Chapter 46: Meeting the In-Laws

Hunter's POV:

Nova's Family was having a huge get together, all of her brothers were home so she figured it's the perfect time for me to meet them all… and announce our engagement. I follow her as she walks into her home ducking around various people in the house and the yard. A few kids run up to Nova and I use this time to hold her hand, "Did you feel this nervous meeting my family?"

"Times ten," She smiles leaning down to pick up two kids. "Say Hello."

I wave to the boy and girl, "Hi."

Nova smiles and kisses a little blonde boy on the cheek, "This is Lucas." She turns and kisses the carrot top little girl, "And this is Annie." She sets them down and they run off to play, "So wanna get some drinks?"

"Yes ma'am," I nod and smile nervously.

I follow her into the garage and she stands on a stool near a fridge grabbing two beers off the top. "My mom keeps the beers out here at the top of the fridge so the younger kids don't get into them."

She laughs and offers me one but I shake my head, "I am driving, so I shouldn't."

She looks at the beers in her hands and sigh, "Well I guess I shouldn't either." She puts them back and climbs down grabbing my hand and dragging me to another part of the house. "Let's go find my mom."

"Nova, you can have a drink if you want it."

She shakes her head, "I am good, I will have a soda later." She gives me a smile before heading out to the back deck and I follow biting my lip but staying close to her. She spots her mother surrounded by a few men and she heads over, "Hey Guys!" She shouts and they turn to face her before running over and lifting her into a hug.

They set her down after they all get the chance to hug her, "I have something to tell you guys, in private." She says in a close whisper and they all nod heading back towards the house and Nova follows pulling me a long as we head upstairs.

I lean in and whisper, "Uh Nova. They aren't gonna hurt me are they?"

She giggles a bit, "No no no." They end up in an old bedroom and start to move a dresser on the right wall. Once it moves it reveals a small door that was well hidden, "This is a place that no parent has ever ventured."

I take a deep breath, "Oh dear.."

'

Her brothers crawl through the door first, then Nova and finally me. The door leads to a mid-size room filled with dusty board games and various seats all around. In the corner sits an old mini fridge that probably stopped working years ago and Nova takes a seat in the bean bag chair near it. "Welcome to our secret hide out from the ages of 7-16."

I quickly take a seat next to Nova and look at all of her brothers, "So what the news Nova?"

I sit beside her and glance between Nova's three older brothers choosing to stay quiet. Nova simply holds up her left hand to show them the engagement ring. "Congrats Nova!" They all shout and smile. One speaks up, "aww it seems like yesterday I was teasing you about how you had the biggest crush on hun-" Nova cuts him off mid sentence by covering his mouth.

I laugh a bit, "What?"

"Nothing, he is just being an ass," Nova says quickly laughing as she pulls her hand away.

"she used to babble about how much she had a crush on you!" He spoke again but yelled when Nova punched his arm hard.

"Seriously? When was this." I laugh. "She played hard to get forever."

He starts telling me about how Nova would endlessly talk about me, and how she told him how nervous she got when she talked to me for the first time. "I hate you" Nova says with a pout.

I smile, "Awe, that is amazing."

Nova blushes and huffs, "ANYWAYS!" She says a little too loudly looking at her brothers. "Don't tell anybody, I'm waiting to tell everyone when we have dinner."

They all nod and I lean over towards Nova, "Is there any possible chance it will end like the announcement to my family?"

Nova shakes her head, "God no!"

"Thank goodness," I say a bit under my breath.

She smiles, "Oh I forgot to introduce you all." She points to the dirty blonde, "That one is christopher." He waves as she points to the next one who is clearly a little older with dark brown hair. "That one is Henry." She points to the last one who talked the most who has black hair, "Alex."

I wave a bit awkwardly, "Nice to meet y'all."

Nova snorts a bit, "Dork."

"Respectable," I respond sticking out my tongue.

"Respectable," Nova repeats mimicking me as she pokes my side.

I laugh, "Okay okay now there is a party outside and people to see Nova."

She rolls her eyes, "You just know I will win."

I nod, "Always darlin'."

"Aww," Alex coos at us and Nova shoves him off his chair.

"Nova, that's not very nice." I scold her playfully.

