"Hey, Ma," Neil said as he put an earphone in. He turned to his side, watching as Lara and JJ picked out some fruits.

"Is that any way to greet your mother after not calling her for a few days. And how can you not tell me that my granddaughter is ill?"

"I'm sorry, Ma. But I assure you all is good. It's just her eyes straining and giving her a headache. How you been?" He heard her mumble curse words under her breath in Italian.

"I'm fine. Your father has been driving me up the wall. Bring Lara over today. I'll make her some lasagne like she loves."

Neil glanced over at Lara who was holding onto JJ's hand. They both walked in front having their own conversation. "I don't know, Ma. JJ is with us and I don't wanna drag her out anymore than needs be." It stayed quiet for a few seconds.

"Your sister said she has an ear infection. She must be in pain. Bring her over too and I'll make her some good soup."

"I already made soup for her." He stopped the trolley beside them with a sigh. "Ma, I'm not bringing her around so you can interrogate her. Not happening." JJ lifted a packet of oranges and he put his thumbs up.

"Ask her. I'm pretty sure she wouldn't mind." It stayed silent for a second. "Well ask her then!"

"Chill, Ma." He turned to JJ. "Jay...my mum wants to know if you're up to going over," he mumbled.

"I barely heard that, ask her again." JJ kissed his cheek before giggling.

"Is your whole family going to be there?" she asked softly.

"You heard that, Ma? You can't invite everyone else. It literally just has to be the five of us."

"Okay, okay!" JJ pecked his lips before turning back around to Lara. "So I'll make some soup and if you guys stay long enough I will get some dinner sorted. Is there anything she doesn't eat or allergic to?"

Neil hummed as he thought for a few seconds. "Pretty much everything. She just doesn't eat apricots and pretty much all dried food. I mean considering things we cook with she eats it all or she hasn't told me about it."

"You've known her for like a total of three weeks, I'm not expecting you to know. Just bloody ask her." Neil rolled his eyes before asking JJ. When she said everything he already said, he smirked. "Don't even think about saying it. Just come over and I'll get the soup done. Also, get me some things. I'll send you a list."

"Okay. And please, Ma, I'm begging you do not invite anyone else. I really don't want this to turn into a whole Kevin thing. I really like her and I don't want Steph to ruin it for me."

"Okay, okay. I love you. See you soon."

"Love you too."

Neil glanced back up at JJ who held a box of raspberries in her hand. She placed it back and picked up another one examining it.
"You sure about going? Not too late to say no." JJ looked up.

"Why not? If I say anything wrong I can just blame it on the fact I feel like I'm high on medication." Neil chuckled before leaning over the trolley to give her a kiss.

"I love how you think you're so funny."

"I am really funny actually. You just don't have a sense of humour."

"Actually" lara said. They both looked down at her. "You both think you're funny but you're not. You laugh at your own jokes."

"Alright missy," Neil said with a laugh. "Come on, we got more shopping to do. Grandma gave a list."

Lara held onto JJ's hand again as they began walking. "Did she put chocolate on the list?"

"No she most definitely did not," he said with a laugh. "The both of you have already had enough chocolate. Now walk faster before I hit the back of your foot."

* * *

JJ slowly got out the car. She shivered as the cold air wrapped around her. Glancing back at the seat, she picked up her phone and then closed the door.

"JJ hurry up!" Lara called. Neil held out his hand and with a smile she walked to the other side of the car. "I'm going to show you my favourite place at grandmas."

"I think she's more excited about you meeting my parents than I ever will be," Neil mumbled. He kissed the top of her head as they began following Lara. His thumb softly circled her hand as they quietly walked down the straight road. "I'm sorry."

"About?"

"The parking. Usually there's a massive drive and we can park like four cars on there easily but they're getting it redone and-"

"You don't have to apologise for everything. You know that right?" With a light blush, he shrugged his shoulders. Laughing, JJ wrapped her right arm around his. Lara was skipping ahead of them. "You're proper British aren't you? Saying sorry for pretty much everything."

Neil chuckled. "Ah, honey, I'm one hundred percent Italian. Red sauce practically runs through my body."

"Is that so?" she said with a laugh. "oh wow." She looked up at the house in front of her. Lara was already ahead, running up the pathway. "Your parents did damn well for themselves didn't they?"

"You could say that. I mean personally it's too big for me." He said as he looked at the house he spent most of his childhood in. Before entering the gate, he pulled then to a stop. "Hey, you'll let me know when you're getting uncomfortable right?" She rolled her eyes in response. With a small smile, he leaned down, gently pressing his lips against hers. Neil looked ahead and found his parents at the door, waiting patiently for them both.

"Mr and Mrs Zampa, it's a pleasure to meet you," she said as she unwrapped her arm from Neil's. Neil's father looked up at him, raising his eyebrows with a smile.

"Aw, sweety. You look a lot paler than when I saw you last. Come on in, I've got soup that's almost ready. I can make you some tea if you'd like. If you're feeling cold then let me know and I'll give you a blanket and put the heating up. Just-"

"Cara mia! Give the girl a break." Audrey slapped her husbnad's arm. "And I love you so please breathe." Neil laughed as he stepped into the house. He rested a hand on JJ's back.

"And, Jay, these are my parents."

She laughed softly before focussing on Neil's father. "We haven't met yet. My name is Judith but everyone calls me JJ."

"Ah yes, believe me I have heard a lot about you. But please, do call me Andre." His accent was light but JJ noticed it. She stuck a hand out with a smile. "Don't be silly. Us Italians love hugs. So bring it in." Andre wrapped his arms around her with a laugh. "By the way..." he whispered in her ear, "you're the first woman he's brought home in a long time."

"Papa!" Neil called from behind him. JJ pulled away from the hug with a laugh. She looked over at his rosy cheeks. "You're not meant to embarrass me in front of her."

"Alright, alright. No more, I promise."