randall and Hallie left and they went back to Hallie's apartment.

"I know my parents get to be demanding and way too curious, but they just want the best for me since I'm their only child and how guys always treated me." Hallie said.

"I understand. I wish I had parents to be able to meet you."

"Randall, I know you have a hard time with your family, but why don't you let me meet them?"

"I don't know. I'm just not comfortable with it right now. Maybe in awhile."

"But soon, promise?"

"Okay. The hard part is going to get them to agree though."

"That's okay. I just want to know them. It's all part of having healthy family relationships. We all should know each other."

Randall was still sketchy about it, but he had made a promise. He would arrange it in time, when he wasn't too busy. He hoped the dumb machine could be done soon and he wouldn't have to be so busy anymore, and he could have more time for family things. He wanted to be there for his girl.

Within weeks of meeting her parents, he did make the fulfillment of the promised cupcakes for them and he brought them to Hallie's parents' house.

Mason and Cassie were both impressed with Randall's cooking skills.

"You should have joined the kitchen crew too." Mason said.

"No thanks. I like being a scarer. But it's something for the side." Randall said. "If I got into something else, I would be an engineer or mechanic."

Mason and Cassie were beginning to accept Randall, but there just still seemed to be something that lurked behind all of his gentleness.