"Well I'm not very nice," She says and shoves me backwards but ends up falling on top of me.

I laugh, "Okay let's be adults and get back to the party."

Nova groans, "But I don't wanna be an adult!"

"Then we can be kids and go find some water balloons and attack people?" I offer.

"Nah too childish for this, but definitely do that to everyone else when we get back to the tour." She laughs.

I smile, "Alright. But we haven't seen your sister yet and she will be very mad."

She rolls off of me, "Oh shit." She says before quickly crawling out the little door. I laugh a bit and follow her watching her run down the stairs while I take my time. "Lame!" She calls out before disappearing to find her little sister.

I laugh a bit and navigate the house until Nova comes back, holding Emmy. "You found her." I smile, "I missed you Emmy."

"Huntie!" She calls out with a giggle stretching her arms out to me. I grab her and hug her close and I hear Nova snap a picture.

I laugh a bit, "Nova."

"Huntie," she teases back.

I laugh and try to hand Emmy back to Nova, but the little girl whines and clings to me. "Well I guess I get her today." Nova pouts a little, "Sorry dear."

She shrugs a bit, "So when are we telling your mom?"

"Dinner," she says making a face at Emmy.

"Is that soon?" I ask looking around. "While i still have some courage left."

She laughs and nods hugging me and kissing my cheek as Emmy covers her eyes. "Eww."

I laugh a bit, "Maybe Emmy can sit on my lap. They wouldn't kill me then right?"

"You'll be fine," she smiles. "They love you, not everyone is like your family hunter. I mean my brothers like you, and my mom and Emmy, that's all I need."

I look down avoiding Nova's gaze, "I'm sorry about my family... I deserve whatever your family wants to throw at me."

"That won't happen," Nova says rubbing my back.

I nod, "I know."

Soon they are calling everyone to dinner, I take a deep breath and move Emmy to my hip as I grab Nova's hand. She squeezes my hand and walks us to our seats and I let Emmy down as she runs to Alex. We sit in silence as we pass the various foods around fixing our plates as my leg moves nervously under the table.

Nova leans in and whispers, "Don't be so nervous, and what's the worst that could happen? They disapprove? Who cares that means we can throw mash potatoes on them then run away."

I laugh a bit and nod, "Yeah."

She smiles and holds my hand as we eat dinner. About halfway through her mother makes a comment on how great a boyfriend I am to one of Nova's aunts across the table. Nova speaks up before looking at me, "Uh well about that…"

I cough and try to hide my blush, "I am not really Nova's boyfriend anymore..." I take a sip of my drink. "I actually uh proposed to her during one of my concerts."

Nova bursts out laughing and hugs me, "stop being so embarrassed I thought you wanted to marry me." Everyone smiles and we get a lot of congratulatory smiles and comments.

Her mom smiles at me, "that's great, I'm happy for you too! I better have a seat in the front row."

I laugh, "I can't wait to marry you but jeez it's nerve wrecking to have to tell your family." I kiss her softly. "Also seating arrangement is all up to Nova."

She groans, "can't we just have everyone sit wherever they want?"

"We can have whatever you want." I say and she smiles hugging my side. "Well atleast we have your family that approves."

She nods and smiles, and we all finish dinner, I feel much better now and everything was so carefree. After dinner I find myself laying on the sofa with Nova laying on my chest with my rubbing her back. "We should probably get ready to go."

"No let's hang out," Nova says poking my side.

"We are leaving for New york soon we have a lot of stuff to pack." I try to reason but she continues to poke me, "You can't make me leave."

"I know," i smile. "I can call and have someone take my concert and we can stay a few extra days."

"That's not what I meant, but I wanna hang out."

"Oh?" I laugh, "Well we can definitely can hang out."

"Good," she laughs as we lay there for a while. "Love me…"

"I always love you." I kiss her forehead and she giggles. "So what do you wanna do while we hang out?"

"Annoy you," she remarks sitting up and smacking me with a pillow.

I laugh, "Of course you do."

She smiles, "I'm kidding."

I smile even more, "Are you sure?"

She nods and curls back up on my chest and we lay there for another hour before heading home.

Frank's POV:

I was lounging around in my sweatpants for most of the day, that is until my phone beeps with a text from Kris. The text simply tells me to come outside so I stand up and slide on some sandals walking out. "What is it Kris?"

