Chapter 1 The Family Meeting

It was August Long Weekend and Bert and decided to take a trip to Regina so Lisa could meet Bert's family and celebrate her recent high school graduation.

They'd finally saved enough money and were at the train station saying goodbye. ''Have a good time,'' said Mellissa as she hugged Bert. ''And say hi to your folks for us.''

Bert smiled. ''I will. And I'll make sure to ask if they can make it for Thanksgiving.''

"Good," said Mellissa. She hugged and kissed Lisa. "Have fun and we'll see you on Monday."

"You too," said Lisa. "I can't wait to meet your parents when I get back. They sound nice."

Ralph who didn't get along with them rolled his eyes but only Bert noticed.

"See you Monday," he said as he hugged them.

Bert wanted to ask if he was alright but he already knew what was bother Ralph so he didn't say anything. "Bye Ralph. Have a good weekend," Bert added a bit worriedly.

"Thanks," Ralph answered flatly.

"Bye," George and Nicole said together. "I ope your folkz can make it," said Nicole. "Me too," said George. "We haven't seen them since Ralph and Mellissa's wedding."

"Mellizza's too," said Nicole. "It'll be nize to zee all of dem again."

Mellissa smile again. "I'll talk to mine about coming for Thanksgiving too. A family reunion would be nice."

"Indeed," said Bert. He turned to Bentley and hugged him. "Have a good weekend, little buddy. I'll see you Monday and I'll go fishing with you next week."

"I look forward to it," said Bentley. "Bye sis. Have fun."

"Thanks," said Lisa.

"Bye," everyone called as they boarded the train. "Have a good trip."

Bert and Lisa waved out the window. "Enjoy your weekend," they called as the train left the station.

They leaned back in their seats and watched the forest passing them outside. Lisa wrapped her arm around Bert and kissed him. "Thanks again for all of this. I've been looking forward to meeting you folks for a while. It sounds like that's where you get your personality from." She smiled.

Bert blushed a little. "I guess. You get yours from your folks too." He kissed her back.

"Thanks," said Lisa.

When they got to the airport they had to wait for more than an hour to board because of all the security checks. When their flight was announced they showed their tickets at the gate and were shown to their seats. They were by the window in coach. They were thankful this was a short flight because of how long they'd had to wait to board.

When the plane took off 20 minutes later they felt more relaxed. After they were at cruising altitude the flight attendant came and offered drinks and peanuts. Bert ordered his usual peanut butter soda and Lisa ordered orange. There was no meal because it was a short flight. Only about an hour and a half. They relaxed and chatted. Also watched a movie.

Bert noticed Lisa looked a bit nervous. "Are you okay?" he asked.

Lisa sighed. "Do you think your family will like me?"

Bert was confused. "What are you talking about? Of course, they will. They've been wanting to meet you for months. They're excited that I have a girlfriend now and that I'm bringing her home to meet them. They've been waiting for this for a long time. Why are you so worried they won't?"

"It's nothing. I'm okay."

"Are you sure?"

Lisa nodded. "Yeah, "I'm fine. I guess it's because this is the first time I've had a serious boyfriend and now I'm meeting his family."

Bert wrapped his arm around her. "Hey, you're not alone. This is my first time too. I'm a little nervous myself. Don't worry. It's natural."

Lisa smiled and kissed him. "Thanks, honey. You always know how to cheer me up."

Bert smiled. "My pleasure sweetie. Besides, that's what friends and loved ones are for. They look out for and support each other."

"You said it," said Lisa as she nuzzled her cheek against his.

Bert still felt a little awkward about how they now had pet names for each other. He liked it but was still getting used to it.

Finally, they were told to put their seat belts back on as they began their descent. 15 minutes later they touched down and rolled up to the gate.

When they got their stuff and headed out they spotted a group of raccoons holding up a banner that said: Welcome Bert and Lisa.

They ran up to them. Bert's mother: Dottie was the first to greet them. She hugged and kissed Bert. "Bert. Oh sweetheart it's so good to see you. I miss you so much." She looks like Nicole but has a straight muzzle and wears a light pink long-sleeved shirt. Lisa liked her shirt.

"Hi, mom. It's good to see you too."

His father: Bob was next. "Hi, dad. How are you?" They hugged.

"Good," he answered. "Nice to see you."

"You too," said Bert.

Lisa now knew where Bert got his looks from.

"Hi Dennis," Bert said to his brother. "How's University going?"

"Fine thanks," he answered. "I'm glad I'll be done next year." He looks like Bert and wears a white t-shirt.

