Your Pet: The Teacher's Girl

109. Christmas Carol

IAN's POV :

- - - - - Three Months Later - - - - -

"You're not nervous are you?" Emma asked as I fumbled with the plane's seatbelt. This was not the first time I was on a plane, but for some reason, this felt like the scariest plane ride ever.

"No, do I look nervous?" I laughed nervously.

"A little bit," she replied.

"Well, okay, I guess I am a little nervous," I chuckled. "I don't know what your parents think of me. They probably hate my guts because I broke their daughter's heart,"

Christmas was in a few days and we decided to spend the holidays with Emma's family this year. We spent Thanksgiving at my place, so this was her turn. I was especially anxious because this was the first time they'd be seeing me in years, after I drove their daughter to college four years ago. A lot had happened since then. I moved to New York City, Emma and I broke up, Emma moved to Paris, then she came back and found me, we got back together, we started living together in the city, and then here we were, back to where it all started.

"You didn't break my heart, you just shattered it a little, but then you put it back up again," Emma said in that cute tone of hers. She was trying to make me feel better, but somehow that only made me feel worse.

"Hey," she sighed softly and laced her hand with mine, "My parents love me and I love you, so they have to love you too by default,"

"Gee, thanks," I rolled my eyes at her.

At this point, our plane was preparing to take off. The engine was running loud and Emma laid her head against my shoulder. She picked up a magazine and started flipping through the pages mindlessly.

I let out another anxious sigh as the plane took off and the aerial view of New York City grew smaller and smaller from the window. Closing my eyes, I pictured the moment when we would land in a few hours and Emma's parents would meet us at the airport. I imagined the looks that they would give me, full of judgment and wariness.

Emma seemed to notice that I was still on edge. She leaned up and kissed my cheek gently, whispering, "Seriously Ian, you don't have to be this nervous,"

I gave her a weak smile and said, "I just really want them to like me,"

"I told you, my mom likes you," she replied reassuringly. "We talked a lot on the phone. She thinks you're amazing,"

I did hear her mom saying nice things about me, but I could never figure her dad out. He was always quiet and he kept to himself a lot.

"I don't think your dad likes me very much," I said.

"He never said one thing about," she replied.

"Exactly," I made my point.

"No, that's just my dad. He never says much. That doesn't mean he doesn't like you," she argued. "You're thinking way too much about this, Ian,"

Reclining her seat back, Emma took a deep breath and relaxed herself, putting all arguments to rest. Within minutes, her head was on my shoulder again and she was drifting into a peaceful sleep.

I, on the other hand, was sweating like a whore in church. My mind was running with all the possible scenarios and reasons why her parents would hate me. Sure, we got away with sneaking around when we first started dating, and her parents never found out that I was the father when she got pregnant, but a part of my was always anxious that maybe someday they will. And then they'd butcher me, for sure.

Why is it so important that they don't hate me?

Well, I was coming to Georgia with a big plan. The first step of the plan required her parents to like me, or at least believe that I'm worthy of her daughter. Emma didn't have a clue, of course, but I was a man on a mission.

That's right, I'm gonna ask her to marry me. And we're gonna do it right this time.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"There she is! My baby girl is here!" Emma's mom squeaked and ran over as soon as she saw us walking out of the gate.

Emma and I shared an awkward glance. That nickname was my nickname for her, and to hear it coming out of her mother's mouth was something else.

"Welcome home, sweetheart," her dad followed. They both hugged her and showered her with kisses. She hadn't been home in a while, so her parents must miss her terribly.

"Mom! Dad!" Emma returned their hugs and kisses. "I missed you guys so much!"

They were laughing and hugging for a while, and I was just standing awkwardly on the side. Mrs. Sinclair finally noticed my existence and she went to give me a hug.

"Ian, it's nice to see you again," she said.

"Nice to see you again too, Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair," I returned her hug and stretched my hand to Emma's dad. He gave me a sharp look before shaking it.

"Oh, please, call me Joanna," Mrs. Sinclair laughed, and she turned to her husband and said, "Bill, help Emma with her bags, will you?"

Bill nodded his head and took Emma's bags from her. Her mom pulled Emma to the side and started chatting away, "Come here sweetheart, tell me everything, what's been going on in your life? What's it like working in New York City? How are they treating you? Is your boss still mean to you?"

Emma and her mom led the way. Bill and I walked behind them with the bags. Once we reached the car, Emma and her mom went to the backseat while Bill and I put the bags in the trunk. Bill was driving and I was sitting in the front. Throughout the whole car ride, Bill was silently listening to Emma and her mom's chatter. Emma was filling in her mom on the details of her work and how much of a devil her boss was. Meanwhile, I just sat there completely still. I didn't know if I should make small talk with Bill or just listen to the conversation in the backseat.

