Just as I snuggled deeper into the couch, Danny stood up and said, "I'll get it." He walked over and opened the door—only to freeze.
Standing there, in full dramatic glory, was my father, his arms crossed like a bouncer outside a club. "And what, may I ask, are you doing in my daughter's house, son?"
Danny blinked, caught off-guard. "Sir—uh…"
Before he could fumble further, I practically sprinted to the door. "Dad!" I threw my arms around him, followed by hugs for my mom, grandma, and my little brother, who grinned like he knew every secret in the world.
Mom squeezed me tight. "It's been ages! Did you forget you have parents?"
Grandma clucked her tongue and gave Danny a once-over. "Oh, don't be too hard on her. She's clearly been busy." Then, with a dreamy sigh, she added, "Ah, that young man—he reminds me of your grandfather. The same twinkle in the eye… the same muscles under that shirt…"
"Please, Grandma," I groaned, already covering my face. "Not again!"
"Why not?" she said, linking her arm with mine. "You youngsters could learn a thing or two."
I steered everyone inside before she could start another story. "Danny, meet the chaos I call my family."
Danny smiled and greeted them, his politeness making my mom melt instantly.
He offered, "I was just about to make her some cocoa. Can I prepare some for all of you too?"
Mom's eyes widened. "u know how to make?"
Danny nodded. "Yes, ma'am."
She gasped and put a hand to her heart like she'd been shot by Cupid himself. "My God, the first man in our lives who knows how to cook without lighting the kitchen on fire."
Overwhelmed, I grinned as Grandma chimed in again, "Your grandfather—"
"Grandma, no," I cut in before the story could revive itself. "Dad, please—"
But Dad raised his hands, mock-defeated. "Don't drag me into this. You know she hits harder than me."
We all burst into laughter, and Danny disappeared into the kitchen to whip up drinks, while my family filled the room with warmth and noise.
A little later, my dad suddenly stood up and said, "Danny, let's take a walk to the balcony, shall we?"
I raised an eyebrow. "Why, Dad?"
He only said, "Man-to-man conversation." And just like that, he pulled Danny along.
Out on the balcony, Dad leaned against the railing and asked Danny how we met. Danny recounted everything—the project pairing, our initial awkwardness, the basketball game, the chemistry that had slowly built up like stars finding their constellation.
My father nodded slowly. Then, with a smirk tugging at his lips, he asked Danny:
"So tell me, son… what is it about my daughter that made you fall so hard, you were ready to break into a locked college room to save her?"
Danny looked out over the balcony for a moment, the evening breeze brushing through his tousled hair. Then he turned back to my father with a quiet smile.
"I guess… it started with her eyes," he said simply.
Dad arched a brow. "Her eyes?"
Danny chuckled softly. "Yeah. She had this habit of looking everywhere but at me when we first met. But when she did look, just for a second—God, it felt like the world stilled. And then there was how she spoke—so calm, so careful, but her words always stuck. And that first time she beat me at basketball? I swear, I fell a little harder."
Dad blinked. "She beat you?"
"She humiliated me," Danny said with a grin. "But that's what got me. She's not like anyone else. She's strong, she's smart, she's quiet—but you should hear the noise she makes in my heart."
He paused, eyes softening.
"I'd break into a thousand locked rooms if it meant keeping her safe. Because no matter how strong she is, I'll always be the guy who shows up."
Dad didn't reply immediately. He just nodded, lips pressed together, eyes scanning the skyline—deep in fatherly thought.
After a moment, he patted Danny's shoulder. "You better keep showing up, son."
Danny met his gaze. "I will. You have my word."
Just then, I peeked out from behind the curtain, trying not to eavesdrop—but clearly doing a terrible job of hiding.
Danny saw me and smiled. "Hey, little spy. You hungry yet?"
"Starving," I said, walking out with a bashful smile, cheeks warm.
Dad gave me a quick wink and walked back inside, muttering, "I'll leave you two lovebirds to your moonlight."
Danny came to me, tugged me by the waist gently, and whispered, "So… what else did you hear?"
I smirked. "Enough to make me fall in love with you all over again."
His eyes lit up as he leaned in, forehead touching mine. "Then I guess I'm doing something right."