Rachel checked herself in the mirror once again. She was wearing a soft, flowy white dress; which according to Chris made her look like his angel, all innocent and pure.

“Come On, Rachel,” Chris’s voice chimed from the corridor, “we will be late, darling, and you look absolutely enchanting.”

She dabbed on a bit of lip gloss, re-touching her lips. She was nervous, hell; dying of panic.

Chris was taking her to meet his parents. What if they didn’t like her; didn’t approve of her, what will happen then?

She walked, anxiousness clearly marring her face as Chris linked her hand with his and gave her a soft kiss on her forehead.

“You look perfect.”

And Rachel realized that was just it.

Rachel wasn't a child anymore. No, she was officially an adult who was in a very serious relationship; she was just starting to feel what it meant. She had responsibilities; she would have to prove to everyone about her love.

"Rachel, Chris.  What's taking you so long?" Robert called from the living lounge. He and Anna were going along with them, Rachel felt a bit at ease knowing she would have Anna with her.

With Chris’s support and her friends, she was sure; she would be able to tide this seemingly harrowing test.

As she took a step out of her door, Rachel closed her eyes. With the warm air hitting her face, whipping her red locks around, she tried to motivate herself.

She whispered, all too aware that it would look as though she were mad, "Come on, Rachel. You can do it. “

"Rach? What's wrong?" Chris asked. His face was etched with genuine concern. She would never get over how much he cared for her. She loved this man.

"It's just... the minute I put my feet on the ground, I'm officially going to be introduced as your girl. I'll have responsibilities and worries and- and everything's going to change. What if I fall through the cracks? What if they don’t like me? What if they hate me? What if they make you leave me?" She whispered the last part, as if she were afraid someone would overhear.

Robert and Anna were simply staring at her. They obviously hadn't been expecting an outburst.

Chris walked closer to her. In one quick motion, he scooped her into his arms.

"What are you-"

He cut her off. "This way, your feet won't have to touch the ground," he offered.

Rachel smiled.

"And besides, who said they won’t like you. On the contrary, they would love you, my girl and remember be it anything, you’re stuck with me forever," Chris whispered to her as she tightly hugged him enjoying his closeness and letting herself feel relaxed.

As they walked out of the building, she couldn't help but feel content. In Chris' arms, surrounded by their friends, she was ready to fight for her love.

……….

As Rachel stepped from the car, she saw the large mansion where Chris’s parents lived.She held her breath as she took in its magnificence. The cream coating of the paint shined as the last rays of the sun beat down on it.

Uniquely twisted fencing kept the house enclosed; neatly trimmed hedges surrounded the house. The roof was peaked, slanting down at an angle. The windows had royal blue curtains hanging on the other side of them, drawn so that the sunlight could stream through.

As she walked towards the main door, she noticed a marble fountain sitting towards the right side of the lawn. An angel holding a flower was perched on top, looking up towards the sky. The water fell gently towards the crystal blue pool beneath it, causing ripples to form and wave out until they were no more.

It was beautiful and serene.

“Chris, it’s simply enthralling,” Rachel gushed as Chris walked up to her and twined his fingers with hers.

“I was hoping for you to say that,” he chimed as he kissed their entwined hands and proceeded to knock the door.

"Chris, you're home," his mother said with a smile as she noticed him. "And you have brought our Rachel with you."

"Hi mum," Chris stooped to kiss his mother as she approached.

She was a tall woman, her face older than Rachel would have expected, but still with the remnants of beauty on her face. Her kind smile in Rachel's direction was what endeared her to Rachel the most. Chris's father stood next to his wife, taller than his wife; Rachel was shocked to see how strongly Chris resembled his father.

To her further surprise, Chris also kissed his father as he approached. "Evening, dad."

They seemed to be a close-knit family. She absolutely loved it.

"Are you going to introduce us son?" His father asked, chucking him over the head gently.

"Dad, mum, you already know her, and she is my Rachel….. Whitaker for now," he looked at Rachel and winked, easing all her worries away.

Both of his parents turned to Rachel and smiled and she smiled back, while her heart thudded uncomfortably in her chest.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr and Mrs Evans," she said politely.

And to her utter shock, Chris’s mother engulfed her in a huge, warm hug.

Rachel looked at Chris, who simply twinkled at her.

"It's lovely to meet you, Rachel" Mrs Evans said, taking one of Rachel's hands in both of hers, she looked at Chris,” You were right, she is as pure and beautiful as an angel and you’re always welcome here. ”

Rachel blushed.

