⌗ 28
third person ✎ᝰ
a week prior [to interludes]
_______________

The dinner table is set for four people. A wine glass sits to the left of each plate, cutlery set aside to right of them. In the centre of the table is a bottle of red wine—not merely for decoration.

A heavenly aroma wafts through the air as Mason walks down the stairs from her room in her usual attire—denim jeans and an oversized tee shirt.

The night holds much unfamiliarity for her. It's the absence of both her parents and her little sister that makes it so weird for her—she's not used to being alone. But she's not really alone.

Mason takes the last step and comes to the sight of a home cooked meal by her cousin Mika. The table carries various dishes that only make her hunger more prominent than ever. She finds her other cousin standing by the kitchen island.

Mason walks towards the table with a smile on her face. "Everything looks great, Mika."

The eldest shows a proud smile. "I think we're all set. All we need is Riley." The sound of her name sends shivers down Mason's spine. This is all very new to her. It's her first relationship, her first girlfriend, her first time bringing home a lover to meet her family. It's all very new.

She hasn't had the opportunity to introduce Riley as her girlfriend to her parents yet. Mason can only assume that her little sister has somewhat of an idea—besides, the couple aren't very subtle when the latter is over. A bit too friendly is what her sister once said when Riley had come over for their regular tutoring session last weekend.

Renz comes out from the kitchen holding a bread bowl. "Mm, these are really good."

Mika rolled her eyes and snatched the bowl from the brunette's hands. "Of course they're good. I made them." Renz sticks out her tongue.

Mason takes a deep breath before fixing her hair and dusting off her clothes. This has to be the ninth time she thought to herself. She hasn't stopped fidgeting with herself. She's nervous.

Mason wasn't entirely sure why she was feeling nervous in the first place. Her girlfriend would love her even if she had nothing but a rubbish bag on. She could imagine it in her head. Riley would take one look at her and smile from ear to ear before telling Mason how cute she looks.

Mika wraps an arm around Mason's waist as the doorbell chimes. "Your lover is here."

Mason's cheeks turn red and hot as Renz flings the door open with her devilish grin on full display. "Hi." One word and Mason's floating.

Riley had been over countless times before this. It's no surprise that the girl held so much confidence as she stood outside the door. It didn't matter that a complete stranger (to her) had opened the door for her—she was just happy.

"Baby, come in." Mason hides her face as her cousins smirk. They aren't used to seeing her like this. "These are my cousins. Mika and Renz."

Renz shuts the door behind Riley and smiles widely. "You must be the beautiful bride!"

Mika's eyes widen. "Florence!"

Mason wraps her arms around Riley and kisses her on the cheek. "You look beautiful."

She hears her cousins squealing behind her. Mason was surprised at how on and off the two were being. One minute they're friendly and the next they're throwing bread rolls at each other.

Riley kisses Mason softly before walking over to Renz and Mika with two small boxes. "It's really lovely to meet you both." She smiled. "I wasn't expecting to meet you both this soon so I did what I could in the few hours I had."

Mika and Renz take the small box from Riley. The eldest unties the ribbon and lifts the lid.

"This is beautiful!" Mika exclaimed. She takes the bracelet from its case and holds it under the light. Riley had made two friendship bracelets for Mason's cousins. Customised for each of them.

Renz slides it on her wrist and pouts. "This is the cutest thing I've ever seen!" She holds it under the light too and observes it. "Of course Mason reigns the cutest thing of all—forever."

"I didn't want to come empty handed so I did my best," Riley explained. "I may sound like a broken record but I really am happy to be here to meet the two of you. Mason had wonderful things to say and I'm honoured to meet the family."

Mika extends her arms and welcomes Riley with a warm embrace. "You did not have to." She smiled. "But this is so sweet of you, thank you. Mason told me what you like—so I made everything. Come, will the food is still hot."

The eldest motions the three girls to take a seat at the table. Mika and Renz sit together while Riley and Mason sit side by side, absolutely giddy.

"This looks delicious, Mika." Mason smiled.

"I'll admit—you did great, cuz" Renz added.

The four begin to fill their plates with food. "Please have anything you like Riley." Mika said. "Don't be shy. Eat and enjoy."

Riley replied with a "thank you" before filling her plate up with the various dishes that the latter had prepared for the evening.

A comfortable silence lingers in the air for a moment as they begin to eat their meal. It's been a while since Mason's had a fancy dinner like this at home—even more so that it happens to be with her cousins. She felt happy and content.

"I must say that you're absolutely stunning," Mika said. She's cutting through her steak. "Mason would send me pictures from time to time but you are truly gorgeous."

Riley turns a slight shade of pink as she receives this compliment.

"Thank you, Mika. That's really sweet."

Renz eats her food enjoyably as she observes her little cousin and the girl beside her. There's a look on Mason's face that says it all. The second eldest felt comfort in knowing that Mason had found someone that would love her for who she is. Renz was always worried that Mason being an home body would keep her away from dating and relationships, but perhaps the little one proved her wrong. She continues to eat in silence and engages in the conversation too.

The brunette could tell that the eldest felt the same way too. Mika used to take care of Mason a lot when she was still little. It's the reason why Mason is so fond of her. Mika watched as the couple ate and conversed as normal.

They spent their dinner talking about how it all started and what led them to right now—their reality. It was the exact thing that Mason needed the most. To be loved and accepted by her family. To be able to bring home the girl she loves most.

That's all she could ever want. And she has it.