Cove's POV
I got out of my car and slowly walked up to the door. River left my house 2 hours ago, leaving me a little less than an hour and a half to get ready.
Flatting down the ends of my dress, I hesitantly raised my hand to the door and knocked 3 times.
Shuffling instantly sounded on the other side of the door and I laced my fingers together, holding them out in front of me.
The door swung open and I immediately started, "Hello I'm-"
I cut myself off when I looked up and noticed it's only Azzy. A small smirk rested on her lips as she stared at me in amusement.
"Oh, hey Azzy," I greeted, playing it off cool. Her eyes traveled down to my hands that are nervously tugging at the end of my dress.
"Relax, they're still upstairs," she chuckled.
"Easy for you to say."
"I like you outfit by the way," I complimented as we walked inside. She's wearing a white shirt with a gray blazer on top and matching gray pants.
"Thanks, you look good too."
We then walked to the living room. River is still no where to be seen.
"I swear he takes longer to get ready than a girl," Azzy joked.
"Oh yeah, how long has he been getting ready?"
"Since he got home! I don't know what he's doing up there, but I'm starting to get concerned."
Just then, footsteps started coming down the stairs. I tensed for a moment, thinking that the time had come. But it's only River.
"You're so dramatic, I have not been in there this whole time."
My eyes widened at the sight of him. He looks nice, so nice. Dressed in a black suit with a black shirt underneath, he looks like a million dollars.
"Yes you have, don't lie."
"I'm not lying. Cove, do you think I'm lying."
Blinking a few times, I snapped myself out of my trance.
"O-oh, um, yes?"
"You think I'm lying?"
"Wait, no! I didn't mean that. I don't think you're lying."
He laughed and shook his head. "I know, I'm just messing with you."
"Oh," I awkwardly laughed.
"You don't have to be so nervous, it'll be fine. They'll love you," Azzy assured.
"I know, I know. I'm just worried that I'll say the wrong thing. Or I embarrass myself. Or-"
"Babe it's fine, you have a lot of charisma. Once your nerves settle down, it'll be like you've know them your whole life."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes! They're gonna love you, trust me."
I nodded and dramatically sighed, sinking into the couch.
"River what time is it?"
"6:58, why?"
Oh gosh I have 2 minutes, okay, deep breaths.
"Nothing, just wondering because I'm getting hungry."
"Oh, well, there's only 2 minutes to go."
"Yep," I mumbled, sitting up straight.
2 minutes quickly turned into 1. 1 minute turned into 20 seconds, and before I knew it, footsteps started down the stairs.
Unconsciously holding my breath, I turned in their direction and saw the most stunning couple to ever walk this earth.
River's mom has gorgeous wavy light brown hair that goes down to her waist. Her brown eyes sparkled as she laid eyes one me.
His Dad has dark brown hair and a light stubble across his chin. His dark green eyes are hard and cold, hiding every thought that's running through his head. Despite a few wrinkles, he looks young.
River is a perfect mix of the two. He has his Dad's hair and mom's eyes, with the exception of small speckles of green in them
They came in my direction and I instantly stood up, holding my hand out.
His Dad took it first and firmly shook it, squeezing a little to tightly for my liking.
"Alexander," he introduced.
"Cove," I said softly.
I then turned to his mom. Instead of grabbing my hand, she pulled me into a hug.
"Oh you're so beautiful. Thank you for taking care of my son, sweetheart. I'm glad he found someone like you."
She squeezed me tightly while I awkwardly rested my hands on her back.
"Mom!" River groaned after almost a minute, making me giggle.
"Sorry, sorry." She pulled away, patting my shoulder before stepping back.
"I'm Rose. We should start dinner while it's still hot."
River told me that a few chefs are staying at their house while his parents are here. They're the ones who cooked this dinner.
As we walked to the kitchen, I unconsciously scooted closer to River. He smiled and comfortingly rubbed my hip.
His Dad sat at the head of the table, while his Mom sat to the left. Azzy sat next to his Mom, I sat across from her and River sat on the right of his Dad. (Sorry if that doesn't make sense).
Two chefs came and served us plates loaded with food. Pasta, Meatballs, chicken, rice, ravioli, green beans, you name it. I most definitely won't be able to finish this, but I'll try my best.
