Can't Always Get What You Want

Caroline was texting away on her phone. Dougie kept stealing glances at her as he drove. He couldn't help but smile. Dinner with his family went better than he could have ever hoped for. His family loved her. Then again, very few people who took the time to get to know Caroline didn't love her. He had given her an out, and she didn't take it.

"Hamilton, why do you keep grinning like that? You look demented." said Caroline. Dougie said nothing, just looked at her and continued to smile. "Seriously."

"I'm happy. Can't a guy be happy that his girlfriend didn't bolt at the sight of his family?" he asked "More so, that she actually liked his family."

"I told you I would give them a chance." she replied "In my head, they were Ginger Gold Medalists who wanted to take me out for daring to date their baby."

Dougie burst out laughing "I am so telling Mom." he teased "She will find it hilarious."

"I'll tell her, I don't care. They are so normal to have sons like you and Freddie." said Caroline.

"Mom isn't sure where she went wrong either." he shrugged "She's pretty sure it was when she gave us hockey sticks."

"Did they want you all to play their sports?" she asked.

"I get asked if I play basketball a lot. I don't mind hoops, but prefer the ice. Rowing is something I do for exercise. I think it's what helped fill out my shoulders this summer." Caroline started laughing and poked him in the shoulder. He stared at her for a second "What are you laughing about? I was a lot smaller last season!"

"If I had a quarter for every time someone says, just wait until Hamilton grows into his body, I'd be a rich woman." she replied

"I'm not going to get taller. But I will probably work with strength and condition to put on some muscle mass."

"Well now I have to keep you."

"Oh really, Miss Rader?" he asked "Why is that?"

"You're kind of hot now. Imagine what you'll be like when you grow up." she retorted.

"I'm plenty big enough for you, Miss Rader." Caroline started manically laughing in the passenger seat. Dougie tried to keep a straight face, but failed. He started laughing with her. “It’s not nice to laugh, Sweetheart.” Caroline just laughed harder. “Really, Caroline?”

“I’d say I’m sorry, but I’m not. You totally went there Dougie Hamilton. You’re mind and my dirty mind were snuggling.”

“So where are we headed to, Miss Rader?” he asked as he drove through Boston.

“My place is completely empty. Or we can go deal with Jami, Reilly boy, Quaider, and Dani Grace. Your call, Mr. Hamilton.”

“Home alone with my hot girlfriend sounds about right.” replied Dougie heading towards Caroline and Hadlee’s apartment.

“You’re not going to take advantage of me are you?” teased Caroline “I mean you’ve already forced me to meet your parents.”

“Oh, I definitely plan on taking full advantage of you.”

“Holy hell, I’ve finally corrupted you. I win!” yelled Caroline. Dougie immediately started laughing. “I win! I win! So what’s my prize, Hamilton?”

Dougie didn’t answer just shook his head. He loved Caroline so much that it hurt. Seeing her animated and happy made his night. He couldn’t wait to get her home. Home was an interesting thought. If his contract in Boston was extend, he might have to convince her to move in with him. Hell, if his contract with Boston wasn’t extended, he’d have to do whatever it took to get her to go with him. He hoped like hell not to have to find out. His biggest fear was Caroline wanting to stay right here since her family was from Boston. Dougie had meant to offer her tickets for her parents to opening night. He looked over at her furiously texting. She then turned towards him and gave him a beautiful smile.

“Your family is meeting us at 9 am at Sugarbaker’s. Breakfast with all parentals, the Marchand’s, Miller’s, and Hamilton’s. “

“And you are allowing this, Miss I’m Scared of Ginger Olympians?” asked Dougie

“But of course, Mr. My Parents are Olympians.” she sassed “In fact, your mom and I are going shopping after.”

“Should I be afraid?” he asked parking at her apartment.

Caroline unbuckled herself and leaned across the console. She gave him a smacking kiss “Be afraid, be very afraid. Your mom said you need clothes that aren’t frat boy chic.” She kissed him a second time for good measure before settling back into her seat. Dougie shook his head.

“Speaking of parentals, do you think your parents might like to come to opening night and have dinner with us after?”
Caroline’s head whipped towards him. She looked panicked. She looked like she might bolt. She looked like she might be sick. “I’m not sure the Hamilton’s are ready for the Rader’s, and the mother formerly known as Mrs. Rader Smith Parker Cline DeBussey Gauze. “ She grimaced and waited for Dougie’s commentary.

“Okay.” he said calmly climbing out of the vehicle. Dougie came around and opened her door. Caroline stepped out of the SUV and looked up at her boyfriend. Why was he being so nonchalant about this? Why didn’t he question why her mom’s name sounded like the expensive law firm where Hadlee worked? Why the hell did he always have to be so damn perfect? Damn him! A few minutes later they walked into her apartment.

Caroline grabbed his hand and led him to the couch. She sat down on one end and he on the other. She sat there facing him for a minute just looking at him. She was trying to gauge what was going on in his head.

“Does that hurt?” asked Dougie.

“What?” she asked.

“Whatever you're thinking about to the point your eyes are squinchy.” teased Dougie.

“This isn’t a laughing matter! Why did you just say okay? Why didn’t you ask more questions?”

“Because you obviously aren’t comfortable with me meeting them yet, and I'm not doing anything to spook you. I’m not giving you a single reason to run.”

