Dan

You've met people important to Dan before, but today was different. It was his mother. The very one he always frowned slightly when talking about, then added: "She's kind, she just likes to dwell on the past."

You tried not to get nervous. A polite smile, a neutral dress, a pie in your hands – everything according to plan. Dan held your hand tightly, and that calmed you somewhat. But your heart still beat twice as fast as it should.

The house was welcoming and cozy. Dan's mother—a stately, self-assured woman—looked at you with a slight squint and smiled warmly.

"Hello. So, you're my future daughter-in-law. You know, you're better than I expected."

You went into the kitchen, and the conversation flowed easily: about the weather, work, and life in the city. You were almost relaxed when she, pouring tea, suddenly said with a smile:

"Did he tell you that he wanted to find a real princess for himself when he was a child?"

"A princess?" you asked again, with curiosity.

"Yes. He ran around with a cardboard crown and said, 'I'll find a princess, and she'll have three sons and three daughters for me.' Can you imagine? Six children!"

You slowly turned to Dan. He had already covered his face with his hand and breathed heavily.

"I shouldn't have told you this, Mom..."

"Why? It's charming!" she laughed.

You took a sip of tea and said, with the calmest expression:

"Dan, if you're going to have them yourself, I'm not against it."

Silence hung in the room for a good second, and then Dan's mother burst into loud laughter.

"That's the answer! Now I'm calm – you'll handle him."

Dan, blushing to the ears, put his arms around your shoulders and mumbled:

"That's why I love you... And why I'm a little afraid of you."

Laughter, pie, and a couple more stories about "little Dan" brought the evening to a close. And as you left the house, you felt: she liked you. But most importantly, you felt calm here. Almost like home.