His mom started a light conversation with Azzy about school while I kept silent, distracted by the delicious plate of food in front of me.
"So Cove, do you go to the same school as River?" Rose asked.
My eyes immediately snapped up and I took a second to swallow my food before responding. Why do people always ask questions when you're in the middle of chewing?
"Yes."
"That's great, are you in any of the same classes?"
"Yes, we have the same Math and English classes."
"That's good."
I nodded and smiled politely.
Dinner went on for another hour. I kept feeling a stare at my head every time I looked down. I quickly realized that it's Alexander's.
"Well, how about we go out to the living room so the staff can clear the table and set out dessert?" His mom suggested.
"Yeah sure, that sounds good," River agreed.
She smiled and stood up, taking his dad's hand and walking off to the the living room.
River came behind me and pulled back my chair, allowing me to stand up.
"Thank you," I whispered. He nodded and grabbed my hand, leading me out to the living room.
Azzy followed behind us and sat down on a love seat. Since his parents are sitting at the main couch, we sat down at one to the side.
I laid my head on River's shoulder, and he gently started to run his fingers through my hair.
As I was about to start a conversation, Bubbles came running into the room and jumped on my lap.
"Aw hi bubbles," I smiled and kissed her head. She barked in response and went up on her back legs to lick my face.
"Woah woah," I laughed and gently pushed her away. She licked my hand, then climbed over to River's lap and started to do the same thing.
"Someone's happy," he said while taking her off his lap and putting her on the floor.
She barked and ran to River's dad, scratching at his feet in excitement. "Stupido cane," he mumbled and pushed her away.
(Stupid dog)
"è solo eccitata, papà ," River said. Alexander shook his head and waved his hand dismissively.
(She's just excited, dad)
"It's okay Bubbles," Azalea whispered while picking her up, making me wonder what they were saying.
I looked at River, confused and he shook his head. "It's nothing," he assured.
A long, uncomfortable silence followed his statement and an obvious tension filled the room.
That was until his Dad finally decided to ask something. "So Cove, where are you parents from?"
"My mom is from here, and my dad is from Washington," I answered.
"Sta per rovinare la linea di sangue," he complained, looking at River. Great, they're talking in Italian again.
(She's going to ruin the blood line)
"Non lo è, papà . Hai anche sposato un'americana," River replied.
(No she's not, dad. You also married an American)
"Ma sei ancora la metà , una volta che avrete dei figli saranno italiani solo per un quarto. Questo non è abbastanza," Alexander groaned.
(But you're still half, once you two have children they'll only be a quarter Italian. That's not enough)
River thought for a second before saying, "non so cosa dirti papà , in America non troverai molti italiani. Quindi non so cosa ti aspettassi."
(I don't know what to tell you Dad, in America there isn't a whole lot of Italians. So I don't know what you expected)
"Non so nemmeno cosa mi aspettassi. Avresti dovuto essere cresciuto in Italia, ma tua madre ha detto che stavi bene qui."
(I don't know what I expected either. You should have grown up in Italy, but your mother said you would be fine here)
"Non metterlo su suo zio. Sappiamo tutti che è molto più sicuro safe," Azalea said calmly, trying to defuse the situation.
(Don't put this on her uncle. We all know here is much safer)
"Non importa, vivere in Italia avrebbe reso River ancora più duro di un uomo. Non tutto sarà sempre sicuro al 100%"
(It doesn't matter, living in Italy would have made River even tougher of a man. Not everything will always be 100% safe)
"Alexander don't judge my decision and stop talking about me like I'm not sitting right here. I made the right choice and we both know it," Rose frowned and scooted away from him.
Alexander sighed and pulled her back. "Sorry amor. Ti amo ma sarebbe meglio se River venisse in Italia, permanentemente."
(I love you but it would be better if River came to Italy, permanently)
"Papà , ho solo un altro anno di scuola e sai che ho intenzione di trasferirmi lì con Cove una volta che avremo finito," River said.
(Dad, I only have one more year of school and you know I'm going to move there with Cove once we're done)
I looked up as River spoke my name. He looked down at me with a slight frown and ran his fingers through my hair.
