Daniel's Point of View

"Where are you going now? For someone who supposedly lives here, I hardly ever see you at home." Mum leans against the bedroom doorframe and crosses her arms. Her eyes trail over the room and fixate on the overnight bag situated on my perfectly made bed.

"I'm having dinner with my girlfriend and her mother." The way my girlfriend rolls off my tongue is strange but exciting.

"Girlfriend?" She gasps, happiness filling her eyes.

"It's still new and we're taking our time getting to know each other. We don't want to rush into anything, especially after our last relationships."

"Oh yes, it's good that your taking your time getting to know each other. Maybe you could invite her to a family dinner this weekend? I would love to meet the woman who's making you this happy!"

"I'll invite her tonight."

"You must tell me about her! How old is she? What's her job? How did you two meet?" She flies off with so many questions, my head spins.

"Her name is Ellie and I promise you can meet her soon. I have to go now, I'm running late."

"Oh, I'm sorry." She frowns.

"She's very excited to meet you as well. I just hope that everything goes well tonight."

"It's good to take things at your own pace, and if you need more time, you don't have to invite her to dinner this weekend."

"It's okay, I'm sure she'd love to come."

I kiss her forehead before grabbing my bag and rushing out.

My heart is wildly beating when I arrive at Ellie's house. I tuck my shirt in and fix my hair before approaching the door. Before I have the chance to knock, the door swings open and a flustered Ellie appears with rosy cheeks. She sweeps tendrils of hair behind her ear and sighs.

She steps outside and closes the door just enough that it doesn't click shut.

"Thank goodness you're here!"

She steps into my arms and I kiss her forehead.

"What's wrong?" I whisper.

"I'm just nervous about dinner for no reason. You're amazing and my mother will love you. I'm just being a silly goose."

I cup her cheek and peck her lips.

"Don't worry, everything will be fine."

"Leave this out here, though. She doesn't know you've been staying over." Ellie takes the bag from my shoulder and chucks it behind a small plant pot.

"She already knows that I know where your bedroom is, so we've probably passed that stage." I chuckle.

She awkwardly shifts on her feet and her cheeks are still a cute shade of pink. I tug her back to me and kiss her forehead.

"Let's do this." I smile.

"Ellie? Where did you go?" Her mother calls.

Ellie's eyes go wide and she sucks in a sharp breath.

She opens the door and pulls me inside the house. Her mother is in the kitchen managing the food cooking in the various pans on the stovetop.

"It smells delicious in here," I compliment.

She discards the wooden spoon on the bench and comes over to give me a hug.

"Oh Daniel, it's wonderful to see you again."

"It's nice to officially meet you and have dinner."

"Oh right, this is my mother, Stevie."

"Daniel?" Noah shouts.

He leaps up from his spot in the lounge room and comes running over.

"Hi, Daniel."

"Hey Noah, how are you?"

Noah just jumps up and down all excited.

"How about you two play before dinner is ready?" Ellie suggests.

Noah's quick to grab my hand and lead me over to the lounge room where all his toys are.

Once dinner is ready, Ellie and I sit on one side of the table, then Stevie and Noah on the other side. Noah picks all the peas out of his pasta and places them on the table beside his plate.

"You don't like peas, Noah?"

"Peas taste like sadness." He frowns.

"Peas are good for you," Ellie comments. "Just try and eat one."

Noah places one pea on the end of his tongue and gags on it. Ellie shakes her head and sighs.

"So Daniel, Ellie tells me you work in construction."

"Mainly commercial and residential. I also enjoy renovation projects which I mainly do on the weekend for friends and family. I'm in the process of building my own house. I have a few wild ideas so it's taking some time to finish. I'm working on it less since meeting Ellie." I look at Ellie and grin. "But I much prefer spending time with Ellie."

"How long until it's finished?"

"Soon, hopefully. I had to revise the plans recently which added on more time to the timeframe."

"If you're building a house, where are you living?"

"I moved back home with my parents. It's weird but it allows me to put more money into this house and they're excited for me."

"Do you plan to live there or?"

"I hope it'll be the home I share with my future family." I place my hand on Ellie's thigh under the table.

"Have you-" Ellie gives her a look and she rolls her eyes.

"I think that's enough with the questions. Let the poor man eat his dinner."

Ellie's Point of View

After dinner, Daniel takes Noah for a bath while we clean up the kitchen.

"Daniel is great with Noah," Mum comments.

"He's amazing and Noah likes him more than me now. He comes over and helps with dinner and bath time. I don't need the help but it's nice to have some help and the way they play together is adorable."

"And?"

"And?" I raise an eyebrow.

She raises both brows and I sigh.

"I'm waiting for the shoe to drop."

Mum covers her hand with mine and squeezes it for support.

"Oh, Ellie."

