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Homepage › Stories › Make Me Believe You › Chapter 1

Make Me Believe You

The Past Is Never Where You Think You Left It

*Brendan’s POV*

The off-season was something I usually didn't look forward to because I loved my job even though I enjoyed the time off. But this year I couldn't wait for the off-season. I had never actually met Annabella’s family before and since we were engaged we both figured it was time. After we had won the Cup, we stayed in Montreal for a few days for some dinners and celebratory parties and then it was time to head to Phoenix. “You nervous?” Annabella asked from next to me in the taxi we were taking to her house. “Oh, you know, I’m only meeting my fiancee's parents for the first time and hoping they don’t wanna kill me for asking her to marry me at 19 and hoping her brother doesn't decide he’s gonna pound me through the boards like Malkin did for stealing his little sister away. No big deal.” I answered smiling while she let out a laugh. “Well, be prepared because we’re here.” She said getting giddy as she hopped out of the cab. When I stepped out I was shocked. Their house was gorgeous. “You coming Brendan?” She asked, taking me out of my trance. “This house it amazing.” I said still in shock. “Wait until you see the inside… especially my room.” She said winking as she grabbed my hand. Our bags had disappeared from the sidewalk after Annabella started speaking to someone in French. “Our bags will be up in my room before we will be- don’t worry.” She said giving my hand a squeeze. “Believe me babe, that’s not what I’m worried about.” I said as she turned the key and opened the front door. She was right- the inside was even more beautiful than the outside.

*Annabella’s POV*

“Annabella, ma chérie! Vous nous avez manqué! (Annabella, sweetheart! We’ve missed you!) My mother said as she rushed towards me and enveloped me in one of her famous hugs. “Tu m'as manqué aussi maman.” (I missed you too mom.) I looked behind me and saw Brendan smiling awkwardly. I knew he was nervous for this and I also know he really didn't speak fluent French like my family did. “Babe, this is my mom, mom, this is Brendan… my fiancee.” I said grabbing Brendan’s hand and pulling him over. My mom looked a bit shocked for a second but then softened into a smile and hugged him. “So you’re the boy that my daughter never stops talking about.” I heard as my dad walked towards us. “Salut papa.” (Hi daddy.) I said as I hugged him and he laughed. “Bon chérie de choix, il est un grand joueur et de ce que j'ai entendu, il est aussi un bon gars.” (Good choice sweetie, he's a great player and from what I've heard, he's also a great guy) My dad whispered to me as we walked over to where my mom and Brendan were. “Hello Mr. Gallagher. Welcome to our home and thank you for bringing our daughter back.” My dad said while shaking Brendan’s hand. “Anytime sir.” Brendan responded smiling. “Oh please, call me Kris.” My dad said waving his hand. I suddenly got wide eyes, “Is Jake home?” I asked jumping up and down. “In his room.” My mom answered as she laughed at my excitement. The minute she said it I was sprinting up the stairs. “Where did you hide the drugs?” I asked as I stood in his doorway and he whipped his head around at lightning speed. “Bells! I missed you!” he yelled jumping up to hug me. “I missed you too Jake.” I laughed as he let go of me. “So mom told me you were bringing your fiancee home.” He said getting kind of serious. I was the baby of the family and I knew Jake didn't want me to be engaged at 19… hell I didn't want to be engaged at 19 but with Brendan it didn't matter- I knew I wanted him forever. “You know we’re having a LONG engagement. Like we’re not getting married until I can at least legally drink at my own wedding.” I teased as we walked downstairs and into the family room where my parents and Brendan were all laughing.

“Gallagher.” My brother said as we reached the archway. “Lapierre.” Brendan responded getting up. They looked like they might fight as they stepped towards each other and I started to get nervous until they both broke out into a smile and hugged. “How have you been? I haven’t seen you since camp.” Jake said as they both laughed at my expression. “Good, good. The season went well, won the Cup, and got this amazing girl.” He answered winking at me. “How about you?” He continued. “Well I didn't win the Cup but I got named captain for next season and I’m proud to say my sister finally has good taste in boys.” Jake said laughing at my expression of anger. “You both suck.” I said as I sat down on the couch and they both plopped down on either side of me. “Love you too.” They both said in unison as Jake playfully pushed me and Brendan wrapped his arm around me and kissed my temple.

The rest of the day was spent with my parents getting to know Brendan and him, my brother, and my dad bonding over video games while I helped my mom with some girly stuff. “C'est vraiment un grand sweetie gars.” (He’s really a great guy sweetie.) “I know he is mom.” I said smiling down at the cards we were mailing for a party my parents were having next month. “Mais ... vous êtes à la fois si jeune miel. Voulez-vous vraiment être engagé ce jeune? Vous avez toute la vie devant vous.” (But... you're both so young honey. Do you really want to be engaged this young? You've got your whole life ahead of you.) “Mom I know, but I love him and honestly I can’t imagine being without him. I mean we’re having a long engagement because I’m not planning a wedding until I’m at least out of college and he knows that so that’s almost 3 years right there… you have nothing to worry about mommy.” I said as she smiled at me. “You know I was the same way when I met your father and I swear I had this exact conversation with my mom…” She laughed. “Well grandma loves dad so…” I said matter-of-factly. “Yes well she didn't love him when we got engaged at 20, but when she saw how happy he made me and that he treated me right she didn't care… and neither do I.” She said as she came over and gave me a hug. “Thanks mommy.” I said giving her a kiss on the cheek.

That night as I got into bed I felt happy. I knew my parents would love Brendan but I was scared of how they would react to us being engaged so young. Now that I had approval from both of my parents I was the happiest I’d ever been. I felt Brendan get in beside me in the midst of my daydream. “So how did I do?” He asked as he wrapped his arms around me like he did every night. “They both love you.” I said before giving him a kiss as he smiled. “Well good because I love their daughter very much.” He said as he pulled me in for another kiss. “Now I just have to meet everybody else.” He said as I laughed. “Oh don’t worry, it’ll be fine.” I said.

Little did I know it would be anything but fine once Gabe came home for the offseason. In the words of Katherine Anne Porter- “The past is never where you think you left it.” And as much as I wanted my past to remain the same- not talking to Gabe if I didn’t have to and basically forgetting we ever dated- life doesn’t come with a how-to book and it’s never easy…

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