"Careful, Lily," Mr Evans chuckled. "You told Robert that once as well, and he's never left."

They all laughed.

"I think you'll love having her live here with you, officially, if you know what I mean," Robert laughed as well.

"Way to be subtle, Rob. Trust you to be obnoxiously straight forward," Lily Evans chided Robert gently as Chris put his arm around Rachel’s shoulders, shaking his head and enjoying their banter.

"That is me," Robert ducked his head to avoid Lily’s swat.

“Let me,” Anna chimed as he hit Robert on the back of his head.

“Ohw! Anna,” Robert muffled a curse as Lily looked at Anna and smiled,” Anna Bell, right. She is wonderful especially to keep you in line,” she sparkled at Robert.

"Mrs Evans, way to be subtle," Robert shook his head with a smile as Chris laughed.

Rachel pressed her lips into a silent smile, refusing to say what was going through her mind. She knew Robert liked Anna a lot.

Chris smirked, as if he knew exactly what she was thinking and kissed her tenderly.

"Awwww. So, cute. Come and sit," Mrs Evans encouraged.

“Thanks mum, I thought you were planning to keep us standing for the entire night,” Chris cheekily replied as he guided Rachel to the lounge where his dad, William Evans was already perched with a beer in his hand.

Rachel gazed at the room and decided she absolutely admired the tastefully done interior.

The room was as big as a ballroom; the walls were paneled in light brown hues and shellacked to a rich gloss that lent a charming golden light to the room.

Huge windows provided a marvelous vision of the garden and the sky.  On the floor were layered, Persian rugs; aristocratic and luxurious. Spilled in the middle were large, comfortable looking couches; giving the entire room a cozy, homely look with a touch of lavishness.

“Don’t be cute, Chris,” William Evans said as he took a sip of his beer,” You know your mum will not hesitate to embarrass you in front of the gorgeous lady.”

"Shoo, William. How do you take your tea, Rachel or would you like to take some wine?" Lily Evans asked, as Rachel stood up to help her about.

"Tea; Lemon and honey, she doesn’t drink alcohol " Chris replied for her, she turned to him in surprise.

"How did you know that?" She asked amazed.

"I pay attention," he shrugged nonchalantly as he stood up and took her hand in his,” Come sit, my mum will handle the tea.”

Rachel shook her head,”No, it will be rude.”

“Rubbish. You sit down Rachel, I will be just over. She is just the kind of girl I always wanted for Chris,” Lily Evans gushed to her husband as Rachel turned red, while Robert and Anna burst out laughing.

"You're blushing." Chris stated, smiling.

"Shut up," she moaned, covering her face with her hands.

"No, no, it's cute." His hands were suddenly over hers, prying her fingers away, and his face was right there, mere centimeters away from hers.

"You're really breath taking," Chris smiled as he kissed her cheek seeming to forget that his parents were watching them.

Rachel looked down embarrassed and accepted her tea from a beaming Mrs Evans with a word of thanks.

"We've got the dinner ready," she proclaimed, with a fond smile at Chris and Robert.

Rachel smiled affectionately at her,” Mrs Evans, please allow me to help.”

"No way. You’re my guest tonight. Just enjoy, sweetie. Call me Lily, Rachel,” Lily Evans said as she sat down next to Rachel.

“Mrs Evans, that would be impolite of me to do so. If you wouldn’t mind, I would love to call you ma’am or Mrs Evans, it’s a bad habit that I have inculcated,” Rachel said earnestly as she took a sip of her tea.

"I adore your bad habit. These men should learn something from you, “William Evans said with a laugh.

“Gosh! You’re winning me over, Rachel,” Lily Evans smiled warmly patting Rachel’s hand.

"Now, you know. Why our Chris is putty in her hands," Robert retorted, grinning as Anna laughed.

"He should be, I know her parents really well, I knew she would be a well-mannered beauty,” Lily Evans replied smiling indulgently.” You and Chris should learn from her.”

"We'll try," Robert grinned wickedly, "But no promises."

They all laughed quaintly.

"Rachel knows us well enough by now mum, I don't think there’s a hope of trying to convince her that we're polite," Chris was speaking to his mother, but his eyes were clearly on Rachel.

"Don't listen to them Mr and Mrs Evans," Rachel struggled to drag her eyes from Chris's. "I know they want you to think that their savages, but I know them better."

Lily beamed at her and Chris groaned.

"You've just undone years of hard work, Rach," Robert quipped as Anna nodded her head vehemently.

