My Love Journey's
Meet The Family's

We were standing at Paul's parents' door. While Frosty was in Paul's arms, I pressed the doorbell of the beautiful whitewashed house and it was right on the beach. There were no neighbors or other houses I could see, so I was sure this house must be very private and quiet.

I heard a ringing sound from inside as I raised the backpack containing all my belongings on my back. Suddenly the door opened and a beautiful middle-aged woman's face appeared. "Gee!" He almost shouted and raised both hands, surprising me by pulling me into his arms.

I laughed softly, returning his embrace. This is one of the best hugs I get. A kind of hug that makes you feel warm, comfortable, and appreciated. "It's nice to meet you..." We pulled out while I realized I didn't know Paul's mother's name.

"Oh, I'm Anne. It's been a long time since I've waited for this day, Bianka." Then he hugged me again. "It turns out you're really pretty, yeah..."

I laughed as I clashed with Paul who was watching me from the house. He only looked at me for a few moments before giving me a faint smile and turning away with a timid look.

"I think we'll fit in" I muttered to Paul's mother as we took off our arms for the second time. I saw the corners of his lips lifted and his eyes twinkled. Oh, I just found out Paul got beautiful dark eyes from his mother.

"I know, I'm really glad you came here. Come on in, Ellie can't wait to see you." He graciously pulled my hand and led me into the house.

I'm stunned at the inside of such a beautiful house, everything you'd expect from a beachfront home is really here. Really, I want to spend my old days in this kind of place.

"Thomas! Ellie!" Paul's mother shouted towards the living room, which then appeared a man with bright blonde hair.

"Hey..." I guess this is Thomas, he smiled kindly as he approached and hugged me. "It's nice to meet you..."

"It's good to see you too" I said returning her smile as our embrace unraveled. "I like your shirt."

He's wearing a merchandise shirt from my favorite band, what else if it wasn't Coldplay. And, I was a bit jealous of not having it.

"Ah, do you like Coldplay?" Thomas looked down at me while holding the front of his shirt.

I nodded excitedly. "Yep. They've become part of my life."

Thomas smiled and threw a glance at Paul who was holding a small blonde girl just like Thomas. She must be Ellie. "She's absolutely perfect, marry her quickly or I'll snatch her away from you" Thomas joked, making me laugh while noticing Paul's change in expression.

My laughter faded when I found her deep and meaningful gaze that I could not explain, and now I am ashamed. Why is he acting like that?

"Hey, you must be Ellie, right?" I cleared my throat, taking my eyes off Paul. Then smiled gently at Ellie who was still in Paul's arms, her legs wrapped around Paul's hips while both hands hugged his neck.

Ellie's cheeks blushed as I advanced toward them, and Paul kneeled down to lower them. Embarrassed, Ellie hid her face in the recess of Paul's neck.

"It's Bianka, Ellie." murmured Paul, his gaze still fixed on me, but not as deep as before. She smiled as she shrugged, I indirectly arrested her as a request that I not force Ellie. "She's pretty, right?" paul asked Ellie, grinning flirtatiously while winking at me.

I chuckled then patted her on the arm, before Ellie turned her head. I gave him a warm smile. "Hm, yes." she shrank slowly in Paul's ear.

"You're prettier, Ellie." I said trying to seduce her. "I like your hairdo. That's great..."

I looked at her blonde hair tied like a ponytail and knitted it to her shoulder.

"Daddy tied him up." he said, then pulled away from Paul and turned to face me.

"Wow, she really knows how to make you look more beautiful" I said, and my heart was relieved to see Ellie's smile rise.

"Do you want to see my car?" tanyanya while pushing Paul's hand slowly which still holds his arm.

"Kids, dinner's ready in five minutes!" Paul's mother announced from the kitchen.

"Sure." I replied, looking down at Ellie, who reached out her hand, grabbing my hand. Without saying anything, he began to lead me into the living room.

Paul cleared his throat, "Wait..." I looked back. "Give me your bag, let me take it to the room."

I handed her my bag and smiled. "Thank you." I had to step back when Ellie pulled me back.

Thomas joined Ellie and me in the living room, where some toy cars seemed to be preparing for the race.

While accompanying him to play, I was surprised by Ellie's ability to hit the car. He knows even the parts that can make the car move faster. I also felt the warmth of a family once I set foot inside this house, something that had never happened in my home since the day my mother left us.

I tried to get rid of all the sudden feelings of sadness and noticed Ellie who was now playing with Frosty. I'm so happy that he likes cats too, maybe Paul already knows this and let me take Frosty.

