Millie
Me and Max have been together now for 4 months and we still haven't told anyone at work about our relationship and a little part of me felt bad for keeping it from my friends but at the same time, I was glad to be kept out of the spotlight and out of the station gossip. Today was a big day for me and Max as I was going to meet his parents for the first time, he was due to meet my parents next week at my mum's birthday BBQ although my dad didn't seem too excited to hear I was bringing Max. My dad had not being looking forward to meeting Max, he knew we had been together for a few months and he was a copper which is what I think he hates the most. I know he used to be a police officer himself but I think he wanted me to be with a doctor or lawyer or something, but he knows I'm happy so I'm hoping that counts for something.

I was nervous about meeting Max's parents because from what he had told me was his mum was quite the matriarch. She was in control and if she didn't like you then you would know about it, she wanted Max to find a nice Polish woman to bring home that would be a housewife for him. I don't think she was happy to hear that I wasn't Polish or housewife material, I was a career woman. His dad sounded quite chilled out and relaxed so I was hoping I would get along with him, Max kept telling me that everything was going to be fine but I knew something had to mess up. Nothing was ever straight forward, look at mine and Max's relationship. We worked in a huge station full of gossipers and we had to keep it a secret.

The only time I had met boyfriends parents was my first real boyfriend in university. Jake Kelly and that hadn't gone all too well, his mum hated me, his dad didn't even look at me and his sister couldn't believe that her brother was dating a red head… they wasn't he nicest of families and I tried my hardest but his mum made comments every time I was there about not being able to make my own choices in life which was why I was becoming a police officer. She thought my parents had pushed me into it and one day I snapped at her, me and Jake argued, I told him it was over and left. He had a new girlfriend by the end of the week so I reckon he had her lined up already, wouldn't surprise me to be honest.

It was a nice day and I wanted to wear something summery but nothing too short as I didn't want his parents thinking that I was a slut or something. I decided on a blue summer dress that was just above me knee, it had a butterfly pattern on it and it seemed ok for a 'meet the parents' dinner. I put my hair up and put on some make up but not too much, I put on some black wedges and decided to use my black clutch bag. I think I looked ok but I would need Max's assurance, he would know if his parents would think I looked good enough for their son.

I walked out into the living room where Max was patiently waiting for me, we had a sleepover at my place last night so he brought his clothes with him and he was ready ages ago. He was wearing a white shirt and some grey pants which I'm sure he normally wears to work, I like those trousers on him as they make his butt look really good "I'm ready… I think" I said to him as I stood in front of him.

"I think you look gorgeous" He stated. He stood up and kissed me "Don't panic so much, everything will be fine and you will see how silly you're being for panicking so much" He told me.

"It's quite a terrifying thing for me, I have to prove to your mother that I am good enough for you" I stated.

"You are more then good enough" He replied and kissed me again "We better go or we will be late, the reservation is in half an hour and traffic is bad" He said.

We finally got to the restaurant, it was a Hungry Horse restaurant so it wasn't too fancy and they served a variety of food so I'm sure everyone will be happy here. I had come here a couple of times with Max and we had always had good food, hopefully today will be no different "Stop panicking" He whispered to me as we approached the table his parents were already sitting at "Mum this is Millie, Millie this is my mother Paulina and this is my dad Kevin" Max said and introduced us.

After all the introductions were done I sat down at the table and Kevin went and got drinks for everyone, Max said he was going to give him a hand so I was sat here with Paulina, I smiled sweetly at her but she didn't smile back "Max is doing very well at work, you must be proud" I said to try and cut some of the tension, hopefully if I tell her how amazing her son is she will warm up to me.

"Yes very proud" She replied and she had a Polish accent but it wasn't very strong, it must be all these years in England "He says you're a police officer as well" She told me.

"Yeah I am, I finished my probation about a year ago. Now I can hopefully move up the ranks and get to where I want to be" I replied.

"I thought Max wanted a housewife, not a career woman" She stated.

"Maybe he decided he wanted something different" I answered and she scowled at me a little bit but thankfully Max and Kevin came back with our drinks. Max put one hand under the table and squeezed my thigh comfortingly "Kevin, Max tells me you're a property developer" I said.

"I was, retired now. I had to sell the company as there was no one to take over" He said and indicated at Max before turning to face me again "I got it for a good price and it's in good hands" He told me "I heard you're still a PC" He stated.

"I only finished my probation a year ago so I'm still a little new. Hopefully I can work up and in the next few years I will be in CID and getting to where I want to be" I explained to him.

I seemed to get along really well with Kevin. Me and Max spoke a lot to him about work and he told us about a holiday him and Paulina were going on. Paulina sat there in silence for most of it apart from talking to Max about how he doesn't come to see her very much anymore, he told her that he was really busy at work but she kept looking at me like it was all my fault. So it was clear that this woman didn't like me and she didn't think that I was good enough for Max, just as I thought she would.

After dinner was over Paulina told Kevin that she needed to go home to get some housework done so after we all said goodbye Kevin left with Paulina, I turned in my chair to face Max and have him a grumpy look "I told you your mother would hate me. She thinks it's my fault you don't come and see her and she wants you to have a housewife, not a career woman. She hates me" I told him frustrated.

"She doesn't know you yet that's all, once she gets to know you a little more and she sees how happy I am with you she will soon lighten up, I promise" He told me and gave me a peck on the lips "Do you want another drink before we go?" I shook my head in response.

I just wanted to go home now and take all this rubbish off. Get into my sweatpants and vest top and put a movie on. Both me and Max were working early tomorrow so we wouldn't be having any sleepovers tonight and we wouldn't be for a few days. I know Max had a lot on in CID, they were working on a people smuggling case and he was SIO so he was in charge and very busy. He was a little stressed out at the moment as things in the case were not moving along as he had hoped, they had been on this case for about 6 weeks and there had been progression but not a lot.

Most people in CID were working on the case and if there was anything that we needed to hand over to them then there was only a couple of people available who wasn't working on it. I had been into CID a few times and I'm sure Max hasn't even noticed that I was there, I had tried speaking to him about a couple of things but he just kept telling it would have to wait because he was busy. When we did see each other he would apologise for being short with me and he would buy me dinner to make up for it, I couldn't wait for this case to be over and done with so I could get Max back.

Max dropped me home and I invited him in but he said he had to go so I kissed him goodbye and made sure I had my bag before going in to my building, I went up to my apartment and let myself in, I kicked my shoes off before letting my hair down. I made my way into my bedroom and dropped my bag down in the bed and I undressed myself then put on my comfy clothes and wiped my make up off. Today had been horrible and I would be quite glad if I never had to see his mum again, I think his mum would be happy if she never saw me again either. She clearly didn't like me and I don't think that was going to change anytime soon, no matter what Max says.

My phone rang loudly in my bag and I saw Max's name on the screen "Hey" I said as I answered it.

"Hi, I just wanted to make sure that you were ok" He said.

"Not really. Your mum doesn't like me Max, when you and your dad when to the bar she told me she thought you were looking for a housewife, I replied with you had changed your mind and I'm telling you if looks could kill I would six foot under. She thinks I'm not good enough for you, I really wanted your parents to like me" I explained to him and sat down on the edge of my bed.

"My mum is tough I know but she only wants what is best for me. You are what is best for me and I told her that but I think she needs to be convinced" He replied.

"Look I'm gonna go and watch a movie or something then go to bed, you should too. You're back on that people smuggling case" I said not wanted to continue this conversation anymore.

"Millie-" He started but I cut him off.

"Goodnight Max" I said and hung up.