I'm not nervous. At least that's what I keep telling myself as I follow the familiar roads that take us closer to my parents' house. Ash, Paige, and the kids are there visiting this week, and Blake and I managed to get a long weekend away from the Northern Canada Project to be here.

I've jumped out of planes, faced a pair of bears, mushed dogs through wintery terrain—the idea of the love of my life meeting my family shouldn't instill fear. But I so badly want them to love him, and Blake can be reserved and hard to read in social situations. Or at least, that's how he was on our trip.

At work, he's a different man—in charge, totally in control, and the few trips we've taken north together, his bedside manner is inspiring. No matter what the issue is—grave or minor—he treats everyone with care and understanding. His gentleness always makes my chest ache, and it's incredible to see him truly in his element—the confidence he exudes. It makes me appreciate how much he stretched himself outside his comfort zone while we were traveling together. 

I'm not one hundred percent sure which version of him will step through my parents' door to greet my family. Reserved Blake or bedside manner Blake. Maybe I can bribe one of the kids to fake an injury or ailment and then my family can see Blake in doctor mode.

Blake's hand lands on my thigh, and he squeezes before running his hand down my leg. "You're in your head about something," he says, and there's a hint of teasing concern in his tone.

"Nope. Just excited for everyone to meet you."

He chuckles. "Funny, I've seen you excited a lot, and it's never looked like this."

"I'm trying out a new version of excited."

"I think I prefer the old version—the one where you're actually excited."

"I'm just like... Maybe a tiny bit nervous."

"You?" His lips tip up with amusement. "I guess you were a bit nervous when I was meeting Izzy and her boyfriend."

And the stakes feel much higher this time. Blake and I were still on the cusp of getting together then. If Izzy hadn't liked him, it might have just meant we didn't do double dates or couple things in the future. Izzy would still be my friend. Family is different—holidays and celebrations would be strained and devoid of joy if Blake didn't fit into my little crew.

He will, though. He will.

Ahead, I see the driveway of my parents' modest two story. There's a rented van already beside my parents' compact car, and I can just squeeze our rental in behind my parents'. Blake gets out and stretches before grabbing our bags from the backseat.

He holds his hand out for mine, and I slide my fingers along his. There's something so comforting about the simple action. No matter what, Blake and I have each other. I've never been so sure of anyone or anything as I am about his place in my life.

When we get to the entrance, Blake goes to ring the bell, but I'm already opening the door and calling "hello". Squeals and screams of excitement echo through the house. Chloe and Joey are probably demolishing my parents' house.

"Auntie Gwen!" Joey comes at me in a rush and barrels full tilt into my legs.

Blake sets our bags by the door and immediately crouches to eye level. Joey eyes him with a hint of suspicion.

"Who's that?" Joey asks.

"I'm Blake." He holds out his hand for Joey, and Joey keeps one hand on me while accepting Blake's handshake.

"I'm Joey," he says just as Chloe comes running out of the kitchen.

Her face and hands covered in Nutella, and Paige is running behind her with a washcloth.

"Chloe!" Paige says, warning in her voice.

With zero hesitation, Chloe runs right at Blake and smashes into him. Blake wraps his arms around her and lifts her up. She sits at his side and stares at him, wide-eyed, as though she's suddenly realized she doesn't know him.

"Chloe, that's Blake. He's Auntie Gwen's friend," Joey says with an air of authority.

Chloe's Nutella hand connects with Blake's cheek, leaving a smear behind, and I can't help laughing. Blake chuckles too, not at all put out by the mess.

"Oh, my god. I am so sorry. Ash! Ash!" Paige takes the washcloth and tries to wipe down Chloe while she squirms in Blake's arms. "Of course this is how we'd meet," Paige mutters.

"Sorry!" Ash says, motoring down the staircase in front of us. "I was in the loo." He holds out his hand to Blake, who shifts Chloe a little to accept it. "I'm Ash. This hazelnut explosion is Chloe, and the one frantically trying to repair the mess is Paige."

Ash holds out his arms, and Chloe goes into them, leaving Blake. She turns back to stare at Blake as though he's one of the seven wonders of the world.

"I think Chloe likes him," Joey whispers.

"I think so too," I whisper back.

"Come on through," Paige says, after she gives Chloe one last wipe. "Mom and Dad are in the kitchen trying to clean up in there. Chloe has been obsessed with Nutella. Got it out herself and used her hands as a scoop."

"The bloody stuff must be everywhere," Ash says, trailing Paige.

I stop Blake before he can follow and lead him into the two piece bathroom beside the stairs. There, I grab a washcloth from the drawer and dampen it before wiping away the streak of Nutella Chloe left behind.

When I've got it all, my gaze meets his, and he searches my face for a beat before planting a soft kiss on my lips. "I love you, Gwen Rebecca Johnston."

"I love you too, Blake Edward Robinson."

"Dinner is almost ready!" my dad calls from the kitchen.

"Just in time," Blake says. "I was starting to wonder how long I could keep you in here to myself."

"I think it's going to be a busy weekend," I say. "Two kids, my sister and Ash, and then my parents. Not much alone time."

"That's all right," he says. "I'll just savor the snippets I get."

"Bit of a chaotic introduction to Paige, Ash, and the kids."