“I am not a damn skiddish horse!” she retorted looking at him sternly. Dougie tried to keep a straight face and failed.

“I’m pretty sure you might be a thoroughbred.” he replied as he hauled her into his lap “I’ll meet your family at your pace.”

Caroline moved in his lap so that she could look up at him. Damned if she didn’t love him, and damned if she didn’t want him to meet her family. She just wasn’t sure about her mom. Dougie moved so that he had Caroline laying against his chest. Caroline laid very still on his chest. He was cheating. “It’s not that I don’t want you to meet my family, I do.” she began.

“But?” said Dougie rubbing his hand over her back. Caroline was could hear that steady calming beat.

“My parents aren’t together. They divorced when I was 4. So, Dad married Cathy when I was 5. She's definitely more maternal than my mom. Dad decided at age 6, that I had to live with them. My mother, Kendra, has been married 6 times, and that doesn’t touch the number of weirdos that have lived with her. Dad and Cathy have my 3 younger siblings Ally, Austin, and Alex. They are the prototype Boston family. Austin and Alex have already almost had a conniption when they saw pics of us together. The twins are 15 and are die hard Bruins fans. Ally is 17 and is a cheerleader too. She is going to audition for several SEC schools in the next year. Cathy is from Georgia originally. She encouraged me to do gymnastics and cheer. My mom hit on my tumbling coaches. Cathy went to competitions and watched me compete. Mom went to competitions to try out new bars and pick up guys.”

Dougie sat quietly and listened to Caroline talk. He wasn’t about to interrupt when she was talking about herself. Caroline was playing with the longer ends of his hair. He didn’t mind being her security blanket.

“You scared yet, Hamilton?” she asked quietly. Dougie shook his head no. “My mom is really something. She insisted on the teaching degree. Cathy has told me time and again that I need to do what’s right for me.”

“I think I agree with Cathy.” replied Dougie “I’m glad you and Hadlee made your deal. But I would have helped you.”

“And I know that.” she answered “But I need to do this on my own. I don’t want you to ever think I'm just here for who you are or what you can provide. That’s how my mom made her way through life.”

“Caroline, you are nothing like that!”

“But it’s my biggest fear. Hadlee knows it. She won’t let me pay rent. She barely lets me contribute to the bills. I don’t want to be a user like her. Hads and her brothers always try and watch out for me. I know dad would help, but I hate to ask. I definitely don’t want you to feeling like you have to take care of me. I think going back to school and getting my cosmetology license will make me self-sufficient.”

“Sweetheart, sometimes you need to lean on people. Hadlee and KK both love you. They want you to be successful. But you have to make me one promise.” he stated

“What’s that, Mr. Hamilton?” she asked

“You have to promise me, that when it’s time to open your business, you’ll let me invest in it. Because I want to invest in you. I know you’ll make a name for yourself.” he explained. Caroline looked up at him. “Full faith Sweetheart, in less than a year, you’ll have a salon.” Caroline was still just looking at him. Dougie leaned in and gave her kiss. “I mean it.”

“I know you do,” she replied “And that might be the scariest thing of all. I just don’t want to disappoint you.”

“You can’t.” he said kissing her again.

“What if you get tired of me?” she asked.

“Never.” he laughed “There’s never a dull moment with you. I love you, Miss Rader.”

“I love you, too.” she replied snuggling closer. “When did I turn into that sappy girl that snuggles with her boyfriend, pours her heart out, and cries at the drop of a hat?”
“I am pretty awesome.” teased Dougie. Caroline smacked his abs.

“And so humble.” retorted Caroline.

“Yes ma’am.” he replied as he unzipped her boots. He tossed them in floor next to the couch. “I am a champion cuddler.”

“That you are, Hamilton.”

“So about that whole meeting your family for the game and dinner, think you might want to invite your brothers and sister?” he asked hopefully.

“I’ll ask Dad and Cathy, plus the brats.” Dougie smiled at her. He was giving her that slightly demented look again “What the hell, Hamilton?”

“Thank you.”

“For what?” she asked

“For telling me about your family, for agreeing to let me meet them, and for facing the Olympic gingers.” grinned Dougie “I know these are all things that scare you.” Caroline watched him for a few seconds. She knew him well enough to know he was serious. He wanted her to be okay with this kind of intimacy. Dougie pressed a kiss to her forehead then leaned his forehead against hers “You’re my world, and I want to be part of yours.”

Caroline’s hand found the sides of his face. She moved so that they were eye to eye. “You make everything less scary.” Caroline’s mouth sought his. He never failed to amaze her. Dougie on the ice was impressive. However nothing compared to how he was when she was alone with him. She had always laughed at people talking about their better half. But she truly understood the sentiment. He changed her more and more every day. He didn’t demand anything. He didn’t try and change her. But being with him made her a better person.

“Those gears are grinding again.” smirked Dougie “Contemplating my demise?”

“Asking myself why you put up with me. I have more baggage than airport, and more issues than a subscription to Playboy.”

“Easy,” he stated shrugging the shoulders he was still growing into “You’re mine.”

Notes

Hey all! Glad you're still reason. You guys blow my mind. I think my beta reader/editor/conspirator wants to take me out over all the stories pouring out of my head. Don't forget all these chapter names are Rolling Stone song titles. The soundtrack for Dougie and Caroline is awesome.