She hugs me, "I wanted you to meet someone." I hug back and smile a little. "Since I finally got away from my stupid ex... I went to court and got custody of someone.."

I stay quiet for a second, "Please not a baby…. The tour isn't ready…"

She laughs, "No but he sure does act like one." She lets out a loud whistle and a big white husky comes running around the corner of the bus. "This is Steel, We bought this guy when my ex was normal. Since he thought the dog was his I had to do a custody case to get him back."

"Oh a doggy!" I get down on the ground so I am at his level.

"Frankie, I would like you to meet Steel." In my surprise the dog holds up his paw and I take it shaking it, "Nice to meet you Steel."

He lets out a low bark and I laugh, "See you two get along well," she points out.

"I love dogs," I say smiling as he licks my nose. "Oh Gee is going to be so upset."

"Whoops," she giggles. "Steel is a lover."

"I can see," I smile again as he licks me.

"He loves everyone. Even the people who aren't the nicest to him."

"Awe poor pup," I say and he immediately rolls over exposing his stomach to me and I rub it.

CC's POV:

While I was out shopping today I came across a remote control toilet in a yard sale. Honestly best purchase ever, I laugh out as I run into Jen's foot. "Very Mature CC."

"This is what happens when I run out of skittles," I laugh. "Potty Train!"

She rolls her eyes, "I have skittles on my bus and you know it."

"Okay so maybe I really wanted to drive this toilet."

She giggles and shakes her head, "Oh CC."

"But look it's so fun why don't you try," I offer her the remote and she shakes her head.

"Have you been on my bus lately?"

I shake my head, "No why?"

"Because usually all the weird stuff is dumped there."

"No I bought it at a yard sale," I smile and she kisses my cheek and watches me play.

'

Taylor's POV:

I pace around waiting to hear back from Dylan about his doctor's appoint. It's been long enough so I dial up Gerard, "Come on Gerard… pick up.."

I hear a click and Gerard's voice, "Hello?"

"Gee! Thank god. Dylan hasn't called me and i was getting worried. What did the doctor say?"

"Oh sorry he feel asleep I'm packing his stuff up but he has a broken arm and a damaged hand." Gee answers and I can hear the rustle.

"I take it he'll be leaving as soon as he wakes up?" I ask and I hear and immediate yes. "Good. i'll meet him in Nashville Airport...I may accidently hurt him, but that's besides the point."

I hear something in the background and Gee answers the question before I ask it, "Sleepy head is up."

"Can you put the phone by his ear?" I ask nicely.

I hear a bit more rustling until Dylan's gruff sleep voice comes through, "Hello?"

"Hi baby," I say softly, relieved to hear his voice.

"Hey Taylor," I hear him say before hissing. "it's to bright over here."

"Careful!" I say knowing he is about to roll over. "Gee said you have a broken arm and an injured hand."

I hear him start to get up followed by a loud thump and he groans in pain, "I'm okay, just in some pain." I can barely hear Gee ask what happened and Dylan answers, "I tripped."

"Are you okay?! You didn't land on your arm, did you?" I ask

I hear a click so I guess I was put on speakerphone. "nope just my hand hey what is the red stuff…"

"Your stitches popped, Taylor he is fine just a small mishap." I hear Gerard say confirming that its on speaker.

"Aw man this looks disgusting and orange why is it orange? I feel like I'm going to pass out.." Dylan says sounding sick.

"Look away. It's orange because of the medicine wasn't fully washed off and it's not contagious, it's a cut." Gerard explains in his 'parent' voice.

I sigh, "What state are y'all in?"

Gee curses, "Come on Dylan your flight is almost here".

"Yay," He says happily. "See you at the airport?"

"Of course! my boyfriend is flying in. i wouldn't miss it for the world!"

I hear them make it out to the car and Gerard is the first voice I hear clearly, "There talk to her while I drive."

"So what time are you landing here?" I ask after I hear Gee crank up his old truck.

"2 I'm supposed to be there by 2."

"I'll see you there...fyi my brother's coming with. Mom wanted him to come." I hear him sigh and we make small talk until he gets out at the airport.

"Okay I have to go I'm getting on the plane now."

