Short Story: [RS] Meeting Parents [Aldrias]

Hi everyone! 

First of all, welcome again to all the new patrons!! Thank you so much for your generous support! 

So this is the short story post that should have been up for October 2021. We are um slowly catching up on the owed short stories (Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar ones remain), and I'm hopeful that I'll be able to finish making up for all of these by next month! 

Anyway, this short story will be of Reanimation Scheme, another installment of the Meeting Parents series. This is written by Nic W and edited by me. I hope y'all enjoy it! 

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Aldrias opens his eyes to the bustling city square of Hyrfere. By his side, his girlfriend, Raenelle, is dusting herself off from the teleportation journey. Feeling his eyes on her, she looks up at him with a half-smile.

"See, Aldy? I told you there was no need to rush. We'll be at your parent's place with plenty of time to spare."

Aldrias inclines his head to look at the impressive clock tower that dominates the center of the square, finding that it's not even six yet. He feels his cheeks pinken in sheepishness as he clears his throat to respond to her.

"I suppose you were right. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have rushed you. It's just… tonight's the night, you know?" He turns his focus more fully on her. "The night we'll be telling them about… us."

He glances away again, his cheeks reddening further. "I guess… I just don't want to wait a second longer than I have to to announce the news."

“Aww, how sentimental,” Raenelle grins, reaching up on her tiptoes to press a quick kiss to Aldrias’ cheek. He rubs the back of his neck in response, the corners of his lips turning up into a shy smile.

“I’m sorry, I can’t help it. You… do bring out that side in me,” he admits, his eyes crinkling with affection as he naturally takes her hand into his and intertwines their fingers together.

“I know, I’m just that awesome.” Raenelle smirks, flipping her hair with dramatic flair and eliciting an indulgent chuckle from her partner.

The trek down the path passes quickly in gentle banter and chitchat. The pair soon turn off the main road and slowly come to a halt in front of a quaint little white cottage that is home to a truly ambitious and beautiful front garden.

As they draw near the cheerful welcome mat, Aldrias smiles at Raenelle and releases her hand to knock on the front door.

A few moments later, the door swings open, revealing the familiar visage of Aldias' mother with her kind smile, messy-bunned red hair, and her overly large pair of golden spectacles. Aldrias feels his smile grow wider at the sight.

"Good evening, Mother," he greets her warmly.

"Hello, sweetheart! I'm so glad you two could make it. Just in time for dinner! Here, let me take your coats. Come in, both of you."

With that, Aldrias’ mother takes their outer garments and hangs them on a nearby coat rack before quickly pulling Aldrias, then Raenelle into a quick but tight hug.

She pulls away for only the briefest moment to call out to Aldrias' father, who is no doubt handling the cooking in the kitchen, to let him know of their arrival. Then she quickly spins back around to place her hands gently on Raenelle's shoulders as she looks her up and down, affection clear as day in her gaze. "Oh Raenelle, it's so good to see you again, dear. How have you been? You must come in and tell us everything about what you've been up to!"

Aldrias feels a surge of happiness upon seeing Raenelle lips quirk up with a genuine smile in return, her shoulders relaxing in relief. Of course, he knew that his girlfriend had no reason to be concerned about his parent's reception of her, but it’s nice to see his beliefs confirmed.

Before Raenelle can respond, the three of them are joined by the familiar, short, portly figure of Aldrias' father.

"Kids!" He calls out, his voice exceptionally joyful. "I'm so glad the two of you were able to come by. Look at the two of you! You're both looking well!"

He beams at them before stepping forward to pull Aldrias and Raenelle into another round of hugs. With one last jovial pat on Aldrias' arm, he steps back, jerking his thumb in the direction from where he came. "Let’s sit and talk in the dining room since dinner’s almost ready. It just needs another ten, maybe fifteen more minutes to simmer."

Raenelle accepts his invitation with fervor. The three follow him down the narrow halls of the cottage into a small but welcoming dining room.

"Please, take a seat at the table. Make yourselves comfortable." Aldrias’ mother favors them with a smile. Next to her, her husband grins at the young couple with a hint of mischief in his twinkling eyes. “Yes, better prepare yourself for the inquisition.”

“Father!” Embarrassment flashes across Aldrias’ face as he sends his father a rare pointed look of disapproval.

“What? Did you expect us to be blind, kid? Who can miss the way you can barely keep your eyes off her? And how your instinctive reaction earlier was to take her hand to lead her to the dining room before you caught yourself?”

The flush on Aldrias’ face grows as he sighs, floundering for a response. Meanwhile, his girlfriend explodes into giggles, half from nervousness and half from amusement.

"So you two are an item now, huh?" The grin on Aldrias’ father’s face stretches further, now ear to ear, and he sends Aldrias a cheeky wink.

Surprising everyone, and perhaps himself most of all, Aldrias reaches for Raenelle’s hand and brings it to his lips, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. Then, bearing the burning stares of his loved ones, Aldrias dips his head into a nod.

“Y-yes. Father, Mother, I… would like to introduce you properly to my girlfriend, Raenelle.”

Silence ensues. Across the table, his parents’ expressions become even more astonished, though that quickly melts away as they turn towards each other and share a meaningful look.

Raenelle’s cheeks turn a light shade of pink as she stiffens, her hand growing cold and clammy in his. He squeezes her hand in comfort, offering her a reassuring smile.

Finally, after what feels like forever but is in all likelihood less than a minute, his parents return their gazes to him and Raenelle, looking unmistakably delighted. Aldrias lets out a breath he didn't realize he was holding, and then his father breaks the silence. “Well, that’s good to know! I'll say that it's about time!”

Raenelle has just started to relax, but at that remark, she freezes and blurts out a question in confusion. "About time? You've been expecting Aldy and I to get together?"

Aldrias’ mother lets out a deep chuckle and leans forward, placing her elbows on the table as she regards the two of them with amusement. "Well, maybe expecting isn't the right word, but we've certainly been hoping. You two have always been close, and I know that Aldrias has been in love with you since you were hardly more than toddlers, running around causing trouble together."

“Mother!” Aldrias lets out a protest, his ears burning with embarrassment. “Mighty Ezren, why would you say that? And how could you have known that when I’ve never said anything of that sort?!”

His father laughs, unsympathetic to his son’s mortification. He reaches forward and pats their clasped hands. "You never had to, son. It was obvious from the way you've always looked at her. Why, we could've seen it coming from a mile away."

That does little to dispel his self-consciousness, but Raenelle scoots closer, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek and whispering reassurances in his ear. “Don’t worry, I think that is absolutely adorable. I’m flattered, Aldy.”

He sighs, finally managing to let out a soft laugh, his eyes sliding to meet hers. "I guess it's a good thing I've already told you I love you. Otherwise, this would be quite a way to find out."

Raenelle grins. “And I’ve already said I love you too, so even less reason for you to be embarrassed either by this revelation.”

She turns back to his parents, her gaze mirthful. "I guess that means I won't have to fight for your approval now, doesn't it?"

At that, Aldrias' mom's expression unexpectedly takes on a more serious tint. "No, you've never needed to, Raenelle. You've always been like a daughter to us. We couldn't have asked for a better partner for Aldrias."

Raenelle's eyes widen, a soft smile and a blush spreading across her cheek at the earnestness in his mother's gaze. Aldrias squeezes her hand, gently rubbing his thumb along her knuckles as his lips twitch upward in an uncontainable grin.

With warmth filling his chest, Aldrias gazes at the loved ones around him, contentment washing over him. This moment is perfect, a highlight that he’ll never forget, and the best part is — he knows in his heart that his future will only continue to grow brighter.