What do I even say to this man?

Damn, this kind of moment really made me wish that my dad was still around. I didn't have an older male figure in my life growing up, I forgot how to even talk to one.

What does he even like? Sports? Music? Politics? No... let's not go there.

"It's a nice weather we're having," I found myself saying to Bill.

He didn't answer me. He just glanced at me with an 'are you serious' look and kept driving. The atmosphere in the car turned from slightly awkward to hella fucking awkward in a matter of seconds.

Damn, that was idiotic. It was freezing cold outside, we were in late December after all. What kind of stupid weather talk was that?

"So, Ian," Joanna's voice broke the awkward silence. "Emma's told me you've done pretty well for yourself as an artist?"

"Oh, yeah, I guess I got lucky. A couple of galleries in the city exhibited my work and people seem to be liking it,"

"Stop being so modest," "Ian was named one of the best young contemporary artists in the States, mom. The Met Gallery would be displaying his work next year,"

"That sounds amazing, congratulations, Ian,"

"Thanks, Joanna," I smiled, pausing for a beat before saying, "I couldn't have done it without Emma, honestly. She's a big inspiration to me,"

"Aw, isn't that sweet?" Joanna said with a hand on her chest. "Isn't that sweet, Bill?"

"Sure," Bill replied flatly.

"Oh, and I hear that you're also teaching?" Joanna said again.

"Yes, I love teaching," I replied. "I teach fine arts in an art school in the city,"

"I think teaching is a noble job," Joanna said. "You have such a big heart, Ian. Isn't he, Bill?"

"Sure," Bill replied in the same cold, flat tone.

"Ian's also been offered a teaching fellowship in Italy next summer by this great Italian artist, Sergio Rossi," Emma chimed in.

"A teaching fellowship in Italy? That sounds very exciting," Joanna said.

"Yeah, we're still considering it," I said. "I want Emma to come with me, but we don't know if she can take time from her work for that long,"

"You're thinking of going to Italy for the summer?" Joanna turned to Emma.

"Maybe. If my boss will let me," she sighed dramatically. "A lot of people work remotely these days. Honestly, I can do my job through Zoom calls and emails. But I'm sure Diana wants me in the office just so she could yell at me and boss me around,"

"Oh, baby, your boss sounds horrible," her mom winced.

"I know, that's what I keep telling you," she groaned.

"She's only doing her job, you know? That's what being an adult is all about," Bill spoke more than a word for the first time this entire car ride. "She wouldn't get to where she is without her work ethics, even if you don't like it,"

Emma was quiet for a moment, but then she mumbled out. "That's true..."

"Just keep at it, sweetheart. Keep working. Work smarter, not harder. Make her see your value and she'll treat you accordingly," he said again.

"You're right, dad," Emma sighed and hugged her dad from the backseat. "You're always right,"

"I know, baby," he said calmly, holding Emma's hand as she linked them around his neck. "I know,"

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Sleeping in Emma's room felt so weird. I offered to sleep in the guest room, but Emma said that was stupid. Her parents knew that we were already living together in the city. Emma was so calm and nonchalant about everything. She liked to hold my hand or kiss me in front of her parents, but I was the one feeling awkward about it. Maybe I was old fashioned or whatever, but I didn't feel comfortable showing too much PDA in front of her parents.

Emma wasn't making it easy on me either. On our first night in her house, I was getting ready to sleep, but then she surprised me by standing at the en-suite doorway wearing sexy lingerie.

"Baby girl, what are you doing?" I hissed as I watched her climb the bed seductively. "Your parents are right next door,"

"So?" she smirked naughtily.

"Let's just go to sleep. C'mere, let me cuddle you,"

"Noo," she whined and slapped my hand away. "I want you to take me, daddy. Here and now,"

Damn, how can I not get hard when she says things like that?

"Ah, shit," I muttered. "Fine, but you gotta be very quiet,"

She nodded her head in excitement and I just shook my head and laughed.

My baby girl is insatiable.

I pulled her down to the bed and flipped her over so that her stomach was flat on the sheets. Hovering right behind her, my hands roamed each corner and curves of her body, causing her to squirm and writhe.

Her body was responding to my touch, she arched herself closer to me, hot and wantonly. I chuckled lowly as I lifted her hips higher, positioning myself right in between her ass. My left hand then moved from her back and over her body, sneakily snaking its way through her sexy underwear.

