Chapter 5: Big Steps

Agent BM: You got that right.

As months passed, Honey and Zeke grew closer. They went to restaurants, "good" movies, games, and even had picnics together. And soon they called themselves, boyfriend and girlfriend.

Honey was happy with Zeke. He was kind, smart, handsome, generous, not to mention worked out which meant he had pretty good body. And Zeke also liked Honey. She was pretty, smart, hardworking, she knew how to get what she wanted.

She was also a pretty good baker, which was good because he had a bit of a sweet tooth.

The one day, Honey learned from one of Zeke's friends that he'd caught a cold. She felt sorry for him, and decided to do something to help. So she went to the grocery store, and then to culinary department and got permission to use one of the kitchens.

As she got to work, her bees flew out of her purse.

"So what are you doing, Honey?" asked Buzz.

"I'm making Zeke some soup to help with his cold." she told him.

"How romantic." Bumble gushed.

"Why not just pop in some instant noodles?" suggested Stinger.

"Stinger, doing this by hand it'll show Zeke how much I care about him." Honey explained.

"Yeah Stinger. There's no romance in instant noodles." Bumble told him.

Stinger just rolled his eyes. Soon Honey had a pot of soup on the stove.

It had broth, chicken pieces, rice, carrots, and green onions.

"And now for one last thing."

Honey took out a bottle of her parents' honey and squirted a little into the pot.

"Now it's done."

She put it in a thermos, and went to the dorm buildings.

With a mask on her face, Honey stepped in front of Zeke's dorm room door, and knocked on it.

"Hello?"

"Go away." came a stuffed up voice.

"Zeke, it's me."

"Oh, right. Well go away, I'm not accepting visitors today."

"But I have something to make you feel better. Could I come in."

"Fine, whatever."

Honey opened the door, and saw Zeke lying in his bed, on the floor were a bunch of used tissues, and he was looking pale and tired.

"I made you some soup."

"Oh, well just leave it there." Zeke told her, pointing to his desk.

"Can you taste it? I want to see if you like it."

"I'm sure it's fine now go away, I don't want to get you sick too."

"Why do you think I'm wearing a mask? Please?"

Zeke was about to say no, when he saw her pleading eyes. He sat up and, and Honey sat down on his bed. After giving him the thermos, he accidentally sneezed on her.

"See what I mean? But fine."

He took a sip of the soup, and realized it's actually pretty tasty.

"Hey, this is pretty good."

"Thanks, my parents used to make it for me whenever I felt sick. And just so you know, I don't take it personally that you're a little grumpy."

Zeke was surprised at hearing that.

"So you're not mad I sneezed on your neck?"

"No."

"Didn't expect you to say that"

"I'm wearing a mask, so I should be fine. Is there anything you need?"

"Not really."

"I could rub your feet if you want."

"I have a cold, Honey. I didn't run a marathon."

"Just trying to make sure you're comfortable."

"Thanks, Honey. But right now, I'd like to just eat your soup and get some rest."

"Okay, I'll probably come back tomorrow."

And with that, Honey left. Zeke couldn't help but smile, it was cute how Honey was trying to make him feel better. And eventually Zeke did get better, and he appreciated Honey more.

Then during the summer, Honey decided to go home and bring Zeke with her. She called her parents, and told them that she'd be bringing her boyfriend.

"We're looking forward to meeting him, Honey." said Wanda over the phone.

"You'll love him, Mom. Zeke's a great guy." Honey told.

Then she heard her father's voice.

"The relationship must be pretty serious if you're bringing him home with you." Trevor said.

"He is, Dad." Honey replied strongly.

"Well, we look forward to meeting him."

And then they hung up. She sighed, took off her glasses, and rubbed her eyes.

"What's wrong, Honey?" asked Buzz, flying over.

"I'm just a little nervous about my parents meeting Zeke."

"Why?" wondered Bumble.

"What if they don't like him?"

"Why wouldn't they?" Stinger questioned.

"Well my mom will probably like him. But my dad will probably be hard on him."

"Don't worry, Honey. I'm sure everything will be okay." Buzz comforted.

Honey smiled at her bees. Maybe it would go well.

When it was time to leave, Honey, Zeke, and her bees took the metro and rode to her hometown.

"I'm looking forward to meeting your parents, Honey." Zeke told her.

"Glad to hear that. I'm sure my mom will like you."

"And your dad?"

"Well...my dad's a good guy, but well I'm his little girl so he's protective of me." Honey explained.

"Ah I see." Zeke replied.

"I just hope things go smoothly."

Zeke then put his arm around her comfortingly.

"Don't worry, Honey. Everything will be fine."

Honey smiled at him, and leaned into him.

After a couple hours, the metro stopped in Honey's home town. When they got off, Honey spotted her parents waiting by their car.

"Mom, Dad." she called happily.

She hurried over, and hugged them.

"Honey, it's so good to see you again." said Wanda.

"How've you been, sweetie?" Trevor asked.

"I'm fine."

"So where's your guy?" Wanda wanted to know.

Honey turned around, and showed them Zeke who was carrying their bags.

"Mom, Dad, this is Zeke Shaw." Honey introduced.

Zeke set the bags down, and greeted them.

"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Potts. It's nice to finally meet you."

Wanda happily shook his hand, and told him,

"Hello Zeke it's very nice to meet you."

Then Trevor greeted him, but he gave him a stern look. Zeke reached out his hand and Trevor took it intending to hurt his hand, but instead Zeke's grip hurt his hand.

"Are you okay, Mr. Potts? Sorry, sometimes I forget my own strength."

