𝐘/𝐍'𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕

I'd faced a burning building with a child trapped on the second floor and less sweat on my palms than I had right now.

This was ridiculous. I paced the length of the apartment living room, tugging my sleeve down, then pushing it up again.

I'd changed outfits three times. Storm had looked up from her cereal earlier and said, "You look like you're meeting the president or proposing to someone's parents."

I had blinked at her and muttered something like, "Technically... yeah."

The ring was tucked in my jacket pocket. Not for them, obviously. But I couldn't leave it at home, not when I was walking into one of the most important conversations of my life. Not when I needed all the strength I could get.

Caleb had offered to come with me. "Emotional support friend. Like a weighted blanket, but hotter."

Lili had chimed in, "I'll even fake sneeze if the vibes get too serious. Break the tension."

But no. This was mine to do.

Because no matter how close I felt to Madelyn, no matter how real this thing between us was, I knew how sacred her parents were to her. I knew how much their approval mattered.

And if I was going to ask their daughter to spend her forever with me... I had to be willing to do the scary stuff.

Even if that scary stuff included potentially crying in front of her dad because all of this proposal stuff makes me emotional... I love her so much. I checked the time—thirty minutes.

I grabbed my keys, ran a hand through my hair, and stood still in the mirror for a long second.

"You got this," I muttered. But then, like clockwork, my phone buzzed. A text.

Babygirl 🤤♡:

I smiled. She didn't know where I was going, not exactly. I told her the fire department had an event going on. I typed back quickly.

Lover girl 💞:
I love you more. see you tonight baby ♡

I stared at the message for a beat, turned off the location on my phone, then slipped my phone away and headed for the door. I couldn't have her putting the pieces together. I'd make up an excuse for that later if need be.

Because tonight, when I came home, I wanted to know that I had their blessing. That I was one step closer to making her officially mine. And I had every intention of earning it.

.  .  .

I was early. Not too early, but early enough to sit in the car like a complete idiot for seven minutes wondering if I should walk in now or wait until exactly the time I said I'd arrive.

I didn't even knock right away when I got to the door. I just stood there, fist raised halfway, stomach flipping.

Then the door swung open and I nearly yelped. "Y/N," Madelyn's mom greeted me with a warm smile, already stepping aside. "Come in, come in."

"Hey," I said, voice a little scratchy. "Sorry, I was just... appreciating your welcome mat."

"Uh-huh," she said knowingly, giving me a playful side glance as I stepped inside.

The house smelled like bergamot and lemon, which felt very on-brand, and the windows were cracked open just enough to let the spring air move through. I could already hear her dad's voice coming from the back patio.

"He's just finishing up out there," her mom said, gesturing toward the open kitchen. "Lemonade? Water? Whiskey?"

"I—uh, just water's perfect. Unless you think I'll need the whiskey."

She chuckled and handed me a glass before leaning against the counter, eyes narrowed slightly like she was studying me. Not in a judgmental way, more like... curiosity with a dash of concern.

I took a sip, trying not to fidget.

"I just... I wanted to talk to you both. Alone."

She nodded slowly, almost like she already knew. "Alright. Let's head outside."

The patio was quiet except for the soft hum of a small fan and the occasional chirp of a bird in the garden. Her dad was seated in one of the cushioned chairs, a crossword puzzle in front of him and his glasses pushed halfway down his nose.

"Hey, Y/N," he greeted, setting the paper aside and rising to shake my hand.

"Hi, Mr. Cline."

He gave me a firm handshake, followed by a nod that was more gentle than intimidating. I sat down across from them as Madelyn's mom joined him on the loveseat. And then, silence. Comfortable for them. Excruciating for me.

"So," her dad said, folding his hands over his stomach. "You called us to meet. And you're not here with Madelyn. So I'm assuming this isn't just a friendly visit."

I let out a breath and nodded. "Yeah. I mean—no. It's not just a friendly visit."

They both waited, calm and patient. I took another sip of water and set the glass down with both hands like it might anchor me. "I love your daughter," I said quietly, but firmly. "I think I've loved her since the second she looked at me like she could see past everything I was trying to hide."

Her mom softened, eyes flicking briefly to her husband. I kept going.

"I'm not perfect. I've got baggage. A lot of it. There were times when I didn't think I could even do a relationship. I barely had room to breathe, let alone let someone else in." I paused, swallowing hard. "But she... she didn't push. She just stood close enough for me to feel her. And eventually, I couldn't imagine not feeling her there."

Neither of them spoke. Their silence wasn't cruel—it was intentional. Letting me have the space.

"I've made mistakes with her. I shut down. I got scared, I tried to push her away. But I always came back. Because she's home. She's the calm in the storm of everything I can't control."

I shifted in my seat, fingers drumming lightly against my thigh.

"I'm not just asking for permission to propose. I'm asking for your trust. Because I know what she means to you. I know how loved she's been her whole life. And if you give me the chance, I'll spend mine making sure she never has to question how loved she is with me."

Her dad leaned forward slightly, elbows on his knees. "What makes this time different? You've left her high and dry before."

I blinked, caught off guard by the quiet question. He didn't say it unkindly. Just... directly. I thought about it. Really thought. And then I nodded.

"I'm not running anymore," I said. "I'm choosing her. I know there's only so much I can say but, despite all of the bumps before, one thing remained true and it's that my life, it doesn't feel right without Madelyn."

He watched me for a long moment, then slowly leaned back. Her mom reached over and rested her hand on his knee, then looked at me with something soft—almost sad, but proud.

"She's been through a lot," her mom said. "Quietly. She's stronger than she lets on."

"I know," I whispered. "She makes me want to be better. Not for her. But with her."

Another beat of silence. Then her dad nodded once. "You have our blessing," he said quietly. "But don't break her heart again." he warned.

"I won't," I promised. He gave me a long look. "You'll still have hard days. You'll still argue. But if you keep choosing her... it'll be enough."

I nodded, barely holding back the sting in my eyes. "I will. Every single time."

Her mom stood first, walking over to pull me into a hug. "We already think of you as family," she murmured. "But I'm glad you came here to make it official."

I hugged her back, chest tight with emotion. When I left a few minutes later, I sat in the car for a moment, hands gripping the wheel, just breathing. Letting the weight of it settle in.

And then, without thinking too hard about it, I pulled out my phone and opened my group chat with Caleb and Lili.

Y/N/N  🤬:
green light's on. let's get planning.

Caleb responded instantly with seventeen fire emojis and a gif of someone screaming while Lili sent a gif of fireworks.

I smiled. I wasn't running. I was choosing her. Every time.