The rest of October was spent hanging out with Alison and the boys which was super. Adam threw a Halloween party but I unfortunately did not want to go. So Mateo being the amazing boyfriend he is, stayed with me. We watched multiple horror movies while cuddled up next to each other. Obviously, Mom and Dad weren't home so I didn't worry about being caught.

I have yet told Mom about Mateo. Believe me, I want to, I know once I tell her it'll feel like weight being lifted off my shoulders. But I kind of want to tell Mom and Dad when they're together. I don't just want to tell one parent. It's better to just tell both of them at the same time and get it over with.

Mateo and I are at a good place, and I don't want to ruin it once I ask him. He already told his parents he's dating someone and they seemed very happy for him. Especially his little sister, I've talked to her a few times whenever Mateo and I facetime. She's the cutest little kid ever.

*ring*

Grabbing my phone off the nightstand I read the name and see it's Mateo.

"Hello," I say, laying back down onto the bed.

"Good morning V. How did you sleep?" He asks and I smile. "I slept really well. You?"

"I slept fine. Just that Mariana came in here during the middle of the night. I woke up and she was just next to me sleeping." I start laughing once he's done talking. Their relationship is cute, Mateo cares for her a lot. It's understandable after what happened with Marisela.

Wanting to see Mariana, I push the facetime button and set up my phone on the pillow beside my head. Mateo answers and his face is covering the whole camera. "Umm excuse me, I want to see Mariana not you." I try to say with a serious tone, but of course Mateo just laughs.

"Ouch, that one hurt V." He says and moves around. The camera is then put in front of a sleeping Mariana, she holds her teddy bear and she looks adorable.

"Mariana," Mateo lightly shakes her and she starts to stir. He continues moving her until she blinks slowly, she still hasn't noticed the camera and I am trying my hardest not to say anything. She rubs her eyes with her little hands, her hair looks a little messy, and her cheeks are a light pink color. "Look who it is Mari," Mateo points towards the phone, she looks and her face lights up as if she wasn't just sleeping. I wave at the camera and chuckle.

"Veronica! Did you watch me sleep?" She squints her eyes and points her finger at the camera.

"Yes, but only because you look so adorable," I tell her and she smiles.

"When are we going to play together Veronica? I want to show you my toys!" Mariana exclaims and Mateo politely tells her to quiet down.

"I promise we will play soon okay? Now can I talk to your brother I have to tell him something." She nods her head and says bye. I'm assuming she walked out of the room because it got quiet once Mateo showed his face.

"So what did you want to tell me," Mateo says as he moves around to get comfortable. Just tell him Veronica.

"Uhh I was thinking maybe it's time you meet my parents. Only if you want to, I just think it's best because I want you to be able to come over more and not just come when they're out." I look down at the blanket hoping that he doesn't think we're moving too fast.

"Veronica," I look at the phone and see him smiling. "I would like to meet your parents."

"OH GREAT," I say letting out the breath I was holding. "I thought you were going to say no haha."

Mateo smirks and I raise my brow. "But there's one condition," he puts his index finger up. "What?" I'm genuinely confused. What would the condition be?

"You have to meet my parents too." He grins. I stare at the screen with a blank expression. I don't know what to say. It's nothing bad of course I would meet his parents but I didn't think he would say that, I guess you could say it took me by surprise.

"Yeah I would love to meet them," I responded back. "I was thinking maybe you can come over today for dinner? I'll tell her about you and I'm sure she'll be happy with the idea." I can just imagine the shocked look on my Mom's face once I tell her, but Dad I don't know how he'll react. "Okay sounds good V, I'm excited." Mateo smiles widely and I take a screenshot wanting to keep that smile forever.

We talked for a couple more minutes, but then he had to go. He said that he had to help Mariana set up this toy and if he didn't help she was going to keep bothering him. He's so sweet to her, he never leaves her out. There's always something they both do together. Before he hung up I told him to get here at 6pm and he agreed. Now I have to just tell my parents. Let's hope for the best.

~

Walking into the living, I see Mom and Dad watching TV. They seem to be really focused on the show they're watching cause they didn't turn to look at me once I was standing there.

"Hey guys I wanted to tell you guys something," walking to the empty seat on the couch, I take a seat and wait for a response.