***

"Mom, please stop..." Paul groaned, covering his face with both hands.

I placed my hand on her thigh under the table while continuing to listen carefully to the story Paul's mother was telling.

"Not all day, mom. It was only about an hour or two." grumbled Paul, obviously unhappy with his mother. "Mom, please don't embarrass me in front of Bianka."

"He, I don't think so. I'm glad to know a little about your childhood." I chuckled, slowly leaning against his arm. "I didn't think you were all that, at eight?" My laughter slid again, followed by Paul and Thomas' mother.

"Oh my God..." Paul grimaced while shaking. "You guys are really happy, huh?"

Ellie had already returned to the living room as soon as she finished her meal. So, it's just his mom, Paul, Thomas, and me at the dinner table. We chatted lightly while drinking wine.

"Don't ever let mom drink wine, or all the embarrassing stories will just come out without you preventing it." Thomas smiled at Paul while his mother shrugged.

"I think it's funny, that's why I like to tell it." he said.

"I thought so too." I agreed.

"Tuh, right! Bianka just agreed." Paul's mother raised her glass towards me.

"That's because he didn't tell your story" said Paul, leaning his back against the back of the chair. "I also have an embarrassing story about you that I can share, Bianka..."

I laughed, letting him hold my hand under the table. "Oh, no... You won't tell me anything, Paul."

"But mom started" she said casually, looking at her mother and I alternated.

"That's not embarrassing at all. You just licked the little girl's neck and thought she might get pregnant because of it!" I couldn't help but laugh as soon as I finished my sentence. For the umpteenth time, Paul's mother and brother laughed in response to my joke.

"Well, we all must have thought of something like that, right?" paul's mother said, continuing her laughter.

"Bianka, what about what happened when you..."

"Nope. Stop it." My snatch fast while covering his mouth with my finger.

When Paul's mother started telling him about Paul's other childhood stories, he looked a little calmer. His gaze lowered, staring at his hands that were on his thighs while rubbing the back of my hand.

Thomas and Ellie went to bed an hour later while I volunteered to help Paul's mother clean up the kitchen. Paul hugged me for a moment then kissed me on the forehead and said he should call his manager, then go to another room, leave me alone with his mother.

"Have you ever thought of letting someone lick your neck?" paul's mother asked suddenly, making me laugh.

"I'm sorry?"

He giggled amusedly as he shook his head while putting dirty dishes into the dishwasher. "I mean, have a child. Have you ever thought about it?"

I smiled at him. "Paul said you might ask me that..."

"Ah. I think he really understands me." He shrugged, still as serious as the first time I saw him. "So, how? Is there something you want to accomplish?"

"I often think of adopting a child." I murmured. "There are a lot of kids out there who need a home to shelter. I want to be someone who benefits others. Every pantad gets a good life I guess..."

"Oh my God, you're so nice. Now I know Paul didn't overdo it when he told me about you." Paul's mother looked at me. "He never stopped raving about your relationship in the last five months, until I felt my son might die if you left him."

I smile shyly, my cheeks must be flushed at this moment. "Uhm, I love her, Anne. You know, I was never grateful when someone had a concussion and had to end up in the hospital, but now I think that's good luck..."

She laughs. "That's what happened at your first meeting, right? Nature really has a weird way of bringing two people together."

"Yes, I agree."

"It looks like your relationship is fine now. Paul told me what happened between you a month ago..." I could hear a note of sympathy in his voice. "My son is very stubborn, but he cares deeply for his loved ones. I hope you can forget his mistake. I also asked him to defend you."

"Oh," My tongue's cuckoo, don't know what to say. Knowing Paul's mother supported me a little pleased me.

"His desire to make your life calmer and happier is very strong, Bianka. I've never seen anyone willingly give up their own happiness for anyone else, like Paul did for you. This is hard for me to believe, because he's a very hard man. I'm sorry, I don't mean to praise her, I'm just saying my opinion as a mother who knows my son very well."

"No problem, I get it. I'm also happy with Paul." My snoring is smooth. "I didn't expect him to tell you everything."

"Oh, sweetheart, I'm sorry... I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable, I already considered you part of our family, and I'm glad you made my son look happier" she said, then hugged me. "Thank you, Bianka."

I hugged her back. His words about thinking of me as part of his family are the happiest thing I've ever heard from a stranger, other than Paul, of course. "Sama-sama, Anne." I said as I rubbed her back.