Mom had brought us some food and Gabriel ate it, finally feeling calmed down enough to eat and rest. Then he remembered the whole suitcase of gifts that his family had sent with us for my parents. It was a little strange for me since they hadn't met yet, but that was just their family, they were so welcoming.

"I have gifts." Gabriel said.

"Gifts?" Dad asked.

"Yeah." Gabriel nodded.

"They're in my bag, right?" I asked, heading towards my suitcase to drag it into the living room. Gabriel got up immediately, shooing me away and carrying the bag over with ease.

"They're from my family." Gabe said.

"Oh. They really didn't have to send anything." Mom said in shock as she saw the bag open and saw all of the stuff in there.

"I hope you guys can meet them sometime! They're so sweet, Mom, they treat me like one of them!" I smiled.

"That's amazing, but they seriously didn't have to send anything." Mom said, panicking a little.

"I know, that's what I told them, but they never listen when it comes to this stuff." I chuckled.

"Alright, where do we begin?" Gabe asked.

"Your mother's gift for Mom." I cheered, and Gabriel laughed, pulling out the large box.

"Oh my..." Mom said in shock when she saw the size of the box.

"Open it!" I smiled, already knowing about all the lotions and creams and cosmetic products in the box.

Mom opened it and she gasped.

"Woah... all of this for me?" She asked me.

"Yeah... it's all natural stuff, and I helped make the scent." I smiled.

Mom opened one of the bottles and sniffed it's contents. Then she looked up with a smile.

"It smells amazing!" She smiled.

"I know right?! Oh my goodness, you guys, please, please come visit. I want you guys to meet everyone and see where I live! It's so pretty up there!" I said.

"We'll try." Dad smiled.

"Oh, this is for you, Sir." Gabriel said, pulling out a gift for dad.

"Stop calling me, Sir. It's weird." Dad laughed. "You can call me Zach or Dad."

"Your name is Zach?" Gabriel asked.

"It is." Dad laughed. "My mother won the name battle with me."

"Your mother is American?" Gabriel asked.

"Yes." Dad chuckled.

Gabe smiled, handing Dad his gift.

Dad opened the box to find, cuff links, a watch, perfume and a new wallet.

"This is amazing!" Dad laughed.

"All the guys and I put it together for you. We didn't know much other than what Ava has said about you... the girls put together another box for you." Gabriel said.

"Another box?" Dad asked in shock.

"Yeah." Gabe laughed, handing Dad another box.

"I told the girls how you always take over when we have a barbeque and how you love when we go camping so you can build a fire in the firepits." I said.

Dad opened the box to find the little firepit that the girls bought him, it was full of all sorts of barbecue spices. There was also a little barbecue recipe book that Sophie put together and there were a few candles from Hazel and Gabe's mom. Em threw in a dad t-shirt as well that I helped her make.

"I helped make the t-shirt." I laughed.

"Wow... this is so thoughtful." Dad said in shock.

"Aren't they amazing?!" I asked Dad.

"Yes. And they've raised a good man." Dad said, clapping Gabe on the back with a big smile.

"And Mom, you've got all sorts of jewelry, clothes and a recipe book." I said, handing all the stuff to my shocked mother.

"That's so sweet. Thank them for us, will you, Gabe?" Mom asked.

"Sure thing." Gabe smiled.

"Can you please promise you'll visit soon! Please! Please! Please!" I begged, bouncing in my seat.

"I promise you, Ava. We'll visit as soon as possible." Dad laughed.

"Thank you, Daddy! You're going to love it up there!" I said.

"Ava, will you come help me in the kitchen?" Mom asked as she got up.

"I can." Gabe said.

"I think you'll have better luck with Gabe, Mom." I chuckled.

"Right, you can cook." Mom smiled, leading Gabe to the kitchen as I joined my dad on the couch.

"It's been too long, sweetheart." Dad said to me, hugging me tightly.

"I know. I missed you guys so much. It's so hard to come down with all the work I'm doing, but I'm so happy I got the week off to come see you guys!" I cheered.

"What about Gabriel? Doesn't he have students waiting for him?" Dad asked.

"Yeah. He was going to have to go back early, but the school had a gas leak and they closed it until the leak is fixed. It should be a week before it's safe for the kids to go back." I explained.

