A/N: I am SO sorry for the long delay in updating this story. Hope you guys are still with me!
"I have the heat on full blast. How are you still cold?" Will looked at her as they pulled into the gas station. She still wore her coat with her fluffy scarf wrapped around her neck. Glancing his way, she shrugged and put her gloves on.
"That's what I would like to know. I'm dying back here!" Owen complained, fanning himself. "Can we turn it down?"
"Not if she's still cold." Pulling up to the gas pump, he turned off the car and looked at her sympathetically. "I'll try to do this quickly so I can put the heat back on for you, ok?" She nodded in response. "We don't have that much longer to go. Do you want something to drink or snack on?"
She shook her head. "No, I'm fine."
"Umm...why don't I pump the gas and you can run in to the store?" Owen suggested. "That way she's not without heat for too long and I can get some air." He added.
"You sure?"
He nodded. "Just grab me something while you're in there?" he said as he climbed out of the car.
"Of course." He looked at Alicia after Owen closed the door. "I'll be right back." He moved to get out.
"Wait." He turned back. "Let me give you money for Owen's stuff."
Stopping her, he leaned over and placed a quick kiss on her lips. "Try not to miss me too much." He grinned as he exited the car and watched her through the window as he passed in front of it.
Hearing the car door open behind her, she turned to see Owen poke his head in. "You need to calm down, sis."
"What are you talking about?"
"You are letting your nerves take over. The closer we get to his family, the lower your body temperature seems to drop. Stop freaking out. It's going to be fine."
Exhaling, she looked away. She knew he was right. "What if they hate me?"
"That's impossible. Besides, the way he is around you? I think it's contagious, because even I like you more."
"Hey!" she reached back and swatted at him.
He backed away quickly, laughing. "Okay, okay, I'm sorry. I was just kidding."
She glared at him. "Close the door, you're letting all of the heat out." She ordered before turning to see Will walking toward them. Feeling the smile spread across her lips, she tried to chase away her nerves with happy thoughts. Specifically, thoughts of that morning in her shower.
Quickly, Will got into the car and slammed the door shut behind him. Smiling, he looked her way. "You ok? I tried to rush."
"I'm fine." She nodded toward the cup in his hand. "Needed some caffeine? I can drive if you're tired."
"No. This is for you. Hot chocolate. Extra hot, extra chocolate. Just how you like it." He said as he handed it over to her.
She could feel her smile grow wider as she took the cup from him. "You remembered." She replied softly.
"Of course I did. That's my job."
Leaning toward him, she placed a soft kiss on his lips. "Thank you." She whispered. Smiling in response, he pulled her toward him for a more passionate kiss, taking her breath away.
"Oh God, you two." Owen rolled his eyes as he got into the car and closed the door. "I knew there had to be a reason the windows were starting to fog."
"Shut up." Alicia muttered as she pulled away and Will started the car.
"He does have a point." Will playfully pointed out as he gestured toward the windshield, making her blush.
Reaching over to turn the heat up again, he was surprised when she placed her hand on his. Looking over, he met her eyes and she softly shook her head. "I'm actually pretty warm now." She whispered so that Owen didn't hear and raised her eyebrows so that he got her point. Smirking, he pulled his hand away and put the car in drive taking them back on the road.
"What was that, sis? I couldn't hear you back here." Owen teased.
Rolling her eyes, she grabbed the bag Will placed on her lap and threw it back, hitting him in his chest. "Why don't you find something to snack on in there and stop bugging me?"
Alicia inhaled deeply in an effort to calm her nerves as Will pulled into the driveway and parked. Looking behind her, she saw that Owen had fallen asleep. She watched as Will turned the car off and unbuckled his seatbelt. As she moved to do the same with hers, he took her hand in his. Sitting back in her seat, she glanced over to find him smiling at her as he raised her hand to his lips and kissed it softly.
"Don't be so nervous. They're going to love you." He assured her.
Opening her mouth to protest, she stopped herself and smiled, shaking her head. "Not sure I will ever get used to how well you know me."
Chuckling, he kissed her hand again before leaning in to place a soft kiss on her lips, feeling her relax as he did. "We should go in before you freeze to death."
"Or before you two steam up the windows again. Do you even remember that I'm here?" Owen complained as he opened the door and climbed out of the car.
"Oh joy, look who's awake." She muttered as she opened her own door.
