I miss the smell of my mom's cooking flaring all over the kitchen everytime I wake up early in the morning. This day is like a typical day when I'm here in Hastings.

"Good morning darling!" My Dad greeted when I went downstairs.

It's still six in the morning, so my Dad is still here watching the replay of the Edmonton vs. Colorado game waiting for the time to hit eight right before heading to work. He's working as a Poli Sci professor in Briar University for fifteen years now, long enough for me to know the things he does before going to work. He is a huge hockey fan, by the way.

I just got back in here three days ago. I was supposed to arrive here with Mat and his team but I'm totally not yet comfortable even if Tori was there. Dating a world well-known NHLer seems so surreal for me and to be honest I don't know how to keep up with that yet.

I'm still trying to process everything on my system, actually.

Thankfully, Barzy is very understandable and respectful to every decision I make. Hope it stays that way.

"Morning Dad." I greeted back kissing him on the cheeks. As I settle next to him. "You're still going to work?"

He nodded. "Gotta finish submitting final grades for my students, guess I'll wrap everything up tomorrow-- Draisaitl is unstoppable these season. He's beating McDavid in terms of stats!" My Dad commented looking at the tv screen.

If some fathers prefer reading a newspaper every morning, well, not my Dad. He prefers this, and spats every opinion he has on the game, the player, the coach and the referee's. He's expert on hockey than the subject he teaches in the university, if I must say!

I smiled, thinking that maybe if my Dad meets Mat they'll surely get along. My father was even very keen with Anders the first time Tori introduced him during Uncle Bennie's birthday. I can still remember how our Dad's didn't stop from roasting Anders about hockey questions the first time they met him.

Dad even said he was starstrucked being next to an NHLer and thinking that we already have a legitimate NHL player as part of the family.

My fan girling is totally from him, he's a fan boy himself. So I am sure, he'll freak out if I tell him I am dating one.

"I can't wait for the Bruins game already!" He announced which distracted me from daydreaming.

"You guys watching?" I asked.

My Dad nodded just in time my Mom came in holding a mug of tea and handed it to me.

"Oh! Lifesaver." I said accepting the mug and sip on it. "Thanks Mom."

"Of course! Since when did I missed a Bruins game? Plus, Anders are playing so we are watching." Dad said.

"How's Tori by the way darling?" My mom asked.

"Seven months along and very excited with her baby girl. But, Anders still don't know the gender though. He wants to be surprised. So, shut your mouth guys." I replied.

"I'm so happy that Bennie's gonna be a granddad." My mom commented.

"I think everyone of us do." Dad said still gluing his gaze on the tv screen. "Having a little baby as an addition to the family is very amazing."

"Speaking of which, Bennie called me last night inviting us for dinner later because Anders and Tori is in town." My mom said. "Why didn't you come along with them by the way Jade?"

"Anders was still in Vegas for a game when I went here. And I want to spend the rest of my free time with you guys so I went ahead." I explained.

It may only take few hours of travel from New York to here but I am barely home. So I always savor every free day that I get just to be with my folks, especially during the Christmas season.

After my Dad watches the game, we head to the dining area for breakfast right before he takes off for work.

After breakfast, I head upstairs to take a bath. I'm planning on visiting few family and friends in town today. I grab my phone on the night stand to see some texts and there's one from Mat.

Mat: Hi baby. I'm in Boston rn. Call me soon as u can! ;)

I immediately dialed his number and he answers right away.

"Hey! Why are you in Boston? Your game is still in two days." I asked completely surprised by the news.

"I went along with Anders and Tori actually, to surprise you. But..." He hesitated.

"But what?"

He just sighed.

"Come on Mat, what is it?" I asked but then I suddenly suspected. "Wait. You're thinking about meeting my family, aren't you?"

He said yes exhaling and chuckles a bit.

I was silent for a second deciding whether to let him come have dinner with my family and introduced him as my boyfriend or not.

When I can't totally decide, I told him that I am coming over.