Finally, Bert introduced them to Lisa. "Everyone, this is Lisa Raccoon."

Everyone gladly shook her hand. Bob was a little hesitant but did his best to hide it. Bert and Dottie noticed but said nothing.

"Nice to meet you, Lisa," Dottie said politely. "Bert has good taste. You're very pretty."

"Well thanks, Mrs. Raccoon. You're very nice."

"Please just call me Dottie.

"Hi Lisa," said Bob. "Nice to meet you." He was having trouble smiling. Lisa couldn't help noticing. "You can call me Bob."

"Nice to meet you too," said Lisa feeling a little awkward because she could tell he didn't sound too thrilled.

Finally, she shook Dennis's hand. "Hi, Lisa. Welcome to Regina. It's nice to meet you."

Lisa smiled. "You too."

"Well," said Dottie. "Let's get you two to the house and we'll have supper. I'm sure you're both hungry after your trip. How was it anyway?"

Bert and Lisa chuckled. She sounded like a mother.

"It was fine," said Bert. Took forever to get on the plane but fine otherwise."

"Flying isn't easy," agreed Dottie.

They put their stuff in the car and headed for the house.

Lisa had never been to Regina and had a good look around. There were a lot of things to see. She liked the view of Wascana Creek as they crossed the bridge.

When they got to the house and brought their stuff in they were in for a surprise.

Not only was Dennis's girlfriend Natasha there but so were Bob and Dottie's parents.

Bert couldn't believe it. He hadn't seen them for a long time. "Grandpa. Grandma. It's so good to see you. Wow, I didn't know you were all coming."

"Surprise," they said together.

"Nice to see you, Bert," said Bob's father, Henderson as he hugged him. He too looks like Bert. He was wearing a blue long-sleeved sweater. "It's been too long."

Bert smiled. "Sure has." He turned to Bob's mother: Julie and they hugged. "Hi, grandma. Nice to see you."

"It's so good to see you too darling," said Julie as she kissed him. "You look so handsome." She looks like Lisa but is Bert's height and was wearing a nave blue long-sleeved shirt.

Bert grinned. "Thanks." He then hugged Dottie's parents: Johnson and Bonnie. "Hi, grandpa and grandma. How's it going?"

"Fine," said Johnson. "It's nice to see you boy." He looks like George but older and wears a grey sweater.

"We miss you, dear," said Bonnie. "You're so grown up now." She kissed him. She looks like Dottie and wears a white blouse.

"I miss you too," said Bert.

"Hey, Natasha. Nice to see you," said Bert.

"Hi, Bert," she answered. "It's nice to see you too." They hugged.

"So I hear you and Dennis are finishing University next year," said Bert. "Congratulations."

Natasha smiled. "Thanks, we can't wait."

"And you must be Lisa Raccoon," said Henderson holding out his hand. "I must say you're a lovely girl. Nice going, Bert."

Lisa blushed and shook his hand. "Thanks. Nice to meet you."

"He's right," said Julie. "It's nice to meet you at last."

"You too," said Lisa.

"Nice to meet you," said Johnson. "You're a nice-looking girl."

"Agreed," said Bonnie. "We've heard a lot about you. Nice to meet you, dear."

"Thanks," said Lisa.

"Hi, Natasha. Congratulations on finishing University next year."

"Thanks," said Natasha. "I'm glad to meet you."

"It's very nice to meet all of you," said Lisa. "I can see where Bert gets his personality and looks from." She wrapped her arm around Bert and smiled at him. "Your family is just as wonderful as you are." She kissed him.

Bert smiled and blushed. "Thanks."

"Shall we get you 2 settled?" asked Dottie.

"Sure," said Bert. He and Lisa picked up their bags and followed her into the basement. She and Bob had built some bedrooms and a bathroom which looked nice. Dennis was in one of the 2 bedrooms down there and the 2 bedrooms upstairs were guest rooms where Bert's grandparents would be staying.

They were glad there was enough room for all of them.

"Thanks," said Bert as he and Lisa looked around their room. "You and dad did a nice job."

"Yeah you sure did," agreed Lisa.

"No problem," said Dottie. "I'm glad you like it. I hope you'll be warm enough."

"I'm sure we'll be fine mom," said Bert. "It's summer after all."

"Yeah," said Lisa. "And thanks."

"Alright," said Dottie. "I'll let you 2 get settled and see you upstairs."

"Thanks," Bert and Lisa said together.

Dottie closed the door and went back upstairs.