When I slid my finger across her slit, her head tipped back into ecstasy. I ran circles around her clit, skillfully rubbing and pinching the bud with my thumb and index finger.

"Ah," she moaned involuntarily.

"Ssh, don't wake your parents," I said and I brought my right hand up to cover her mouth.

Wet cream was pooling around her core as I started rubbing my manhood on her behind. She was wearing a G-string underwear. Nothing was getting in the way between my throbbing length and her wet pussy except this flimsy single line fabric. I let my tip graze her folds up and down just to tease her, and I held her mouth tighter to make sure she wasn't making any noises.

Suddenly and without warning, I thrust deep and hard inside her, fully penetrating her. If it weren't for my hand over her mouth, she would be a screaming, slobbering mess. I pushed myself into her slow and gentle at first, but as her walls started expanding around him, my thrusts grew violently and with no remorse. Her walls started contracting around my hard length and she pushed back against me as I pounded into her mercilessly.

Her whole body was shaking in need. My fingers continued dancing on her clit while my rock-hard shaft hammered her dripping wet core. Within seconds, she clenched hard around me and came unraveling as she reached her climax. The feeling of her walls contracting around my length was just too much, She was biting into my fingers to keep herself quiet. I couldn't hold it any longer too. I clenched my jaw shut and breathlessly pumped my load into her, hot and needy.

We were panting breathlessly when we were done. Once I let go of her hips, her body immediately collapsed on the bed. I cuddled and spooned her little body, wrapping her in my arms. Her heavy breathing was slowing down and I planted a warm, sweet kiss on the back of her neck, sending shivers up and down her spine.

"There. Now, go to sleep, baby girl,"

And like a good girl, she nodded her head closed her eyes, drifting into a pleasant sleep.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

When I woke up the next morning, Emma was already out of bed. I pulled myself up for a quick shower and got dressed before leaving her room. I figured she would be downstairs with her parents, but when I got down there, there was no one around except Bill. He was sitting on the couch in the living room, watching an NBA game.

"Emma's out with her mother for some last minute shopping," Bill said to me, though his eyes were plastered to the screen. "There's some coffee and toast in the kitchen. Help yourself to anything,"

"Thank you," I replied.

I didn't go into the kitchen, though. I went and joined him in the living room instead. I sat down on an armchair next to the couch, and for a while, I just sat quietly as I noted how engrossed he was with the game.

Clearing my throat to get his attention, I cautiously said, "Bill... I mean, Mr. Sinclair, I was hoping I could talk to you about something,"

"Shoot," he said, and his eyes were still on the screen.

"It's kind of important,"

"What is it?" he turned to me finally. And damn, he looked impatient. Maybe I should pick another time to do this?

"I really respect you a lot, sir. I respect Emma and I love her. Which is why I want to ask you..." I started speaking, but my throat went dry midway.

Do you think I'm worthy enough to spend my life with your daughter?

"What is it?" he asked again.

"I want to ask for your blessings, sir," I croaked. "I want to marry your daughter. She's the love of my life. I promise I'll always honor, respect, and cherish her,"

Bill had the most stoic look on his face, I couldn't tell if he was angry, confused, or annoyed. But I was already talking, so I decided to keep going.

"I don't know what you've heard about me or about us. You probably know that Emma and I did go through a rough patch. I let her down before, but I'm never gonna do that again. I know I'm far from perfect, but I'll give anything and I'll do anything to be with her. I'll live and I'll die for her. So... please, I hope you know where I'm coming from...."

Shit. Maybe I should've written this down. I didn't how to end my rambling. What do I say now?

"I appreciate your honesty," Bill said suddenly, catching me off guard. He was silent for the longest time and I couldn't do anything but wait for him to continue. It was the longest thirty seconds of my life. I was holding my breath the entire time.

"I think you make Emma very happy. So that makes me happy," he said finally. "I'm rarely wrong about a person and I have a good feeling about you, son,"

"T - thank you, sir," I stammered.

"Please don't let me down," he said in a firm but commanding tone.

"I won't. I promise you," I said reassuringly.

He gave me one last threatening glare, but suddenly his eyes softened as he said, "Now, how about we watch that game?" his tone changed immediately and his face returned to the TV.

"Yes, sir," I agreed.

I spent the rest of that morning watching Houston Rockets play the Golden State Warriors. I learned that Bill was a Warrior fan, so I guess I'm a Warrior fan too. Either way, the talk went a lot better than I thought. I let the biggest sigh of relief as I felt the weight world had been lifted off my shoulders.

Now that I got her father's blessings, it was time for step two of the plan. Her friends.

- - - - - To be Continued - - - - -