"It's fine. Well shall we then?"

With that, Zeke loaded their bags into the Potts' car, they all got in, and rode off.

Upon arriving at the house, they got settled. Honey would be sleeping in her room, and Zeke would sleep in the guest room. Honey also took this time to introduce her bees to her parents.

"Mom, Dad guess who else I bought."

"Who, Honey?" asked Wanda.

She opened her purse, and Buzz, Bumble, and Stinger flew out.

"Oh my." gasped Wanda.

"What are these things?" Trevor wanted to know.

"Hello, you must be Mr. and Mrs. Potts." said Buzz.

"They can talk?" Trevor gasped.

"You better believe it." Bumble replied.

"A friend of mine in the robotics department made them for me. They're my little mascots. They're Buzz, Bumble, and Stinger."

"They're so adorable." gushed Wanda, as she let Stinger land in her hand.

"Hey, we're not meant to be adorable." Stinger told her.

Then later that day, Zeke and Honey were in the kitchen, and she was showing him where the drinks were. Then Trevor walked in.

"Hope you're not a loser like the last guy Honey wanted to date in high school." he piped up.

"What was wrong with that guy?" Zeke asked confused.

"His name was Adam, and let's just say he only saw me as a way to get free money from my small business." Honey explained.

"No one scams my little girl. Let me see your wallet, hand it over." Trevor demanded.

"Dad!" Honey hissed.

Zeke reluctantly gave his wallet to Trevor who was unimpressed with what money he had. Wanda had just come into the room, and wasn't happy with what she saw.

"$5? What's your next date gonna be? Going to a vending machine at the bus station?" Trevor sarcastically asked.

"Actually we're thinking of seeing another movie. Honey promised to pay but I'm gonna pay her back every penny." Zeke told him.

"Likely story. You sound like you're gonna take advantage of my little bumblebee."

"Trevor!" Wanda hissed.

"Dad, Zeke's totally good for it. He has a job and he gets paid on Friday." said Honey.

"How do I know he won't cheat you over? You work hard for what you make with that baking thing you do." said Trevor.

"Trevor, that's enough." Wanda told her husband, pulling on his shoulder.

"Zeke, why don't I show you our honey farm outside. I'll be there in a minute."

"Okay, Honey."

And Zeke stepped outside. Then Honey faced her father.

"Dad, Zeke's a really good guy. Also, I'm 22 and don't live here anymore so you can't tell me who I can't date."

"Young lady, I'm still your father and I'm paying your college tuition." Trevor pointed out.

"Wow, this really isn't turning out well." said Stinger, as he and the other bees flew into the kitchen.

"Shut up you. I still don't understand why honey needs you three." told Trevor.

Wanda then spoke up.

"Honey, you and Zeke enjoy the farm."

And with that, Honey joined her boyfriend outside, and her bees followed.

"Sorry that happened Z." Honey apologized.

"A bus station? That's a terrible place for a date." said Zeke.

"And besides I only have $5 because I spent a good chunk of it on stuff for your little commercials."

"Don't worry, I'm sure my dad will change his mind about you." Honey told him.

Inside, Wanda gave her husband a glare.

"Trevor, what was that?" she demanded.

"I was seeing if he was right for my little girl." Trevor said.

"What I saw was you interrogating him."

"Can't be too careful. Our Honey hasn't exactly had the best luck with boyfriends. Remember the one that made her so sick from McDonald's she can't eat it anymore?"

"I do, but that was back when she was just an 8th grader."

"I just want to be sure my Honey is gonna be taken care of, and possibly not get sick from fast food again. That pathetic amount of money he has is enough for the dollar menu at Taco Bell."

"Firstly, Trevor she's our Honey. Secondly, most college students are broke, and thirdly, I think Zeke is pretty good for her."

"I'm not sure I can trust him yet. When honey called she told me about her first date with him. They saw that Star Wars movie that was all over the news this year, she fell asleep on him."

"Well obviously, there must be something between them or she wouldn't have brought him here."

"Possibly."

"I'm just saying trust Honey on this one. I do."

"Let's see how this dinner goes out first."

"I'll get it started. Oh, and Trevor."

"Yes."

"Try that again at dinner, and you'll be sleeping on the couch tonight."

Trevor looked a bit nervous.

After showing Zeke her parents' honey farm, Zeke went to use the bathroom. When he was finished he caught sight of a room with the door slightly open. Curious, he walked over to it, and peeked inside.

He saw that the room was full of miniature models of antique cars. Now this peaked his interest, while he was majoring in advertising, he was minoring in mechanics. As he was looking at the cars, a voice came from behind him.

"What are you doing in here?"

Zeke turned around and saw Trevor.

"Oh, Mr. Potts, I didn't mean to pry, I was just admiring your collection here."

Trevor raised his eyebrow.

"Oh, you're familiar with some of these models?"

"Yes, I have an interest in cars. And I find antique cars fascinating."

"Hmm, well allow me to show you my collection."

At dinner later, the atmosphere was much lighter.

"Honey did you know Zeke here is interesting in cars?" Trevor asked.

"I knew he liked them." Honey replied.

"Turns out he really knows his stuff, he could name all the cars I have in my collection."

"Impressive." replied Wanda.

"It's nothing. He even asked if I could help him tune up his car." Zeke informed.

As the two men started talking about cars and their parts, Honey, Wanda, and her bees looked at each other smiles.

"Looks like your dad's finally warmed up to your boyfriend." whispered Bumble.

"Yep, this is great." Honey said.

That's chapter 5