Chapter 42: Chapter 42

"Okay, let's go." Woody shrugs, walking ahead of me. My eyes widen further and I run in front of him, placing a hand on his chest.

"Steady on, Cowboy." I say, wondering why his response is so laid back and calm. I frown at him and he looks back at me blankly, not understanding the issue.

"Why are we keeping them waiting?" Woody asks slowly.

"We're about to meet my conscious parents. They aren't dead anymore." I tell him clearly. Woody looks at me funnily before reaching up and pointing a finger at the scar on my head.

"Is your behaviour a side effect of the head injury?"

I groan and slap his chest lightly.

"Woody! Take this seriously!" I whine like a toddler. Woody grins and grabs my hands before lifting it up and biting it. I stare at him, unamused —

"Calm down, Melvin." Woody says firmly. He takes my hand and intertwines our fingers instead.

"You have nothing to worry about, I'm great with parents." Woody reassures me. I raise a brow at him, jealousy swirling in my stomach — "Have you done this before?"

Woody winks, "A million times."

He automatically ducks, knowing I'm about to slap his chest again. I glare up at him and he chuckles, finding pure amusement in the situation.

"I'm being serious, Woody. My dad looks like he wants to kill you. He's never met any of my boyfriends before." I explain, chewing my bottom lip nervously.

"Why does he want to kill me? That doesn't seem fair." Woody frowns. We begin walking slowly towards the direction of their room. With every step I take, the nerves increase.

"Do you remember how mad Uncle Tobias was when he found out about our first kiss?" I ask him. Woody nods, his eyes widening at the memory. He exhales deeply.

"How can I forget? I was expecting to dig my own grave that night." Woody responds bluntly.

"Well, my dad is ten times more over protective than Uncle Tobias." I reveal, waiting for Woody's reaction. He freezes on the spot, his eyes nervously flickering down to look at me.

"He is?" Woody asks. I nod my head. "Yup."

"Fuck." Woody breathes out. We stand outside their hospital door and Woody takes a small step back. His dark eyes flicker between me and the door.

"At least if he hurts you, you're in the best place to be treated." I joke, trying to make light of the situation. Woody doesn't laugh and instead he blows out a deep breath.

"Whatever, let's do this." Woody mumbles, his hand still firmly in mine. I'm expecting him to drop it but he doesn't and the small act of bravery makes me smile. I push open the door and enter with Woody beside me. I can hear his laboured breathing as we make our way over to my parents.

Dad's eyes immediately zone in on Woody before flickering down to our hands that are joined together. I watch him breathe heavily, looking like a dragon ready to burn Woody into a crisp. Woody clears his throat and steps forward, offering Mum his hand first.

"Hi Mrs Melvin, it's good to meet you." Woody says confidently, his voice never once wavering. I lift a brow, impressed at his performance. From the corner of my eye, I notice Dad still glaring at him, his eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Hi Jason, you've grown up since I last saw you." Mum laughs, signalling for him to hug her instead. He drops my hand in surprise and Mum pulls him in, squeezing him tightly. When she let's go, he turns to look at me and he looks overwhelmed.

"I go by Woody now, actually." Woody corrects Mum, turning back to face her. She nods her head, smiling at him.

"Of course, sorry. I heard you're to thank for keeping me alive." Mum comments, her eyes briefly flickering over to me. I give her a grateful smile, glad that she's treating Woody with respect. Woody nods, reaching up to scratch the back of his neck.

"Yeah, it was nothing really. Anybody would have done the same." He responds politely. I shake my head, refusing to let him down-play his actions.

"You were amazing, a real life hero. I've never seen anyone keep trying as much as you did." I correct him. Woody gives me a small smile, his eyes flashing with nerves. He turns to face Dad and I hold my breath, watching with anticipation.

"Mr Melvin," Woody begins, taking a step forward. He offers Dad his hand and it hangs for several moments before Dad makes a move. He slowly reaches forward, placing his hand in Woody's. They both shake hands and I breathe out a sigh of relief. Mum signals a thumbs up towards me and I grin.

"So you're dating my daughter," Dad begins, dropping his hand back to his side. Woody nods and takes a step back, standing beside me. I slowly reach out with my hand, fumbling with his fingers before sliding my hand in his. I give it a reassuring squeeze.

"Yes, that's right." Woody responds, clearing his throat. He maintains eye contact with Dad the entire time which I find incredibly impressive and hot. My father is an intimidating man, especially when he glares at you with ice in his eyes.

"I've taken care of her the past few weeks, Sir. I think she's amazing." Woody says firmly. My heart warms and I smile up at him. Dad nods his head slowly and the hostile look in his eyes begins to fade.

"I want to thank you, Woody." Dad responds.

"You do?" Woody says, sounding confused.

"Yes. You saved my wife's life and you took care of my daughter when I wasn't able to. It takes a real man to do that." Dad tells him. I bite back a wide grin and resist the urge to fist pump the air. Woody holds his head up proudly, his lips stretching into a small smile.

"Thank you, Sir." Woody responds. Dad shakes his head, gesturing for him to take a seat.

"Call me Jake. It's good to see you after all these years." Dad says, giving him a small smile. Mum reaches over and take's Dad's hand, pressing a kiss on the back of it. She murmurs a response to him, her words quiet but I overhear them.

"I'm proud of you."

Woody gently guides me backwards and we both take a seat on the sofa style seat opposite my parents hospital beds. I lean my head into him, attempting to reassure his nerves.

"That couldn't have gone any better," I tell him quietly. Woody grins, looking pleased with himself.

"You think so?" He asks and I nod. I smile up at him, my eyes flickering between both of his.

"Handsome, respectable and full of manners. I can see why my daughter is in love with you." Mum reveals. My eyes automatically widen and I freeze. I snap my head towards her and gesture for her to stop but it's too late, the damage is already done.