"Okay I will see you then," I say and he hangs up and I spend a little while just trying to kill time. I arrive at the airport at quarter til 2 with Austin. I hold up a sign that simply reads, "World's best boyfriend," as Austin sits down bored playing on his phone. I look around until I finally spot him in the crowd, "Dylan!"

He spots me and I run and hug him lightly trying not to hurt his arm. "I missed you Dylan."

He hugs me with his good arm, "I missed you too." I smile and we share a kiss until Austin clears his throat behind us.

I pull away and face him, "Dylan...this is my ANNOYING little brother Austin. Austin this is Dylan my..um...fiancee."

Austin sits there dumbstruck as Dylan speaks, "Nice to meet you Austin I would shake your hand but well I can't sorry."

"Engaged?!" He finally shouts. "And mom and Dad haven't met him?!" He shoots a glare at Dylan, "You hurt her, you'll have more than a broken arm."

"Austin, be nice."

"I will never hurt her," Dylan promises.

Austin shakes his head, "Good luck explaining this to Mom and Dad."

"That's kinda why I asked him to fly over.."

"Okay, Tay. I trust you. Got any bags Dylan?" He asks.

"Uh yeah, one."

Austin grabs it from him and walks off towards his truck as I walk with Dylan. "Austin insisted on driving his truck...which you are in the backseat."

"Haha yes! I love the backseat unless it's in the back of my dad's police car which I only been in once with Scott that was because we snuck into the cemetery." Dylan says with a laugh.

"I don't want to know...I'm sorry i haven't told my parents about us."

"What scott left his inhaler when we were looking for Isaac. Also I didn't tell my dad either, because well he is the sheriff and I don't know when I can call him and I can actually have a conversation with him."

"I think they'll take it better than Hunter's took his engagement."

"Yea? I mean I hope so even though I don't care what they think because I love you and I would still love you even if they said no."

"Dylan," I grab his hand to hold it. "I love you too. We gotta get going, Mamma's fixing dinner and I'd rather not be late."

"Yea and um you're squeezing my hand and it kinda hurts can you loosen your grip?"

I look down and drop my hold on his hand. "Sorry, babe." I lead him to the truck and hold open his door.

"Thanks," He says as he climbs in and I shut his door.

I jump into the passenger seat as Austin starts the truck. "So Dylan what do you do for a living?"

" Austin, please don't interrogate him. Dad's gonna do that later tonight."

"I am a guard for the tour," Dylan answers.

"He's the one that convinced me to stay on the tour…" I speak up.

Austin looks back at him, "Oh you're that guy!"

He nods, "Yeah, I am the guy."

I laugh, "I did manage to tell my parents you were the reason I stayed on the tour."

"yea um all my dad knows is your first name he had to go before i could say anything else."

"All we knew was your first name and you made Tay WANT to stay on tour with MCR and the rest of the guys and gals on tour." Austin laughs.

"Haven't exactly had an empty schedule. Any spare time I have goes into writing the album." I say trying to defend my reason for not doing this sooner.

"Now I don't feel bad," Dylan says with a smile.

We all laugh for a bit before Dylan speaks, "You know I never been to Tennessee before."

"What?!" Austin and I shout at the same time. "That's a crime," He says looking back for a minute.

"Well I lived in a small town with my friends of course until Isaac moved but I lived there and my dad being the sheriff I couldn't go on family vacations or anything not after my mom…." Dylan trails off.

I look back and see him looking down at his hands, "What happened, babe?" I am worried because Dylan never trailed off like that.

"I'm sorry baby. No one should have to go through that," I say quietly.

"It's okay she is in a better place she was a great mom and it was time for her to go." He smiles a little.

"Still. No one should have to lose their mother."

He leans up and kisses my cheek, "It's okay."

I turn back in my seat as my brother pulls into our driveway, "Welcome to our home. You are technically sleeping in Dad's office, but my room is just across the hall.."

Austin parks the truck and gets out, " I'm gonna grab his bags and PRETEND i didn't just hear that."

"Do I want to know what he thinks we do in a spare time?" Dylan asks a little concerned.

"He and his friends are in my music videos. He's attending Notre Dame, but he talking about transferring to Vanderbilt since the rest of us are in Tennessee. He also LOVES photography...as in he did my photo shoot last year for my People Magazine spread."

