Elizabeth went home after school and tried on multiple outfits. She wanted to find something just right to meet Nathan's family. She wasn't sure about Nathan's parents, she hadn't asked him yet because she hadn't been ready to talk about her own. Elizabeth knew that Nathan's sister and niece lived near him so they had to be close. It was important to her that she made a good impression.

She decided on a knee length burgundy dress with flats and a light sweater. It was casual enough for dinner but special enough for the occasion. She drove over to Nathan's house and arrived right on time. She took a deep breath before walking out of her car and to the front door. Elizabeth had asked Nathan if she could bring anything and he had said that he had everything handled. She didn't want to show up empty handed so she went back to the bakery to get the same cookies she had gotten for the bake sale. The ones she knew Nathan liked: lemon blueberry with white chocolate chips. She also got some regular chocolate chip cookies in case Colleen or Allie did not like the other ones.

Elizabeth knocked on the door and she could hear movement inside. After less than a minute, the door opened and Nathan smiled when he saw her. "Elizabeth, hello. Please come in."

"Hi Nathan. I hope I am on time. I brought these cookies for later."

"Are these…"

"Yes," Elizabeth said with a smile. The two of them stood there until a small little girl came over, peeking around her uncles leg.

"The princess! You're here!" Allie took Elizabeth's hand and led her into the main room to where Colleen sat on the couch with Allie's toys.

"Oh hello," Colleen said looking at Elizabeth, then to Nathan.

"Colleen, this is Elizabeth."

"Wonderful to meet you Colleen."

"You too, Elizabeth. I have heard a lot about you."

"Mommy, mommy. Look it's the princess!" Allie said as she jumped over towards Colleen.

Nathan and Elizabeth stood there confused. "What do you mean Allie?" Nathan asked.

Colleen laughed, "Allie and I were at the park one day and we saw Elizabeth walking past. Allie said how she looked like one of her princess dolls. I guess that she remembered you."

Elizabeth bent down in front of Allie. "You look like a princess too honey."

Allie threw herself into Elizabeth's arms and gave her a hug. Both Colleen and Nathan looked at the two of them with surprise as Allie didn't usually warm up to people that quickly. Nathan knew that there was something special about Elizabeth but this was more evidence of that.

—————-

It was a wonderful dinner with the four of them. It was the beginning of a new family. All of the adults could feel it. Allie insisted that Elizabeth sat next to her and Allie wanted to show Elizabeth her room and toys after dinner. Nathan helped Colleen clean up in the kitchen and put away some of the leftovers.

"So…." Colleen said.

"I know that tone," Nathan said with a laugh.

"There is no tone. I like seeing you happy is all."

"I am happy. It's strange. I feel like we've been together for a long time instead of just being on one date. Does that make sense?"

"It does. It just means it is right. When it is real, you just fit like a puzzle."

Allie ran in with Elizabeth following. "Mommy, do we have any dessert?"

Colleen laughed, "just like your uncle. Yes, sweetie."

Colleen had set out the cookies Elizabeth brought. Allie's eyes went wide as she sat at the table and Colleen set a chocolate chip one in front of her. The adults sat down as well with coffee.

After a little longer, it was time for Allie to go to bed so Colleen and Allie said goodnight before they left to go home. Colleen joked that she thought Allie would be asleep before they got home with all the excitement. Elizabeth had walked to the door as they left, ready to grab her coat as well. Nathan helped her on with her coat and walked out with her to her car. He didn't have a coat on but it was starting to get warmer out the closer it got to summer.

"Thank you for inviting me tonight," Elizabeth said. "I loved meeting Colleen and Allie."

Nathan felt his body warm at Elizabeth using the word 'loved'. Even though it wasn't in response to him, he could feel that it wouldn't be long before he was ready to say those words to Elizabeth. "I'm glad you could all meet each other. It was important to me, for us."

Elizabeth liked the sound of that 'us'. She reached towards him and put her hands on his chest. He put his arms around her waist and pulled her close. The two of them leaned in for a kiss that started to turn passionate. Just as it did, Elizabeth pulled away. "Goodnight," she said with a smile and Nathan opened her door. She pulled out of the driveway and started to drive towards her house. Nathan watched her car drive away until it was out of sight.