"Right." Derek kissed my temple. "I'm grateful we have each other. That neither of us has to do this alone."
"Me too."
We sat there in the empty room, both processing what we'd just done. Sharing our pain publicly, turning our struggles into something that might help others.
"Rosie?" Derek said eventually.
"Yeah?"
"I think I'm ready."
"Ready for what?"
"To meet your parents. Officially. As your boyfriend." He turned to face me. "I know we're going home for winter break. And I know they know about me, but they haven't really met me as the guy dating their daughter. I want to do it right."
My heart swelled. "Are you sure? My parents can be... intense."
"I'm sure. You're important to me. Which means your family is important to me." He squeezed my hand. "Besides, I should probably ask your dad's permission before I propose someday."
"Derek!" I laughed, my face heating. "I’m nineteen."
"I know. I'm talking about someday. Future someday. But when that someday comes, I want to have already established a good relationship with your family."
"You're really thinking about this."
"I'm really thinking about everything when it comes to you." He cupped my face and kissed me gently. "You're my future, Rosie. I want to do it right."
"Okay," I said, tears forming. "Okay, yes. Come meet my parents. They're going to love you."
"Let's hope. Because Aaron already threatened to kill me if I hurt you. I don't need your dad joining that coalition."
I laughed, kissing him again. "They're going to love you because I love you. And because you make me happy. And because when my dad asks about your intentions, you'll be able to honestly say they're serious."
"They are serious. The most serious intentions I've ever had."
We finally left the event space, walking hand in hand to Derek's car. The December air was crisp and cold, but I felt warm from the inside out.
"What do you want to do when we get back to campus?" Derek asked as we drove.
"Honestly? I want to curl up with you and watch something mindless. Tonight was emotionally exhausting."
"Perfect. I have just the thing."
Back at Derek's room, we changed into comfortable clothes and settled onto his bed with his laptop. He pulled up a nature documentary about penguins that required zero emotional investment.
"Is this okay?" he asked.
"Perfect." I snuggled against him, my head on his chest. "Thank you for tonight. For doing that with me."
"Thank you for the idea. For pushing me to be more open." His hand traced patterns on my back. "I've been thinking about the studio you want to open. The Roseline Method."
"Yeah?"
"What if we combined it? Like, you do the Pilates and movement training, and I could offer sports psychology counseling for injured athletes. A one-stop recovery center."
I sat up to look at him. "Derek, that's brilliant."
"You think?"