We get out of the truck and walk towards the porch, "Cool."

I nod, "Yeah I think so."

My mother sticks her head out the door, "Taylor? Come inside dinner's ready."

"Yea uh you know I'm very nervous about meeting your parents," Dylan admits.

"Don't be." I link my arms with his, "They'll love you."

"I just wish I didn't break one arm and had another hand with stitches in it. That reminds me after dinner i have to take pain meds.."

I hear my father calling for us to hurry up, "We are coming Daddy!" I shout as we walk inside.

Both parents hug me and when they pull away I hold Dylan's hand, "Mom, Dad this is Dylan."

"Hello Mrs and Mr. Swift," Dylan says with a polite smile.

"Nice to meet the man that makes my little girl happy," My father smiles and goes to offer his hand but stops.

"It's good to finally meet you Dylan. You'll be staying in the office...Taylor can show you around after dinner." My mother steps in before it gets too awkward.

Dylan smiles, "Sorry I wish I didn't have a broken arm and injured hand when I met you two but I played lacrosse and got tackled before we came here so uh yea."

"No worries Dylan. Accidents happen. We're not upset. Now, please eat." My mom says leading us to the dining table for a nice meal.

After dinner Austin and I cleared the table, "Dinner was amazing mom."

"Thanks, and your father helped too." She says with a smile.

"Oh yeah, I tasted everything." He responds.

After the table was clean we all head to the living room. Austin sits across from Dylan, "Dylan, you said you played lacrosse. Why become a bodyguard? Why not play professionally?"

"Austin…." I say under my breath.

"It's okay Taylor, I don't mind answering questions. I love Lacrosse, my friends and I play it all the time but something else was calling to me. So of course I took acting classes and then I played lacrosse there with my friends. Soon I was failing and my one friend moved back to London, the other friend got injured while playing and couldn't play. I failed most of my classes and the coach said that I couldn't play until I pulled them up and when I did it was too late and as the years went it became a hobby."

"What else do you enjoy doing...when you have free time." Austin asks.

"Well hanging out with Taylor when I can, but if she is working on her album, I read comics or play lacrosse."

"I thought I was supposed to be the on interrogating Dylan...not Austin" My father speaks up with a chuckle. I smile and lean my head to rest on Dylan's shoulder.

"Do you love our daughter Dylan?" My mother asks knowing the men in my past were in it for the fame.

"Yes Ma'am," Dylan smiles at me. "She is Awesome, she Keeps me sane and I'm glad I met her. Honestly I didn't think I was ever going to be this happy."

I blush as my mother stands up, "Okay, now get to bed. I'll see you two in the morning."

Dylan nods and I stand, "Come on, follow me."

I lead him to the office where the couch is made up for him, "Told ya you'd be sleeping on the couch."

He smiles, "It's fine."

"I'm just across the hall if you wanna sneak over later."

He nods, "Okay oh yea I have to take my pain meds."

I sit down on the sofa, "Go ahead. I'm not tired. I'll stay up with you."

He rummages through his bag and pulls out two bottles. He takes the newest bottle dumping two pills into his palm. "I hate pills."

"If they help you, you need to take them."

"Yeah," He sighs and pops them in his mouth making a face.

"Poor baby."

"It leaves such an awful taste.."

"I bet," I say as I lean in and rest my head on his chest. "We still need to tell my parents that we're engaged."

His chest rumbles as he speaks, "Yes we do."

"Any ideas?" I ask.

He sighs, "No not really."

"I thought about telling them at dinner, but I talked myself out of that one."

"Maybe tomorrow at breakfast we can get up early and fix it for them?" He offers.

"No offense, baby, but you are NOT a morning person."

He shrugs, "I can try."

"Okay. My parents are usually up by ten. That means you and I need to be up no LATER than nine."

"I should go to sleep now then," He chuckles.

I yawn, "Me too." Dylan falls asleep and soon I do too.

I wake up the next morning and the clock on the nightstand says it's only 7 am. I look up and Notice Dylan already up looking down at me so I sit up, "Hey, how long have you been awake."

He sits up, "Since about 6:30."

"Arm hurting?" I ask and he nods. "Why didn't you wake me?"