"Oh wow." Dad said in shock.

"Yeah... it was chaotic the day the leak was discovered, the kids were all gathered in the gym until their parents came to get them." I told him.

"You really like this guy, huh?" Dad asked, nudging me with a smile.

"I love him, Dad. He's amazing!" I said.

"So... your old man was right, huh?" Dad said.

"Fine. You were right. But I'm glad I waited, because we built a pretty good friendship and a solid foundation for our relationship." I said.

"I'm so happy that you two are doing well." Dad said, kissing me on the cheek.

"We are! He's such a great guy. Wait until you taste his food, Dad! It's amazing!" I sighed.

"He treats you well?" Dad asked.

"Yeah, he really does. He's constantly ready to drop anything just to come bring me food or see me. He cooks for me when I have too much work to do. He takes me on cute, fun dates when I'm stressed out. And he always makes me feel so beautiful." I smiled.

"Good. That's how you should be treated." Dad chuckled.

"What's your favourite thing that Mom does for you? Something that makes you know she appreciates and loves you?" I asked my Dad.

"Well, exactly what I try to do for her. She makes sure I get enough rest and food and everything I need. She's always down to watch movies with me if I'm too tired to go out. She asks about my day, makes me delicious sweets. But the way she lights up when she sees me, that's the best part about it all." Dad told me.

"Aw... that's cute. Do you think he's as happy with me as I am with him?" I asked my dad.

"Of course. Do you feel like he isn't?" Dad asked me.

"No... I'm just not sure if he's ready to take another step in the relationship, but I sort of want to." I explained.

"What's the next step?" Dad questioned.

"For him to move in with me...." I said.

"Oh... wow." Dad said.

"I know it sounds crazy, but I've known him for two years, I love him and we've been in a relationship for two months. There are no problems right now, and I know we'd be more efficient if we lived together." I said.

That made Dad burst into laughter.

"More efficient?" Dad chuckled.

"Yes... he drives around the city for me every single day and I feel like it would be much easier for him and for me if he just lived with me. I mean, he wouldn't have to drive around everywhere, because I'd be coming home to him." I said.

"And you'd be sleeping in the same room." Dad pointed out. "And you'd be sharing your space with him. He'd throw his clothes all over your room, he'd mess up the whole apartment... you might end up hating him." Dad said to me.

"He's a very clean person... he's not that different from me, Dad... It feels like the only difference would be having actual food in the house... and also the man I love." I said.

"And you're ok with sleeping in the same room? Waking up to his alarms on mornings where you can sleep in? Or having to witness the boring moments when he's doing work and you want to go out? You're ok with all that?" Dad asked me.

"Yes, Dad. None of that is a big deal. Besides there's only one day out of the week that waking up to different alarms would be a problem and we can figure something out." I said.

"I mean... it's not a bad idea, Ava. But I just need you to be sure and I think that you need to make sure he's also sure about all those things before he gives you an answer." Dad told me.

"Can I ask you a question?" I asked my father.

"Of course." He nodded.

"I don't want to ruin anything by rushing into it... I just want to know when you think is a good idea to progress... to moving in as well as other things..." I questioned.

"Whenever you feel you're ready. Just use your head, Ava. That's something you've always been good at. Just think things through before you act on them." Dad said to me.

"So... let's say we were married before like... May." I said softly. "Is that too fast?"

"Do you think it's too fast? What does marriage change about your relationship?" Dad asked me.

"It changes how intimate we are... and it changes how our relationship is labelled, how our financial matters will be handled... we become one." I said.

"And... is that something you'll be ready for by May?" Dad asked me.

"Maybe... I think I'm ready to be one with him. Financially, we're perfectly fine, both of us are stable and so combining our finances will not be an issue." I explained. "But intimacy is... scary."

"He'll give you time. I know that much. When he told me he would wait for you and prioritize your comfort, I know for sure he was genuine. You don't have to worry about intimacy. It'll come naturally to you." Dad said to me.

I nodded.

"I think that Gabe is ready for moving in as well... but I'm just hesitant to push things and have them end up being too rushed." I told my dad.

"You shouldn't worry about these things, ok?" Dad said to me. "If you're ready for Gabe to move in with you, tell him that, and see what he thinks of it. The boy will be honest, and then you can go from there."

