Mixed Feelings

25.

James 

"Riley you look fine" I said laying back on her bed, she's probably changed her clothes maybe 8 times at this point, she shot my another glare only causing me to laugh again
She headed back into her wardrobe while the dorm room door opened revealing Giselle and West who took one look at me before furrowing their brows

"What are you doing?" West asked jumping onto Giselle's bed while she took her jacket off

"Aww you look pretty Riley" Giselle said after Riley came out with her 9th dress, she looked at me making me smile
"I mean I've told you that you've looked pretty in all of them" I said earning an eye roll

"Where are you guys heading to?" Giselle asked now joining West
"Riley is meeting my parents and Piper" I explained making Riley huff as she re-curled some pieces of her hair
"Well she is meant to be but she's a little preoccupied" I said making her glare at me through the mirror

"leave the girl alone James, meeting the parents is a big thing" Giselle said making me chuckle as Riley shot her a grateful smile
"I didn't realise" I answered
"Boys never do" West laughed throwing his arm around Giselle 

"You can't say anything man, you haven't even asked Gee to be your girlfriend" I teased making Riley snap her head around

"You haven't?" She asked making Giselle and West both chuckle
"Shocking right?" I asked
"How? What? I thought" Riley rambled making Giselle laugh

"Everyone just assumes we are so I guess we've never needed to make it official or anything" She shrugged making Riley scoff
"You're just so relaxed about it" Riley giggled 
"What's the point in stressing?" Giselle asked, Riley smiled at the pair of the turning to me
"If you had taken as long as West has, I think you'd find that my answer would have been no" She smiled before West burst out laughing 

"On that note, are you ready to go?" I asked making her laugh with a nod 

--

We pulled into the driveway of my grandparents house, it's been a hot minute since I'd last been here. But I mean if Riley is going to meet my parents, might as well throw Nana and Pops into the mix too 
I'm only giving her the full family experience 

"Mum! We are here!" I called as we walked inside, the house was almost empty and all you could hear was the sound of light music outside
I turned to see Riley looking nervous but after giving her hand an extra squeeze she shot me a sweet smile signalling she was okay

"Jamesy!" Piper called and with in a second she was attached to my hips making Riley chuckle
"Hey Pipesqueak" I teased making her roll her eyes as she pulled away from the tight hug

Piper turned to Riley smiling widely, honestly the pair of the will probably get along like a house on fire given the chance

"Pipes this is Riley, Ri this is my little sister Piper" I explained making Riley grin widely
"It's lovely to meet you" Riley said making Piper gush a little before pulling Riley into a tight hug just like she had with me moments before

After finally detaching Piper from Riley, I managed to get the pair of them outside and sure enough that is where everyone was. Dad was stood by the grill cooking tea for everyone, Nana and Mum were nattering away while Pops was dancing with Piper 
The same little family antics we've always had 

"Everyone, this is Riley, Riley this is Mum, Dad, Nana and Pops" I smiled almost pushing Riley forward slightly, she stood there slightly awkwardly but of course the first person to greet her would be the one woman who can calm anyone's nerves 

"Let's introduce you properly honey" Mum said pulling Riley into a side hug 
Dad chuckled motioning me over to join him while Mum took Riley under her wing 

"So you really are serious about her then are you?" he asked as I took a seat on the wall next to him, I chuckled nodding only making him smile
"She seems like a sweetheart and I haven't even spoken to her yet" He teased
"What's she doing with the likes of you" He asked nudging me making me roll my eyes 

I turned around slightly to see that Pops had dragged Riley out onto the grass with Piper as he danced with the pair of them twirling them around 

--

"So Riley honey, tell us about yourself" Nana asked making me smile towards Riley as she sat in between Piper and I
"What would you like to know?" She asked
"There really isn't much to tell" Riley continued making me chuckle

"Riley there is plenty of things to tell" I answered making her roll her eyes
"How did you get into dance?" Piper asked
"My sister started dancing when she was two so I was kind of born into it, Emily is now one of the most competitive dancers I've ever met" Riley explained
"Aww it's sweet that you're following in her footsteps" Mum said 

And I don't think Mum could have said anything more untrue 

"Something like that" Riley answered tucking her hair behind her ear, she was probably feeling just as awkward as I can imagine. I placed my hand on top of her knee making her glance at me thanking me with a smile

"Sorry, did I say something wrong?" Mum asked, Riley wasn't about to make a big deal out of it and I know that 
"My sister and I aren't as close as we used to be, that's all" Riley answered down playing it 

"That's a shame lovely but I'm sure that she's proud of you regardless. From what we've heard from our James, you're quite the dancer" Nana smiled at her
"I don't doubt that either" Pops said making Riley smile at the pair of them
"Thankyou" She answered before turning to me 

She had the same look on her face she did the first time I kissed her. That night in the park eating a shawarma
Oh how crazy it's been since that night 

"See it wasn't that scary" I whispered to Riley as we stood at the door saying goodbye to everyone, my hand happily placed on her waist while Piper pulled her into yet another bone crushing hug 
Riley hugged her back before turning back to me with the sweetest smile

"Now don't be a stranger little lady, we expect you at all family events from now on" Dad said making Riley chuckle
"I'm sure that can be arranged" Riley said turning back to me as I nodded

"Don't go messing this up son" Dad asked holding his hand out for a fist bump, it's probably the only time Dad and I show any sign of affection 
"Don't even worry about it" I said at the same time as Dad as our knuckles touched 

It's safe to say, Riley was officially apart of this family now