Introduction

When the day arrived, Leila was nervous. She wanted the meeting to go well and for the girls to like her. All day, Leila messaged Mike, asking questions about the girls and what they liked and were into.
“I am so nervous, I really hope they like me,” Leila messaged.
“Everyone will love you,”
“I hope so. You have such a beautiful family and friends. I want them to know how much I love you and want to be with you,” explained Leila
Mike, reading the message, noticed that this was the first time that either had said those three words. As he read the message again, Mike smiled and replied,” I love you too, and I promise you will do perfectly. You are perfect in every way. See you at 6pm.
6.00pm arrived, and Leila knocked on the front door, waiting nervously for Mike to answer to introduce her to his children. Leia had never been so on edge before. She knew it was because she had fallen in love with Mike and knew if the girls didn’t like her, then things would probably end their relationship.
The door opened, which shook her thoughts. She smiled when she saw Mike, looking handsome in his black suit, with his top button undone, his hair a mess, as he had been putting his big hands through his hair.
“Hey, beautiful,” leaning in for a kiss
Putting her hands on his face, she kissed him back and said “ Hi
“Everyone is waiting, taking her hand and leading her into the dining area where everyone important was.
“Hi,”,” Everyone said at the same time
“Hi,” Leia said with a smile
Sitting in between Mike and Shannon, Shannon said, “Nice to meet you.” Putting out her hand to shake. Shaking her hand back, Leia said, "Hi" back
“I am Chloe, the youngest. Are you Dad’s girlfriend? Because if you are, we are fine with it. We haven’t seen Dad smile for a very long time until he met you,” Chloe said, smiling.
“I am, and your dad makes me very happy and smile all the time. I am looking forward to getting to know both of you. When you are ready, obviously,” Leia explained.
“Dad is at work tomorrow, on this big case and we are going to our grandparents, can you come with us and we can take the protection officers shopping. We can get to know each other and dad sucks at helping me pick out clothes or shoes,” Chloe said
“Yeah, that’s a great idea. Can I ask you a serious question?”
“Sure,”
“Do you love our dad?”
“Err, not a question you should ask in front of everyone,” Mike said.
“It’s ok,” Leia said, putting her hand up. “Yes, I do love your dad; actually, I was the first to say it.
“Really? When? How? Oh, please tell us,” Shannon said excitedly
“It was today, when I was overthinking about if you two would like me. I was so nervous that I messaged your dad, asking what do you like, what is your favorite colour. That I was nervous and hoped we got on. Your dad replied that you would and I would do amazing. I replied, thank you. I love you.
“What did you say, Dad? How did you reply?”
“I got all these butterflies in my stomach of excitement, and I knew there and then that I had fallen in love with Leia. I replied back, ‘I love you too.’
“What is your second question?”
“How do you feel about being a step-mum to two girls?
The room went quiet, and everyone had their eyes on Leia, waiting for her response to the question. Mike was about to step in with some explanation to why that question was inappropriate when Leia answered the question.
“I am very open to being your step-mum,” looking at both girls with a smile on her face, “but we do have to take it slow, as I want to get to know both of you together and individually. I want to make sure I always treat both of you with love, kindness, and respect. I do have one condition.
“What is it?” both girls asked
“I know how much your mum means to you, as your dad has told me. I hope you don’t mind. So, only when you are ready and want to, I would like to learn who your mum was, so I can celebrate your mum with you one day. I don’t expect it to be on the day you celebrate; you deserve to have that day to yourself, and I will always respect that. You have my word. I mean, any day you want to celebrate is fine with me, because if your mum is as amazing as you two are, then she was an amazing woman. Does that sound good with you?
“Yes, we would like that,”
“Will we expect you with us tomorrow, Leia?” Mike's mum, Michelle asked.
“As long as I am not intruding, I would love to join.
“Looking forward to it. How did you and Mike meet?”
“Erm, we were both out for a drink, and Mike came over and started talking to me. You were with Terry, right?”
“Here, nice to see you again, Leia. I've heard all good things. It’s nice to see my friend smiling again. So, as long as you keep that smile on his face, you are all good with me,” Terry said
“Son, why are you going back to work tomorrow when you know there may be a chance that these bad guys reappear?”
“Because there are innocent people who will get hurt if I don’t go and try and find him,” I promise I will be fine. Both Terry and I have done this for a very long time. We know what we are doing, I promise, Dad. There is a child who has just lost both of his parents and his grandad; he woke up to see his family in such a horrible way. That he will more than likely be traumatized for years to come. I don’t want any more children/or adults to go through that.
“Leia, do you know what my son does for a living? And how do you feel about it?” asked Michelle.
“Mike is a real-life hero. He saves people’s lives, gets them home to their families, and catches the bad guy. In fact, the worst of the worst bad guys. I am so proud to say I am Mike Lawson’s girlfriend. He is my very own hero,” Leia replied
Everyone around the table sat quietly, processing how Leia spoke about Mike. Even his own wife, whom he had been married to for over 20 years, didn’t speak about him or his work like that. Maxine would complain that he was gone all the time, and he should be protecting his own family only. That he wasn’t a hero, he was just doing a job. They knew Maxine loved him, but Leia's eyes light up as she speaks about him, with pride. With honour and love. Mike could see that everyone else, including the girls, was thinking the same thing. The way Leia was speaking about him was different from how Maxine spoke about him after many years of marriage.
“That is the first time we have heard someone Dad was with speak about him like that,” explained Shannon.
“I hope I haven’t upset anyone. I was trying to be honest. I wasn’t trying to overstep or belittle anyone,” Leia said, looking concerned.
“No, you didn’t say anything wrong. We liked it,” Chloe said, walking around the table to hug Leia. Leia held on tight with that hug. Mike suspected that Leia enjoyed and needed that hug more than Chloe did. As she fell into that hug, like she was waiting or maybe hoping for it. Whatever it was. Mike was loving it.
It was around 9.00 pm, and everyone was getting ready to leave. The girls asked Leia to spend the night. As they would love to spend more time with her, and they could ride together, going to their grandparents' home.
“I can go and get your stuff from yours,” Mike said, smiling like a cheetah.
“Would it be bad of me if I already had an overnight bag packed in my boot, just in case?” Leia laughed.
Everyone laughed. “I like this one,” Dad said.
“Nice, saves me leaving the house,”