"Questo è il punto, dovresti andare avanti e muoverti ora senza Cove. Allora troverai qualcun altro che può darti dei bambini che porteranno avanti la mafia"
(That's the thing, you should go ahead and move now without Cove. Then you can have kids with an Italian, and that way they can carry on the mafia)
Sensing the anger rising from River at whatever his dad just said, I gently grabbed his hand and kissed the back of it.
"Non lascio Cove solo perché vuoi che I meie figli siano Italiani."
(I'm not leaving Cove just because you want my kids to be Italian)
"Farai come ti dico."
(You will do as I say)
"Alessandro. Smettila. River è quasi adulto, gli è permesso di prendere queste decisioni da solo. L'etnia di Cove non ha importanza. Non so cosa ti stia succedendo, ma so che non ho sposato qualcuno a cui importa così tanto della razza. Sono americano, quindi il fatto che tu dica queste cose qui semplicemente a causa della sua etnia è offensivo per entrambi" his mom butted in.
(Alexander. Stop it. River is almost an adult, he is allowed to make these decisions for himself. Cove's ethnicity doesn't matter at all. I don't know what's going on with you but I know that I didn't marry someone who cares that much about whether someone is American or not . I'm American, so they fact that you are saying these things about here simply because of her ethnicity is insulting to both of us.)
Alexander sighs, clearly having a hard time whether he should stand his ground, or give in to his wife's wishes.
Finally, he says "I'm sorry. We'll have this conversation later in a different environment."
River's body un-tensed a bit at hearing those words, and he let out a small sigh while rubbing the back of my hand.
I looked up at the clock and saw the time, it's now 8:30 pm. Wanting any excuse to leave this extremely uncomfortable situation, I said "well it's getting late, I should go now so I don't drive in the dark."
Azalea looked at me, a mix of shock and disappointment on her face. "Leaving so soon? At least stay for dessert, River can drive you home."
I simply shook my head and stood up "no, thank you for the offer though. I best be going. Thank you for the dinner," I turned to his parents and smiled politely. "It was lovely meeting you guys, hopefully we can see each other again soon before you guys leave. Goodbye."
Without another word, I kissed River's cheek, then grabbed my coat and left.
River's POV
I watched in disappointment as Cove left. It's not typical for her to leave this way, but I'm honestly not surprised that she did. She probably sensed how tense the atmosphere was getting and felt uncomfortable.
"Great. Well it was lovely seeing Cove, such a shame she left so soon," my mom said, her voice laced with venom towards my dad.
"Well she wanted to leave, it's not my fault," he shrugged in response.
"God, are you serious right now? Talking shit right in front of someone and expecting them not to feel uncomfortable?"
"It's not like she could understand-"
"Doesn't matter. You don't do that, especially to someone we're supposed to get along with. In the future Cove technically will be our daughter, so start treating her like one before we loose that relationship with her. I'm sleeping in the guest room."
Without another word and ignoring the protests of my dad, she stormed off upstairs.
Az sighed and stood up, looking uncomfortable and unsure of what to say. "I'm going to bed then too, night uncle. Goodnight River."
Silently, she followed upstairs while tracing her hand over the railing, leaving my dad and I alone.
My dad stayed quiet for a few minutes before mumbling, "Cazzate. Sai che ho ragione, ne discuteremo presto."
(Bullshit. You know I'm right, we'll discuss this soon.)
With that, he left as well.
2356 words
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GUESS WHO'S BACK!!
ME :)
Guys..
This book hit
100,000 READS OH MY GOD
Let me tell you, I cried like a baby when I checked Wattpad for the first time in months and saw this.
I am STILL freaking out and it's been weeks.
I'm very sorry for my 5 month long absence, SO MUCH happened in my life and I couldn't handle this on top of it all.
You guys are too sweet though and I'm so excited to be back!! I hope you all understand how much of a positive impact you have on my life
Love you all mwah mwah mwah
Thank you to everyone who's been here with me and are still here with me now. I'm honestly scared to publish this because what of my favorite readers are gone?? It's been so long I wouldn't be surprised.
Either way I love every single one of you to the moon and back and I appreciate you all deeply. See you again in a 2 weeks hopefully
~Maya