"What?" I sigh.

"In a healthy, loving relationship, nothing has to be wrong and I'm mad that Craig has made you feel like something must always be wrong to feel normal. You can be happy. You deserve to be happy."

A stray tear rolls down my cheek and I brush it away with the back of my hand.

"Thanks, Mum."

Noah runs into the living room dressed in his pjs and with his wet hair slicked back. He wraps his arms around my leg and looks up at me with puppy eyes.

"Can Daniel read me a story before bed?"

"Say goodbye to Nannie and brush your teeth first."

"Bye, Nannie," he shouts as he races back to Daniel.

Daniel looks at me and I shrug.

Mum's mouth is open before she snaps it shut and shakes her head.

"I know the feeling." I laugh. "Surely he's more obsessed with Daniel than I am."

"I should head off because it's getting late. Say goodbye to Daniel for me and let him know it was lovely seeing him again."

"Sure thing." I smile.

She tugs me in a soft hug and I walk her to the door. Mum steps outside and spies the bag behind the plant. She raises her eyebrow and laughs, before wandering down the driveway. I grab the bag and bring it inside.

Daniel was right, but I'm not admitting that.

I finish loading the dishes into the dishwasher before wandering to my bedroom. I brush my teeth and wash my face. Daniel walks into the bathroom and places his hand on my waist and grabs his toothbrush.

"I forgot you were building a house," I comment.

Daniel puts toothpaste on the toothbrush and nods his head.

"Maybe you can come by and see it soon?"

"I'd like that." I smile.

He brushes his teeth and rinses his mouth with water. He places the toothbrush in the holder and turns to me. Daniel's hands slide around my waist and squeeze my butt.

"How did dinner go? Does your mother approve of me?"

I purse my lips and pretend to think about it.

"Ellie!"

"Yes," I chuckle. "She likes you."

"I suppose you should probably meet my family."

I bite down on my lower lip and frown.

"I hope your parents like me."

Daniel kisses my forehead and smiles. Except that smile is eerily like the smiles Craig would give me when he was hiding something.

He smacks my butt and kisses me.

"Once they get to know you, they'll love you."

I wrap my arm around his neck and peck his lips. His hand slides up the curve of my back and pulls me back for a deeper kiss. His tongue dances against mine and I wave my fingers into his hair. Daniel lifts me up and I wrap my legs around his waist.

He carries me out of the bathroom and lowers me onto the bed. His lips trail down my neck and I arch my back and move my head to the side so he can trail kisses across my collarbone.

"Mm," I moan.

There's a scream and Daniel jumps back and races out of the bedroom with me trailing behind. We reach Noah's bedroom as he's running out. Daniel scoops Noah up and cradles him to his chest.

"What's wrong, buddy?"

"I had a bad dream." He sobs. "I need Mummy."

Daniel passes Noah to me and he clings to my body like a koala. I squeeze him tightly and kiss his cheek.

"It's okay, I'm right here and you're okay."

"I sleep in Mummy's bed." He sniffles.

Daniel and I glance at each other and I sigh.

"Of course, you can sleep in my bed." I kiss his forehead again and rub his back.

"Should I go home?" He whispers.

"Stay."

"I'll sleep on the couch and you two go to bed."

He squeezes my arm to comfort me.

"There's blankets and cushions in a basket beside the couch. I understand if you want to go home to your own bed instead of sleeping on the couch."

"I think your couch looks comfy." He smiles.

Daniel walks into the lounge room and I linger by the doorway while he grabs the blankets and cushions from the basket. I take Noah to my bed and he dives under the cover and starfishes in the middle of the bed.

"Hey, pick one side."

I turn the lights off and slide under the covers. Noah snuggles into my chest and I kiss the top of his head.

"Goodnight, Noah."

He tosses and turns for a while before eventually falling asleep. I roll onto my back and stare at the ceiling. I sneak out of the bed and wander into the hallway. I peek into the dark lounge room and sigh.

"Ellie?" Daniel whispers.

I wander over to the couch and Daniel lifts the blanket and I manage to squish myself onto the couch beside him. He hooks his arm over my waist and kisses my cheek.

"Couldn't sleep?"

"Noah snores and takes up all of the bed." I sigh.

"Just like his mother." He chuckles.

"Excuse me."

"I love your cute snores."

"I'm sorry you're stuck sleeping on my couch." I frown.

"Stop apologising for things like this. I'm just happy I'm here with you."

"How come your awake?"

"I'm nervous about you meeting my family?"

"Do you think they won't like me?"

"Sometimes it takes my mother a while to warm up to people. I don't want her to scare you away before you get to know each other. I think you two are very similar. Protective, loyal, loving."

"I'm determined to make your mother like me then."

He kisses me and I melt under his embrace.