Walking around to her side of the car, he reached for her hand and led them into his home. They were immediately greeted by the sound of hurried footsteps on the stairs. "Will!" Aubrey exclaimed as she leapt over the last few steps and ran toward him, arms outstretched.
"Hey, kiddo!" he wrapped his little sister in a tight bear hug. She peered over at his guests. "This is Alicia and her brother Owen." He informed her. "This is my little pain…I mean…Aubrey." He joked.
"Hey! That's not very nice." She looked up at him, furrowing her brows before turning her attention back to Alicia when she heard her speak.
"It wasn't." she scolded Will before looking back at her, smiling. "Nice to meet you, Aubrey. I've heard so much about you."
Looking back up to Will, "Is she your girlfriend?" she asked him. He nodded, smiling. "She's really pretty." She whispered, loudly.
"She's beautiful." They heard behind them.
"Mom!" Will rushed over to hug her.
"Hi honey." She squeezed him back. "I'm so happy to see you."
Moving out of her embrace, he reached for Alicia. "Mom, this…is Alicia." He declared with a hint of pride in his tone.
Reaching out her hand, "It's such a pleasure to finally meet you, Mrs. Gardner."
"Oh sweetheart, the woman that has turned my only son into a blubbering mess deserves a hug." She remarked as she gently embraced her. "And please," she started as she pulled away and grabbed a hold of her hands. "Call me Ellen."
"Thank you. And thank you for having us." She turned to her brother. "This is Owen."
"Nice to meet you, ma'am." He said as he shook her hand.
"William? Aubrey? Where are your manners? Take their coats." She eyed her children as they moved to do as she ordered, mumbling their apologies. Linking her arm with Alicia's, she led her toward the kitchen. "Now, if it's ok with you, I'd like to get to know the woman that has finally captured my William's heart. You must be hungry after that drive. How about a late lunch?"
Feeling her cheeks redden, she smiled and nodded. "Sure. Thank you."
"Mom, where's Sara?" Will asked as he followed them, Owen and Aubrey behind him.
"She'll be here soon. Why don't you boys get your bags out of the car? Give us a little girl time." Will glanced at Alicia who smiled and nodded slightly as her way of telling him she would be fine. "Oh William, surely you can bear to be away from her for five minutes?"
"Actually, I don't think he can. At least I've never seen it." Owen said.
"Is that so?" his mother asked, eyeing him.
"Will is in love! Will is in love!" Aubrey sang loudly.
"Bags. Got it." He said backing out of the kitchen and pulling Owen with him. "Thanks a lot."
Alicia giggled as she watched them go. Noting how he blushed and didn't make eye contact, she couldn't stop smiling. Turning her attention back to Ellen, "Can I help with anything?" she offered.
"Oh no, honey. You sit. Relax. Aubrey can help." Alicia stifled a laugh when she saw her roll her eyes at her mother. "Besides, it's just sandwiches and salad. Tell me about yourself."
She shrugged. "What would you like to know?"
"Do you love Will?"
"Aubrey!" Ellen scolded.
"Sorry." She replied, looking down.
"It's ok." Alicia assured her.
"How is William doing in school?" She asked, changing the subject. "When I ask, I feel like he skirts around the topic. It concerns me."
"Oh. He's good. No, he's great. I feel like I have to force him to study all the time but…" she stopped herself and took a breath. "He's going to be a great lawyer."
"Is law school hard?" asked Aubrey.
"Very hard. We study all the time. When we're not, we're in class." She chuckled when Aubrey made a face of disgust.
"Are all of your classes with my brother?" she nodded. "And you study together? Don't you get sick of him? I would."
"Ok, missy. That's enough out of you. Why don't you go let Oreo in?" Ellen said as she pushed her pouting daughter out of the kitchen. "You could never tell that she worships the ground William walks on."
"That's adorable."
"Don't let her hear you say that. She's at that stage where cute is not cool."
"I'll be sure not to."
"So, my understanding is that you are the reason behind the change in my son."
Alicia stiffened. "Um…"
"I just mean that William seems…content…focused." She stopped cutting the tomatoes in front of her. "You're good for him."
"Mrs…" She paused and smiled, nodding once. "Ellen…Will is a good man. He's smart…dedicated…funny…sweet." Struggling to find the right words to make her point, she placed her hands on the island between them and looked at her. "He…is good for me."
