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Gemma was nervous. She'd never been anyone's girlfriend before and she'd definitely never met a boyfriend's parents. This was a brand new ballgame for Gemma. Flynn grinned at Gemma's quiet and nervous state. She was wringing her hands in her lap as they drove down the road. Flynn reached over, tugged one of her hands away, and held it in his own.

"You'll be fine," Flynn assured her. "Really, you have nothing to worry about."

"I'm not exactly normal, Flynn. I have certain oddness about me," She told him.

He chuckled, "Believe me, I've always possessed an oddness too. My father's used to it."

Flynn pulled in the garage of their home and shop. Gemma reached for her door, but Flynn motioned for her to wait. She rolled her eyes, grinned, and nodded. He came around and opened her door and helped her out of the SUV. Flynn held her hand as he led her through the door that led to the apartment where the bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchen were. She could smell something cooking as they entered. Mr. McAlister leaned his head out of the kitchen doorway and smiled. He wiped his hands off with a kitchen towel and walked toward them.

"Well, how d'you do, lass?" He asked as he reached a hand out to shake hers. "You must be Gemma."

Gemma shook his hand, "I am, it's really great to meet you."

"And you as well. I've heard so much about you that I feel like I know you," Flynn's father smirked as he pulled away. Flynn blushed and laughed nervously.

"I haven't said that much."

"Yes, you have," Mr. McAlister disagreed. Gemma chuckled and squeezed Flynn's hand.

"I'm flattered to hear I'm so worthy of conversation," Gemma grinned.

"I hope you like beef stew, Ms. Gemma," Mr. McAlister said. "That's what I've made for dinner."

"I've never really had beef stew before actually," Gemma told him.

"Never had beef st—you poor girl," Mr. McAlister stuttered.

Gemma laughed lightly, "I'm very excited to try it though."

"How in the world have you never had beef stew?" Mr. McAlister asked curiously.

"Dad—"

"I grew up in a sheltered environment. My brother and I were put on strict gluten free, vegetarian diets," Gemma answered.

"So you ate rabbit food, basically?" Mr. McAlister asked with a shake of his head. "That's a shame. Well, the stew's ready, shall we?"

Flynn gave Gemma an apologetic glance, but she merely grinned and squeezed his hand again. She wasn't at all embarrassed. She actually really liked his dad. He seemed entertaining. This was going to be a fun night.