A few weeks had passed since we told every our news, and it would be in only a few days my parents would be coming to L.A. to visit. I reasoned with Izzy that we might as well invite them up now so it would be over and done with. Rip that Band-Aid right off! Plus we were going to plan on 'surprising' them with something...

"What are you doing?"

Izzy came into our backyard to find me squatting on the lawn picking up Ripley's shit.

"I'm picking up after Ripley. What does it look like?"

"Yeah, but why?"

"Because it's stinky? And my parents will be staying with us in approximately 48 hours? The house needs to be presentable."

"Why did we agree they could stay here?" Izzy sighed rubbing his face with his hands.

"Because, then they'll have to leave earlier because they'll be scared of overstaying their welcome, believe me, it'll be fine."

I walked past him with a big bag of Ripley's poo and chucked it in the outside bin.

"I think we should walk Ripley twice a day because even with one walk a day look at how much she shits." I sighed.

Izzy just nodded, but he had already started to zone out and stare into space.

"I'm terrified they're going to tear me a new one." Izzy whinged, finally tearing his eyes off of nothing and onto me.

"Nah, you'll be fine dude. Just make sure you show and tell them you're going to treat me well."

"Of course I will, you know that, but trying to convince your parents that? Fuck, I do not see that happening."

"Dad will be easier to convince compared to Mum."

"That doesn't really help." Izzy looked at me with terror.

"Don't be silly," I smiled as I walked over to him to give him a cuddle, "just be your usual 'don't take shit' self." I pecked his cheek.

"But don't worry I'm just as scared as you." I eventually admitted.

*

The car ride home from the airport was an interesting one. I made Izzy wait at home for us, as I thought it would be easier on his stressed-out heart. Dad was sitting in the backseat living his best life, absorbing the sights of L.A. (feeling nostalgic from when he and mum used to live here) whereas my mother just clutched her handbag and stared at me from the passenger side. I was playing with the engagement ring Izzy eventually gave to me a few days after proposing, when my mother's voice tore me out of my daze.

"Is this your house we're going to or "Izzy's"?"

"It's Izzy's. I moved in with him."

My mother nodded.

I was starting to stress the fuck out the closer we got home, just picturing the worse possible case scenarios that could happen when they met Izzy. Finally, we pulled up.

"Nice house! I've always loved the beachy houses. Susan, this is why I want to move to the coast. So aesthetically pleasing!" 

I couldn't tell if Dad was trying to lighten the mood or he was simply intrigued by coastal homes. Even though we didn't live right at the beach, it still wasn't too far away, and a lot of the houses in the area all had that beach look/vibe. We got out of the car and made our way towards the front door. Well, no need to prolong this, just walk in and get this done I thought. I walked through the front door with confidence, and as I made my way through the hallway and into the living area, I saw Izzy nervously sitting at our dining table, looking like a kid who'd just been sent to the principal's office.

"We're here..." I muttered.

Izzy stood up as my parents entered the room. He walked awkwardly towards them, not sure whether to hug them hello or shake their hands. Dad helped him out, and wrapped him up in a great big bear hug, as he mentioned to me in the car ride over that he'd come to terms with whom I was sure I wanted to be with, and Dad didn't want to cause any dramas. Mum on the other hand...

"Great to finally meet you, mate," Dad beamed, "I'm Arthur, and this is my wife, Susan."

"How do you do?" Mum asked as she looked Izzy up and down.

I want to die.

"I was just saying to Melanie that I love the house! How long have you had it for?"

As my Dad started to talk to Izzy, I could see Izzy start to relax and "get into the zone". Izzy needed to prove himself to my parents so we could try to be a happy combined family together, even if my parents did live halfway across the world. I was an only child so my parents would only experience their child getting engaged and married once, they had been supportive to pretty much all of my life decisions, and obviously it would mean the world to me if they loved Izzy just as much as I did.

"I bought it in late '88 I'm pretty sure? Fell in love with it as soon as I saw it." Izzy replied coolly with a small smile on his face.

"Izzy, is it?" Mum asked with an unimpressed face.

"Forgive me, I'm Jeffrey, but yes my nickname is Izzy. It's lovely to finally meet both of you. You can call me Jeff or Izzy, I don't mind. Mel calls me Izzy." He smiled.

"So you want to marry our daughter?" Mum finally responded after a long pause.

"Mum!" I was mortified

"Melanie, it's alright. Susan, stop it. Sorry, we're a bit exhausted from our long flight. I keep forgetting how far away Australia is to everywhere else. But I think what Susan is trying to say is that we're only a tad concerned because, well, Melanie has told us most of your history and some of it doesn't sound the best."

"I completely understand, but Mel's made me a better person. I'm not like I used to be. The only odd thing about me is that I'm in a very big rock band at the moment." Izzy laughed self-consciously. "Please take a seat, would you like anything to drink? Tea? Coffee? I'm prepared for a big discussion."

My mother was taken by surprise at Izzy's calm and sophisticated manner, in fact I was too, I'd never seen Izzy be such a gracious host before. We all took a seat at the dining table as Izzy made us all a hot cup of tea. The afternoon ended up being very successful, Izzy was 100% truthful about everything we'd been through together, as well as his bad habits he'd beaten. I didn't talk much, I just watched him take control and admit all the bad things he'd done like a mature adult. My mother started to soften bit by bit, as she was impressed at Izzy's honest nature, which lifted such a weight off my shoulders.

Without any of us realising, the sun had set and it was pitch black outside.

"I appreciate your honesty, Izzy. You just needed to understand we are just concerned parents, Melanie is our only child and we feel very protective about her. We don't get to see her much anymore and since we're so far away I'm often worried I can't be there for her at any given moment."

"I understand. But I am a changed man now, and Mel is the most important thing in my life. I hope you can trust me to be with her."

"Izzy, I think you're wonderful. I give you my blessing, Susan you should too." Dad nudged Mum.

"I'm not some object guys, you should respect any decision I make." I was touched but mainly annoyed at my Dad's remark. 

"Melanie you're right. But for what it's worth, Izzy I do trust you know. I hope you two are happy together." My mother finally let out a smile as she reached across the table to hold my hand. 

"Well, on that note, it's dinner time! Should we go out on the town and celebrate your engagement?" Dad beamed

"Actually, Dad, Mum, Izzy and I have some more news we'd like to tell you before we go out and do anything else." I piped up.

Izzy smiled and looked down at his mug.

"We're not going to be grandparents are we?" Mum furrowed her brow.

"No. Izzy and I... well, we've decided to get married. Tomorrow." 

~

Hey guys, I couldn't contain my excitement, so here's another chapter! I hope I'm not bombarding you with updates lol. 

Bit of a cliffhanger ending for you all ;) Hope you guys enjoyed it! Vote and comment letting me know your thoughts!

(P.S. I've been going through every chapter and I've been editing them and making a few changes. Feel guilty to admit since it's been so long since I started this book I've forgotten some bits of info lol whoops. I recently tweaked chpt. 26 that Mel moved to America from Australia to pursue her film career.)