“Come, let’s go and indulge in some food,” Lily Evans chided.

A Victorian themed huge Oak table dominated the room adorned by wooden paneling. Dazzling chandeliers shined in the entire room, drowning it in a regal fairy-tale look.

As they sat down their maid entered the room, precariously balancing a huge bowl of delicious pasta and cheese ravioli in her hands.

Rachel stood up and helped her set the table. Lily Evans exchanged a knowing smile of approval with her husband.

Rachel walked to the kitchen with the maid to help her carry the food. As she turned from the counter to ask Sienna if she had warmed the Chicken, she was met with a muscular body enclosing her.

“What are you doing here?” Rachel asked Chris as Chris shifted boxing her neatly between the counter and his delectable body.

He pressed her back against his body,” Just needed some early dessert. Do you mind?”

Rachel giggled and tried to push Chris away,” Chris not now. Your parents are in the next room and Sienna…..”

He placed a finger on her lips, took hold of her chin and gathered up her hair she had left loose in his hand as he nibbled her neck.

“Your heart is pounding and this little pulse here in your throat seems to throb,” Chris used his finger to trace it, feeling it pleasingly skitter.

“Chris, what are you doing?” Rachel whispered huskily.

“Seducing you, Rachel,” he purred, his smile came in slow and potent as he felt her tremble.

Rachel shivered under his hot, burning touch and whispered," This is no seduction but sweet torture, Chris."

He took hold of her face gently, and kissed her fully on her mouth. Rachel seemingly burst from the pleasure that rocked her body as Chris continued to devour her. The edge of the counter bit into her back as the primal male taste of Chris coursed through her body and left it in enjoyable ruins.

“Chris,” she finally pried free of him as he winked at her and took hold of her hand in his guiding her back to the table, carrying the tray in one hand.

"Master Chris, your guest is breath-taking," Sienna said sincerely to Chris as he helped Rachel settle in her seat.

"She sure is, Sienna," he commented, grinning at her and beckoning her over. "Sienna this is Miss Rachel; she's the love of my life. Rachel, I'd like you to meet Sienna, she's looked after me since I was a baby."

Rachel was once again struck at his gentleness and fondness.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Sienna. Please call me Rachel," Rachel said as she stood up and offered her a hug, Sienna looked between her and Chris and smiled.

"I am glad to meet you, Rachel," she accepted her hug and bowed, turning to Chris delightedly.

"She is simply gorgeous," she said with a very toothy smile.

Rachel couldn't help but smile at Sienna as Chris engulfed her in his arms.

"Thank you very much Sienna, you're very sweet," Rachel replied.

Sienna grinned, before taking the tray that she had come in with and exiting the room.

"Ah! No one can survive your charms, Rachel," Robert looked bemused.

Anna patted Robert’s hand,” Of course, not. After all, she is my bestie.”

Chris’s parents were both laughing aloud, at a joke it appeared only they understood.

"When I first bought your mother home to meet my parents, I introduced her to Sienna's mother as my love. Sienna's mother told the story often that she knew we were meant to be with each other," Mr Evans chortled, looking affectionately at his wife. "I'm sure Sienna thinks that history is repeating itself."

…………….

Chris brushed his lips against Rachel’s forehead and she smiled, snuggling closer to him as he wrapped his arms more tightly around her.

They were still in his parents’ house; Chris had beckoned her alone on the pretext of showing her his childhood room.

She smiled and buried her head in his chest as she remembered the knowing looks that his parents gave her just before Chris took hold of her hand and dragged her away.

She still couldn’t believe that she could call him hers.

She had the ability to call him hers and to hold his hand and kiss him whenever she wanted. And she loved it.

“You bowled my parents over,” Chris said. “I love you so much.”

“Really, you think?” Rachel asked excitedly leaning away from him a bit so that she could gaze into his eyes.

He nodded and she felt him run his hand up and down her back, sending shivers of pleasure down her spine.

Chris twisted himself around to face her and raised one hand to her face. He cupped her cheek in his hand and gently rubbed his thumb against her skin.

“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered. Rachel felt herself blush, still not used to hearing him say that, “I still can’t believe you’re mine.”

Rachel smiled and raised her hand to cup his face in her hand.

“I’ll always be yours,” she whispered.

He leaned in closer to her, his lips capturing hers in a sweet kiss. He pulled away and rested his forehead on hers, wrapping his arms around her.

Just then, a loud voice boomed interrupting the peace they all had been enjoying,” Where is Chris? How dare he choose some hick of a girl without my approval?”