“Don’t thank me yet,” he warned. “It could be a disaster.”
“Or it could be wonderful,” my mother countered optimistically. “Either way, you won’t be facing it alone.”
The conversation shifted to practical matters—where to meet, what time, contingency plans if things went poorly. Throughout it all, I watched Rion gradually relax, his initial stiffness melting away as my parents treated him more and more naturally.
After dessert, my father invited Rion to see his workshop, an invitation I knew was tantamount to formal acceptance into the family. The two men disappeared into the basement, leaving me to help my mother clear the table.
“He’s not what I expected,” my mother said as we loaded the dishwasher. “When you said you were bringing someone special, I thought maybe that nice librarian you mentioned. Ryan, was it?”
“Ramon,” I corrected, hiding a smile. “And no, he’s just a colleague.”
“Well, Rion is certainly… impressive.” She handed me a plate to rinse. “And it’s clear he cares deeply for you.”
“You’re not upset?” I asked, the question that had been gnawing at me all evening finally escaping. “That he’s not… human?”
My mother paused, considering. “Surprised, certainly. It’s not every day your daughter brings home a figure from Greek mythology.” She smiled to soften her words. “But upset? No. What matters is how he treats you, and from what I can see, he treats you with respect and tenderness.”
Relief flooded through me. “He does. He’s incredible, Mom. Brilliant and kind and so careful with me, like I’m something precious.”
“As you should be.” She touched my cheek gently. “Your father and I just want you to be happy, Clara. If Rion makes you happy, then we’re happy for you both.”
“Even if it complicates things? If people talk?”
“Let them talk,” she said firmly. “True character shows in how we treat those who are different from us. If someone judges you for loving Rion, that reflects poorly on them, not on you.”
I hugged her impulsively, breathing in the familiar scent of her lavender perfume. “Thank you for understanding.”
“I’m trying to,” she said honestly, hugging me back. “It’s a lot to take in. But I can see what he means to you.”
When my father and Rion eventually emerged from the workshop, there was a comfortable camaraderie between them that hadn’t existed before. My father was explaining some fine point about joinery, his hands gesturing enthusiastically, while Rion listened with genuine interest.
“Your father has invited me to come back and see his new lathe in action,” Rion told me, a note of wonder in his voice. “Apparently it can handle pieces up to four feet in diameter.”
“That thing was a small fortune,” my mother commented dryly. “But it makes him happy, so what can you do?”
“It’s an investment,” my father protested, the familiar argument clearly good-natured. “Besides, now I can make a proper dining chair for Rion. That bench is just a temporary solution.”
The casual implication that Rion would be back, that he was someone worth making furniture for, made warmth bloom in my chest.
As the evening wound down, we gathered on the porch to say our goodbyes. My mother hugged me tightly, then, after only a moment’s hesitation, offered Rion a hug as well. He bent down awkwardly to accept it, careful of his horns, his expression one of touched surprise.
“You take care of our girl,” my father said, shaking Rion’s hand firmly. “And we’ll see you both at the festival on Saturday.”
“Thank you for dinner,” Rion replied. “And for… everything.”
The simple statement carried the weight of his gratitude for their acceptance, their willingness to see beyond his unusual appearance to the person beneath.
“Anytime,” my mother said warmly. “You’re welcome here, Rion. Always.”
As we drove away, I couldn’t stop smiling. Despite the rocky start, the evening had ended better than I could have hoped.
“See? I told you they’d love you,” I said, nudging Rion playfully.
“They’re good people,” he acknowledged, his voice thoughtful. “I can see why you turned out the way you did.”
“And how’s that?”
His lips curved into a fond smile. “Stubborn. Optimistic. Kind to a fault.”