*

Few hours later, I found myself walking in to the hotel where Mat checked in. On the drive to here I am definitely thinking about letting him meet my parents.

We just became a couple like a month ago, we're still not even sure if it'll work. I mean, me, myself, I am not sure if this will work.

I am hundred percent confident that my Dad will like him and I don't want my father to feel so keen and attached to my boyfriend and feel disappointed when things won't work between me and Mat. But at the same time, I want them to meet him.

I barely introduce a boy to my family.

The last time I introduced a boy was when I was still on my junior year back in college, roughly four years ago. That was John, a Poli Sci student like me who I dated for only two months because I discovered he was in a long distance relationship. That was absolutely annoying, but let's move on.

I knocked on Mat's room and he answers it and I was surprised when he pulled me right away leading me to the bed. In a heartbeat, he's already on top of me planting me kisses everywhere.

"I missed you." He said kissing me on the lips with a sweet pace. He kisses his way down on my neck and I wasn't able to control myself from biting his shoulders which made him to flinch.

He looked up smirking. "Naughty girl!"

And the next thing I knew, I am already howling my lungs out because Mat just tickled the hell out of me as I try to relentlessly get away from his fingers.

"Stop it!" I protested in between laughs.

Gosh. I've never had so much fun with a guy in my whole life and I don't want this to end.

Ever!

"You're ticklish!" He commented in between giggles as he finally stops, catching both our breathes at the same time as we laid on bed face to face.

"Because you're tickling me!" I said rolling my eyes and lean towards him to kiss his jaws. "You shaved."

He smiled pulling me close. "I want to look fine during the season." He answered not looking through my eyes.

I smouldered. "Of course. Need to look good for the girls."

"For your family, actually." He said in a low tone but I did still hear it.

"Yeah, about that." I said resting my chin on his chest as I look straight to his eyes. "You want to come with me tonight?"

"Family dinner?"

I nodded. "At Tori's Dad's house. If you want to come I'll tell Tori. If you don't then it's fine, I won't pressure you or anything. We just got official so--"

"I'd love to." He said cutting me off.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah!" He nodded. "I want to meet your family." He added kissing me on my forehead.

"You're still allowed to change your mind Barzy. My father will surely freak the living hell out of you for dating me, that's for sure!"

"Oh my god. Why? What is he going to do?" He asked abruptly positioning himself into a seating position.

"He'll bombard you with hockey questions, just like what they did to Anders before." I said laying on my back this time.

"Babe, what if your parents won't like me?"

I snickered seeing his face right now. He's red as hell. "Jadey, there's nothing funny about this."

"Calm down Barzy!" I said chuckling. "Seriously, calm down."

He just stared at me for few seconds right before releasing a long sigh and decided to snuggle me again. As I rest my head back on his chest again, I can feel the fast beating of his heart which made me feel concerned on whether to bring him with me later or not.

Mat is really important to me, he's been keeping me sane these entire time. Eventhough we don't see each other that often because of his games he still does check on me every now and then. When he has free time he always spends it with me.

It's hard to say that I am starting to feel very dependent on him because he is constantly away, but I would say that my life won't be complete if he is not there.

Life is different eversince he came to the picture.

"You really sure about meeting them?" I asked again just to make sure.

"Mm-hmm. Looking forward to it." He said pulling me on top of him. "Now help me calm my nerves down." He said pouting his lips.

I chuckled and leaned to kiss him. I could never get enough of him, and I think I am starting to fall in love with him.

We stayed a couple of hours there talking, cuddling and making out not until lunch time hits and we went to the nearest restaurant to grab some food.

There are few people who recognized him and asked for pictures on the streets and then there are some teenage girls who asks for a pic too when we arrived at the restaurant. It is somehow uncomfortable for me, especially when people darted their gazes on me looking so suspicious about who the hell I am and why am I with him.

Fortunately, we ate lunch peacefully enjoying a little conversation then head back to his hotel right after to let him prepare for tonight.