"I think you're right." I smiled.

"Then you can go ahead and wait until you feel ready for the next step in your relationship. Just let it all unfold naturally, Ava. There's no need to stress about all that now." Dad told me.

"But Dad, I wanna get married in May." I told him.

"Why May or June." I said.

"Why?" Dad asked.

"Because then, Gabe will almost be on his summer break, and we can have a nice honeymoon, and also because May is pretty and I want a pretty wedding." I said.

"There's always next year." Dad told me.

"No.... Dad, I'm not waiting that long." I chuckled.

"So you're sure than Gabe is the one?" Dad asked me.

"Yes. I've never been more sure of anything." I told my dad.

"I'm so happy you found a good man." Dad smiled, hugging me tightly.

I giggled and kissed my dad on the cheek.

"I love you, Dad... you know how I know he's the one?" I asked my father.

"How?" He asked me.

"Because he's a lot like you in how he treats me. He makes me feel like I'm a queen. He always tries to make me happy, but never makes me uncomfortable. He makes sure I've gotten something to eat and that I've gotten enough sleep. He helped me study for my exam and he took me out so that I'd stop stressing. He tells me that I'm the most beautiful girl in the world. Only you have done that before. You always used to try to stop my stressing and you always made me feel protected and loved, and beautiful." I laughed.

Dad smiled and kissed me on the forehead.

"I love you, Ava." He said to me.

"I love you too, Dad." I giggled before Gabriel came over and poked me.

"Dessert is ready." He said, since we'd all eaten now, we were ready for some dessert.

"Cool, and after that, I'd like to take a nap." I chuckled.

Gabe smiled and kissed my forehead as I got up.

"What did you guys make?" I asked.

"A cake, but it didn't rise, so Gabriel and I did something a little experimental, the cake still tasted pretty good." Mom said.

"Oh wow. Let me see." I smiled, rushing to the kitchen.

I saw a beautiful red velvet roll cake.

"Wow! This is going to be so good!" I cheered.

"So Gabriel. What do you cook?" Dad asked him.

"Like anything..." Gabe shrugged.

"Anything?" He asked.

"Ok, well... not anything, but a lot of stuff." Gabe said.

"What have you cooked for Ava so far?" Dad asked.

"Uhm.... What have I made for you, Ava?" Gabe asked me.

"Falafel, uhm... lamb.... chicken, pasta, soup, garlic bread, pizza, burgers, everything!" I giggled.

"Wow. You cook for her a lot." Momma laughed.

"Of course. I'd cook for her everyday if she'd let me. But she's too stubborn." Gabe sighed.

"He always says that." I rolled my eyes.

"Maybe that's because you are..." Mom said with a laugh.

"Momma!" I objected.

"It's true, Sweetheart." Dad said.

"You guys are mean." I pouted.

"But we love you." Gabe chuckled, kissing me on my cheek.

I stuck my tongue out at him as he handed me and Dad slices of the cake. I took a bite and smiled, melting at the wonderful taste in my mouth.

"This is the most delicious cake ever!" Dad said.

"Well, I guess we make a great team in the kitchen." Gabe said, giving Mom a side hug.

"Is this what you're eating all the time back in Vancouver?!" Dad asked me.

"Yup! Every single day! You should have Sophie's brownies, I cried when I first tried them." I told my dad.

"Brownies made you cry?" Dad asked me.

"Yes. They were that good." I chuckled.

"We've got to visit Vancouver soon, Honey." Dad said to my mom.

Momma laughed and nodded.

We all sat around at the table, eating cake and listening to Dad embarrass me and tell stories about the stupid things I did when I was a kid. Gabe was having fun since he had been embarrassed so many times in front of me and now he was getting his revenge.

After we ate our cake and all of us were done laughing at me, Gabe and I went up to the spare room to get him settled. Once he was, I turned to leave.

"Take a nap, baby. You know where to find me if you need me. I'll just be in my room." I told him.

He spun me around and kissed me, pulling me back onto his lap for more kisses. Once he finally let me go, I left him so he could nap and I went to my own room to take a nap as well. I was so excited to show him around Canton. Suddenly, the place that I hated and always felt nervous going to was exciting and I was happy to be in it. Even if I saw people I didn't like, I didn't care, as long as Gabriel was with me.