Dan stared at his new girlfriend with a perplexed, amazed look on his face. "You what?" he asked.
"Dan, I want you to come home with me this weekend and meet my parents," Anne laughed in reply. "I'm not asking you to marry me or anything, sheesh!" Anne and Dan were both juniors at the local university in this western Massachusetts town, and had known each other for only about 2 months. But during that time, the two of them had become very close, quickly moving from acquaintances to friends to lovers. The speed of their relationship was fine with both of them because neither had ever felt so comfortable around another human being before in their lives. Dan was an average college guy, with average looks, 5'7" and 135 pounds, dark black hair and green eyes. Anne was a beautiful young woman; 5'5" slim build with long blonde hair that cascaded down to her waist and bright, baby blue eyes. The two had experienced so much love and fun since they knew each other, when Anne decided to travel back home this weekend, it seemed logical to take Dan with her.
"Are you sure, Anne?" Dan questioned. "I mean, we've only been dating for a few weeks. Do you really think we're at that point to be going home together for the weekend?"
"Come on, Dan," Anne said. "We both know that we love each other and it doesn't matter how long we've dated. I'm homesick and I want to see my folks. I want to play with my baby brother. And I want you to come with me." Anne wrapped her arms around Dan's waist and rested her head on his chest. "What? Do you think my parents wouldn't like you?"
"It's not that, Anne. I'm just nervous. I have never been any good around the parents of my girlfriends. Always saying the wrong things and stuff." Anne raised her head and kissed Dan lovingly on the lips. "You'll do fine, Daniel. My parents will love you like I do."
So, when Friday afternoon classes were over, Dan and Anne drove out to Vermont to meet the parents. Dan was from Jersey City and when he came to Massachusetts almost 3 years ago, he was amazed at the beauty of the scenery. But, as he drove through the wooded hills and glens of Vermont, he felt even more amazed. "I can't believe how beautiful it looks out here, Anne. All the trees changing colors and stuff." Dan smiled as he tried to keep his eyes on the road and the background. "Yep, it's so peaceful up here, Dan," Anne sighed and leaned her head against the window, gazing out with loving looks at her hometown. "Up here's the driveway, slow down," Anne said, pointing to a turn-off in the road that led about a mile back from the road into a small wooded clearing. Dan parked the car in front of a ranch-style house, with a basketball net out front and a wooden deck that overlooked a small stream out back.
Almost immediately 3 figures came running out of the house. Anne's father, Jim, was a giant of a man standing over 6'1" with short brown hair and large brown eyes. Her little brother Joey, even at age 7, looked to be taking after his father. While, on the other hand, Anne's mother Monica was just an older version of the daughter. Monica at 40 looked just like Anne did at 21, with shorter blonde hair and the same bright blue eyes. Anne and her family exchanged hugs and kisses, then Anne turned to Dan and smiled.
"Mom, Dad, Joey, this is my boyfriend Dan." Jim extended a large beefy hand towards Dan.
"Glad to meet you son, Anne has told us so much about you." Dan smiled and shook hands, then exchanged a kiss on the cheek with Monica.
"Yes Dan, Anne can't seem to stop raving about you during our weekly phone calls. I must say, she sure knows how to pick'em," Monica smiled looking Dan up and down appraisingly. "Mom, stop making Dan nervous," Anne laughed. "Let's head inside and eat, I'm starved." Dan agreed and they all entered the house, spending the next many hours eating and talking and laughing. After a while, Dan finally looked at his watch amazed.
"Wow, it's already 2am." Jim grinned, finishing his beer. "Yeah, time goes by fast when you're having fun." Turning to his wife, Jim said, "Come on honey, let's get some sleep. Maybe tomorrow if the kids don't sleep too late we can go hiking and show Dan the scenery." Monica gave a sidelong gaze to Dan and smiled. "Yeah, I'm sure Dan would like a guided tour of the scenery."
With that, Jim and Monica went upstairs, leaving Anne and Dan alone. "Well," Dan said rising from his chair, "I guess you'd better get me a pillow and blanket for the couch."
"Dan, my parents don't mind if we stay in the same room together, they already figured out that boyfriends sleep with their girlfriends," Anne laughed, taking Dan by his hand a leading him upstairs to her bedroom. After changing into his boxers and a t-shirt, Dan climbed into bed with Anne, who was wearing an oversized t-shirt of her own. Anne snuggled up next to Dan, resting her head on his shoulder. "I'm glad you came home with me Daniel. See, I told you my parents would like you."
Dan held Anne tightly against his body, kissing her forehead. "You were right, as always. I am glad I came home with you." Anne grasped Dan's hands in her own and looked deeply into his eyes, leaning over and kissing him. She slipped her tongue into his mouth seeking his in a playful fashion. "Mmmm," Dan moaned into her kiss, wrapping his arms around her body, deepening their embrace.