"I didn't want to because you looked so peaceful I didn't want to disturb you." he says and I smack his chest walking to my room.

({jix} My hamster Jinxx typed this I had to leave it!)

"Taylor," I hear him call. A minute later he knocks on my door, "Did I do something wrong?"

"No, I'm just changing my clothes, babe." I open my door wearing black skinny jeans and a white shirt with a red heart on it. I have a pair of white Keds in my hand. "I also wish you would have woken me up this morning, but I'm not mad at you." I kiss him and start to walk to the kitchen.

I get the waffle iron out and Dylan comes downstairs after changing. "Bacon's in the fridge, if you wanna start on that, or you can make the waffles and I'll start the bacon."

He nods, "Yeah I think waffles will be easier to make for me."

I nod and kiss his cheek before starting the bacon, "So what are the meds you are taking?"

"Just pain killers," he answers as he finishes mixing the batter.

"There were two different bottles in your bag last night."

"Oh, uh the other one is just for my head."

"What's wrong with your head?" Worry fills my voice and eyes as I take the skillet of the stove and turn to look at him.

"Frontal lobe dementia my mom had it and she... died from it there isn't a cure just medication to make sure I don't hurt anyone."

"Why didn't you tell me? What does this mean for us?" I ask as tears are welling up in my eyes. "I can't lose you Dylan.."

He changes out the waffles and turns to put his uninjured hand on my shoulder, "Hey it's okay my mom didn't take her medicine she gave up but I refused to give up I will fight this I will."

I wrap my arms around him and lay my head on his chest, "Promise?"

He kisses my head, "I promise."

I smile, "Your waffle's about to be burned to a crisp…" I go back to cooking bacon right as Austin walks into the kitchen with a severe case of bedhead. "Morning Handsome."

"Shut it Taylor…" He says through a yawn.

My mom comes in next, "Morning kids."

My dad follows, "Morning everyone. Tay, what's for breakfast?"

"Waffles, bacon, coffee, milk and/or juice." I list easily.

Austin starts to fix the drinks, "So coffee for me and dad, juice for Tay, water for mom, What about you Dylan?"

I glance back as he starts another waffle, "Uh I can't have coffee so juice is fine."

Austin sets out the drinks on the dining room table and I notice he places Dylan opposite of me. I pull the bacon off the stove and start to fix plates as my family sit down. "Let's eat!" I grab three of the plates and sets them in front of my parents and brother.

"I'm sorry if one of the waffles are slightly burned I wasn't paying attention."

"Bet it wasn't entirely your fault…" Austin says under his breath and I glare at him.

Dylan and I sit down, "Mom, Dad. Dylan and I have something to tell you.." I catch Austin's smile as he sips his coffee.

"Well what is it sweetheart?" My dad asks and I look at Dylan.

"We are engaged," Dylan says nervously.

My mother and father smile, "Congrats baby girl," My dad says.

"Well have you set a date yet?" My mom asks.

"I was hoping we could have the ceremony while on our European Tour...but it's not set in stone yet."

My father nods and his voice deepens, "Take care of her Dylan."

"Daddy…." I say trying to get him to stop.

"You guys took that better than I thought," Austin says sitting his cup down.

"I figured there was more to Taylor and Dylan than they were letting on…" My mother reasons.

"You don't have to worry about it sir I will never hurt taylor and if I do I will never be able to live with myself."

We all exchange smiles as we finish breakfast. My mother sips her water, "Austin, you clean up the kitchen today. Dylan and Taylor need to pack before their tour friends show up this afternoon."

I get up and go to my room to start packing humming one of my songs as Dylan comes in and wraps his arms around me. "Hey. So, my parents took my engagement better than my brother. That was unexpected...as was Daddy hosting a BBQ for the Emo Trinity and assorted friends."

He nods into my shoulder, "Sounds fun."

"Yeah. Hope dad realizes how much food the guys can go through." Dylan and I laugh as we keep packing.

My mom calls out, "Taylor, Dylan! There a boy Named Gerard here to see you!"

I laugh, "Gee!" I run and hug him.

Dylan walks up, "Taylor be careful, he might still be on his medicine for flying."

"Nope it wore off while I was getting directions. I really hate flying scares the crap out of me."

I smile and hug him, "Today will be great."