"Sure mija, what is it?" Dad questions as he lowers the volume on the TV. Mom turns to face me and I take a deep breath.

"Well earlier this year I met a boy, and well we became friends and what not. Now we're dating," I murmur the last part and look down at my hands. Oh gosh I hope they don't say anything bad. "Oh well that's great Vero, as long as he makes you happy." I look up to see Mom smiling at me, Dad has a very tiny smile on his face which is a good sign. "I was hoping he could come over for dinner tonight. If it's okay with you guys."

"Yes! That's fine with us." Mom exclaims. "Let me start making the food, you go ahead and get ready Veronica it's already three thirty." Before I can even respond, Mom has already grabbed my hands and dragged me towards the staircase. She lets go of my hands and gives me a little push so I can head up to my room.

I shake my head and start making my way up the stairs. Obviously I'm not going to get ready right away, I can start getting ready in thirty minutes.

Once I'm in my room I just lay down and watch TV to pass time. I have a good feeling about tonight.

~

It's 5:45 and I am currently waiting down stairs for Mateo to arrive. I'm wearing a white sundress that has a floral print on it, I curled my hair and did my normal makeup routine. The nerves have started to kick in a little bit. Mom is still in the kitchen and Dad is in his room doing something.

Mateo is a good guy, and even if my parents don't end up liking him I'm not going to stop seeing him. He's my person and no one is going to change my mind.

*beep*

I look down at the message although I know it's already from Mateo.

I quickly get up from the couch and walk up to the front door. Before opening the door, I check how I look in the mirror hanging up on the wall. Once I'm sure I look fine, I stand in front of the door. Taking a quick breath I open up the door.

Mateo stands there holding two white rose flower bouquets. He's such a sweetheart. He's wearing a white long sleeve with a plaid light blue jacket over it, black jeans, and of course his white Nikes. I look back up at his face and see his cute face. A huge grin is plastered onto his face showing his nice set of teeth. His hair seems a little wet, I'm assuming he took a shower before this.

"Well don't you look good Veronica," Mateo says as his eyes run down my body. My cheeks heat up instantly and I smile up at him. "You look good too Mateo," I say back to him and lightly push his stomach. " Oh and these are for you," he hands me one of the bouquets. "The other one is for your Mom." He smiles lightly and I smile down at the flowers.

"Thank you," I reach up and move some hair from his forehead. Standing on my tiptoes I peck his lips lightly. "Come on," I grab his hand and take him inside, and shut the door behind us. We walk into the kitchen and Mom looks up at us with a huge smile.

"So this is the lucky boy that has my little girl in love," she takes off her apron and hangs it up in its spot. "I'm Sarai," she extends her hand.

"I'm Mateo Hernandez," he shakes her hand. "Thank you for having me over Mrs. Ramirez. I brought these for you," Mateo hands her the flowers and Mom seems really impressed. "Aww gracias Mateo. You guys can go ahead and take a seat at the table, I'll go get Ricardo." With that, Mom walks out of the kitchen and makes her way up the stairs.

I leave the flowers in the kitchen and take Mateo to the dining room. Everything on the table is already set. We're just waiting for Mom and Dad to come so we can start eating. A few minutes later Dad walks in with Mom following behind. Mateo stands up and extends his hand towards Dad.

"Hi I'm Mateo, how are you doing?" Mateo politely asks. I watch the interaction hoping Dad doesn't say anything bad.

"Ricardo and I'm doing fine thank you for asking." Dad replied as he took a seat at the table.

Mateo takes his seat next to me once again and Mom tells us to go ahead and start serving ourselves. Of course, I didn't want Mateo to serve himself because he's our guest, but obviously he stops me.

Everyone already has food on their plates and Mom is the first to start the conversation.

"Mateo thank you for the flowers once again. It was very kind of you."

Mateo sends her a smile. "No worries Mrs. Ramirez." He looks back down at his plate of food and I look at Mom. She secretly points at Mateo and winks. I shake my head at her and try not to laugh.

"So," Dad says as he cuts into his chicken. "What do your parents do for a living."

"My Dad owns a mechanic shop and my Mom stays at home with my little sister." Mateo replies and takes a sip of his water. I seem more nervous than Mateo, he just seems relaxed and calm. I could never.

