As they approached the home hand in hand, they could hear the music booming from the outside. Sienna glanced at Jason and she could tell he was nervous.
He was unusually quiet in his thoughts.
He was dressed in a black button down shirt and dark blue jeans. He looked delicious. She was excited for him to meet her mom and everyone else.
"They will love you babe."
Jason gazed down at Sienna with adoration. She always knew what to say to him.
The truth is that he was nervous. In the past, Jason had spoken to the rich and famous, foreign ministers, diplomats, heads of state... But this was by far the most nervous he'd ever felt.
Well, he never had something as precious as Sienna before.
It's crazy how things change so quickly. Now he was on his way to meet his girl's family and hoped to God they like him.
Just two months ago, he was allergic to girlfriends and mocked men who were pussy-whipped.
You know the men who walk around the mall holding their girlfriend's purse... pussy whipped. Or the men who have to call their girl every 2 minutes just because... pussy whipped. Or the poor smuck who escaped home and hit up a bar but when their woman calls he makes everyone be quiet and replies with a "I'm just picking up some milk at the market honey, be home in a jiff."
Who says 'jiff'? That right there is a man who is whipped... Whoh-Keesh
Or so Jason used to think.
Now, he was so consumed with Sienna, yea he'd admit it. He wasn't shy about it either; he'd scream it from the tallest building if she asked him to.
Whipped.
He finally understood. The sappy songs, the poetry, the crazy shit people do when they're in love, the desire to just fuck one woman for the rest of your life. He understood.
When you find not only a good woman but your good woman... the one that binds your very soul. It shouldn't be any other way but being completely bound to each other. What he felt for Sienna he barely had words to describe it.
Although Jason felt things were going well, it had only been a week since they'd been together.
A week, a day and four hours to be exact.
Sure, it was frustrating because it sounded ridiculous to be in love after one week, a day and four hours.
But he was.
Undeniably, irrefutably, head over heels, and utterly in love with Sienna.
He couldn't explain it, it's not like he's ever felt like this way before. And he wasn't blinded by the idea of being in love either. He would be perfectly content remaining a bachelor.
It was all because of Sienna.
It wasn't only the fact that he pictured her as his wife and the mother of his children. Or the fact that she was the first thing he thought of when he woke in the morning and the last image he had when he fell asleep. Or the fact that her simple presence... had the power to move him to change.
It was the fact that he found his true self in her eyes.
When she smiled, flecks of green made an appearance. In those precious moments, Jason couldn't help but be a silent observer of the single most beautiful occurrence in the world.
People from far and wide stop what they're doing when rare celestial events occur. They buy special glasses, high-tech telescopes and camp out in ideal locations. There are news reports to remind people the time it will occur... all to capture a glimpse of the spectacular phenomenon.
Jason bore witness to it every time Sienna smiled. He peered into her reflection and saw the best possible version of himself in her eyes.
And it terrified him.
She held so much power.
He was so nervous and self-conscious; he thought any minute now, she'd figure out he was nothing more but a refurbished asshole and she could do better...
__________
Jason pulled Sienna in for a kiss. Kissing her calmed him.
He held her close as they walked and he admired the beauty by his side. Sienna wore a yellow summer halter dress with gold hoop earrings and bangles on her wrist. Her hair was down in soft waves and it smelled like coconut.
How did she know it was secretly one of his favorite smells?
It took all of Jason's strength to leave the house and not fuck her senseless all day. But he truly wanted to get to know the family behind his lady.
She played with the silver key pendant around her necklace.
"What's that?" Jason asked.
Sienna sighed and said, "This is the last thing Sean gave me before he left for Afghanistan. I miss him so much, especially now. I would've loved for you to meet him... I think you would have been great friends."
"I know... I think about how much my mom would've loved you. She was an unbelievable lady... She was sassy and tough rolled into a sweet package" Jason said sadly.
Sienna squeezed his arm and said, "I'm sure I would've loved her... But I can get a glimpse of her through you. We can't think of the what-ifs, just remember them fondly and cherish the family we have left."
Just then, Sharon burst the door open, ran down the steps and hugged her daughter.
"Happy birthday Sienna! Don't you look pretty."
"Thanks mom. I know I'm getting old." Sienna said grinning.
Jason observed the mother and daughter as they hugged. Sharon was undoubtedly a beautiful woman. He could see the resemblance in the shape of the face and nose. There were some differences, Sharon's skin was the lightest brown, and she had big blue-green eyes and light brown hair.
Sienna put an arm out and reached for Jason saying, "Mom, I'd like you to meet Jason."
Realizing Sienna wasn't alone for the first time, Sharon turned around and said, "Well hello, and who might you be?"
"Nice to meet you Mrs. Johnson, I'm Sienna's boyfriend."
"Boyfriend?"
"We kinda just became official but met a little while back." Sienna said smiling at him. Jason grabbed Sienna's hand and gave it a kiss. He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, as he looked into her eyes.
Sharon was astonished as she saw her daughter and this handsome young man who seemed to have forgotten she was even there.
"Ahem, ok. Well very nice to meet you Jason. Sienna obviously has good taste. Call me mom or Sharon. Come on in, everyone's waiting for you."
A big cheer erupted when Sienna stepped through the door. There was a sea of hugs and kisses. The warm delicious smell of food permeated the air. The balloons and flower decorations seemed to sway with the merengue melody. Sienna made the rounds introducing Jason to everyone.