"Addie that's your third glass, slow down" Teddy said as she took the glass of wine out of Addison's hand and downing it herself.
"What if they don't like me? I mean what if they hate me-"
"Addison, they're going to love you!" Teddy cupped her girlfriends face reassuringly.
"I just...maybe its too soon?"
"Addie, we've been together for three years. We're engaged. I think its about time you met my parents"
Addison reached for the now empty bottle of wine, drinking the few droplets of the red liquid left inside. The ringing of their doorbell caused Addison to almost drop the glass bottle and head for the back door. Teddy gave Addison a quick peck on the lips before heading out of the kitchen and answering the door.
She had met parents before, parents loved her, but this time it was different. She felt sick to the stomach with fear over meeting Teddy's parents, her heart was racing and her palms were sweating. Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, Addison headed out of the kitchen and into the dining room as Teddy and her parents walked in.
"Mom, Dad, this is Addison" Teddy said with a smile from ear to ear.
"Mr and Mrs Altman" Addison smiled nervously, holding out a shaky hand for them to shake.
"Mrs Altman makes me sound so old, please call me Judy" Teddy's mother smiled, taking Addison's hand in hers. "And this is Tom"
Thomas Altman scared the shit out of Addison. He was a huge beast of a man, and he was clearly ex-military (his extremely firm handshake backed that up!).
"You guys sit down and we'll go and get the food" Teddy smiled at her parents, sensing Addison needed to calm down and collect herself.
"I can't do this" Addison said as she leaned against the kitchen counter, fanning herself with her hand and trying her best, but failing, at not hyperventilating. "They hate me. And your Dad, Jesus Ted, I mean, he didn't even look at me, let alone say a word to me. And that handshake, I could tell he didn't like me! Maybe I should go? You should tell them I got paged or i'm ill or something-"
"-Addison"
"I can't breathe. I think i'm having a heart attack or something" Addison said in-between heavy breaths.
"Its a good thing you're engaged to a cardio god then" Teddy raised her eyebrows and bit her lip.
Despite the fact that Addison was most probably having a panic attack right now, Teddy couldn't help but melt at how adorable Addison was right now. The usual head-strong, confident Addison was now nowhere to be seen and was replaced by a crazy, adorable Addison.
"Addie, breathe!" Teddy's eyes widened slightly as Addison started to look as though she was going to pass out on the kitchen floor. "Hey" Teddy hooked her finger under Addison's chin, raising her head so she was looking into her perfect gray-blue orbs. "They already love you after eeeeeevrything I've told them about you. You just need to go in there and be the smart, funny, amazing, kind person that they've heard endless stories about, and believe me, they're gonna love you even more than they already do!"
"Really?" Addison asked, her breath now returning to normal. There was something about Teddy that could always, no matter what, calm Addison down and make her feel safe. Home. Grounded.
"Really" Teddy smiled, stroking Addison's cheek with her thumb. "And besides, it only takes 30 seconds in your company to fall head-over-heals in love with you" Teddy smiled again before leaning in and kissing the red haired beauty.
After bringing out the food to the table, Addison took a seat next to Teddy on the opposite side of the table to her parents. Teddy took Addison's hand in her own, her thumb ghosting across Addie's baby soft knuckles, as she knew Addison was still nervous and wanted to be there for her in any way she could be.
"I can't believe its taken us this long to meet you, Addison!" Judy exclaimed. "How long have you and Theodora been together again?"
"Just over three years" Addison smiled. They had by far been the greatest most happiest years of her life!
"Actually, we're getting married" Teddy smiled, looking over at Addison, who looked like she was about to have another panic attack.
"Ohhh!" Judy exclaimed happily, her eyes full to the brim with tears of joy as she leaned over the table and pulled her daughter and soon to be daughter in law into a tight embrace. "I'm so happy for you!"
Teddy and Addison couldn't help but stare into eachother's eyes and smile, they were that blissfully happy and in love.
"I'm proud of you, Teddy" Tom finally spoke, which gave Addison nervous butterflies. "You really have done well with Addison. She's a keeper"