Few hours later, we hit the road on the way to Hastings. I'm dropping him off first at Uncle Bennie's place right before I head back home to change and wait for my parents. I'm kind of a bit nervous to tell my parents that I have a boyfriend that is joining us later.

I haven't mentioned Mat to them yet. So, telling them personally for the first time kind of freaks me out because I am definitely not used to this.

I noticed Mat tapping his fingers on his knees looking straight ahead on the passenger seat. He's clearly nervous, I can really tell.

"Mat, I told you to calm down." I said chuckling. "My parents are not vampires, they won't eat you. I swear!"

"I can't." He said helplessly.

I sighed. "Why do I get the feeling that you're not used to this?"

"Because I am not." Mat replied sighing. "I barely date Jade, I am way too busy on hockey to think about that and then you came."

The last three words made my heart stopped from beating for like a second then beats rapidly again.

I lose my breath.

"Should I apologize for it?" I asked smiling because I can't control my facial muscles from doing it.

"No." He said looking at me as he plants his hands on my thigh. "You're the best thing that ever happened to me."

I'll be damned if I'll say that that didn't made me want to stop the car and shower him with all my love, but no. He'll have to say it first, not me.

As I parked my mom's car in front of the house I took a deep breath, preparing myself for the confession. Dad is already home early. Perfect timing!

I reach the house with my mom calling me from the kitchen. "Jade, is that you?"

"Yes mom." I answered removing my coat right before heading to where exactly she is. When I arrived at the kitchen, my parents are busy preparing a food to bring later.

"How's your visit in the city?" My father asked. "Did you get to see some old friends?"

"It was fine." I answered sighing as I settle myself on the breakfast bar watching my two folks busying themselves. "And I wasn't able to see some old friends. I was meeting someone s--"

"Let me guess." My mom started placing the food container she's holding on the counter and looked at me. Dad is still busy cooking on the stove but I can really sense that he is listening. "You were meeting a boy?"

I nodded. There's no reason to play around the bush here, they are meeting Mat tonight I don't want to caught them off-guard!

My mom squeaked. "Finally Benjie! Our daughter finally has a boyfriend. What is he like? What's his job? What's his name? When did this all happened? Why didn't you tell us right away? Wha--"

"Mom! Calm down." I cut her off. I already expected this reaction from my mom.

She's been bugging me to have a boyfriend already eversince I got to college. It's really weird but my mom is a ray of sunshine herself, and me having a boyfriend really hypes her up.

"This was few months ago, when I moved in with Tori and Anders." I started and this time my father faced me with a agitated expression while crossing his arms.

Now I'm nervous for Mat. Jezz! What if my guesses are wrong? Damn it.

"It just happened so fast and we just got official like a month ago." I said straight away without even breathing.

My mom still plastering those wide smiles clapping her hands because of excitement. "You should invite him for dinner one of these days while you are here honey, so that we'll meet him."

"Yeah, about tha--"

"What is his name?" My mom asks.

"Mat." I answered trying to catch my breath as I am about to drop the complete name. "Mathew Barzal."

And yes! I earned gasps from that. They know him. Of course they do!

This time, my Dad finally found his voice. "Barzal? As in the hockey player?"

I nodded.

"The forward for New York Islanders?" My Dad added and I can really tell he's surprised as hell.

"Yes Dad." I answered and my Dad just stared on me.

I expected for my Dad to freak out, laugh or even just smile for that but no. I received no reaction from him. Jezz! See. Again, don't assume because disappointments will bite you in the ass.

"He's joining us for dinner later, by the way." I said trying to stay calm.

"Oh! I can't wait." My mother said.

I still look on my Dad when I noticed how unenthusiastic he is about this.

"Dad, be nice to him please." I said. Then he just shrugged raising his two hands and continue from cooking the food on the stove.

I sighed. I understand that father's are kind of a bit protective and rude sometimes when meeting their daughter's boyfriend for the first time but, there's no reason for him to be rude or anything.

Mat is a great guy and I know he'll like him.