Howie and Cait sat in the backseat of Polly's car on their way to the home Howie lived in with his parents. Cait nervously gripped Howie's hand the whole way.
"Cait, you don't have anything to worry about." Polly said, glancing in her rear view mirror and seeing the trepidation in Cait's eyes. "Mom and Dad are so happy that Howard met someone special. They're dying to meet you."
"See sweetie? You don't have anything to worry about." Howie reassured her for the hundredth time that day.
"And don't worry that they'll be mad about you springing the engagement on them like this. They won't be." Polly continued, grinning at them from the driver's seat.
Howie and Cait looked at each other, stunned looks on both their faces.
"Where on earth did you get the idea that we were engaged, Polly?" Howie asked, surprise still plain on his face.
"Howard, I haven't been your big sister for 27 years for nothing. I can see it in both of your eyes." Polly explained. "Plus anyone with eyes could never miss that gorgeous rock Cait's wearing." She continued with a twinkle in her eyes.
Howie's eyes widened and Cait's cheeks flushed deep pink.
"Alright Polly, you caught us." Howie admitted. "We've been engaged for a month."
"A month?!" This was a surprise to Polly. "My god, little brother, you are in love."
"Now that is the understatement of the millennium." Howie said, wrapping his arm around Cait shoulders and placing a soft kiss on her forehead.
"And you were going to fill in Mom and Dad when?" Polly asked.
"We wanted it to be a surprise. We were going to tell everyone tonight." Howie voiced, still looking down at his fiancée with loving eyes. "We didn't want to tell you all over the phone."
Polly nodded. "I see your point."
"Well, you still haven't said what you think of our engagement." Howie pointed out.
"I am extremely happy for you, Howard. You two love each other a lot, I can tell." Polly smiled at them, genuinely happy for her brother and his fiancée.
"I'm really glad that we have your support." Cait said, speaking up for the first time. "I'm so nervous about this. I've never done this before."
"Never met a guy's parent's before?" Polly looked surprised.
"No. Howie was my first boyfriend." She explained.
"Whoa. Okay, so that's why you're so stressed." Polly paused. "But really, like Howard's been telling you, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. Our parents are so excited to meet you. And believe me, this news will only make them happier."
"Thanks, Polly." Cait smiled, albeit nervously. "I'm starting to calm down a little bit."
"That's good... 'cause we're almost there. This is our street." Polly informed her.
Cait gripped Howie's hand tightly, closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths. A few seconds later she felt the car begin to slow down and finally a small bump as the car pulled into the driveway. Cait opened her eyes to see a modest looking house with a neat lawn and flower beds. Howie squeezed her hand gently as Polly put the parking break on and turned off the car. Howie unbuckled his seat belt and opened the car door, stepping out onto the driveway. Cait took another deep breath and did the same, taking the hand Howie offered and stepping out of the vehicle.
"Relax, sweetie." Howie whispered, kissing her cheek, then her lips softly. "It's going to be fine." He took her hand once more and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Cait let out a breath slowly and walked with him to the front door.