"And do you work?" Mom asks. "Yes Mrs. Ramirez, I work on weekends with my Dad at the shop. Or when there's days off from school I go to work with him." He says proudly. Honestly he makes a very handsome mechanic. I should tell him to take me one day.

"Well you seem to be making our Veronica very happy," Mom smiles at Mateo and I. "Yes and I hope you treat her with all the respect she deserves." Dad sends Mateo a serious look while Mateo nods. "I will give her all the respect in the world," he grabs my hand. "She deserves everything and I hope I'm able to give her that." He looks at me and smiles. That emotion I wasn't able to identify is back, but now I know what it is.

Love.

I grin at him and squeeze his hand. I hope he sees love in my eyes as well. We turn back to face my parents and continue eating. The dinner continues like this, small conversation about Mateo and his family. Mom looks like she really likes him and Dad looks as if he approves.

Eventually, we move to the living room once we finish eating. We talked some more and Mom suggested we watch a movie. All of us agree and watch "Avengers: Infinity War." Mom and Dad sat by each other and Mateo and I sat on the love seat couch we have. It was a good night honestly. It feels good to know that they approve of him.

The credits are playing on the TV and Mateo sits up straighter. "I should leave already, I told Mariana I would tuck her in tonight." He whispers into my ear and I nod my head. I stand up hoping my parents get the memo.

"Oh are you leaving already?" Mom questions and Mateo nods his head. "Okay wait here, there was some leftovers and packed them up so you can take them to your family."

"Thank you Mrs. Ramirez." He replied and Mom made her way to the kitchen.

"Well it was good meeting you mijo. I hope I'll see you soon." Dad stands up and makes his way towards Mateo. "Thank you for having me and the same to you. If you have any car troubles just tell Veronica to let me know and my Dad and I will fix it." Mateo shakes Dad's hand and I'm surprised when I see Dad smile.

Mom comes back and gives Mateo the food. She gives him a hug before we walk to the front door.

Closing the front door behind me, I walk with Mateo to his truck. He puts the food inside the truck and turns back to face me. He opens his arm and I gladly walk into his embrace. His arms wrap around my back while mine are wrapped around his torso.

"If you ask me that dinner went very well," Mateo says and I can feel his chest vibrate against me. "Oh yeah it went really good. They seem to love you," I say as I pull back to look up at him. He moves some of my hair behind my ear and keeps his hand on my cheek. He leans down and gives me a loving kiss.

Once we pull away he has a huge grin on his face. "I can't wait for you to meet my parents."

"Same here, I'm really excited to meet little Mariana." Saying that just makes me grin widely.

"And she can't wait to meet you." Mateo says and pulls me back into the hug. If only we can stay like this forever.

"Let me take a picture of you," he says as he pulls away and opens the passenger door. His camera is in his hand and he's looking down at it getting it ready. "You look pretty and I want to print it out and keep it in my truck. Now pose please."

I smile at him and back up a little so he can take the picture. Putting one of my hands on my waist while the other holds up a peace sign, I smile widely waiting for him to take the picture. How lucky am I to have met such an amazing person. There's no one else I would rather choose than him. It's always going to be him till the day I close my eyes forever.

The flash goes off and Mateo looks at the picture with a huge smile. I walk up to him wanting to see the picture, he moves the camera so I'm able to see it more. "You're so beautiful." He says and I look up to meet his eyes. Love is more prominent in his eyes now. Knowing that he feels this way for me makes my heart do a flip.

That's when I realized something I would have never thought.

I love him.

"You should go, Mariana is waiting," I tell him as he puts his camera back into the truck. "Yeah I know, I'll see you on Monday." He grabs my face and kisses me a bunch of times on the lips. I start to laugh and grab his face to pull him away. "Okay that's enough," I chuckle. "Text me when you get home please." I say more seriously, he knows I get upset when he forgets to text me. "I will."

He walks around to the drivers side and gets in. I walk back to the porch and wait for him to leave. The window rolls down and Mateo sends me a final wave before driving off. While I stand there I thank God for sending me Mateo. No one has ever treated me like he does and I'm very grateful for that.

At the end of the day he's the one for me, no one else.

It'll always be him.