The day {Colifer fan fiction}

Chapter 23: Thanksgiving (part II)

Jen's POV

The more we were approaching my parents' house, the more reality was starting to catch up with me. Until today, we were just the two of us in the little bubble of happiness we had created, keeping our engagement exclusively to ourselves, but tonight everyone was going to find out. Every single member of my family. And then his family, as it was only fair. And we would have to tell our friends eventually.

And then is when the fun part begins. And by fun I mean the wedding plans and preparations. I'm not sure it's gonna be that fun for me though, because I would have to take care of every single task without anyone from the outside world finding out I am getting married. Arranging matters while staying hidden from the media was a challenge I had succeeded in many times throughout the years, but with my long absence from the spotlight, my every public appearance would be spotted, recorded and posted everywhere immediately.

Upon stopping at a red traffic light, I looked at Colin with the corner of my eye. He was staring out at the road from the windshield, his gaze focused on nothing in particular. I knew him well enough to know that he was lost in thoughts of his own, just as I was just seconds ago, but his face expression was calm, all his worries long forgotten at home.

Home.

Something we both desperately needed and still couldn't have just yet. Not with him working in Vancouver, his family and house in Ireland he had to visit every now and then and me staying in LA for who knows how long until I had to take up on a new project, which for all I knew could require I move halfway across the globe. We owned two houses each and yet we didn't have a place to call our home.

Maybe home isn't a place, maybe it's a feeling.

The feeling of content and completion you feel tucked into your significant other's arms, when even the simplest of things such as laying by their side and watching them sleep make you feel like the happiest person on earth. There's no doubt Colin and I had that. When put like that, we indeed had a home. It's just not a permanent one.

Not yet.

A sigh left my mouth as I pulled into my parents house's driveway. By the looks of it, everyone was already there which was both convenient and intimidating at the same time. I could just announce our engagement right after entering the dining room and get it over with, but the thought of it still made me somewhat nervous. Even though my parents and sister knew I was bringing a man with me tonight, I didn't let them in on the name of that certain man, plus I was pretty sure everyone else was completely oblivious of the fact I was not coming alone to the family dinner. I was definitely not worried about them liking him, but given our history, everyone being skeptical about everything happening so soon between us was an outcome we couldn't quite avoid.

My revelation was definitely bound to shock everyone tonight.

Colin, apparently sensing my unsettling, placed his hand on my thigh and squeezed it gently in what seemed as an attempt to silently assure me everything was going to be alright. My eyes averted and met his instantly and he then went on to rub his thumb soothingly over my tights-covered skin, which proved to be all the reassurance I needed. I leaned in closer and pressed a feather-like kiss on his left cheek before I unbuckled my seatbelt and exited the vehicle, him following suit just seconds later.

He came around my car and entwined our fingers together as we began to walk towards the front door. When we reached the house entrance I rang the bell briefly and was greeted by an over-enthusiastic Julia as soon as she answered the door.

"Jenny, I've missed you so much." she exclaimed after she gave me a bone crushing hug, one I returned more than willingly.

"Nice to see you again, Colin." she greeted him right after we let go of each other.

"Likewise." he said and they embraced each other in a friendly half hug.

I could hear Ellie calling for me from the hallway and I had no doubt she was running to come and hug me but right when she rounded the corner and acknowledged Colin's presence, she stopped in her tracks and froze to the spot. I couldn't help the giggle that left my lips when I approached her and scooped her in my arms. Her eyes never left Colin's figure even after I had spoken.

"Hey, little girl, do you want to meet Colin?" I asked as she wrapped her hands around my neck.

"He is a bad person." she whispered in my ear and then it hit me.

Ellie had always been afraid of Hook and Colin deciding to wear all black today was certainly not helping convince her he is not him in real life. She was still watching Season 2 of Once Upon A Time, so she had not yet seen the "good" part of Hook.

I put my free hand firmly on her back to keep her steady and slowly walked to him. His smile widened as we reached him.

"Hey, Ellie, nice to finally meet you." he said, carefully lifting his hand to take hers and gently shake it.

She didn't respond in any way, meaning she was still strongly intimidated by him.

"See? He doesn't have a hook, he is good." I pointed out.

Colin lifted his hands and displayed them in front of her with the biggest smile he could muster. She simply nodded her head and smiled at me, tightening her grip around my neck. I then dropped her on the floor carefully and she ran inside again.

"I think she liked you after all." I said to Colin when he finally stepped in the house.

I took his hand and we followed my sister inside.

"Nice ring." she remarked with a whisper as we rounded the corner of the hall and I couldn't help but grin at her and mouth a "thank you" in response.

"Sorry we're late." I announced our arrival as we entered the dining room, all gazes in the room instantly turning to the three of us.

A/N: I'm feeling so emo, excuse my lame writing and super slow updates.