Smiling at her, Ellen nodded. "Then I guess it's a good thing that the two of you have found each other."
"Alright, bags all unloaded." Will's voice preceded him into the kitchen. "Leesh," He pointed to her when he walked in. "You're with me. Owen in the den."
Her eyes widened. "Oh…"
"William…" his mother warned.
Chuckling, he put his hands up in defense. "I'm kidding. Your bag is in the guest room." He told her. She glared at him, playfully.
"Oreo! Wait!"
Will turned just in time to greet the black and white Siberian husky as he came bounding into the kitchen with Aubrey chasing him. "Hey buddy!" He stooped to hug the dog and kiss his head. "Did you miss me?" Losing his balance as Oreo jumped on him, licking his face. "Wait, wait." He laughed. "I take that as a yes." He said when he was back on his feet. Looking around him for the dog, he heard Alicia giggle behind him and turned to see Oreo with his front paws on her lap eating a carrot out of her hand.
"He's beautiful." She told them.
"Well…" Ellen breathed. "That's new."
She looked at her, confused.
"Oreo doesn't usually like new people." Sara spoke from the doorway.
Will turned. "Hey sis!"
"Hey little brother!" she hugged him and immediately walked away. "You must be the famous Alicia."
"Leesh, this is my other pain, Sara."
"Hi. Um…" Alicia looked down at her hands as Sara moved Oreo off of her. "I'd shake your hand, but…"
"Here…" Will directed her toward the sink, turning on the water and squirting soap into her hand. "Are you ok?" he whispered and she nodded. "You sure?" she looked at him and smiled. "Can I kiss you?"
She looked away as she rinsed the soap off. "Normally, I'd say yes. But…"
"But?"
"You have dog saliva all over your face."
He gasped, feigning offense. "You don't like that?" He moved closer as she inched away. "Come on. Are you really going to deny me a kiss because Oreo kissed me first?" he joked.
Putting her hand up to stop him from leaning in to kiss her, "Will…" she warned. Bursting into laughter as he lunged for her neck and bit her, she pushed him away, remembering that they were not alone and walked back to join his mother.
"You have a good laugh, Alicia." Ellen told her.
"See? I told you." Will beamed.
Alicia raised her eyebrow, inquisitively as she sat at the table.
"Oh, did you not know that you are the only thing my brother talks about when he calls home?" Sara asked her.
"Funny." Owen piped up. "Will is the only thing Alicia talks about." He teased.
"Shut up, Owen."
Sara giggled. "Then I guess you guys are a match made in heaven." She observed her brother as he sat next to Alicia.
"You guys are in love, aren't you?" Aubrey asked.
"Well, if walls could talk." Owen mumbled, earning a kick under the table from his sister. "Ow!"
Before either of them could reply, Ellen changed the subject. "Sara, did you get everything I asked for?"
"Yes, Mom. What time are we going to start preparing everything for tomorrow?"
"As soon as everyone is settled."
"Alicia, are you going to help us?" Aubrey asked.
"My sister? In the kitchen?" Owen snorted and quickly moved his legs out of Alicia's reach when he saw her glare in his direction. "I…I mean. She's awesome…in the kitchen."
Rolling her eyes at him, she turned her attention back to Aubrey. "Of course I'll help." She turned to Ellen. "Maybe you can teach me some of Will's favorite dishes?" she asked hopefully.
"I'd love to, sweetheart." She turned to Will. "Don't let her go." She told him before standing to find the phone that was now ringing, Aubrey following her.
"Yeah, little brother. Don't screw it up." Sara teased as she started to clear the table.
Will looked at Alicia and smirked. "You guys don't have to worry about that. She's stuck with me."
"See?" Owen whispered next to her as he rose to help. "I told you they would love you. Even the dog."
She smiled before looking at Will, leaning over to whisper. "Ok, Gardner. Now…you can kiss me."
"An Oreo kiss or a regular one?"
She pulled away. "Don't you dare." She warned, laughing as he leaned closer, his tongue sticking out. "Will, st-" His lips on hers cut her off.
"I've never seen my brother like that with anyone." Sara told Owen as they glanced over at them.
"Really? Well, that's all I ever see." He responded. "It's sickening really." He joked.
"They're in love." Ellen whispered from where she stood in the doorway, smiling at the sight of Will and Alicia.