"I've come to expect nothing less than beautiful chaos with you," he says, and then he grins when I hit his chest. "I said it was beautiful."

"Yeah, yeah," I say, opening the bathroom door and leading him toward the kitchen.

When the hallway opens up to the kitchen, living room, and dining room, I pause and wait for Blake to catch up.

"Everyone," I say, gesturing to Blake like a game show host, "this is Blake. Blake this is my mom, Nicole, my dad, Jack, and you've already met Ash, Paige, Joey, and Chloe."

"Nice to meet you," my father says, giving his hands a quick wash before coming over to shake Blake's. My mom does the same, and then the two of them draw him into conversation.

As I watch them, I'm surprised at how at ease Blake seems, as though he's met them many times before. In some ways, he has. He's listened to me talk to them on the phone, on video chats, and sometimes on speakerphone if I was busy. But he didn't engage in most of those conversations, preferring to remain in the background.

"I knew he was handsome from photos," Paige says in my ear, "but he seems so self-assured in person."

He does, and I love it. It's like he was made to exist in my family, and any hint of nerves I felt in the car earlier disappears.

"Bake," Chloe says, standing at Blake's feet.

He immediately excuses himself from conversation with my parents and squats to speak to her.

"The L sound is tough for her," Paige says.

"It's cute," I say as she and Blake talk, or rather Chloe gestures and babbles while Blake tries to interpret her stream of consciousness conversation points.

We stand shoulder to shoulder as Blake lifts the tiny toddler into his arms, and she directs him around the rooms, checking out various things she finds interesting. He listens to her as though everything she's saying is the most riveting thing he's ever heard, and I love every moment of watching them.

"He's really it for you, isn't he?" Paige asks softly.

"He really is." I can't help the hitch in my voice because I had no idea it was possible to feel this much for someone else. I thought I knew what love was before I met Blake, but I really had no idea, not a clue. When I'm with him I feel safe and loved and wholly accepted, and I hope I do the same for him.

"When it's right," Paige says, her focus turning to Ash, "you can really feel the difference."

"You're going to make me go all sappy," I say.

"Dinner," my father says, laying the final dish on the table, "is served."

Ash sits beside Joey, and Chloe insists on sitting beside Blake. He cuts her meat, and they talk about what's on her plate, and she thoroughly monopolizes his attention. The instant connection between the two of them seems to be winning everyone over. It's definitely making me think about babies in a way I haven't really allowed myself to up until now. Given the jobs we're doing, I don't even know how feasible a family is.

"He's good with her," my mother whispers to me while he's helping to put the lid back on Chloe's sippy cup after refilling it.

"He has the best heart," I say, and when I look at her, she rubs a hand along my back in the way she used to do to show love or how proud she was.

"To see you so settled and so happy is truly a joy," my mother says. "Both my girls with men who treat them well and where the love they give is so clearly reciprocated."

When I look up from my plate, Blake meets my gaze, and he winks at me before Chloe steals his focus again. But it is true. I have no doubt Blake loves me and not even a tiny pang of uncertainty. It's the same when I look at Paige and Ash. I have no doubts about how much they love and respect each other. The envy I used to feel for what they have together doesn't exist anymore. What they have is definitely worth seeking, but I don't have to look anymore.

He might not be the type of person I expected to end up with, but he's exactly the man I needed.

###

Later that night after the kids and my parents have gone to bed, Blake, Paige, Ash, and I are playing cards at the kitchen table.

"Where do you reckon you'll go next?" Ash asks. "Or will you stay in Canada for a while?"

Blake's gaze meets mine across the table, and he shrugs. "I go where Gwen goes, that's all I know."

"That simple, huh?" Paige asks with a hint of a smile.

"I kind of like being in charge," I say. "All the power in these hands." I flex them.

Blake and Ash laugh.

"In all seriousness," I say, "Blake likes to stay with a project for at least a year, preferably two. So, we'll be there for a while. Then, who knows? Nothing high risk. We've agreed on that. Low or medium risk is fine."

"Gwen said you've had some close calls in the past," Ash says.

"Too close," Blake agrees without missing a beat. "That's not a life I need to lead anymore."

"I get that," Ash says. "Different phases in life."

"We're in our obnoxious couple phase," Paige says. "Too loved up for our own good."

"No such thing," Blake says, gazing at me with tenderness. "Love hard and well while you can."

Sometimes the undertone of loss that surrounds him, now that I know what that feeling is, makes me sad. But in times like this, it also makes me a little grateful. He understands, better than most, what it means to lose someone, and now that he's been able to let enough of the fear go, he's embracing the joy. We know what we have together.

"I'll drink to that," Ash says, raising his pint of beer.

Paige raises her glass of wine, and Blake and I raise our water.

"To loving hard and well for the rest of our lives," Ash says, and then we all clink glasses.

As I sit back in my chair, I realize I never had to worry about Blake fitting in—there was no way my family wouldn't have seen in Blake what I see. A good man who loves me with all his heart, and I love him with all of mine.

Seeing Ash and Paige with Gwen and Blake was the most common request, so you're getting that first.

One more free one -- let me know what else you'd like to see! The one with the most votes or comments will be the next bonus. After that, I'll write more requests, but they'll likely be paid.

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